Operation Epic Fury is not at all optional but IS clearly limited

Critics of the US bombing of Iran slam it as an unnecessary “war of choice” all too likely to bog our nation down in another quagmire like Iraq; Secretary of State Marco Rubio left no doubt Monday that it’s not in any way optional, and that President Donald Trump’s goals are clear, rational and limited.The strikes, though extensive, are focused on a very well-defined goal: to deny Tehran a “conventional weapons” shield that it can “hide behind” while building nuclear bombs.Such protection, explained Rubio, would make the cost (in lives and treasure) of using military force to keep it from getting nukes far higher than it is now — likely too high.Without action now, there’d “come a time where they have so many drones” and missiles that could inflict “so much damage that no one can do anything about the nuclear program.”Tehran would, in effect, be putting itself in “a place of immunity.”And it was well on its way there: Rubio cited estimates of Iranian production at more than 100 missiles a month, far outpacing “the six or seven interceptors that can be built” — “not to mention thousands of one-way attack drones.”To head that off, Operation Epic Fury’s “objective” is “the destruction” of [Iran’s] ballistic-missile launchers,” stockpiles and manufacturing capabilities, “as well as their one-way attack drones and their navy.”That’s not just reasonable; it’s vital.Subscribe to our daily Post Opinion newsletter! Please provide a valid email.

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Critics claim the threat wasn’t imminent, yet special envoy Steve Witkoff reports that Iran’s negotiators last month boasted of already having enough uranium for 11 A-bombs that Tehran could enrich to weapons grade in 10 days.“Imagine a year from now ..

.  the capabilities they would have to inflict damage on us,” warned Rubi...