Midterm peace: Iran had two simple goals when it came under attack by the United States and Israel earlier this year. The first was to ensure the survival of the severely outgunned Islamic Regime. The second was to maintain its bond with Hezbollah in Lebanon, a profound partnership Israel understandably abhors. These two priorities were of even greater importance than anything concerning Iran’s nuclear program. If the so-called Memorandum of Understanding holds up, Iran will have secured both these critical objectives. Yes, the Strait of Hormuz will be reopened,which will bring global economic relief. But it is important to note that that of itself does not constitute a western victory since the Strait was open and operating before the U.S.-Iran standoff brought oil traffic to a halt. This paper-thin peace is no more than a White House effort to cut its losses ahead of midterm elections in November. Never was this war needed or in any way vital, in the end another example of American hubris, by now its default position in international affairs. No matter how much pressure Washington heaps on the Israeli leadership, it is hard to imagine any truce between Israel and Hezbollah, not after three decades of cutthroat military exchanges.