Former U.S. intelligence analyst Ray McGovern has described the U.S. and Israeli military actions against Iran as a "dangerous gamble" with the potential to lead to the deaths of hundreds of thousands. In a recent interview with Al Jazeera, McGovern expressed his belief that the Trump administration is unlikely to prevail in any conflict with Iran, highlighting a complex mix of political, military, and public sentiment that undermines such an endeavor.

One reason for his skepticism is the current public opposition to war in the U.S. McGovern pointed out that only about 25% of Americans support military action against Iran, suggesting that widespread public reluctance would severely limit any administration's ability to sustain a prolonged conflict or secure a decisive victory. He emphasized that leadership cannot ignore the prevailing mood of the populace when contemplating military engagement.

Moreover, McGovern noted the diminishing support for Israel among Americans, asserting that the public is increasingly opposed to actions perceived as genocide or starvation. This changing sentiment reduces the political leverage that the U.S. can use to justify military operations in Iran, particularly as the confidence in diplomatic solutions, which were reportedly close to fruition, has been jeopardized by recent military actions and rhetoric, suggesting that a peaceful resolution is now more distant than before.