[muzani]

> successful regime change

Best we usually get is a failed US puppet state. The non-puppet faction is stronger but poorer but ends up winning in the end.

> a really long war - like in afghanistan or irak (~ 10 or up to 20 years)

Iran is twice the land size and about twice the military size. The US hasn't won wars half the size of this one. Not when 9/11 made people want blood. Not when they had a stronger casus belli. Not when they were deep in debt and economically separated from their top trade partner.

But on the other hand, the USA also doesn't declare wars; they're military action by a president. Since American presidents swap out every 4-8 years, nobody really owns the war. A future president decides that nothing of value was accomplished and ends the war to everyone's relief.