There can be no off-ramp while Trump is president. Here is the best option:
As he becomes increasingly irrational – congress and media will turn against Trump en masse and he will be removed and, presumably, Vance will take over. Given Trump’s present behavior I suggest this will happen soon.
Vance will say that he never supported the attack but, as vice president, he felt duty-bound to stand by the president. He will emphasize that he especially disapproved of the timing but that Trump felt obliged to act when the Israelis did (as Rubio has already disclosed). Vance will say that a massive policy review is under way and that, meantime, the US will cease its attacks on Iran: while supporting the Israelis if they choose to continue. This support will be logistical only. Vance will forbid the Israelis from using nuclear weapons – insofar as such use can be prevented.
Most probably the Iranians will continue to attack Israel and Israel will have to reply as best it can, continuing to use the stand-off strategy. In time these exchanges will inevitably taper off as each side becomes exhausted.
In the Gulf, “unfriendly” countries will be permitted by Iran to pass the straight on payment of a fee denominated in yuan.
Vance will declare that Iran has been enormously reduced and it is no longer a threat and will seek assurances, through the Russians, that Iran will not acquire nuclear weapons and, with Russian mediation, execute a commitment never again to attack. Russia will join China to underpin the reconstruction of a 'peaceful' Iran.
With congress, as the new appointee, Vance will seize the initiative to ensure that his nominees for high office are approved – there will be a clean-out of virtually all the present incumbents. Without being blatantly obvious, zionists will be excluded and, subtly, the Israelis will find themselves as scapegoats along with Trump (who will take the starring role there).
The gulf states will find themselves in a kind of limbo where they avoid further antagonizing Iran - little will be done by the US to repair its bases and these will be allowed to atrophy: unspoken abandonment. The US may however assist with the repair of petrochemical facilities.
As for Israel, it will come off greatly reduced and many of its citizens will emigrate - to the US and Canada in particular. Doubtless they will look to the US for massive financial support in reconstruction. The degree of such support will depend on the prevailing political climate - remembering that Israel was the instigator of this catastrophe.
