How the US is ahead:

There is a ready list of American and European IRGC sympathizers. They would rather have the status quo of the Carter disaster than to give a green light to a no-RoE takeover of Iran.

Deny (or strip) them clearances, access to intelligence, and/or influence over defense policy.

Most people don't really give a fuck about Iran at all.

They do care about the cost of war and possible refugee tsunami though.

It's funny that Trump got elected on the premise of ending the "forever war" of America world police.