Calling it "Iran's war effort" just feels wrong.
Iran’s [war effort]. Not [Iran’s war] effort.
They’re at war. It’s a war effort. Mincing words doesn’t change that. America didn’t wage a defense against Japan after Pearl Harbor, it waged war. War is both offensive and defensive, the original language is fine.
Iran has been 'at war' with the west for a very long time. It's time to redefine the concept of war to be compatible with the 21st century and also include hybrid warfare and war-by-proxy. Iran has been waging war using Hezbollah, Houthis, Hamas-aligned factions, Iraqi militias and the consistent aid it gave Russia through the Shahed drone program which is targeting civilians in Ukraine. And I don't even want to go into details about the war Iran is fighting against its own citizens.
I hate to quote Hegseth, but this is the FO phase of the FAFO cycle.