ArmInfo.Washington is increasing its military component of pressure on Iran, expert on regional issues Karen Veranyan expressed such an opinion to ArmInfo. "This is evidenced by the beginning of the development by the Central Command of the US Armed Forces of an international operation to protect shipping in the Middle East.
As far as I understand it, the Trump administration significantly underestimated the capabilities and potential of Iran. This is what caused the White House's confidence about the possibility of forcing Tehran to compromise through sanctions. However we see that this approach is not justified, "he noted.
As part of the international operation for the protection of shipping in the Middle East being developed by the Central Command of the US Armed Forces in order to "provide additional deterrence against the background of new threats", in particular, it is planned to send 500 troops to Saudi Arabia. Riyadh has already agreed to the deployment of the US military.
At the same time, Iran, according to Veranyan, quite clearly realizes its own capabilities, as well as those of the USA. The latest events around the Persian Gulf and in the Middle East demonstrate Tehran's determination to counter regional and international challenges. The latter, according to his estimates, pushes Washington to strengthen the military component of pressure on Iran.
In Veranyan's view, the United States seeks to limit or completely prevent Iran's control over transit through the Persian Gulf. Otherwise, the West may face the prospect of limiting energy supplies, which will lead to an increase in oil prices, etc. At the same time, the expert admits that the Trump administration still has constructive scenarios to attract Tehran into the negotiating field and thus avoid the military scenario.
"As for mutual rhetoric, it completely fits into the logic of the latest realpolitik trends. As part of this logic, the United States applies to Iran all the tools for conducting proxy-hybrid actions. And any change of emphasis in this rhetoric allows the parties to experience mutual sentiments and rapid response capabilities to different situations. Today we see an increase in tension, however, Trump is refraining from a military scenario. In any case, I estimate that the scenario of direct American strikes on Iran is unlikely "- he summed up.