Tensions simmer in ME

All eyes are hovering above Iran following the Aramco attack, initially claimed by the Yemeni Houthi militia, on September 14. In light of recent investigations the US was the first to issue explicit statements inculpating Iran on the basis of “Iranian-made weapons” used in the attack. Tehran, however, denies such accusations.

Since the attack, Trump has propelled economic push-down by imposing another round of sanctions on Iran’s central bank and development fund in an attempt to apply “maximum pressure”. To psychologically put the country at edge, Trump has hinted at military action and possible war options. Furthermore, the US has announced the deployment of its forces as well as air defence capabilities in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, claiming it to be “defensive in nature”. This bolsters the US-Saudi relationship, in an attempt to collectively tackle the so-called Iran problem. Even though presently the US is not dependent on Gulf oil, further attacks could trigger economic instability around the world, which the US is avoiding at all costs; given past instances. One can also not ignore the fact that the US will now have a physical presence in the wealthiest part of the country.

Iran, on the other hand, seems more resilient than ever, with its Foreign Minister and the Commander of the Revolutionary Guards claiming that any attack on

Iran would mean an “all-out war”. Hope and options for Iran are quickly fading away as recently, the British Prime Minister offered support to the US and Saudi Arabia against Iran. This proves to be a trump move and only a brilliant mastermind can pull off such strategic manoeuvres to cordon Iran off from all fronts. It seems that, unlike his predecessors who would so easily enforce military action, Trump is using all diplomatic means to pressurise Iran to throw in the towel.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 25^th, 2019.

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