• Source:JND

US-Iran War: The US-Israel war against Iran continued on the 13th day, with no clarity on what has been achieved so far. The flip-flop attitude of US President Donald Trump on ending the war made the situation more grim. One day, Trump says the US will launch 20 times harder attacks on Iran, and another day, he says there's "practically nothing left" to target in the West Asian country. The US has not declared what the primary objectives are and what has been achieved in the 13th-day war.

Iran Shows No Sign Of Surrender

Iran continued its attack in the Indian Ocean, targeting the US and its allies' ships, especially in the Strait of Hormuz, creating an energy crisis in several Asian countries, including India. Iran affirmed that it would not surrender; in fact, it vowed that the fate of the war would be decided by Tehran only. On the other side, Trump said he will resort to a diplomatic solution if Iran's leadership surrenders.

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In a fresh development, two tankers were ablaze in Iraqi waters on Thursday after what appeared to be Iranian strikes, the latest wave of attacks on oil and transport facilities across the Middle East, as Iran warned the world should be ready for oil to hit USD 200 a barrel.

Unleashed with joint US and Israeli air strikes on Iran almost two weeks ago, the war has so far killed around 2,000 people and thrown global energy markets and transport into chaos. The conflict has spread across the Middle East and prompted plans for a record release of strategic oil reserves to dampen one of the worst fuel shocks since the 1970s.

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The war is costing dearer not only to Gulf countries but also to other US allies. The shortage of fuel badly affected fuel-importing countries, like India, Taiwan, Pakistan, Nepal and others. Now, the question is, why is Trump not declaring an end to the war?

Here Are The Five Possible Reasons:

Objectives Not Yet Met: The US says the operation can continue until Iran's missile capabilities, navy, and potential nuclear program are significantly uprooted. There is no clarity whether the US wants regime change in Iran, which does not look possible in the coming days. Trump and other officials have sent mixed messages about whether regime change was another goal after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in initial strikes and replaced by his son, Mojtaba Khamenei. The US intelligence indicates that Iran's leadership is still largely intact and is not at risk of collapse any time soon. Also, there is no clarity on the current status of Iran's nuclear programme.

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Iran's Retaliation: Iran's military and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps are continuously launching missiles and drones. The Axis of Resistance, an Iran-led military coalition of state and non-state actors (Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis and various Iraqi militias), is still active and is launching attacks on the US allies. The Federal Bureau of Investigation had warned of Iranian drones potentially striking the US West Coast. Against the backdrop of strong retaliation, it is unlikely that Trump would choose to end the war.

The Strait of Hormuz: In the last couple of days, Iran intensified its airstrikes, in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passage that caters to approximately 20 million barrels of oil passing and one-fifth (20%) of global oil consumption. With the continuous hostility at the global checkpoint, it is unlikely that Trump would withdraw warships from the region.

Pressure From Allies: Key ally in the war, Israel wants Iran's military power and the nuclear programme to be completely weakened, calling it an existential threat. Other US allies, like the UAE and Qatar, usually come forward to de-escalate tension between the US and Iran, but this time they are also upset with Tehran.

(With Agencies inputs)


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