Iran May Be Preparing a Significant Escalation of the Conflict with the U.S., According to the NYT
Iran may be considering a significant escalation of the conflict with the U.S. amid renewed tit-for-tat strikes in the Middle East. At the same time, U.S. intelligence assessments indicate that Tehran is not currently showing any willingness to reach an agreement with Washington.
According to the publication, in recent weeks, U.S. intelligence agencies have noted a growing confidence on Iran’s part in its own ability to strike targets in the Middle East.
“According to reports from U.S. intelligence agencies over the past few weeks, Iran has become more confident in its ability to strike targets in the Middle East and, by all accounts, is determined to continue the conflict for several months to inflict pain on the United States,” the publication writes.
These assessments largely correspond to the situation in the region itself, where hostilities have resumed after a period of relative calm.
Over the past week, Iran has attacked shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and U.S. military forces in the region. In response, the U.S. has carried out strikes on Iranian territory, resulting in the deaths of both military personnel and civilians.
For now, the clashes are relatively limited in scope, but that could change.
According to people familiar with U.S. intelligence reports, Iran’s hardline leadership may be considering a significant escalation of the conflict.
“Iran has emerged from a months-long war—one that has alternated between fighting and ceasefires—with a much better understanding of its military strengths and greater confidence in its capabilities,” notes The New York Times.
At the same time, current and former U.S. officials believe that reaching an agreement on a complete end to the war will be extremely difficult.
According to the newspaper’s sources, there are virtually no signs that Iran is ready for a new agreement with Washington.
“There is little to suggest that Iran is ready to conclude any agreement with the United States, content instead with exacerbating President Trump’s political problems ahead of the U.S. midterm elections,” the officials said.
Consequently, Washington fears that Tehran may be interested in prolonging the standoff, using the conflict to increase political pressure on the Donald Trump administration.
At present, Donald Trump is not seeking to resume negotiations and believes that economic pressure on Iran could force Tehran to make concessions.
This refers, in particular, to control over the Strait of Hormuz and, potentially, Iran’s nuclear program.
However, U.S. officials familiar with intelligence reports warn that, in the short term, increased U.S. economic pressure could, on the contrary, fuel further escalation.
According to sources cited by The New York Times, Iran may take actions in the coming weeks similar to those it carried out in July.
At that time, Tehran:
- attacked U.S. military bases in the Middle East, resulting in the deaths of three Americans in Jordan;
- carried out attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz;
- attacked infrastructure in Kuwait and other areas of the region.
Thus, U.S. intelligence does not rule out a new wave of attacks by Iran, and the prospects for a swift diplomatic resolution to the conflict remain extremely uncertain at this time.
The New York Times reports this, citing sources familiar with U.S. intelligence reports.
On September 5, Iranian media reported several explosions near Khark Island in Iran, in the Persian Gulf, where one of the country’s main oil hubs is located.
U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the U.S. military may soon strike Mount Pikax in Iran, located near the uranium enrichment facility in Natanz. He made these remarks to reporters in the Oval Office.
