<2> Crisis of his own making: Trump weighs another war with Iran
<3> The US military build-up was designed to coerce Tehran — but has failed
<4> The United States has been engaged in a prolonged and costly conflict with Iran for decades, with the most recent escalation coming under the presidency of Donald Trump. Despite a significant military build-up in the region, the US has failed to achieve its objectives, and the situation remains volatile.
<5> The Trump administration’s policy towards Iran was marked by a series of provocative actions, including the withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and the imposition of harsh economic sanctions. The goal was to coerce Tehran into renegotiating the nuclear deal and to curb its regional influence.
<6> However, the US military build-up in the region, which included the deployment of additional troops and military equipment, has failed to achieve its intended purpose. Instead of deterring Iran, the US has been drawn into a series of confrontations, including the killing of top Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani in January 2020.
<7> The Soleimani assassination was widely seen as a reckless and provocative act, and it has had far-reaching consequences. Iran has vowed to avenge