Are US-Iran relations headed towards military conflict?
War of words and escalating tensions are stoking fears of military clash.
In the latest round of escalating tensions between the United States and Iran, US President Donald Trump has said he will deploy around 1,500 additional troops to the Middle East. The move is one more chapter in US-Iran relations that intensified earlier this month when a US carrier and missiles were sent to the region in response to an unspecified potential Iranian attack on US interests. Both nations have since engaged in worrisome back-and-forth rhetoric that some fear is leaning towards conflict.
On Monday, Trump mentioned the possibility of a new nuclear deal with Iran, but Iran’s foreign ministry swiftly rejected prospects for renewed negotiations. In recent weeks US sanctions have been tightened and Iran quadrupled its production of enriched uranium – breaching the 2015 nuclear deal it struck with world powers to halt its nuclear development in exchange for sanctions relief.
So what should be done to ease tensions between the United States and Iran? Join the conversation.
On this episode of The Stream, we speak with:
Negar Mortazavi, @NegarMortazavi
Consultant editor, The Independent
facebook.com/negarmim
Hillary Mann Leverett
CEO, STRATEGA
aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/profile/hillary-mann-leverett
Setareh Sadeqi @Leelako
PhD candidate in North American studies; University of Tehran
What do you think? Record a video comment or leave your thoughts below.
Read more:
Iran hits out at US after Trump nuclear weapons comment – AJE
Trump thinks the North Korea blueprint will work with Iran. He’s dangerously wrong – Independent