Iran held annual military war drills with Russia on Thursday. This war exercise has taken place at a time when the American aircraft carrier is getting closer to West Asia. Both the US and Iran have signaled they are prepared for war if talks over Tehran’s nuclear program fail.
US President Donald Trump has said he is looking forward to a deal with Iran, but talks have been stalled for years. At the same time, Iran has refused to discuss American and Israeli demands. The US and Israel demand that Iran cut its missile program and break its ties with armed groups. There has been no significant progress in the indirect talks held in recent weeks. There is also a possibility that both sides are using this time for final preparations for war.
Iran government’s position weakened after 12 days of conflict and protests
Iran’s government is weaker than ever after a 12-day conflict with Israel and the United States last year and a violent crackdown on mass protesters in January. Yet it is capable of attacking Israeli and US targets and has warned that any attack would lead to a regional war.
One-fifth of the world’s oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran conducted live-fire maneuvers in the Gulf of Hormuz this week. It is a narrow passage to the Persian Gulf, through which one-fifth of the world’s traded oil passes. Tension is also increasing inside Iran. Condolence meetings are being organized in Iran to mark 40 days of the death of protesters who were killed by security forces. Slogans were also raised against the government in some meetings. However, officials have also warned.
American warship at the mouth of the Mediterranean Sea
The US has deployed more warships and aircraft and the USS Gerald R Ford aircraft carrier is near the mouth of the Mediterranean Sea. However, this does not mean that America will definitely attack Iran. But with the arrival of such a large army and ships, Trump’s ability to attack has become stronger. They can attack if they want.
Trump has not yet ordered an attack on Iran. He had set the Lakshman Rekha on the cases of killing and large-scale executions of people protesting peacefully and meanwhile he is trying to restart the nuclear talks that were stalled due to the war in June.