US-Iran escalation: Retaliation, Gulf security and Hormuz risks, experts debate what comes next
The latest round of US strikes on Iran and Tehran's retaliatory attacks on Gulf states have pushed the fragile US-Iran memorandum of understanding to breaking point. President Donald Trump has declared the truce "over" while also leaving the door open to talks, as Iran's foreign minister reaches out to regional mediators in an attempt to de-escalate. In a discussion panel on Al Jazeera, Sina Azodi, Director of the Middle East Studies Program at George Washington University, said the clashes were "inevitable" due to the vague nature of the MoU. He noted that while Trump has said the MoU is over, there has been no official withdrawal from either side. Azodi said there are two competing views in Tehran: the foreign ministry wants to settle down with the US, while factions within the IRGC want to continue the fight, believing it is in their interest. He said Iran's attacks in the Strait of Hormuz are aimed at preventing the US from eroding Iran's strategic asset – its control over the waterway. Abdullah Baabood, Chair of the State of Qatar for Islamic Area Studies at Waseda University, said Iran's attacks on Gulf states are an infringement on their sovereignty and are harming Iran's interests in the region. He said Gulf states did not want the US-Israel war on Iran and are hostages to geography and the will of others to fight. He added that Iran is not doing a good job by attacking its neighbours and that Gulf states will continue to push for de-escalation, as they will have to live with Iran forever.
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