The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) says Iran will continue punishment of the United States until the Islamic Republic’s seven-strong conditions are met, while asserting that Iranian missiles are capable of destroying the US’s multilayered air-defense systems.
A Politico reporter has revealed Washington’s direct efforts to use the combined capacity of the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries to exert psychological pressure on the global oil market and bring down prices—an effort that has taken on particular importance for President Donald Trump as restrictions on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz continue and the November midterm elections approach.
Fresh threats by Donald Trump to resume attacks on Iran, coupled with his claim that Tehran has reached out to seek a deal and his consultations with the leaders of six Arab Persian Gulf states, have raised a key question: Is the U.S. military option being kept alive as a means of restarting the war, or as a way to strengthen Washington’s bargaining position in negotiations?
