Iran Conflict Enters New Phase as US Loses Control Over Situation
Two weeks after the passing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the conflict between Iran, the US, and Israel has entered a new and complex phase. Washington’s inability to exert full control over the situation has limited the options available to President Donald Trump. According to international media reports, the initial airstrikes inflicted significant damage on Iranian leadership, but the Iranian government refused to collapse and quickly established a new leadership. Experts attribute this to Iran’s “mosaic defense strategy,” which has kept the military system operational despite the loss of leadership.
The US has announced plans to deploy an additional 5,000 troops in the Middle East, while Iran retaliated by targeting oil-producing countries, ships, and critical infrastructure in the region. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which nearly 20% of the world’s oil trade passes, has threatened global oil supplies, pushing oil and fuel prices to new heights. Despite reports of several countries releasing strategic oil reserves, the crisis persists, with rationing of fuel introduced in Bangladesh, and trade activities disrupted in several countries, including Pakistan.
Experts believe that Iran’s strategy is based on three key objectives: protecting the government, maintaining the ability to launch counterattacks, and prolonging the war to negotiate on its own terms. In contrast, President Trump has demanded that Iran surrender its arms unconditionally, but the US strategy has raised several questions. Unverified reports of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s death have spread rapidly on social media, further complicating the situation.
Critics argue that the US has failed to understand the political and social reality of Iran, despite its military superiority. The conflict’s impact on US politics is also becoming apparent, with rising inflation and oil prices threatening the governing party’s chances in the upcoming congressional elections. Analysts suggest that the US may consider limited ceasefire, deploying ground troops, or supporting Iranian opposition groups, but each option carries the risk of further instability.
The Chinese government has urged Pakistan and Afghanistan to seek a peaceful resolution to the conflict, emphasizing the importance of dialogue in resolving differences. The situation in Gaza has worsened due to a sandstorm, exacerbating the difficulties faced by Palestinians affected by the conflict. The US Senate has confirmed that American forces have conducted a large-scale operation on the Iranian island of Kharg, targeting Iranian naval bases and bomb-making facilities.
The Iranian government has confirmed that Hamas has stated that Iran has the right to defend itself against aggression. Meanwhile, North Korea has fired missiles into the Sea of Japan, coinciding with joint military exercises by the US and South Korea. President Trump has expressed hope that other countries, including China, France, Japan, South Korea, and the UK, will join the conflict by deploying warships.
In other news, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially reprimanded Pakistani cricketer Salman Ali Agha for breaching the code of conduct, while Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has announced plans to reduce salaries of government employees by 5-30% as part of austerity measures.
