Terrible attacks raise questions about what comes next in the Iran war

President  Donald Trump says he believes the ceasefire with Iran is effectively over. He says he is no longer sure he wants a deal with Tehran and argues that the United States should "finish the job." At the same time, he insists that the latest U.S. military strikes do not necessarily signal a return to full-scale war or a prolonged military campaign.

Trump’s mixed messaging, combined with his approval of consecutive military strikes, has raised major questions about the future of the conflict. The uncertainty comes only weeks after difficult diplomatic efforts produced an initial agreement between the two longtime adversaries.

Analysts suggest Trump’s shifting rhetoric could be a strategy to increase pressure on Tehran to stop attacks on oil and natural gas shipments passing through the Strait of Hormuz and to accept U.S. demands regarding its nuclear program. It is an approach the president has used before.

Whether it is a negotiating tactic or a sign of escalating conflict, mediators are working to preserve the interim agreement. The renewed violence also risks increasing political pressure on Republicans ahead of the November midterm elections, particularly if fuel prices remain elevated.

On Wednesday, Trump warned that another round of U.S. strikes was imminent while downplaying concerns that the United States was returning to a full-scale war. Hours later, the U.S. military announced fresh attacks on Iranian targets, saying the operation was intended to "further degrade" Iran’s ability to threaten freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

"Anything that happens is going to happen very fast," Trump said. "We’re not looking for a long time."

Source : AP