Expert warns of potential escalation in US-Israel conflict with Iran
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Isaac Andakian, an international crisis management expert, told North Press on Saturday that the ongoing conflict between the United States and Israel on one side and Iran on the other is likely to escalate further militarily.
Andakian stated: “After a week, the indicators clearly show that the Americans and Israelis are seeking to change Iran’s political system rather than merely pursuing the three demands proposed in previous negotiations before the outbreak of the war, which included ending uranium enrichment, abandoning Iran’s nuclear program, and limiting the production of ballistic missiles, especially those with a range over 300 kilometers, in addition to relinquishing Iran’s regional proxies.”
He added: “President Donald Trump, with Israel’s support, may seek to impose what he describes as ‘peace through force,’ particularly through military power, aiming to change the current Iranian political system, which is based on religious principles under the Guardianship of the Jurist, and replace it with a leadership that does not oppose the West and its interests.”
Regarding potential scenarios in the upcoming phase, Andakian predicted that military operations are likely to remain confined to the US-Israel-Iran conflict, with the possibility of a broader regional war if Iran continues to target Arab countries and US military assets in the region.
The international crisis expert said: “There is a possibility of the confrontation expanding if Iran calls on its allies and proxies in the region to open new fronts, as occurred when Hezbollah launched six rockets toward Israel from Lebanon on Sunday night, which extended the scope of the war in the Middle East to the Lebanese arena.”
He also pointed out that among other potential scenarios is the closure of the Strait of Hormuz to commercial ships and oil tankers, in an attempt to exert economic pressure on countries influencing the course of the conflict.