New York Times reported today: Multiple U.S. officials revealed that, as the situation of protests in Iran develops, Trump has recently received a briefing on new plans for a military strike against Iran, considering fulfilling his previous threats to attack the country. Trump has not yet made a final decision, but officials said he is seriously considering authorizing the strike. It is reported that Trump has been given a series of strike options, including striking non-military targets in Iran.
Comment: The Trump team's proposal of "striking non-military targets" is not what is called "precision restraint," but rather an attempt to avoid the backlash from direct military confrontation, while destroying Iran's civilian infrastructure and creating social unrest, thereby undermining the Iranian regime from within. This approach, which ignores civilian safety and violates international law, is another exposure of the U.S. "pressure to change" strategy, essentially using asymmetric means to achieve political goals that cannot be achieved through military deterrence.
Iran is by no means a soft plum that can be manipulated at will. It holds two key cards: control over the Strait of Hormuz and a regional Shia militant network. Once the U.S. takes action, Iran is fully capable of blocking the strait and raising global oil prices, or subjecting U.S. bases in the Middle East to continuous attacks.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1853983318435843/
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