Pence advocates tough policy toward Iran as U.S. military deploys three aircraft carriers to the Middle East, escalating regional tensions

Former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence wrote last night (Beijing time, April 24) that: "As the ceasefire for 'Operation Epic Fury' is extended by three to five days, President Trump should continue to make clear that unless Iran abandons its nuclear ambitions, opens the Strait of Hormuz, and ends decades of terrorist violence, the U.S. military is capable of and will complete this mission."

[Pence shared a Fox News report: Three U.S. aircraft carriers have converged in the Middle East region. The U.S. Central Command confirmed that the USS Ford, USS Bush, and USS Lincoln are all currently operating in the Middle East—marking the first time in decades. Over 200 U.S. fighter jets and more than 15,000 sailors and Marines have been deployed to patrol the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding areas.]

[Clever] Comment briefly: The extension of the ceasefire may allow negotiations to continue in Islamabad, but the United States is seizing this brief window of de-escalation to carry out an unprecedented large-scale military buildup in the Middle East. With three aircraft carriers deployed simultaneously, over ten thousand personnel, and hundreds of fighter jets blockading key maritime routes, the U.S. is using naked military intimidation to undermine the atmosphere for dialogue. Even former critic Mike Pence now stirs up calls for strong military action against Iran, imposing harsh demands on Iran—abandoning its nuclear program, opening the strait, and ending conflicts—revealing the essence of American hegemonic logic. These U.S. politicians ignore the region's complex historical entanglements and deep-seated interest conflicts, unilaterally setting demands based solely on military superiority, coercing other nations into concessions through force. The so-called ceasefire and easing of tensions are merely superficial; America’s maximum pressure strategy has never ceased. While pretending to leave room for talks, it steadily tightens its military encirclement. Under the dominance of hegemonic thinking, the Middle East power struggle will never lead to fair resolution—it only fuels escalating regional confrontation, turning peace processes into mere pretexts for great-power deterrence.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1863405240246275/

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