US, Iran backing away

After a week of intense regional tensions that had the world teetering on the brink of war, the United States and Iran seem to have backed down from a full-scale conflict. Both sides probably realised that war would be catastrophic not just for the region, but the entire world.

US President Trump moved to de-escalate tensions with Iran signaling no new military strikes, saying that Iran seems to be backing down. Iran fired a range of ballistic missiles at US bases in Iraq but no casualties were reported. Reports have emerged that US authorities were aware of the preemptive strike allowing them to take protective measures. The move was rather a face-saving for the Iranian regime.

The hostilities remain between the two countries as Iran has vowed to avenge the killing of Gen Qassem Soleimani. The recent statements from both sides broadly seem to be showing a period of calm. The region cannot afford another endless war and the situation requires de-escalation and diplomacy. Despite the restraint exhibited by both sides, the situation could quickly spiral out of control.

President Trump is responsible for the current situation as he fanned partisan fires rather than negotiating with the Iranians. This is evident as the US media is now solely focused on the Iran crisis rather than Trump’s impeachment. Trump ripped up the nuclear deal with Iran, imposed sanctions, and blamed his opponents for releasing billions of dollars to Iran, asserting that those funds were used to attacks Americans.

There have been mixed signals from Iran; it claimed that the missile strikes at US bases were not intended to kill but simply to send a message. Iranian President Rouhani has warned Trump of a dangerous response over any further interventions in the region. The death of the most powerful and revered military leader who fought many of the proxy wars in the region was certainly a blow to the Iranian regime.

Iran has stated that the US has no knowledge of the region and should realize its mistake. The Muslim nation wants an end to US intervention but America is in no mood to pull its troops out of Iraq, which is becoming a battleground for the region’s proxy wars.

There is no doubt that sanctions have had a crippling effect on Iran’s economy and the nuclear deal might not be salvaged. Direct diplomacy between both countries might be dead, but it is imperative that both sides show immense restraint to avoid an all-out conflict.