But Rosemary Kelanic, a Middle East expert at Defense Priorities, a Washington-based think tank, told MEE that the “build-up has taken on a life of its own”.
“Every time military assets move, there is coverage in the media. Every time there is coverage, Trump is getting pressure from hardliners and Israel to use that equipment,” she told MEE.
In the end, instead of bluffing the Iranians into a deal, Trump may end up giving Israel and interventionists in Washington the war they have wanted all along, Kelanic said.
“They don’t trust Iran, and they know they can’t destroy Iran’s nuclear knowledge. That’s why they argue for regime change,” she said.
“The ruthless option is to just smash the state and totally cripple it,” she said.
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