Trumps prepares for military confrontation with Iran

Will there be a war between the US and Iran? The present signals are not looking good. Iran was obviously angry about the US designating its Revolutionary Guards Corps as a terrorist organisation and the Iranian economy is seriously going down the tubes because of the White House's tighter and tighter sanctions. But more worrying is the expected announcement from Tehran tomorrow (Wed) that it's going to start going back to some form of nuclear research in retaliation for Donald Trump's decision last year to withdraw the US from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. Until now Iran had played ball with the Obama-backed deal because the other signatories, China, Russia, UK, France and Germany, had vowed to stick to it and urged Tehran to do likewise. But the troube is the other signatories haven't lifted sanctions which was part of the deal because of the threat from the US to penalise any countries trading with Iran. Major contracts in the pipeline have been cancelled. So I guess the Tehran regime has decided that they're getting nothing out of the 2015 nuclear deal, so it's time to chip away at the agreement and return to nuclear research - thus opening up the prospect of a complete breakout and a rush to develop a nuclear weapon. No wonder Trump has ordered an aircraft carrier, USS Abraham Lincoln, plus bombers, to the region as an intended deterrent. There have also been alarming intelligence signals of Iran plotting to target US troops in Iraq and elsewhere, perhaps Yemen. The US still has around 5,200 troops in Iraq and the Iranians are heavily involved in Iraq. The Pentagon is worried that Iranian-backed militia might target the huge American embassy compound in Baghdad. The intelligence became so serious last week that the US commander of Central Command, responsible for American troops in the Middle East, appealed for a carrier presence. We're approaching a dangerous period. At present both sides are facing up to each other without firing a shot. But in these situations, one false move by either side could lead to a violent confrontation. If an Iranian proxy force attacked US troops in Iraq, causing fatalities, would Trump order a massive retaliatory strike against Iran? Trump is wary of getting the US involved in yet more wars in the Middle East, but he has behind him two of the most hawkish advisers who have been itching to get at Iran ever since the nuclear deal was signed: Mike Pompeo, secretary of state and former CIA director, has always accused Iran of cheating on the deal, and John Bolton, national security adviser, who is totally anti-Iran in every way. Both men would no doubt advise Trump to respond with mighty force if any American troops are killed or injured. Pat Shanahan, the acting defence secretary, won't get a look in because he doesn't have the clout, being only a temporary Pentagon chief - for the moment. So watch and see what happens after tomorrow's announcement from Tehran. The carrier isn't in place yet. But when it is, there will be huge tension in the region that could explode.