On January 26, tensions in the Middle East escalated when military observers confirmed that the US Navy's USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group had deployed key equipment to the area. Although guided missile destroyers have not yet reached their final positions, all of Iran is now within range.
Analysts believe that the US - with the coordination of the Israeli air force - currently holds firepower strong enough to launch a large-scale attack. Unlike previous campaigns that often targeted nuclear facilities, this target is said to be aimed directly at Iran's supreme political leadership, with the ambition to overthrow the current government.
Faced with suffocating pressure from outside, Iran's internal affairs are seriously chaotic. The country's stock market recorded a record decline on January 26. The economy is exhausted as inflation last month reached a record level of 60%.
Mr. Ali Larijani, Secretary of the Iranian Supreme National Security Council, accused the US of conducting psychological warfare. "They are trying to undermine social unity, considering our country in a state of emergency. The US tactic is to incite civil war before launching decisive military strikes," he declared.
Diplomatically, Tehran appears extremely tough. The spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry denied any rumors of secret talks with the US special envoy. On the Iranian side, the country's military declared that it was monitoring every move of the enemy and warned that it would impose a disastrous retaliatory blow if attacked.
In Washington, the administration of President Donald Trump is said to be still divided on the "regime change" strategy in this 90 million-population country. However, action pressure is increasing as the latest human rights reports release shocking casualties: It is estimated that 5,419 protesters have died and about 17,000 other deaths are being investigated in recent clashes.
