Middle East expert Yoni Ben Menachem said today (Tuesday) in an interview with Oded Menashe that as long as no American troops are hit, “this show will continue until after the midterm elections in November,” as part of President Trump’s broader strategy toward Iran.
Ben Menachem explained that the current situation is essentially “negotiations under fire that both sides agree to,” adding that “both the Iranians and the Americans are playing this game.” Trump’s main goal, he said, is “to achieve a political deal” with Tehran. The controlled escalation is designed to serve that purpose until after the elections.
The expert explained that Trump is using this period “to militarily wear down Iran’s military presence along the Strait of Hormuz.” That way, he said, it will be easier to take control of the strait if he decides to do so in the future. Ben Menachem noted that despite American announcements about controlling the strait, “the Iranians still control it and are firing there at ships, at tankers,” while our forces are attacking and clearing targets daily.