US military drill ...
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However, given the current tense conditions, the US disinterest in a full-scale war with Iran, and its desire for Israel to initiate the conflict alone, it is possible that the US would take advantage of this exercise to place GCC member states in a fait accompli and to prevent them from backing out of a collective war with Iran, potentially leading to the commencement of Israeli attacks during the exercise.
What kind of reactions could be expected from Iran in the event of any provocative action?
With US unlikely to initiate military action, should any such move occur from Israel and drag GCC member states into war, the necessity of Iran entering combined military actions against US military bases and equipment in regional countries and Israel would be unavoidable. This would also include cyberattacks and the involvement of Shiite movements aligned with the Islamic Republic of Iran, threatening the economic targets of GCC member states, the US, and Europe in the Persian Gulf.
In your opinion, what is the best way to deter and prevent the escalation of tensions?
Currently, the US is applying diplomatic and psychological pressure on Iran in the most aggressive manner possible. Moreover, the conditions the US has set for diplomatic engagement and de-escalation are essentially a zero-sum game. Therefore, the only way to create deterrence for the US is to convey the sense of incurring a prohibitive cost and engaging in a full-scale war, so that Washington, due to its lack of interest in entering a widespread conflict and the risk to its own national interests and security, will back down from its positions. The use of deterrent language by Iranian officials and actions that reflect Iran’s seriousness in responding to any malice from the US and Israel will both discourage Washington and Tel Aviv to enter a war with Iran and will also cause the GCC member states to calculate correctly about not joining the US game.
How would you characterize the cooperation of the GCC member states in this exercise? Is this cooperation an action to prepare for potential threats?
Given that this exercise is designed to send a multi-layered message to regional actors in the Persian Gulf, GCC member states will not only benefit from US logistical, arms, and training support, but will also see themselves as operational allies of the US, who will not be alone in the event of a crisis and will see the US as an active security partner. Participating in this joint exercise, given their concerns about potential Iranian attacks on US bases in their countries, is a bid to send a message of strong willingness to avoid tensions with Iran and deter Tehran from engaging in retaliatory operations in their territories.