Iran, US: equations & considerations
By Morad Enadi
International affairs expert
How will the escalating tensions between Iran and the United States develop in the period ahead of the US congressional midterm elections on November 3?
Contrary to the view of some analysts that US President Donald Trump will not launch a new military attack before the elections and will wait for the outcome of the midterms, it appears that he may start a new round of war before the congressional elections. Based on a cost-benefit approach and what can be seen as his business-oriented personality, in which profit and winning are important considerations, Trump may seek to reap the political benefits of a new conflict at the ballot box.
Against this backdrop, the escalation of the war of words and Trump's increasingly harsh rhetoric, together with the concentration of military equipment in the region, make the resumption of a new round of US attacks appear highly likely if the current situation and regional conditions continue.
In fact, by embarking on a new adventure, which he would describe as bigger than the previous one, Trump would seek to use extensive media coverage and repeated posts on social media to portray the new conflict as an achievement and a victory.
Another important point is the strong possibility of Israel joining the United States at this stage. Netanyahu, like Trump, has a strong need to find a way out of the current situation and move beyond the complicated equation created by the confrontation with Iran.
There is little doubt that Netanyahu has a strong need to restore Israel's image, particularly in view of the decline in the standing of Israel and its government among countries around the world.
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