The world sighed with relief Wednesday when President Donald Trump said the United States will not pursue further aggression against Iran after it attacked two military bases where U.S. forces are stationed.
The missile strikes in Iraq were limited in damage. That no lives were lost likely dictated the presidents next step.
In essence, Mr. Trump said lets move on.
Irans calculated attacks allowed it to save face by proving it will respond aggressively to attacks such as the U.S. assassination of Maj. Gen. Qassem Soleimani, but not to the point of provoking further conflict.
Everyone is desperately hoping this is the last shoe to drop and we can go our separate ways.
OF COURSE a few caveats exist that can threaten even that limited rapprochement.
Both leaders, for instance, have impulsive personalities and are on high alert for the least provocation that could prompt another attack.
And while President Trump seems willing to bury the hatchet, foreign policy experts seem to think thats not in Irans DNA.
In his Wednesday morning address, Mr. Trumps tone was both mollifying and maddening.
We want peace, he said, but are going to do everything we can to strangle you by enacting more economic sanctions.
Mr. Trump refused to say what the sanctions would target, other than they will remain until Iran changes its behavior, but not caring to explain what those expectations are.
Up until now, the primary goal of the sanctions has been to bring Iran to the negotiating table to curb its nuclear capabilities. In May, the U.S. tightened the noose by ordering China, Japan, South Korea and Turkey to cease purchasing oil from Iran.
Trumps maximum pressure campaign has forced a 90% drop in Irans oil exports since 2018; sales that account for about 40% of Irans revenues.
Irans rate of inflation is 40%.
