Nik and Lijana Wallenda safely crossed Times Square last night on a high wire twenty-five stories above the pavement. Their feat feels like a parable for escalating tensions in the Middle East.
What has led to the present crisis with Iran? Why would the Iranians escalate conflict with the US? What could come next? Where is God at work?
How we got here
Two oil tankers were attacked in the Strait of Hormuz recently, following attacks on four commercial ships off the coast of the United Arab Emirates last month. The US, Saudi Arabia, and the UK blame Iran.
Last Monday, Iran stated that it would soon surpass the previously imposed three hundred-kilogram limit on its stockpiles of enriched uranium. The Pentagon then announced plans to send approximately a thousand more troops to the Middle East “for defensive purposes to address air, naval, and ground-based threats.”
Last Thursday, Iran shot down an unmanned US surveillance drone. The US claims that the aircraft was in international airspace; Iran claims that it was flying over their territory.
Later that day, the United States Cyber Command conducted online attacks against an Iranian intelligence group that American officials believe helped plan the oil tanker attacks. This was meant to be a direct response to the downing of the drone as well.
President Trump also approved military strikes against Iran in retaliation for the drone attack, then canceled the strike. However, he announced over the weekend that the US is “putting major additional Sanctions on Iran on Monday.”
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said yesterday that he wants to build a global coalition against Iran. An Iranian military official warned this morning that his country is capable of shooting down more American spy drones.
Why would Iran escalate conflict?
Iran’s economy is expected to shrink by 6 percent this year, after contracting 3.9 percent last year. By contrast, it grew 3.8 percent in…
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