As Iran, with rockets, mines, and torpedoes, responds to U.S. sanctions and efforts to restrict its nuclear program, Dmitri Shufutinsky points to ways that Washington can retaliate:
For the time being, the U.S. is wise to avoid an unnecessary war with Iran. Israeli airstrikes in Syria and Gaza have weakened Iran’s project [of expanding its power into Syria], as has the destruction of tunnels Hizballah had dug into northern Israel. Renewed American sanctions on Tehran have forced the mullahs to cut military spending as well as support for proxy groups.
But more can and should be done to stop the Iranians from escalating. President Trump should start by revoking sanctions waivers on Iraq that allow the country to import Iranian energy. He should also expand the sanctions on Iran’s petrochemical industry and remove sanctions waivers for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. This would continue to weaken the Iranian economy. At the same time, the use of force will be needed should Iran continue attacking oil tankers or U.S. drones in the Gulf. Rather than hitting Iran directly, the U.S. should destroy its military assets and proxies in Iraq and Syria. It can do so largely from the air, although, if necessary, U.S. troops in the region can work in concert with Kurdish peshmerga [fighters] and Israeli airstrikes.
Denying Iran a shield in its “near abroad” will protect U.S. bases and allies in the region. But, . . . coupled with a weak economy, [it also] might be sufficient to force Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to “drink from the poisoned chalice” and negotiate with the U.S. for a better deal.
Read more on BESA Center: https://besacenter.org/perspectives-papers/a-new-strategy-toward-tehran-exploit-irans-fear/