After more than twenty days of aggression against Iran, the US is still clueless as to what to achieve and when to stop. After the acclaimed devastation of Iran’s military capability, civilian infrastructure is now being targeted to capitulate the Iranian government and force it into begging to halt the war. In this way, the Strait of Hormuz will also be opened by Iran without effort by the US. This is a desirable exit strategy for the US; it does not seem probable, though. Iran is not ready to kneel down and is steadfast, even with its so-called zero percent military capability, firing missiles, flying drones and effectively controlling the Strait of Hormuz, with no signs of desisting from its defence. It has raised the cost of war for almost every country in the world by playing its cards adroitly. The US and Israel are therefore in a checkmate situation, and that is the danger which might drag the world into a graver quagmire.

The objectives of the three belligerents are simple; the US wants to exert its hegemony and resurrect its superpower status, Israel wishes to emerge as the strongest country in the region, and Iran desires to teach a lesson to both once and for all. With each passing day, this war is becoming a pothole for the US’ political, economic and military credibility in the region. For decades, it maintained influence in the region by portraying Iran as the existential threat to Arab allies and preparing them accordingly. However, when the time came, it relegated their security to that of........

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