WSJ: Iran preparing to escalate the war

 

TT

 

Published 10.55Updated 12.04

 

Ships in the Strait of Hormuz on August 5 this year. Photo: Amirhosein Khorgooi/AP/TT

An escalation of the war, rather than a de-escalation as a result of the peace negotiations with the United States.

That is what Iran is preparing for, according to sources at The Wall Street Journal (WSJ).

When the United States and Iran signed a declaration of intent in June, the hope from the US side was that it would eventually lead to the opening of the Strait of Hormuz and the escalation of the war. However, according to sources at WSJ, Iran's plans are the opposite.

The country's leaders are said to have secretly prepared for a larger conflict. Among other things, Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guard has been given increased control over the regular army and the production of drones and robots has been increased. In addition, efforts have been coordinated with militias in Yemen and Iraq.

The goal is to increase the costs and suffering for the United States to the point that the United States does not want to launch further attacks, according to the sources.

The 60-day deadline, during which the United States and Iran were supposed to negotiate a peace solution, expires on Monday and the parties are currently far from such a solution.

During the night of Monday, two Iranian drones were fired at the office of the prime minister of Iraqi Kurdistan and the residence of the autonomous region's intelligence chief, AFP reports, citing local authorities.