The military escalation continued over the weekend on the two main fronts in the Middle East, in Iran and Lebanon, raising serious questions about the war goals of the United States and Israel, engaged in a longer conflict than anticipated.
In Iran, the first week of bombings targeted the leaders of the Islamic Republic, the security apparatus, and infrastructure. Now, the entire population is affected by the expansion of targets.
In Tehran, oil deposits and a refinery were bombed, plunging the Iranian capital into nightmare scenarios with toxic smoke filling the sky, hydrocarbon residues covering the city, and people advised to stay indoors. Videos show massive fires at the oil facilities, flames spreading through the sewer system, truly apocalyptic images.
American airstrikes also targeted a water desalination plant, prompting an Iranian retaliation against a similar installation in Bahrain. In a region experiencing severe water shortages, this not only violates international law but also affects the population more than the regime.
There is great confusion over the war goals of Donald Trump, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s objectives are clearer: to continue the wars against the Lebanese Hezbollah and the Iranian regime.
The strategy seeks to bring down the regime, risking not liberation but leaving Iran in ruins and completely unstable. In response, the regime is targeting Arab countries in the Gulf to raise the cost of the war for Americans.
This dual escalation does not bode well, especially for the Iranian people, some of whom see the Israeli-American war as a potential exit from the 47-year Islamic Republic. However, this outcome is far from guaranteed, as even Donald Trump admits. His hubris leads to escalation without realizing that this military venture may have ruined his presidency – and is unpopular within the United States.
