Trump likely had mixed motives. Beyond that, Trump, now impeached and facing trial in the Senate, has laid out his rationale over years of tweets. Defenders of Trump’s move have suggested that he might have re-established deterrence against Iran, frightening its leadership into restraint. Just like militarists in the United States, they’re likely to assume that weakness invites attacks. “I don’t think they want to provoke war, but they do want to send a signal that they’re prepared for it,” said Nasr.

Source: New York Times January 07, 2020 00:56 UTC