Over the past week, the world has watched, slack-jawed, as Western relations with Iran have slid precipitously from uneasy détente to open military engagement. A collective sigh of relief was shared by many who feared more military conflict. But in political terms, the past week has set the region back significantly, shattering the delicate progress which has been hard-won and fiercely guarded. Over the coming days, in lieu of military engagement, the U.S. will unleash the full extent of economic and political pressure against Rouhani’s government. If Trump can successfully convince America’s allies to abandon the Iran nuclear agreement altogether, the return of sanctions will hit the country hard.

Source: thestar January 12, 2020 11:09 UTC