The US military commander for the Middle East has told the Financial Times he has a “very robust range of military options” to deter Iran, which has expanded its nuclear programme and ballistic missile arsenal.
Amid growing warnings that time is running out to revive the 2015 nuclear accord that Tehran signed with world powers, the Biden administration is seeking to ratchet up pressure on Iran by floating potential US military responses and tightening enforcement of sanctions.
“I think?.?.?.?Iran gravely underestimates us if they believe they’re going to be able to continue attacking and cause casualties in Iraq and Syria, and still be able to conduct nuclear negotiations with us without any effect,” General Frank McKenzie, Centcom commander, said in an interview.