War clouds over Gulf: Trump hints at military buildup as Iran strike looms
US President Trump hinted at increasing military presence in Gulf region as threat of American attack on Iran looms large.
Washington (The Uttam Hindu): Tensions between the United States and Israel over Iran appear to be rising again, with US President Donald Trump not ruling out the possibility of renewed military action against Iran after the November 3 midterm elections. Trump has described Iran’s latest peace proposal as inadequate, while preparations are reportedly underway to strengthen the US military presence in the Gulf. The additional deployment could increase the number of US sailors and Marines in the region to more than 20,000.
The situation has also been complicated by an incident involving a FlyDubai flight travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30. According to reports, the co-pilot allegedly attacked the captain and attempted to take control of the aircraft. The injured captain managed to open the cockpit door following which passengers and crew members overpowered the co-pilot. The aircraft later made a safe emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. Investigations involving agencies from several countries are underway. Trump has suggested that the co-pilot may have links to Iran but no detailed evidence has been publicly presented to establish such a connection. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also said that the exact reason behind the incident remains unclear.
Trump has warned that Iran could face severe consequences if the investigation establishes its involvement in the aviation incident. At the same time, diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict appear to be facing difficulties, with Trump rejecting Iran’s latest proposal and indicating that military action could resume. The US is also reportedly considering the deployment of the USS Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group along with other warships and amphibious forces. With the possibility of three US aircraft carriers operating in the region simultaneously, military pressure in the Middle East could increase. Trump has reiterated that Iran should not be allowed to develop nuclear weapons, while Iranian involvement in the FlyDubai incident has not been definitively established.