5 Points on Spiraling Tension between USA-IRAN

1. US Withdrawal from Nuclear Deal: In May 2018, the U.S. withdrew from the 2015 nuclear agreement reached between the P5+1 countries, the European Union, and Iran, which Mr. Trump once derided as the “the worst ever deal”. That move was in disregard of the opinions of the International Atomic Energy Agency and Mr. Trump’s own top advisers that the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action had proved effective.
2. There has not been any let-up from the U.S. strategy of exerting “maximum pressure” on Iran so far. In August 2019, the administration imposed sanctions against Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.
3. In April 2019, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps was designated a terrorist organisation.
4. Iran’s Economic Isolation: Tehran’s crude exports are said to have plummeted to 300,000 barrels per day (bpd) or less since April 2018 levels (more than 2.5 million bpd), according to estimates. Corporations that continue to do business with Iran face the risk of being cut off from the dollar system.
5. Rising Tension in West Asia: In retaliation to these measures, Iran demonstrated its ability to paralyse Western maritime operations by seizing oil tankers off the Gulf of Hormuz. While Mr. Trump held back from a counter-offensive following the downing of a U.S. drone, the missile attack amplified the risk of conflict in the region.