The Soufan Center said in an analysis that U.S. President Donald Trump is using military strikes to increase pressure on Iran in an effort to bring Tehran back to the negotiating table. However, Iran’s continued missile attacks have cast doubt on the effectiveness of that strategy.
According to the analysis, Iran is seeking to pressure the United States into accepting Tehran’s demands regarding the Strait of Hormuz while also targeting critical infrastructure across the Arab Gulf states.
The report added that Iranian leaders have given Yemen’s Houthis the green light to close the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, aiming to increase pressure on global energy markets and the broader world economy.
The Soufan Center said that although the Arab Gulf countries publicly support efforts to de-escalate tensions, the United Arab Emirates and several other countries have also carried out limited covert strikes against Iranian targets.