As this site focuses on Iran, we’ll be discussing the reason why Trump may choose to attack Iran.

Terrorism

The US State Department lists Iran as the number one state sponsor of terrorism in the world.

Then, in February, the Iranian Resistance revealed to the world that Iran had secretly built 14 terror training camps in order to spread their special brand of terror around the world.

Nuclear Weapons

Despite the nuclear pact between the US, Iran and five other countries, Iran has seen fit to launch ballistic missiles at least twice this year.

This led to then–National Security Adviser Michael Flynn announcing that Iran was officially on notice, in early February. Although no specifics were provided, it indicated that the White House was considering a range of options to prevent further provocations.

The team made it clear that military action was not off the table.

Michael T. Klare, a professor of peace and world security studies at Hampshire College, wrote on The Nation wrote: “Although Flynn, a notorious Iranophobe, was removed from office on February 13, there is no reason to believe that President Trump or Defence Secretary Mattis—also known for his anti-Iranian views—have retracted the military option. If anything, following the cruise-missile strike on Syria, we have to assume it would appear even more attractive to Trump.”

Attacks on US Ships

Last September, Trump commented on the attacks on US ships by Iran and the Iranian-backed Houthi in the Persian Gulf and stated that the attackers should expect to be fired on.

He said: “With Iran, when they circle our beautiful destroyers with their little boats, and they make gestures at our people that they shouldn’t be allowed to make, they will be shot out of the water.”

Human Rights

The Iranian Regime has one of the worst human rights records in the world:

• highest execution rate per capita

• imprisonment and murder of political opponents

• corporal punishments like being flogged for attending a mixed-gender party and cutting a hand off for theft

 What Next?

Klare stated that the most likely next steps for Trump on Iran were either pre-emptive military strikes or an attack on Iranian missile facilities. 

He notes that Trump needs to take into consideration the response from the Regime; who may attack American troops or allies in the Middle East. However, if the attack were well coordinated; it could spell an end to a dictatorship that is already on the brink of collapse.