US has four options regarding Iran, all fraught with risks — magazine

WASHINGTON, April 2. /TASS/. The Washington administration has at least four options regarding Iran, but none of them will be favorable for the US, The Atlantic reported. The magazine noted that the risks are linked not least to the fact "that Iran appears to consider its own position to be relatively strong, given its de facto control over the Strait of Hormuz and, therefore, the global price of oil." "Tehran may not feel that ending the war on a quick US time frame is in its own interests," the magazine’s analysts pointed out. According to The Atlantic, the first scenario involves the US military conducting a limited ground operation to capture Iran’s Kharg Island, which houses key oil export infrastructure, or other archipelagos. In addition, the US could deploy special forces to seize and remove enriched uranium. The article noted that Washington could use the return of Kharg Island to Iran as a bargaining chip in future negotiations with Tehran. However, a landing operation would lead to a sharp spike in oil prices amid the risk of further escalation. The magazine estimated that a second potential scenario would be Washington’s unilateral declaration of victory in the conflict and withdrawal of troops. Nevertheless, analysts stressed that the risk of a recurrence of the conflict in the near future would remain in this case. Furthermore, against this backdrop, Saudi Arabia and other US allies in the region may attempt to build their own nuclear arsenals to ensure their security. A third scenario could be the resumption of negotiations between Washington and Tehran. However, according to the magazine’s analysts, the chances of success are low. Even if the parties successfully conclude a deal, Iran will consider the experience of this war and direct the profits received from lifted sanctions toward rebuilding its military capabilities. This could provoke Israel to initiate a similar conflict, in which the US would have to intervene again. The Atlantic cites Washington’s continuation of military operations without a ground invasion as the final possible option. However, the magazine questioned the viability of this alternative because the US is rapidly depleting its military arsenal, and the Americans are increasingly dissatisfied with rising inflation and fuel prices.