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Iran: the drive to war intensifies
As US rhetoric pressing for a new Middle East war with Iran intensifies, JANE GREEN assesses the issues
Irans theological ruler, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. The US has slapped sanctions on him as it ramps up threats to attack the country

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump continues to ramp up rhetoric against Iran as the threat of a further Middle East war becomes greater. Trump claims that he called off air strikes against Iran recently at the last minute, after being told of the potential death toll of up to 150 innocent Iranians.

The threatened strikes were in response to Iran shooting down an unmanned US spy drone, which had “strayed” into Iranian air space.

The reality is that Trump is responding to a crisis largely of his own making. In pulling the US out of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) last year, the Iran nuclear deal signed between Tehran and Barack Obama, Trump triggered increased tensions with Iran.

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