With the conflict in the Gulf set to drag into a third week, Iran remains as resilient as ever and continues to strike high-profile assets in neighboring states. Over the past week, it has caused considerable damage to Fujairah oil storage facilities in the UAE, hit the UAE’s Ruwais refining complex in a drone strike and attacked two tankers offshore Iraq.
There remains huge ambiguity over the US’ goals, but it is hard to see how Washington can bring the conflict to a close while Iran continues to damage critical infrastructure and maintain effective control over the Strait of Hormuz. Such an outcome risks leaving an embittered Iran with significant leverage over energy flows from the world’s largest oil and gas exporting region. (CONTINUED - 646 WORDS)
