Extreme pressure on Iran risks opening Pandora's box

The Pentagon announced on Monday the United States is sending 1,000 troops to the Middle East, citing a rising threat from Iran. The same day, Teheran announced that in the next 10 days it would break the limits on how much enriched uranium it can stockpile, which it agreed to as part of the multilateral nuclear deal. Both moves will no doubt further strain the already tense atmosphere in the Middle East.

Tensions between Washington and Teheran were already high after two oil tankers were attacked in the Gulf of Oman last week. US officials say Iran was behind the attacks, but Teheran has denied having played any role.

Washington is playing a dangerous game of brinkmanship in an already highly volatile region. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in an interview with CBS on Sunday that the US is considering a full range of options, including a military response, to last week's attacks. Which has sparked widespread concern that the US' delight in its might and inability to meaningfully participate in any talks in which it is not laying down the law could see it engage in one of its typical gung-ho foolishnesses. Especially as the US president's national security adviser, John Bolton, is a longtime advocate of military action against Iran.