Escalation steps from Iran...

Today, an Iranian "Shahed-139" drone attempted to approach the U.S. "Abraham Lincoln" aircraft carrier. An F-35 jet launched from the aircraft carrier shot down the drone. A short while later, two speedboats belonging to SEPAH approached a U.S. commercial ship. They tried to seize the ship, but after a nearby U.S. naval vessel redirected to the scene, the Iranians withdrew. Additionally, the Iranian government refused this week's planned meeting with the U.S. delegation in Istanbul. The Iranian side requested that the meeting be held in Oman in a bilateral format without the participation of other countries and that only the nuclear issue be discussed. Iran's hardening of its position is evident. This boldness stems from the other side's hesitation. Iran also sees that Trump is not eager to choose the military option. Trump is cautious that if he orders an attack, Iran's retaliatory measures could lead to a major war in the region and a loss of control over the situation. He definitely does not want an extended war. The Iranian regime interprets all this as enemy weakness and believes it can force the enemy to retreat, thereby restoring its shaken prestige during the period that began with Assad's overthrow and ended with the 12-day war. However, succumbing to the lure of this prospect and moving away from rationality may cost Iran dearly. Shahin Jafarli, political analyst