The photo released on July 21, 2019 shows the British oil tanker "Stena Impero" surrounded by speedboats of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) in the Strait of Hormuz, Iran. Two hot potatoes in the chaotic Middle East Under "maximum pressure" from the United States, Iran has since May gradually stopped implementing parts of its commitment to the 2015 nuclear deal, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. In the meantime, a number of oil tankers have been attacked or detained in the Gulf and a U.S. drone was shot down. The U.S. side once threatened to use force against Iran. On Oct. 7, U.S. troops started withdrawing from northeastern Syria. On Oct. 9, Turkey launched Operation Peace Spring against Syrian Kurdish People's Protection Units. Against the backdrop of competition among major powers, hotspot issues concerning Iran and Syria have led to a more complicated situation in the Middle East. The situation in the region is likely to further deteriorate in the year to come. (Morteza Akhoundi/ISNA/Handout via Xinhua)
Two hot potatoes in the chaotic Middle East
Under "maximum pressure" from the United States, Iran has since May gradually stopped implementing parts of its commitment to the 2015 nuclear deal, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. In the meantime, a number of oil tankers have been attacked or detained in the Gulf and a U.S. drone was shot down. The U.S. side once threatened to use force against Iran.
On Oct. 7, U.S. troops started withdrawing from northeastern Syria. On Oct. 9, Turkey launched Operation Peace Spring against Syrian Kurdish People's Protection Units.
Against the backdrop of competition among major powers, hotspot issues concerning Iran and Syria have led to a more complicated situation in the Middle East. The situation in the region is likely to further deteriorate in the year to come.
