The collapse of the US-Iran ceasefire, CENTCOM’s attacks and growing coordination in Ankara are fueling assessments that a much larger regional confrontation may be approaching.
Rumors of a joint decision to overthrow Iran’s regime have not been confirmed and do not reflect any officially declared policy. However, they are being driven by an extraordinary sequence of military and diplomatic developments.
During the NATO summit in Ankara, President Donald Trump declared that the memorandum of understanding and ceasefire with Iran were effectively over. His increasingly aggressive language was accompanied by NATO calls to protect freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.
At the same time, CENTCOM carried out extensive attacks inside Iran, reportedly striking more than 80 strategic targets, including air-defense systems, command centers and numerous IRGC fast boats. Iran responded by launching missiles and drones toward American bases and installations in Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar, directly drawing Gulf states into the confrontation.
