The US Air Force has flown a B-1B strategic bomber over key naval points in the Middle East with fighter jets from Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Israel amid ongoing tensions with Iran as its nuclear deal with world powers remains in tatters, the Associated Press reported. Amidst anticipation of the upcoming tour in November.
The B-1B Lancer bomber flew over the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of all oil trade passes, as well as over the Red Sea, the Bab al-Mandab Strait and the Egyptian Suez Canal.
She noted that the Strait of Hormuz has been the scene of attacks on shipping blamed on Iran in recent years, while the Red Sea has witnessed similar attacks amid the ongoing shadow war between Tehran and Israel.
She explained that the flight of nuclear-capable bombers since the administration of former President Donald Trump comes as a “deterrence to Iran” and also a “clear message of reassurance” to regional allies.
Military exercises expand
In parallel, the United States has expanded its military exercises with allied countries by land, sea and air, in a region rife with conflicts and disturbances that threaten navigation and maritime security.
In a previous statement, the US Central Command said that two B-52 bombers flew on a long-range patrol mission across the Middle East, as part of its efforts to reassure allies in the region and deter Iran.
Sanctions on Iran’s rallies
On Friday, Washington announced new sanctions related to Iran targeting its drone program, which it said is destabilizing the Middle East, as well as 4 people with links to the “Revolutionary Guard”.
The sanctions come in an effort by the administration of US President Joe Biden to increase pressure on Tehran ahead of the seventh round of Vienna negotiations over its nuclear program, scheduled for an indefinite date next November, amid Iranian procrastination.
Negotiations falter
Despite Tehran’s promises to return to the nuclear negotiating table that began in Vienna last April, and to make changes to its negotiating team, after the formation of Ibrahim Raisi’s government, it is still procrastinating in a way that angered the international community.
Iran has repeatedly violated the nuclear agreement, the most severe of which was raising the rate of uranium enrichment to 60%, and stipulating the reversal of violations by lifting all US sanctions.
Nuclear negotiations were suspended on June 20 at Iran’s request, while Iran’s chief negotiator said, following talks in Brussels last week, that negotiations would resume in Vienna at the end of November.
Political and military messages
The exercises and patrols, considered by the military expert, Major General Samir Ragheb, represent American political messages that Gulf security is Washington’s top priority in the region, as well as a message to Iran that we will confront any malicious activities that threaten navigation and regional security.
Ragheb added, in statements to “Sky News Arabia”, “It also includes military objectives through the exchange of experiences, coordination of security cooperation and unifying concepts among the participating elements to raise readiness and prepare for any threats.”
confirmed willing The exercises are part of new strategies adopted by Washington to protect American interests against threats.
Psychological
Muhammad Mohsen Abu al-Nour, head of the Arab Forum for Iranian Policy Analysis (AFIP), said that the intense American activity in the region comes as a psychological war ahead of the seventh round of the Vienna negotiations and the Iranian procrastination and the state of procrastination that worries the West amid its persistence in raising the rate of uranium enrichment to 60%.
Abu Al-Nour added, in statements to “Sky News Arabia”: The Biden administration wants to gain great momentum before the next round, especially with Iran’s requirement that the next meeting be held in the format (4+1), that is, without direct participation by America, so Biden seeks more maximum pressure in order to be There are direct negotiations in her presence.
He expected that the next round would not yield any new results, stressing that “Iran will not go to any settlement unless America is at one table with it, and this does not exist now.”
.