US-Iran Crisis
On 3 January 2020, a US drone strike in Iraq killed the legendary military commander of Iran, Genernal Qasem Soleimani, who had been portrayed a national hero in Iran for protecting Iranians from Islamic State. Following General Qasem’s death, Iran vowed “severe revenge” against the United States.
Retaliation Or Theatrics?
On 7 January 2020, hours after General Qasem’s funeral, Iran retaliated by firing more than a dozen missiles targeted at the two US airbases in Iraq housing US and coalition troops. Accidentally or deliberately, all these missiles missed the targets, causing no casualties and minimal damages to the airbases. Some are concerned about an impending US-Iran war, which poses risk of escalating into the 3rd World War implicating Russia and China. Others believe these strikes by Iran are more theatrics than direct retaliation. With guidance from your economics tutor Singapore in economics tuition Singapore, evaluate the consequences of a US-Iran war. You may also discuss in economics tuition Singapore with your economics tutor Singapore its implications on the world economy.
In a televised appearance after the attack, the US President Donald Trump claimed that they received intelligence about the attack and had made prior arrangement for the 1,500 forces to take cover. If Washington knew about the attack in advance, they could have intercepted the missiles. The mere fact that they did not do so and yet the strike caused minimal damage pointed to the theory of theatrics. In consultation with your economics tutor Singapore in your economics tuition class, explain the reasons why it is to Tehran’s benefit not to go into a war against the US. You may sign up for economics tuition Singapore with a reputable economics tutor Singapore should you need help with the subject.
The History Of US-Iran Tensions
The tricky US-Iran relationship can be traced back to 1953, when a CIA-orchestrated coup successfully ousted the then Iran’s Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadeq. The democratically elected leader had been actively pushing for the nationalisation of Iran’s lucrative oil industry, which might hurt US’s interest. You may consult your economics tutor Singapore in economics tuition Singapore why the nationalisation of oil industry in Iran will hurt US’s interest. Mr Edmund Quek, principal economics tutor of Economics Cafe Learning Centre, the best economics tuition centre in Singapore is well versed in current affairs like US-Iran crisis. His economics tuition centre is conveniently located within 5 minutes’ walk from the Bishan MRT Station. You may visit his website at www.economicscafe.com.sg for his economics tuition class schedule. The US has since been actively involved in Iran’s political affairs in an attempt to help a pro-US leader to seize power. In 1979, the US-backed leader, Mohammed Reza Pahlevi was overthrown following massive protests staged by his secular and religious opponents which lasted for months. Thereafter, Islamic religious leader resumed power in Iraq.
In November 1979, the US embassy in Tehran of Iran was taken over by protesters who also held hostage of American citizens inside the embassy for 444 days. The hostages were only freed in January 1981. After this, the US started to secretly supply weapons to Iran to fund the rebels in Nicaragua which later turned into a political crisis for President Reagon. In 1988, the US warship shot down a passenger flight, killing 290 people onboard, most of whom were Iranian pilgrims.
The conflicts since the 2000s have been surrounding the accusation of Iran for developing nuclear facilities. This was followed by multiple rounds of sanctions imposed by the US, as well as its long-time allies in the United Nations and the European Union. As a result of these sanctions, Iran sank deep into a recession. You may consult your economics tutor Singapore in your economics tuition class for more details of these sanctions against Iran.
In 2013, following a first-ever top-level conversation between the two leaders, Iran’s moderate president Hassan Rouhani and US President Barack Obama, Iran agreed to scale down its nuclear activities and allow nuclear inspection by international inspectors. In return, economic sanctions on Iran were lifted. This honeymoon lasted till May 2018, when US President Donald Trump unilaterally abandoned the nuclear deal and reinstated economic sanctions against Iran.
Linda Geng
Economics Tuition Singapore @ Economics Cafe
Principal Economics Tutor: Mr. Edmund Quek