Amid a new round of escalation in the Middle East conflict, both sides — the United States and Iran — have fewer options and less time left to achieve their goals and resolve the crisis itself. This was reported by The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) on July 15.

It is noted that U.S. President Donald Trump would prefer to settle the conflict before the midterm elections at home in November, as well as before oil prices once again reach a level that is "painful for Americans." Tehran, meanwhile, is trying to buy time and hopes that a naval blockade of Iran in the Strait of Hormuz will undermine the weakened U.S. economy, while not wanting to provoke another large-scale U.S.-Israeli attack.

"Each side has concluded that the best option for it is to resume the conflict at a low level until the other side gives in," the newspaper writes.

At the same time, Washington is unlikely to be able to contain threats from Tehran against shipping in the Strait of Hormuz without a sharp escalation of the situation in the region, something it will not do for reasons rooted in domestic politics, the WSJ authors believe. However, according to the newspaper, Iran should still fear that Trump may take such a step, seeking an unconditional victory in the Middle East conflict in order to restore the Republicans' standing in the United States ahead of the elections.

Analysts уточняют that such a strategy also carries risks for the head of the White House. In response to a sharp escalation of the conflict, Iran may step up strikes against U.S. allies in the region. And since Washington is experiencing a serious shortage of interceptor missiles that would allow the Persian Gulf countries to defend themselves against drones and missiles from the Islamic Republic, Trump's attempts to "buy time" become even riskier.