The US is caught in an "escalation trap — or smart bomb trap" during the joint campaign in Iran, argues Professor Robert Pape of the University of Chicago.

In an interview with Sky News, Pape described the "escalation trap" as "the illusion of 100% tactical success." "The success of bombs destroying targets is not fictitious, but it creates an illusion of control and escalation — and that is the smart bomb trap," he said.

According to Pape, while the bombs are hitting their targets, this is strengthening "regime nationalism" and society as a whole. "No one in the Pentagon expected Iran to implement a broader war strategy — and that is exactly what has happened," the expert noted. "We are now witnessing the beginning of a long war. President Trump is trying to bring the situation under control. He did not even rule out the use of ground troops today — that is stage three of the smart bomb trap. I am not saying we will necessarily reach stage three, but at this point we are in the midst of a protracted conflict."