Afət Ziyadqızı
The Islamic Republic of Iran is allegedly seeking to increase geopolitical pressure on the United States administration by intensifying attacks on commercial vessels in the Middle East and the Persian Gulf. A report by The Washington Post, citing Arab diplomatic sources, says Tehran’s leadership is closely monitoring US domestic politics and the role of elections.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports that, according to the US publication, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) targeted an average of 30 commercial vessels a week in the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz area over the past month. At least one cargo ship sank in the attacks, while numerous tankers and other vessels were seriously damaged.
According to The Washington Post’s analysis, Tehran is sending warning signals that, if military operations escalate again, it could strike US strategic infrastructure in the region, including data centers, artificial intelligence facilities and undersea communications cables.
The publication recalls that foreign policy crises involving Iran have previously had a direct impact on US domestic politics and election results. The 1979 takeover of the US Embassy in Tehran and the hostage-taking of American diplomats dealt a serious blow to then-President Jimmy Carter’s approval ratings and contributed to his defeat by Ronald Reagan in the 1980 presidential election.
Against the backdrop of tensions that continued after military clashes in April and May, experts say Iran’s pressure on maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz and global energy routes is aimed not only at regional security but also at directly influencing Washington’s domestic political agenda.
