Local expert explains what Iran's next move could be
SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — The president is working to de-escalate tensions with Iran after missiles were launched at two U.S. military bases in Iraq.
A Middle East expert in Utah says he expects the military escalation between the U.S. and Iran to stop, but we are certainly not done dealing with Iran.
Miles Hansen is currently the president and CEO of World Trade Center Utah. He has decades of experience in the Middle East, for the White House and State Department.
"It's been a dynamic few days,” he said.
Hansen said the strike against the Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani was extremely significant.
"If you imagine in our system, we have a Secretary of Defense, Director of the CIA, and a National Security Adviser," Hansen said. "Three very big important positions. Qassem SoleImani was in Iran what it would be if we had those three roles rolled up into one."
Hansen said Tuesday's attacks on Iraqi military bases housing American troops were for Iran to save face.
Fifteen missiles launched, no deaths, no widespread destruction. My view was that was intentional by the Iranian government.
Hansen said news reports in Iran claim that 80 American soldiers were killed in the attack. A lie, he says, is a message to Iranians that their government responded with strength. Because there were no casualties, their tension with the United States can de-escalate.
Hansen says now there will be no conventional war, but there was a reason to worry.
Had Iran killed several Americans yesterday, then I think we would be looking at a significant U.S. response and we would be on a path towards war.
Moving forward he says the U.S. will watch and see if Iran responds through their proxies, like militia groups in the Middle East.
He said the U.S. will continue with diplomatic and economic pressure. But Hansen said we shouldn't feel any economic impact here in Utah because we do not do enough business or trade with Iran.
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