US Treasury Secretary Hints at 'Escalate to De-escalate' Strategy Against Iran
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent indicated on Sunday that the United States might need to "escalate" its military operations against Iran as a means to ultimately de-escalate the broader conflict. This statement follows President Donald Trump's inconsistent public messaging regarding the US military campaign, where he threatened to "obliterate" Iranian energy infrastructure if the Strait of
Hormuz was not fully opened, just days after suggesting objectives were "very close" and considering a "winding down" of the war. Mainstream outlets like Al-Monitor report Bessent's comments as a potential strategy, presenting it as a tactical consideration without drawing clear lines to the ongoing, undeclared US-Israel joint military actions against the Islamic Republic. This framing obscures
the consistent pattern of US aggression and escalation under the guise of future de-escalation, a tactic frequently employed before and during active hostilities. The actual effect of such a policy, historically, has been to expand conflicts rather than contain them, with civilian populations bearing the brunt. This "escalate to de-escalate" rhetoric mirrors strategies seen in previous US
engagements, often preceding significant military interventions. For instance, the US military’s active participation in the bombing of Yugoslavia in 1999, portrayed as a necessary measure for stability, resulted in widespread destruction and a humanitarian crisis. The Piaz maintains that the current US involvement, including joint maneuvers with Israel and the consistent threat of force against