WITH only a few weeks left before Donald Trump exits the White House, the situation in the Middle East — particularly the Gulf — remains precarious, with fears that the US president may up the ante in the region in the final days of his administration. According to a tweet by Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, the US is preparing a pretext for war with his country. Mr Zarif’s apprehensions have been strengthened by the fact that the US recently sent two B52 bombers to the region, while speculations are rife that Washington may strike pro-Tehran militias in Iraq, or Iran itself. The situation has been tense since America assassinated top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani and Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis a year ago on this day. While the threat of war was averted after a few close calls, the unpredictable Mr Trump may deliver a parting shot that can destabilise an already fragile region. Moreover, Iran has said it will enrich uranium up till 20pc, further abandoning its commitments to the 2015 nuclear deal, an accord the US left unilaterally. In reaction to the American moves in the region, Mr Zarif has said his country will “openly and directly” defend itself.

Needless to say, any provocation from the Trump administration at this juncture will be a folly of the highest order, though the president’s allies in the Middle East — Israel and some of the Gulf Arabs — would not oppose it. It will instantly torpedo any chances of a rapprochement between the US and Iran that Joe Biden may be planning. Therefore, wiser elements in Washington need to ensure that no brinkmanship is resorted to in the transition period. Let the new administration take over, and give it a chance to mend fences with Iran. Meanwhile, the Islamic Republic should also refrain from further enrichment and try to engage with the new American president. While US-Iranian rapprochement is highly difficult, it is worth trying when the alternative is conflict.

Published in Dawn, January 3rd, 2021