When Trump designated the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) a
terrorist organisation, Iran hit back hours later by
labelling the US Central Command 'CENTCOM' a supporter of terrorism.
Now two governmental military entities have been designed terrorist supporters, putting the US and Iranian forces at the level of al-Qaeda and the 'Islamic State' (ISIS) for their opposing armies. Trump's decision is somewhat symbolic. Already in 2007, the IRGC was placed on the US Department of Treasury list of
entities guilty of proliferation activities and support for terrorism. In 2011 President Obama added the Iranian Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces Logistics, the
Basij and the Iranian police to a Treasury Department list of entities responsible for human rights abuses. Trump has now added Iran to a State Department list of supporters of terrorism. Tensions between Iran and the US has never reached such a high level, and have been in continuous escalation since Trump took office. What could go wrong?
These decisions may put the two forces against each other, on the ground in the Middle East or at sea in the Straits of Hormuz.
A violent reaction could emanate from either side and bring the Middle East into unprecedented danger. Iran, rightly or wrongly, believes that Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu, who has obvious influence over President Trump, is pushing the US to trigger a war. Accordingly, Iran and its regional allies are preparing for war.
Preparing for the worse, in recent days Iran has contacted allies in the Middle East, explaining the dangers of the situation and its possible consequences for their respective countries.
All allies expressed readiness to support Iran and engage in any future war if the US attacks the 'Islamic Republic' and its existence is at stake. This information has been confirmed by a trusted source in direct contact with decision makers among Iran's allies.
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