Why limited war with the US may suit Iran better than peace - BBC News

Iran may believe it can control its conflict carefully enough to keep pressure on the US while avoiding an all-out war.

Image source, Anadolu via Getty ImagesImage caption, Hostilities between the two countries have flared up again in recent days

At first glance, Iran's surprise missile strike on a US base in Jordan earlier this week appeared difficult to explain. The attack effectively ended the fragile pause in direct US-Iran fighting and prompted Washington to resume strikes inside Iran. It was also unusual.

If Tehran's priority had been a ceasefire, the strike is difficult to explain. But if Iranian leaders judge that a controlled confrontation could offer greater strategic leverage, the decision becomes more understandable.

One possible explanation is that Tehran believes that, despite its risks, a limited war serves its interests better.

Today, neither side appears ready for an all-out war. Washington has shown little appetite for a much broader regional conflict that could threaten energy infrastructure in the region, draw in more countries, push oil prices higher, and further stretch US military resources.