The US intelligence community published its annual threat assessment, which cited Iran's contribution to instability in the Middle East and global terrorism.
The new US threat assessment report of 2021 released by the Director of US National Intelligence Avril Haines presents the first assessment for the Joe Biden administration and its reading of global challenges, calling Iran a “regional menace” and pointing to prospects of increased violence between Israel and Tehran.
“We expect that Iran will take risks that could escalate tension and threaten US and allied interests in the coming year,” the report says.
The report also says Iran remains “a destabilizing force in Yemen, as Tehran’s support to the Houthis – including supplying ballistic and cruise missiles as well as unmanned systems – poses a threat to US partners and interests, notably through strikes on Saudi Arabia".
On the nuclear front, the report says that if Tehran does not receive sanctions relief, “Iranian officials probably will consider options ranging from further enriching uranium up to 60 per cent to designing and building a new 40-megawatt heavy water reactor."
The report mentions Iraq as a main battleground for Iran’s influence “this year and during the next several years”, assessing that “Iranian-supported Iraqi Shia militias will continue to pose the primary threat to US personnel in Iraq".
In Syria, where the war is winding down, the report forecasts that Iran will pursue "a permanent military presence and economic deals".
No comments:
Post a Comment