US strikes failed to cripple Iran as both sides avoid escalation, analyst says

The US has not disabled Iran’s military capabilities, Wolfgang Pusztai, former Austrian defence attache to Libya, tells Al Jazeera. “For the time being, neither side has an intention to escalate,” Pusztai said. Tehran or Washington could be forced to escalate, however, if either side endures further civilian or military casualties, the defence analyst said. Iran appears unwilling to escalate as Tehran could have struck additional targets and American bases in the region but refrained from doing so, he said. The US also appears unwilling as Washington did not use short- and medium-range ballistic missiles in their strikes this week, the former defence attache argued. “I’m rather optimistic that we will not see a major escalation in the near future”, Pusztai remarked, saying that he would advise Tehran to take a “peaceful approach” to living with its Gulf neighbours and not “threaten them every other day” with missiles. Subscribe to our channel: http://bit.ly/AJSubscribe Follow us on X: https://X.com/AJEnglish Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera Check our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/ Check out our Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/aljazeeraenglish/ Download AJE Mobile App: https://aje.news/AJEMobile #Iran #IranWar #US #UnitedStates #CENTCOM #USIsraelWarOnIran #StraitOfHormuz #USIranEscalation #USAttacksIran #USStrikesIran #DonaldTrump #IRGC #IranMissiles #AlJazeeraEnglish