Iran angrep amerikanske baser i Irak - BBC

Posted at 10:4510:45

1. Analysis: A modest response by Iran

   

   Jonathan Marcus

   BBC Diplomatic and defence correspondent

   Given the significance of General Soleimani and the passions that his killing aroused - Iran's military strike against US bases in Iraq was a modest response.

   The attack was clearly timed to cause as few casualties as possible. Both the US and Iran - for all their rhetoric - do not want a wider conflict. So maybe a line can be drawn under this matter for now.

   Is this the end of Iran's retaliation? Time will tell.

   But it is hard to see Iranian policy changing. It is presumably still going to try to secure its regional goals, not least the departure of US forces from Iraq.

   The Soleimani killing has weakened the US position there. But it was rocket attacks from Iran's proxies - local Shia militia - against US bases that formed the prelude to this recent crisis.

   Has the US established any measure of deterrence? And if not, will Iranian-inspired attacks resume in due course?