Arnold & Porter Senior International Policy Advisor and former U.S. Ambassador Barbara Leaf was recently interviewed by BBC News and UK Channel 4 News about the Trump administration's escalating pressure campaign against Iran, including new economic measures and the possibility of military action.
Ambassador Leaf told BBC News that the Trump administration appears to be steadily increasing economic and psychological pressure. "[President Trump] is gradually calibrating the pressures up, and of course, the uncertainty of whether he'll reach for military tools," she said, describing the approach as "a sort of psychological game at this point." She cautioned that limited military action would likely be symbolic and may not substantially alter conditions on the ground.
Speaking to Channel 4 News, Ambassador Leaf emphasized the risks and uncertainties surrounding further escalation, warning that increased pressure could lead to unpredictable outcomes.
"In this region, you can stir the pot, the pot may boil over, but you don't know where all of that goes," she said.
Watch the full UK Channel 4 interview (begins at 14:58)