Are We Verging on Another Escalation in the Middle East? | Ali Vaez

An eight-month Iran-US war has depleted most US missile-interceptor stockpiles and turned the Strait of Hormuz into a global economic pressure point with no resolution in sight.

• Stalemate persists: Eight months into Operation Epic Fury, Iran-US talks are deadlocked after Qatari-mediated September proposals collapsed; Iran offered to reopen the Strait of Hormuz in 7 days (vs. June's 30-day MOU) but the US demanded nuclear concessions.
• Military attrition is severe: Vaez estimates roughly 70% of US THAAD interceptors, 50% of Patriot missiles, and 75% of long-range ballistic munitions have been depleted; 17 US regional bases were targeted, several inoperative.

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