Iran and the US are on the brink of a direct confrontation, and considering the American military buildup in the Gulf and the wider region, this could result in a much broader round of hostilities, ending in a regional escalation and possibly regime change. It may make the US military intervention in Iran last June in support of Israel appear a mere prelude to something much bigger. Back then, the US carried out short and precise airstrikes against Iranian nuclear sites.

The US has built up its military presence in the Middle East in response to Iran's violent crackdown on protests.

Iran and the US are on the brink of a direct confrontation, and considering the American military buildup in the Gulf and the wider region, this could result in a much broader…