Washington sends conflicting signals as war rages on in the Middle East

As the Iran conflict enters its fourth week, strikes on nuclear sites and a reported attack on a US-UK base signal further escalation. With no clear exit in sight, fears are mounting of wider instability and humanitarian fallout. “The attack on Diego Garcia is an escalation… it’s a joint US-UK base, not just US territory – that in and of itself is definitely an escalation,” said Ali Vaez, Director of the Iran Project and senior adviser at the International Crisis Group.