US President Donald Trump bolstered America’s military present in the Middle East this week following “threats” against the US. Tensions between the two states have soared in recent weeks following the US decision to try and cut Iran’s oil exports to zero. Retired admiral William McRaven told Fox News: “I think they will change behaviour. I don’t think what they will do is attack.
“We have got to take a look at whether their proxies will attack. How much control do they have over the proxies?
“But I think the Iranians would be foolish to come after the US military. That would just not go well for them.”
Mr McRaven agreed when Fox News’ Brian Kilmeade said Iran has American blood on their hands.
The former admiral said although the US does not want a war with Iran, one simple miscalculation could trigger military action.
Mr McRaven said: “What we don’t want is a miscalculation. You know, the President doesn’t want to go to war in Iran.
“The Iranians absolutely don’t want to go to war with us. Our troops that are in Iraq, we know how to deal with those sort of threats.
“We will increase our threat posture out there. And, of course, the fleet has been dealing with Iranian fast attack boats for a long time. This is about miscalculation.
“As long as nobody miscalculates. Again, we have been doing this for a while. I think we will be fine.”
The US President has warned Iran on numerous occasions that conflict would “officially end” the country.
The comments come after Iran mocked the west and claimed it “does not dare” to attack Tehran.
According to Fars News Agency, Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander Gholamali Rashid alleged that the US and other western nations avoid attacking Iran as they understand Tehran will respond with the same force.
He said: “If criminal America and its western and regional allies don’t dare carry out a face-to-face military attack against our country it is because of the spirit of resistance and sacrifice of the people and youth.”
Last week, exercises were carried out by the US in the Arabian Sea, which has been seen as a show of Washington’s strength in the region.