Retired Lt. Col. Tony Shaffer cautioned that escalating tensions with Iran could spiral into a "desert storm-type conflict" with global implications, as he highlighted the potential for a regional coalition against Iran and the risk of triggering a wider conflict.
Shaffer, in an interview on Newsmax on Saturday, expressed grave concerns about the escalating tensions with Iran, warning of the potential for a conflict of significant magnitude.
"Look, if the Iranians decide to go all in with a full-on attack, we have to use our resources in addition to the Israeli resources that are already deployed," Shaffer emphasized.
"This could become, very quickly become, a desert storm-type conflict," he said.
Shaffer pointed to the likelihood of a coalition forming in response to Iranian aggression, stating, "They would have to be a coalition of the willing, if you will, initially, and I think there's going to be a number of Arab nations" aligning.
According to Shaffer, the volatile religious dynamics could rapidly escalate tensions, with regional powers such as Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia aligning against Iran. "Essentially, I think the Egyptians would come on our side, Jordanians would come on our side. I think the Saudis [also], and this could be a regional conflict very rapidly," he stated.
He underscored the historical underpinning of the Sunni-Shia divide, asserting, "The Iranians are not loved by the Arabs. The Sunni does not love the Shia, the Shia being the Iranians, so as much as anything at this point, we're talking about a potential expansion of that fundamental difference in their religion. This is a part of the religion that has been at war, that Islam has been at war since the time of Mohammed, so I think that old anger can be quickly ignited."
Shaffer highlighted recent incidents: "They've already seized a ship. They seized the Portuguese flagship that the Iranians claim was part of a company that's partly owned by the Israelis."
He warned of potential disruptions in global oil supplies, stating, "You could see oil being cut off rapidly."
Moreover, Shaffer warned of the risk of broader involvement from significant powers. "Then you move to, you know, the Chinese and Russians jump in. You have a global conflict," he cautioned. "This is [where] you literally have poured gasoline all over the planet. And all you need is one spark, one light, one match to light it all off."
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Jim Thomas ✉
Jim Thomas is a writer based in Indiana. He holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science, a law degree from U.I.C. Law School, and has practiced law for more than 20 years.
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