Iran Retaliation Against US Fits De-Escalation Playbook

Iran retaliated for a weekend attack on its nuclear facilities by firing missiles at an American air base in Qatar, a response that had all the hallmarks of an offer of de-escalation. Iran’s attack was reportedly telegraphed well in advance. Iran’s Supreme National Security Council said the number of missiles fired matched the number of bombs dropped by the US on the Islamic Republic and that its strike “poses no danger” to Qatar, which it called “our friendly and brotherly country.”

One official with knowledge of Western intelligence assessments said the retaliatory attack was a typical example of an “off-ramp” escalation. They warned that the more difficult part is understanding whether—and at what point—Israel would stop its own attacks on Iran, which have killed hundreds of people. US President Donald Trump on Monday seemed open to the potential for ending the US-Iran conflict with one exchange of fire.