Iran to target US warships if they threaten vessels: IRGC commander

The risk of escalation between the US and Iran is particularly high at this point because of the coronavirus pandemic, which has affected both countries severely, said Aniseh Bassiri Tabrizi, a Middle East security expert at the Royal United Service Institute. "On top of the fact that each side has maintained in place its strategy (maximum pressure and retaliation respectively), it is possible that the coronavirus outbreak will increase the chances of miscalculation," Ms Tabrizi told The National.