Trump warned weeks ago that the US was “locked and loaded” and prepared to strike if Tehran did not stop massacring anti-government protesters. A Gulf official told Middle East Eye that the US was considering precision strikes on Iran as early as this week. They are capable of firing Tomahawk cruise missiles, which, with ranges of 1,500-2,500 kilometres, could strike strategic targets deep inside Iran. The US can strike Tehran from planes but not take helicopters.”As in Venezuela, the removal of a leader does not necessarily mean the removal of a regime. Of course, Trump’s posturing may be a bluff aimed at forcing the Iranian regime into a deal limiting its nuclear programme.