[jeffc]

...a potentially catastrophic confrontation with Iran...

Catastrophic for whom? (of course, it would be for Iran, but I don't think that is the author's belief).

Trump's ordered assassination of Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani on January 3 proved the catalyst for escalated tensions between the U.S. and Iran

No. The escalation of tension was the attack on our embassy. Why do liberals always get it backward?

[jeffc]

And what kind of name is Eoin?

[Steve_Seattle]

"No. The escalation of tension was the attack on our embassy. Why do liberals always get it backward?"

Correct, and before that there was the killing of the American contractor, Iran's seizing of ships in the Mediterranean, and the raids on Saudi oil facilities, among other Iranian provocations ("death to America" and all that over-the-top rhetoric that is routine with them). "Liberals" get it backward because they are systematic liars.