Scott Uehlinger, a former senior CIA officer and national security expert, says it will be "very difficult" to find a way out of the escalating confrontation between the United States and Iran.
Speaking to Al Jazeera, Uehlinger said the US strikes on Iran were partly intended to persuade Tehran to reconsider its approach to the Strait of Hormuz.
"The United States tried to make clear through Trump that it was retaliating for Iran's refusal to cooperate in the Strait of Hormuz. I think Trump was hoping to some degree that perhaps the regime would learn its lesson and go back to the memorandum," Uehlinger said.
He said Washington is seeking to weaken Iran's leverage over the strategically important waterway.
"That's why we've seen so many attacks directed at Iran's ability to attempt to control the straits. Maritime traffic control centres have been destroyed. Missile sites have been destroyed and fast boats have been destroyed, all in an attempt to further limit Iran's ability to affect the straits," he said.
"I think President Trump hopes that by reducing that ability, or showing the Iranians they do not have that ability, perhaps then they will return to the memorandum of understanding," Uehlinger added.
#Reports Al Jazeera