A security analyst has expressed deep concern over the renewed US attacks on Iran, warning that Washington’s escalating military pressure has failed to halt Iran’s retaliatory capabilities and could further escalate the conflict.

“It’s very concerning because clearly the accuracy and potency of Iranian retaliation is being proven, but also their ability to continue retaliating over half a year after the start of the US-Israeli attack,” said Samir Puri, a lecturer in war studies at King’s College London.

“There’s no sign that Iran is running out of munitions. There’s every sign that the US wants to force Iran into some kind of visible concession… So I think, yes, at the moment there is every possibility of further escalation.”

Meanwhile, Puri said US President Donald Trump’s messaging remained deeply inconsistent regarding Washington’s ultimate objectives in the six-month war.

Support for Iran at this week’s Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit from China, Russia, India and other countries demonstrated that the country was far from isolated internationally, he said.

“So I think the US is in a very confused state in terms of its strategic goals here,” said Puri.