US-Iranian tensions have mounted significantly in the past few days. The Guardian reports that the U.S. has decided to establish a military base in Iraq less than five miles from the Iranian border.

Watch our latest interviews with Aijaz Ahmed from New Delhi and Pepe Escobar from Paris. Ahmed is a Senior Editorial Consultant for The Real News and political commentator for the Indian newsmagazine, Frontline. Aijaz Ahmed has taught Political Science and written widely on South Asia and the Middle East.

During Part 1 of his interview, Ahmed talks to Senior Editor Paul Jay, about the White House threats towards Iran. Ahmed declares, "This administration is determined to attack Iran before it leaves office."

Ahmed then explores in Part 2, Iran's commitments to the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty, "They must commit themselves to not producing the weapon, which they have. They must commit themselves to inspections, which they have. They have a sovereign right to create, to pursue enrichment for peaceful purposes."

In his latest interview, Pepe Escobar, Real News correspondent and writer for The Asia Times Online, answers the question, can the White House intimidate Iran? "Persian society has been around for thousands of years and they don't scare easily."

The second segment of this two-part interview examines the possible confrontation between the U.S. and Iran. "The original plan is to dismantle, to provoke regime change in Iran and to appropriate Iran's oil and gas."

Watch the interviews with Aijaz Ahmed and Pepe Escobar at therealnews.com.

Today, The Guardian carries a report: Proxy War Could Soon Turn to Direct Conflict, Analysts Warn by Julian Borger and Ian Black. US strikes on Iran predicted as tension rises over arms smuggling and nuclear fears.The growing US focus on confronting Iran in a proxy war inside Iraq risks triggering a direct conflict in the next few months, regional analysts are warning.US-Iranian tensions have mounted significantly in the past few days, with heightened rhetoric on both sides and the US decision to establish a military base in Iraq less than five miles from the Iranian border to block the smuggling of Iranian arms to Shia militias.

We hope you find these interviews interesting and of value.

Thank you for your continued support of The Real News Network.

Paul Jay and The Real News Network Team