The U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency assessed that “Iran is the primary state challenger to U.S. interests in the Middle East because of its sophisticated military capabilities, broad proxy and partner networks and periodic willingness to use force against U.S. and partner forces”. It further evaluated that “Iran will seek to avoid escalation with the U.S. while it evaluates the direction of U.S. policy toward Iran and the status of the U.S. presence in the region – especially the prospects for U.S. withdrawal and the potential for escalation. Iran probably will continue to focus on unconventional proxy attacks or minimally deniable actions, such as cyberoperations, rather than overt conventional retaliation as it seeks to counter Western pressure”.