Washington DC, March 30 -- Top US Air Power Expert and advisor to multiple US Presidents, Professor Robert Pape, underlined the emergence of Iran as one of the top five most powerful countries in the world.

He made the remarks in an exclusive interview with ANI as tensions continue to escalate in West Asia and the Gulf region.

Professor Pape spoke about Iran's rapid rise and highlighted the escalation dynamics in the region, with three key stages--stage one being US strikes in the region, stage two being Iranian retaliation, and stage three being the US upping the ante with ground forces and said that right now it is between stages one and two.

"Stage one was US bombing; doesn't hit target, not strategically successful. Stage two- Iran...