@gracebunog

IRAN'S CALCULUS Diplomatic efforts with the US remain stalled, especially since a Jun 17 truce collapsed and the US reimposed oil sanctions and the blockade on Iranian ports. "Iranians believe that diplomacy is doomed to fail in the current climate and that the Americans will not accept their terms," said Zeidabadi. "Consequently, they may feel compelled to resort to offensive action to force the US to accept Iranian conditions ... and to initiate a new round of negotiations." Iran suffered heavy losses in the initial bombardment campaign, including the killing of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and senior military commanders, as well as extensive material and economic damage. But the political system has remained intact, and intense bombardment eventually subsided following an Apr 8 ceasefire, apart from sporadic exchanges of fire, particularly in and around Hormuz.

1 reply

1 recast

2 reactions