The Hard Core
Iran's leadership is adopting a tougher, more aggressive stance as pressure mounts, and is prepared for a prolonged confrontation. Economic data indicate a worsening situation: the exchange rate has soared 50-fold, inflation has crossed 70%, and 16 million have been added to the poverty line. Iran demands the fulfillment of American commitments as a condition for opening the Strait of Hormuz, and adds a demand for a ceasefire in Lebanon and the Palestinian arena. New appointments reflect a shift to an offensive doctrine and preparations for renewed protests.
Iran's leadership is adopting a tougher, more defiant, and more aggressive stance as pressure on it mounts, and is prepared for a prolonged confrontation and escalation, even at a heavy cost. This emerges from an analysis by Dr. Raz Zimmt, director of the Iran and the Shiite Axis program at the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS), published on ynet. The economic data presented by Iranian economist Masoud Nili indicate a significant deterioration: between 2018 and 2026, the exchange rate soared nearly 50-fold, the price level rose more than 19-fold, and 16 million people were added to the population below the poverty line. The official inflation rate crossed the 70% threshold, and the number of people employed in industry fell by about 630,000. Despite this, there is no evidence that Iran intends to soften its positions to return to the memorandum of understanding with the US. It demands that American commitments, including the release of funds and easing of sanctions, be fulfilled as a precondition for opening the Strait of Hormuz, and adds a demand for a ceasefire in Lebanon and the Palestinian arena. The series of appointments decided by leader Khamenei, including the appointment of Hossein Taeb as commander of the Basij, reflects a shift to a more offensive doctrine and preparations for renewed internal protests. Tehran is determined to entrench its achievements, foremost among them control of the Strait of Hormuz, and is not willing to return to the status quo that preceded the war.