Six months on

Six months after the United States and Israel launched their war on Iran, the conflict remains unresolved and the prospect of renewed fighting hangs over diplomatic efforts. Pakistan, Oman and Qatar have tried to revive peace talks, but Washington faces few easy options for ending the conflict while preserving its standing.

The fighting exposed the limits of the military strategy against Tehran, according to the article’s assessment. Iran suffered the decimation of its religious, political and military leadership in the opening days, yet it defended itself despite being no match for the US war machine. Conservative factions within Iran’s establishment now appear unwilling to retreat and are prepared to endure further pressure while pursuing a long-term contest with Washington.

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pressure doesn’t work

Instead of acknowledging that military force has failed to compel Tehran, the United States has expanded its economic campaign. Washington has warned sovereign states against doing business with Iran, a move that will hurt an Iranian economy already weakened by sanctions but may not force the government to surrender. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said, “pressure doesn’t work”.

China’s position further limits the reach of the US campaign. As Iran’s major trading partner and the world’s second-biggest economy, Beijing has rejected Washington’s effort to isolate Tehran. A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Beijing “opposes illegal, unilateral sanctions”. The dispute leaves Iran facing continued economic pain, while the United States must contend with a conflict that has produced neither a clear resolution nor an easy route home for its troops.

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opposes illegal, unilateral sanctions