The New York Times has reported that experts and analysts believe the recent war has significantly altered Iran’s political and military outlook, leading to a noticeably harder stance from Tehran.
In an analytical article, the newspaper said this shift is raising genuine concerns that efforts to reach a final and comprehensive settlement of the nuclear issue could be delayed or obstructed.
According to the analysis, the greatest concern among international observers is that Iran, under mounting pressure and repeated military strikes, may now be more inclined than ever to develop and manufacture nuclear weapons.
Analysts cited by the newspaper believe the Iranian leadership increasingly views nuclear weapons as “the most effective deterrent” for safeguarding national security, particularly after the series of attacks the country has faced over the past two years from the United States and Israel.
Iran has repeatedly denied American and Israeli accusations that it operates a secret nuclear weapons programme.
According to the White House, Iran pledged in the memorandum of understanding it signed with the United States through international mediation that it would not possess nuclear weapons.
Trump and Netanyahu
In a related development, The Wall Street Journal revealed growing frustration on the part of US President Donald Trump towards Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
According to American officials, Trump has begun openly questioning the accuracy of Netanyahu’s information and assessments.
There are also concerns within the US administration that Netanyahu may be seeking to prolong the war with Iran in order to strengthen his own political position.
Meanwhile, Time magazine reported that the Iranian public, exhausted by months of economic hardship and the psychological consequences of war, initially welcomed the preliminary peace agreement with a rare sense of relief.
That relief, however, proved short-lived.
According to the magazine, it quickly gave way to widespread anxiety fuelled by doubts over the durability of the ceasefire, the economy’s ability to recover, and uncertainty over whether the war has truly ended or has instead left the country facing an even more dangerous and unpredictable future.
Drone Strikes on Moscow
In a separate report, The Washington Post commented on Ukraine’s large-scale drone attacks on Moscow, saying Kyiv aims to bring the conflict into the heart of the Russian capital in order to increase public pressure on President Vladimir Putin and force him to negotiate.
Over the past few days, Ukraine has carried out drone strikes against targets in Moscow, including a major oil refinery.
The attacks have been described as the largest of their kind in the past two years.
