'Tehran assumes war is behind them: Iran will not capitulate, Trump has it all wrong'

Danny Citrinowicz, a Senior Researcher in the Iran and Shi'ite Axis Program at the Institute for National Security Studies, argues that Iran's leadership views its political and military survival as a strategic victory rather than a defeat. According to Citrinowicz, the Iranian regime's interpretation of endurance—rather than battlefield dominance—shapes how it approaches negotiations and assesses its leverage in any potential talks with the United States. This perception of resilience, regardless of military asymmetries favoring America, reduces the likelihood of near-term diplomatic resolution, as Tehran sees little incentive to make significant concessions. The analysis suggests a fundamental disagreement between the Trump administration's view of Iranian weakness and Tehran's self-assessment of strength, creating a potential impasse in any future negotiations.