Why Iran believes it can outlast the US

Iran is bracing for increased U.S. military pressure while simultaneously claiming strategic advantage in its escalating confrontation with the United States. The Iranian leadership's confidence appears rooted in its historical ability to absorb external pressure and its network of regional proxy forces, which it views as a counterbalance to American military superiority. The core question is whether the current cycle of tit-for-tat strikes—involving Iranian missile attacks and U.S. retaliatory measures—can be contained or will spiral into a broader regional conflict. Iran's dual posture of preparation for further escalation while asserting it holds the upper hand suggests Tehran believes time and endurance are on its side, even as direct military confrontation risks pulling in other regional actors. The trajectory depends on whether diplomatic off-ramps exist or whether both sides continue matching each other's escalatory moves.