""The Islamic Republic believes it can score points by showing strength," Middle East expert and veteran journalist Menashe Amir told DW. However, "the strategy of demonstrating strength could backfire on Iran this time," he added. Amir said that Iran has lost much of its regional influence, with Hamas, Hezbollah, Houthi rebels, and proxy groups in Iraq and Syria all significantly weakened. If the Iranian leadership is not prepared to at least publicly distance itself from its confrontational policy toward the West, this could make another war inevitable, he warned."
"Since it took power in the 1979 revolution, the leadership of the Islamic Republic has refused to recognize Israel's right to exist, and regularly threatens to destroy it. In June, Israeli and US forces attacked Iranian nuclear facilities in a twelve-day war. Western countries have long accused Iran of secretly working on nuclear weapons. Tehran denies this and claims that its nuclear program is exclusively for civilian purposes and energy production. However, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has repeatedly warned Iranian uranium enrichment is approaching weapons grade."
Iran's Supreme Leader refused a US offer to resume nuclear negotiations, stating that agreements imposed under coercion amount to imposition and harassment. He denied claims that the US had eliminated Iran's nuclear capabilities. Regional influence for Iran has declined, with Hamas, Hezbollah, Houthi rebels, and proxy groups in Iraq and Syria significantly weakened. Experts warn that continued confrontational policy toward the West without public distancing could increase the risk of another war. Iran has historically refused to recognize Israel's right to exist and routinely issues threats. The IAEA has warned that Iranian uranium enrichment is nearing weapons grade.
Read at www.dw.com
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