According to assessments conducted by multiple US intelligence agencies, the Iranian regime believes it is in a strong enough position to continue the war and not cede to US demands.
United States intelligence assessments have indicated that the Iranian regime is currently unwilling to engage in negotiations to end its ongoing war with the US and Israel, the New York Times reported on Wednesday, citing US officials familiar with the assessments. According to assessments conducted by multiple US intelligence agencies, the regime believes it is in a strong enough position to continue the war and not cede to US demands.
The report additionally indicated that Iran is willing to keep diplomatic channels open, but does not trust the US or think US President Donald Trump is serious about engaging in negotiations. Two Iranian officials and one Pakistani official told the NYT that the Iranian regime could engage in diplomacy under the right conditions. Still, they needed to see that the US is willing to seriously discuss ending the war rather than negotiating a temporary ceasefire.
US and Iranian officials both confirmed that the two countries have been exchanging messages through intermediaries, but are not discussing ceasefire terms or ending the war. A senior Iranian source told Reuters on Wednesday that Iran demands a permanent end to the war and that no mediator-facilitated talks have taken place regarding a temporary ceasefire. (Read More)
