The S-300 air defense system is displayed during a parade for National Army Day in Tehran on April 17, 2024. (Credit: Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)/Reuters Archives)
While Iranian policy could recently be interpreted as an olive branch extended to the United States following the election of reformist President Massoud Pezeshkian last July, hard-liners have recorded several victories in recent days. On Sunday, Minister of Economy and Finance Abdolnaser Hemmati was ousted by Parliament after an unfavorable confidence vote. A few hours later, Vice President Mohammad Javad Zarif submitted his resignation for the second time. Targeted by ultraconservatives, the former diplomat advocated restoring dialogue with the West to lift sanctions. That prospect appears to be fading, as the specter of an Israeli strike on Iran's nuclear infrastructure looms larger under Donald Trump's Republican administration, and Tehran has declared opposition to direct talks under pressure. Does Iran's hardening...
While Iranian policy could recently be interpreted as an olive branch extended to the United States following the election of reformist President Massoud Pezeshkian last July, hard-liners have recorded several victories in recent days. On Sunday, Minister of Economy and Finance Abdolnaser Hemmati was ousted by Parliament after an unfavorable confidence vote. A few hours later, Vice President Mohammad Javad Zarif submitted his resignation for the second time. Targeted by ultraconservatives, the former diplomat advocated restoring dialogue with the West to lift sanctions. That prospect appears to be fading, as the specter of an Israeli strike on Iran's nuclear infrastructure looms larger under Donald Trump's Republican administration, and Tehran has declared opposition to direct talks under pressure. Does Iran's hardening...