People walk past a billboard depicting the late leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, and the late Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on a street in Tehran, Iran June 6, 2026. (Credit: Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via Reuters)
The United States and Israel hoped to deal a lasting blow to Iran, or even bring about its collapse.After nearly four months of war, which ended on Monday with an agreement to halt hostilities, Iran has undoubtedly emerged battered, economically drained and militarily weakened.Yet the regime survived.More than that, emboldened by what it sees as gains secured during the conflict, the theocracy may now accelerate its transformation into a more militarized and repressive system.Indeed, none of the objectives publicly set out by Washington and Tel Aviv at the outset of the offensive — neutralizing Iran’s nuclear program and weakening the regime enough to trigger its downfall — has been fully achieved.Iran’s military capabilities have been rebuilt more quickly than expected, notably with Russian and Chinese assistance, and the country is...
The United States and Israel hoped to deal a lasting blow to Iran, or even bring about its collapse.After nearly four months of war, which ended on Monday with an agreement to halt hostilities, Iran has undoubtedly emerged battered, economically drained and militarily weakened.Yet the regime survived.More than that, emboldened by what it sees as gains secured during the conflict, the theocracy may now accelerate its transformation into a more militarized and repressive system.Indeed, none of the objectives publicly set out by Washington and Tel Aviv at the outset of the offensive — neutralizing Iran’s nuclear program and weakening the regime enough to trigger its downfall — has been fully achieved.Iran’s military capabilities have been rebuilt more quickly than expected, notably with Russian and Chinese assistance, and the...
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