Meisam Mehrani, a political analyst, said Washington’s focus on the nuclear dossier of the Islamic Republic, without addressing Tehran’s missile program, proxy forces, and regional influence, cannot sustainably resolve the differences between the two sides. He warned that an interim (step-by-step) agreement could give the Islamic Republic an opportunity to rebuild its military capabilities by gaining economic concessions.

Mehrani added that time is not necessarily in favor of either side, but if the U.S. maritime blockade and economic pressures continue for a few months, the Islamic Republic will suffer greater losses. According to him, Tehran has lost a significant part of its leverage in the Strait of Hormuz, and Washington is getting closer to its goals through the maritime blockade.