Morgan Ortagus, the former deputy of the U.S. president’s special representative, said on Tuesday that the Islamic Republic is above all afraid of its own people and warned that as economic pressure continues due to U.S. sanctions and a blockade, while negotiations remain inconclusive, Tehran’s options are becoming more limited every day.

In an interview with Bloomberg, Ortagus said: “The Iranian government is, above all, afraid of its own people. Every day that passes without an agreement, it increases economic pressure. Sanctions are in effect, the blockade has been effective, and all military options remain on the table.”