War May End in Interim Deal That Leaves Iran Battered but Unbowed

Photo Credit: Reuters

IRAN – The U.S.-Israeli war on Iran was meant to break the Islamic Republic, but instead, the warring sides are edging towards an interim agreement that would leave Iran battered but not ​broken.

As the outlines of a potential deal emerge from sources familiar with the discussions, Iran looks set to emerge economically shattered, along with a severely degraded its military-industrial base, but also with ‌hardline revolutionary guard dominance more firmly entrenched than before.

Even if a memorandum on ending the war is agreed soon, it is less likely to be a lasting breakthrough than a temporary truce.

Regional analysts portray the likely outcome as a bargain designed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and ease economic pressure on global financial markets and Iran.