WSJ Reports Iranian Hardliners 'Preparing to Expand War'; Trump Declares Iran's Defeat

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported that hardline Iranian leaders are increasing their military strength to expand the war and increase the burden on the United States. This is a major factor contributing to rising tensions in the Middle East.

Iranian hardliners see the current standoff as an opportunity to turn the situation to their advantage, focusing on strengthening their military capabilities to that end.

Iranian hardliners view the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreement with the U.S. in June as merely a diplomatic gesture by the U.S. They see it as an attempt to buy time before the next attack, rather than a genuine will for peace.

This distrust is expected to be a major obstacle to finding future diplomatic solutions.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is expanding its control over the regular Iranian army. Hardline figures with extensive combat experience are being appointed to key security positions, and domestic intelligence activities against adversaries are being strengthened.

Furthermore, it is known that they are expanding missile and drone production to enhance their military capabilities. These moves are interpreted as an intention to simultaneously tighten internal control and prepare for external threats.

Arab intelligence officials have intercepted communications between Iran and allied militias in Yemen and Iraq. This suggests a strategic shift by Iran to expand the war and make Washington pay a greater price.

Iran is observed to be employing a strategy of expanding its influence and pressuring the U.S. by utilizing proxy forces rather than direct military intervention.

The situation observed so far is increasingly being interpreted in terms of the 'salami tactic.' This tactic is a strategy of limited and gradual conflict escalation designed to weaken an opponent's forces before a large-scale confrontation.

Iran appears to intend to exhaust the U.S. and its allies and deplete their strength through localized provocations and the use of proxy forces.

The U.S. and Iran's 60-day negotiation period, set by the June agreement, expired last Monday. However, both sides failed to reach a final agreement.

Consequently, the de facto ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran is considered to have ended. Tensions between the two sides are expected to escalate further, and a shift towards a hardline confrontation rather than a diplomatic solution has become more likely.

President Trump reiterated his stance that Iran's possession of nuclear weapons would never be tolerated. He stated that his top priority is to ensure Iran cannot possess nuclear weapons in any form or manner.

This strong message clearly demonstrates the U.S.'s hardline stance on Iran's nuclear program. The Trump administration suggests it will use all means necessary to achieve Iran's denuclearization.

President Trump carried out direct strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities, an action no previous U.S. president had attempted. This demonstrates his strong will to genuinely halt Iran's nuclear development.

He has consistently maintained a policy of pressure on Iran for the past three years, which has severely damaged the Iranian economy. President Trump has predicted that Iran will eventually collapse on its own, stating that he will continue to pressure Iran.

The Trump administration's hardline stance is further exacerbating relations with Iran and significantly impacting the security situation in the Middle East. International attention is focused on whether Iran will halt its nuclear development or come to the negotiating table, or if it will carry out additional provocations.

In this situation, the U.S.'s policy toward Iran combines actual military pressure and economic sanctions rather than mere diplomatic rhetoric, pursuing a denuclearization hardline that differentiates it from previous presidents.