The US needs to accelerate the pace of military strikes and target additional senior Iranian officials to push towards a resolution of the conflict, Beni Sabti, an Iran researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS), said.
In an interview with 103FM, Sabti stated that the escalation in the Strait of Hormuz is not bringing Iran closer to surrender. He described a combative leadership, despite severe blows and mounting domestic hardship, and argued that military pressure is pushing Tehran to intensify the confrontation.
"An Iranian member of parliament tweeted, 'We need to immediately obtain a nuclear bomb to protect our assets in the Strait of Hormuz,'" Sabti said. "This is the Iranian hubris and mindset, 'They are pressing us even more? No problem, we will run even faster toward the nuclear bomb.' They are definitely not going to give up."
According to Sabti, the regime's very survival gives the leadership a sense of victory. The central power mechanisms continue to function.
"Because the few survived, just like Hamas, they are in a place where as long as two Revolutionary Guard generals are still standing, the regime is still standing," he said.
Sabti advocates for the US to deepen military strikes.
"As long as they are not going back into central Iran and eliminating more senior officials there, this round can keep going and going. The Iranians even enjoy this situation; they keep operating in an emergency mode," he stated.
Sabti also addressed the new leadership, saying that this state of emergency serves the current Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, and pointing out the difference between him and his father, the former supreme leader.
"His father still used to talk about the economic situation or praise the Iranian national team at the World Cup. Mojtaba only talks about war. This is the best possible situation for the new regime; you keep it in emergency mode and give it life."
Sabti compared the current regime to Hamas, saying that the choice was to prioritize the war over the concerns of the Iranian people.
"We also asked this about Sinwar when he saw the buildings collapsing in Gaza, and he kept fighting. The image of him throwing away the stick at the last moment, that is suicide," he said. "Instead of coming to their senses and saying, 'I will save what I can,' they keep going."
Public unrest grows in Iran
The public is dealing with economic pressure, power outages and deep frustration.
"These days there are small protests in Iran. Yesterday they used tear gas on them, something that had not happened since January. There is a lot of economic tension and frustration, including surprise power outages for almost the entire day,” he said.
“In my opinion, the Iranians will not sit at home for long. Their internal argument is good for us," he added.
Iran is avoiding direct fire at Israel for now, Sabti explained, explaining that Iran is aware that Israel is waiting for an attack.
Report of Ahmadinejad acting as Mossad agent 'nonsense,' Sabti says
Sabti addressed a report that former Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad had acted as a Mossad agent.
"In my opinion, that is nonsense. There is a difference between a meeting to establish contact and feel things out, and a person enlisting for you. It is possible there were attempts to lure him to Budapest, to show him respect, and to establish contact. But from there to turning him into an agent, I have a problem with that," he said.
Additionally, Sabti expressed doubt over the possibility that Ahmadinejad operated without the knowledge of those around him.
"We speak arrogantly about the Israeli side, but what about his bodyguards? Do you think someone sends Ahmadinejad alone? Aren't there 10 ideologues of the regime around him? It is a little naive to think that way. If he were a Zionist agent, he would not be wandering around Iran now," Sabti said.