Australian National University professor Alam Saleh stated that while economic pressure and regional diplomatic tensions may indeed pose problems for Iran, the Iranian leadership ultimately sees itself as fighting a "battle for survival" and is therefore unlikely to easily yield.
Saleh stated, "Iran's economy relies on domestic production and possesses a degree of economic independence. The country has survived under sanctions for nearly 47 years." He added that Iran is unwilling to appear weak in front of the United States, let alone make concessions due to a loss of military power. Regarding weapons production, US media reports indicate that Iran quickly resumed drone production after the April ceasefire, and some analysts believe that Iran could fully replenish its drone inventory within months. Saleh stated, "Therefore, unless any agreement can guarantee Iran's security, Iran will not accept any deal. No matter how much economic pressure it faces, Iran will not compromise. It has no other choice but to resist."
As for the US, analysts believe that the US's concerns about weapons stockpiles are not primarily aimed at the current war with Iran, but rather at potential future conflicts with other superpowers.
Brian Finnakan, a security expert at the International Crisis Group, stated, "It's clear that the rate of depletion of key weapons, including Patriot missile interceptors and Tomahawk cruise missiles, is alarming. These weapons may need to be used in the future to address any military contingencies involving other superpowers." Overall, both sides face pressure points that would make a protracted war extremely costly. However, Saleh believes the US is suffering greater reputational damage. He said, "The world sees that the US cannot resolve the Iran issue by any means. This shows that the US military also has its limitations when dealing with a middle power like Iran."
