The Trump administration has stepped up economic pressure on Iran and is
threatening military strikes, former US ambassador to Tunisia Joey R. Hood said
in an interview. Hood said Trump "is clearly aware of the limits of military
strikes" but warned sanctions will not suddenly change Tehran's behavior. He
noted it took two years of US sanctions to bring Iran to the negotiating table
and produce the 2015 nuclear deal. Hood added the current environment differs:
Washington has fewer allied partners and Tehran views US aims as "regime
change", making a 2015-style outcome unlikely.