A recent report published by The New York Times claims that military operations conducted by the United States and Israel against Iran have failed to achieve their strategic objectives. Instead of weakening Tehran, the conflict has reportedly pushed Iran toward a more hardened and assertive political stance.
According to the report, the main goals of the campaign were to weaken Iran’s government, encourage internal political change, and limit its nuclear ambitions. However, the outcome appears to have been the opposite of what was intended.
The report states that Iran’s political system has remained fully intact despite the conflict. Moreover, post-war developments inside the country have reportedly strengthened its internal restructuring process, further expanding the influence of its military establishment.
In particular, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is said to have significantly increased its power and role within Iran’s state structure.
The New York Times analysis also suggests that the regional security environment in the Middle East has shifted as a result of the conflict, with Tehran now appearing more willing to take strategic risks than before. It further notes that Iran has become more resilient and better organized in handling external pressure and international sanctions compared to the pre-conflict period.
