Diplomacy or defiance: Iran’s rulers face existential choice after US-Israeli strikes

Summary

Iran faces a critical decision after US and Israeli strikes on its nuclear sites, weighing renewed diplomacy against the risk of further military confrontation amid internal and external pressures.

Key Points
  • Iran’s leadership is torn between defying US-Israeli pressure or resuming nuclear negotiations to avoid further conflict.
  • Recent US and Israeli air strikes exposed Iran's military vulnerabilities and escalated tensions.
  • Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is reportedly leaning toward resuming talks as vital for the regime's survival.
  • Economic hardship and domestic unrest in Iran heighten the stakes amid threats of renewed sanctions and military attacks.
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