Name: Trump cannot get away with a limited strike : Analysis
Uploaded: 2026-02-21T23:02:11.000Z
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Ali Akbar Darini is a researcher at the center for Strategic Studies.

I'm sure you heard there the statements by Abbas Arakshi saying the US hasn't asked them for zero uranium enrichment.

So let me ask the question from this angle.

As far as you can see, does Tehran believe it's had an indication from the US that the US Would consider a deal which allows even a very limited degree of uranium enrichment?

There is a possibility of a deal being achieved because Iran has come up with creative solutions, showing flexibility about the level of enrichment, scope of its uranium enrichment program, and, and

also providing economic incentives to the Trump administration.

Trump can boast and tweet that he was able to obtain more concessions from Iran than the Obama administration.

What would the more concessions be though?

That doesn't go into missiles or support for allies.

Of course, you know, Iran's red lines must not be crossed.

Iran can agree to a deal that respects Trump's initial red line of no nuclear weapons, but

But there is sufficient space for the two sides to maneuver on how to obtain more concessions within that framework.

So no, but I mean the Obama's deal covered the stopping Iran's nuclear program becoming one for weapons.

You said that Iran could offer more concessions.

What would more concessions look like beyond the Obama deal?

This will be, this will be a technical discussion, but

beyond the Obama deal, Iran has provided economic incentives to the Trump administration, including mining, oil and gas industry investment and, and

concessions, economic concessions on that.

This was not under the jcpoa, but Iran has offered that so that a deal is possible.

Trump's increasing military threats is undermining the process of negotiations because the influx of unprecedented US Military assets in the region has gone beyond a message of deterrence.

Iran looks at that as preparations for war, not deterrence.

That's why Iran is prepared both for war and a deal.

Talking about that military buildup by the US So yesterday I spoke with a former US Naval destroyer commander who said the reported do emphasize reported transfers to Iran of, of military hardware from countries like China and Russia along the lines of things like stealth detecting radars, new air defense systems like the HQ9BS and so on.

Now, he said that doesn't really represent much of a challenge to the U.S.

How much of a significant military upgrade has taken place on the Iranian side.

Since the June attack on Iran, Iran has made a lot of investment on supersonic missiles and weapons that can kill U.S.

warships and also target U.S. military bases.

He doesn't want U.S. troops to, to return home in body bags.

If he attacks Iran, Iran will make sure that this is going to happen.

Second, he doesn't want a protracted war this time.

Iran's military doctrine says it will show massive retaliation.

What does massive retaliation in a regional war mean?

Would Iran not limit its attacks only to military bases in the region, but

might go after other targets, energy targets?

If energy targets are hit within Iran, It will be asymmetric tactics.

All American military assets at sea, in land and on the air will be legitimate targets if Iran is attacked.

Will make sure, is determined to make sure that the US Will pay a very high price beyond Trump's tolerance if it is attacked this time.

For Trump to get away with a limited strike against Iran.

he has said it, that instilling fear in Tehran may be necessary to compel Tehran to surrender.

That's a miscalculation of, you know, Trump's threats does not produce fear in Tehran.

It produces more determination to inflict pain and challenge and resist against the US and make sure that the Trump will pay a high price if it, if it decides to attack and fall in Netanyahu's trap of a war with Iran.

Ali Akbar Darini, a researcher at the center for Strategic Studies.

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