Seven months into war with the U.S., Iran’s leaders are feeling the strain.
Inflation in the Islamic Republic is almost 90%, oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz are recovering despite continued Iranian attacks, and U.S. President Donald Trump is sending another aircraft carrier and 10,000 sailors and Marines to the region. A U.S. blockade is choking off Iran’s crude exports, while diplomacy remains deadlocked.
Even for a regime accustomed to sanctions and economic hardship, that is a punishing combination.