A former US diplomat said Donald Trump may be underestimating Iran’s ability to absorb military and economic pressure, warning that the Islamic Republic has repeatedly endured external coercion.
That assessment rests on Tehran’s record of resilience under sustained strain, with its leadership portrayed as capable of weathering attacks and sanctions without quickly folding.
The warning highlights a broader risk for US policy: misjudging Iran’s staying power could distort expectations about how fast pressure would force concessions.