Trump says the Iran nuclear deal is over and threatens new strikes

Key Points:

• President Trump expressed frustration with Iranian negotiators, accusing them of dishonesty and questioning whether they have the authority in Tehran to finalize and enforce any deal following the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
• Power in Iran is fragmented among Revolutionary Guard commanders, civilian officials, and political figures like Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, complicating negotiations as no single entity may fully represent or control the country's actions.
• Experts suggest Iran’s leadership views escalation as vital to the regime’s survival, using regional instability and attacks on commercial shipping to leverage concessions while testing U.S. and Gulf state responses.
• Divergent interpretations between Washington and Tehran over key agreement terms, such as control of the Strait of Hormuz, highlight fundamental challenges in reaching a mutually understood and enforceable treaty.
• Analysts warn that Iran’s regime intends to maintain a hardline stance, employing ongoing crises to consolidate internal power and deter confrontation, indicating that even renewed negotiations may not halt hostile activities by the IRGC.