Rising US–Iranian Tensions: Agreement or Military Confrontation? | INSS
go to header go to content go to footer go to search
INSS logo The Institute for National Security Studies, Strategic, Innovative, Policy-Oriented Research, go to the home page
INSS
Tel Aviv University logo - beyond an external website, opens on a new page
  • Contact
  • עברית
  • Support Us
  • Research
    • Topics
      • Israel and the Global Powers
        • Israel-United States Relations
        • Glazer Israel-China Policy Center
        • Russia
        • Europe
      • Iran and the Shi'ite Axis
        • Iran
        • Lebanon and Hezbollah
        • Syria
        • Yemen and the Houthi Movement
        • Iraq and the Iraqi Shiite Militias
      • Conflict to Agreements
        • Israeli-Palestinian Relations
        • Hamas and the Gaza Strip
        • Peace Agreements and Normalization in the Middle East
        • Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States
        • Turkey
        • Egypt
        • Jordan
      • Israel’s National Security Policy
        • Military and Strategic Affairs
        • Societal Resilience and the Israeli Society
        • Jewish-Arab Relations in Israel
        • Climate, Infrastructure and Energy
        • Terrorism and Low Intensity Conflict
      • Cross-Arena Research
        • Data Analytics Center
        • Law and National Security
        • Advanced Technologies and National Security
        • Cognitive Warfare
        • Economics and National Security
    • Projects
      • Preventing the Slide into a One-State Reality
      • Contemporary Antisemitism in the United States
      • Perceptions about Jews and Israel in the Arab-Muslim World and Their Impact on the West
  • Publications
    • -
      • All Publications
      • INSS Insight
      • Policy Papers
      • Special Publication
      • Strategic Assessment
      • Technology Platform
      • Memoranda
      • Posts
      • Books
      • Archive
  • Database
    • Surveys
    • Spotlight
    • Maps
    • Real-Time Tracker
  • Events
  • Team
  • About
    • Vision and Mission
    • History
    • Research Disciplines
    • Board of Directors
    • Fellowship and Prizes
    • Internships
    • Newsletter
  • Media
    • Communications
      • Articles
      • Quotes
      • Radio and TV
    • Video gallery
    • Press Releases
  • Podcast
  • Newsletter
New
Search in site
  • Research
    • Topics
    • Israel and the Global Powers
    • Israel-United States Relations
    • Glazer Israel-China Policy Center
    • Russia
    • Europe
    • Iran and the Shi'ite Axis
    • Iran
    • Lebanon and Hezbollah
    • Syria
    • Yemen and the Houthi Movement
    • Iraq and the Iraqi Shiite Militias
    • Conflict to Agreements
    • Israeli-Palestinian Relations
    • Hamas and the Gaza Strip
    • Peace Agreements and Normalization in the Middle East
    • Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States
    • Turkey
    • Egypt
    • Jordan
    • Israel’s National Security Policy
    • Military and Strategic Affairs
    • Societal Resilience and the Israeli Society
    • Jewish-Arab Relations in Israel
    • Climate, Infrastructure and Energy
    • Terrorism and Low Intensity Conflict
    • Cross-Arena Research
    • Data Analytics Center
    • Law and National Security
    • Advanced Technologies and National Security
    • Cognitive Warfare
    • Economics and National Security
    • Projects
    • Preventing the Slide into a One-State Reality
    • Contemporary Antisemitism in the United States
    • Perceptions about Jews and Israel in the Arab-Muslim World and Their Impact on the West
  • Publications
    • All Publications
    • INSS Insight
    • Policy Papers
    • Special Publication
    • Strategic Assessment
    • Technology Platform
    • Memoranda
    • Posts
    • Books
    • Archive
  • Database
    • Surveys
    • Spotlight
    • Maps
    • Real-Time Tracker
  • Events
  • Team
  • About
    • Vision and Mission
    • History
    • Research Disciplines
    • Board of Directors
    • Fellowship and Prizes
    • Internships
  • Media
    • Communications
      • Articles
      • Quotes
      • Radio and TV
    • Video gallery
    • Press Releases
  • Podcast
  • Newsletter
  • Contact
  • עברית
  • Support Us
bool(false)

Posts

Home Posts Rising US–Iranian Tensions: Agreement or Military Confrontation?

Rising US–Iranian Tensions: Agreement or Military Confrontation?
Sima Shine
10 March, 2025

Less than two months into President Trump’s term, tensions between Washington and Tehran are escalating—despite both sides continuing to express a desire to reach a nuclear agreement that would ease the situation.
The US administration is increasing economic pressure, emphasizing its desire to minimize Iranian oil exports, with reports surfacing about the possibility of seizing tankers and ships at sea. Additionally, in recent days, there have been claims that President Trump sent a letter to Supreme Leader Khamenei, although Iran’s foreign minister denied receiving any such letter. Meanwhile, the speaker of the Iranian Parliament (Majles) stated that Iran will not wait for a letter and will act in a way that “will leave the United States with no choice but to lift the sanctions.”

The Iranians repeatedly emphasize that they will not accept an agreement under pressure. In a speech before the heads of Iran’s three branches of government and other senior officials, Supreme Leader Khamenei criticized European countries that were part of the nuclear agreement—from which Trump withdrew in May 2018 during his previous term. Khamenei reiterated his position that Western pressure on Iran is not only about the nuclear agreement but also demands that Iran reduce its missile range and limit its diplomatic ties. He made it clear that Iran would not agree to these conditions.

These developments are unfolding against the backdrop of the latest International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) report, which highlighted Iran’s significant and alarming nuclear progress. The agency’s Director General, Rafael Grossi, stated unequivocally that no non-nuclear state has ever produced such large quantities of enriched uranium at the high level of 60%, and that an agreement is urgently needed to halt its progress. Meanwhile, it was also revealed that during a conversation between Trump and Putin, Moscow was asked to mediate, and indeed, the Russian foreign minister traveled to Tehran—so far without a clear breakthrough.

Given what currently appears to be a deadlock, President Trump’s recent statement that “things will happen” if no agreement is reached stands out, as does his more explicit comment during a press conference with Prime Minister Netanyahu at the White House, where he stated that if Iran does not reach an agreement, Israel will attack. These remarks echo a report in the German magazine Der Spiegel, which claimed that an Israeli strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities is inevitable—an article that appears to be part of the pressure campaign on Tehran.

For their part, the Iranians are demonstrating determination, with military officials issuing threats against Israel in response to its attack this past October and by conducting large-scale military exercises. In the coming days, a joint naval drill between China, Iran, and Russia is also planned.

The bottom line is that tensions are surging, the United States and Iran are not showing any willingness to bridge their differences at this stage, and Trump’s minimum demands do not currently align with Iran’s maximum position.

Topics: Iran, Iran: Nuclear and Military Programs, Iran: The International Arena, Israel-United States Relations
Recent Posts
All Posts
The Houthi Missile Drizzle – Is It a Decree from Heaven?
28 May, 2025
What Can Be Learned from the Results of the Local Elections in Lebanon
27 May, 2025
Fifth Round of US–Iran Talks: What Has Changed?
25 May, 2025

Stay up to date

Registration was successful! Thanks.
  • Research

    • Topics
      • Israel and the Global Powers
      • Israel-United States Relations
      • Glazer Israel-China Policy Center
      • Russia
      • Europe
      • Iran and the Shi'ite Axis
      • Iran
      • Lebanon and Hezbollah
      • Syria
      • Yemen and the Houthi Movement
      • Iraq and the Iraqi Shiite Militias
      • Conflict to Agreements
      • Israeli-Palestinian Relations
      • Hamas and the Gaza Strip
      • Peace Agreements and Normalization in the Middle East
      • Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States
      • Turkey
      • Egypt
      • Jordan
      • Israel’s National Security Policy
      • Military and Strategic Affairs
      • Societal Resilience and the Israeli Society
      • Jewish-Arab Relations in Israel
      • Climate, Infrastructure and Energy
      • Terrorism and Low Intensity Conflict
      • Cross-Arena Research
      • Data Analytics Center
      • Law and National Security
      • Advanced Technologies and National Security
      • Cognitive Warfare
      • Economics and National Secutiry
    • Projects
      • Preventing the Slide into a One-State Reality
      • Contemporary Antisemitism in the United States
      • Perceptions about Jews and Israel in the Arab-Muslim World and Their Impact on the West
  • Publications

    • All Publications
    • INSS Insight
    • Policy Papers
    • Special Publication
    • Strategic Assessment
    • Technology Platform
    • Memoranda
    • Database
    • Posts
    • Books
    • Archive
  • About

    • Vision and Mission
    • History
    • Research Disciplines
    • Board of Directors
    • Fellowship and Prizes
    • Internships
    • Support
  • Media

    • Communications
    • Articles
    • Quotes
    • Radio and TV
    • Video Gallery
    • Press Release
    • Podcast
  • Home

  • Events

  • Database

  • Team

  • Contact

  • Newsletter

  • עברית

INSS logo The Institute for National Security Studies, Strategic, Innovative, Policy-Oriented Research, go to the home page
40 Haim Levanon St. Tel Aviv, 6997556 Israel | Tel: 03-640-0400 | Fax: 03-744-7590 | Email: info@inss.org.il
Developed by Daat A Realcommerce company.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.