Undefeated: Here’s how Iran sees the outcome of its war with the US

Iran believes it has emerged stronger from its latest confrontation with the United States and Israel, but remains deeply skeptical that any agreement reached at the negotiating table will be honored, University of Tehran professor Mohammad Marandi has insisted.

Speaking to Fyodor Lukyanov for Russia 24’s International Review, Marandi said the mood in Tehran is one of guarded confidence after what he described as a “decisive victory” in both military and diplomatic terms. He analyses that Iran’s opponents suffered serious strategic and financial losses, while the war had strengthened Tehran’s self-confidence and further deepened its ties with Russia.

At the same time, Marandi cautioned that few in Iran expect the new memorandum of understanding with Washington to be implemented smoothly, warning that the coming weeks and months are likely to remain difficult.

Fyodor Lukyanov: Do Iranians feel like victors?

Mohammad Marandi: The general view in Iran is that we have achieved a decisive victory. And it’s not just that the country has held its ground.

The Americans, the Israelis, and their allies suffered very serious losses throughout the war.

I believe that the financial damage inflicted on Iran’s enemies is considerably greater than the damage suffered by Iran itself, although that too was significant. As for the subsequent blockade, Iranians are convinced they have won that battle too. The Americans tried to starve Iran into submission, but this turned out to be a double-edged sword. The global economy suffered greatly.

And, of course, the Americans’ recklessness played into Russia’s hands, because of the energy crisis. After all, most of the oil from the Persian Gulf is heavy crude, and the only alternative source in the world with significant reserves of it is Russia.

So they’ve shot themselves in the foot twice. But the Iranians feel they’ve won this protracted war as well. That is precisely why Trump was so insistent on a quick deal.

Lukyanov: The deal, as it stands, suits Iran, as I understand it…

Marandi: Yes, the Iranians believe they have won at the negotiating table too. There were serious disagreements there. Contrary to what Trump and the Pakistani prime minister said, a few days before the agreement was announced, there was no final text of the memorandum. Significant contradictions remained. But by bombing Beirut in an attempt to scupper a potential agreement, Netanyahu, ironically, achieved the opposite. And when Iran decided to launch a second strike against the Israeli regime, Trump immediately made key concessions, including on Lebanon and the withdrawal of Israeli troops to mark the end of the war.