Why leaders misread Iran #substack #shorts

In this discussion, Trita Parsi and Glenn Diesen analyze the strategic miscalculations by the US regarding Iran. Parsi argues that US officials and the Pentagon were misled by a persistent, massive campaign from the Israeli government, which sought to portray Iran as weaker and more timid than it actually is. This narrative was constructed to convince Donald Trump to adopt a more aggressive, yet perceived 'low-risk' posture against Iran, even though such actions contradicted standard US foreign policy caution. Parsi notes that Iran's policy of 'strategic patience' in the face of constant provocations ironically reinforced the false perception that they were incapable or afraid of a direct confrontation.