US Intelligence: Iran remains solid, becoming "stronger" despite US-Israeli attacks

Istanbul (ANTARA) - US intelligence assessments have found that the Islamic Republic of Iran’s government remains stable and is becoming “increasingly resilient” despite enduring successive attacks from the United States over the past two weeks and is likely to “survive for the time being,” according to a report.

According to a Washington Post report on Tuesday (17 March), citing relevant sources, US intelligence findings show that US-Israeli attacks since 28 February have not produced any real “fractures or defections” within Iran’s power structure.

Sources stated that whilst the attacks have weakened Iran militarily, they have not caused governmental collapse; instead, they have strengthened the system that is “becoming increasingly entrenched” under the control of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

The report also states that US intelligence estimates Iran’s government “will remain intact and may even become more confident, as it feels capable of confronting Donald Trump and surviving,” prior to Trump “giving the green light to launch war jointly with Israel.”

Additionally, the report notes that US regional allies are “angry and concerned” about the prolonged conflict and the potential to become direct targets of retaliation from Iran, adding that civil infrastructure in regional countries is under threat.

Tensions in the Persian Gulf region have escalated since Israel and the US launched a joint attack on Iran on 28 February, which resulted in 1,300 deaths, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Iran responded with drone and missile attacks targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf nations that host US military assets, resulting in fatalities, infrastructure damage, and disruptions to global markets and international aviation.