CONFLICTED Trump, Netanyahu, and the Iran Endgame
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Feb 17, 2026 A tense breakdown of recent U.S.-Iran indirect talks and Tehran’s shifting offers. Discussion of the IRGC’s unified rejectionist stance and its economic power. Analysis of Netanyahu’s Washington visit and how Israel may shape U.S. messaging. Exploration of U.S. pressure tactics, potential military preparations, and strategies aimed at degrading IRGC capabilities.
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IRGC As A State Within A State
- The IRGC controls major parts of Iran's economy and key military programmes, uniting factions around non-negotiable positions.
- Aimen Dean highlights their insistence against inspections to avoid a humiliating post-war oversight scenario.
Sanctions Created Dollar Shortage
- The US deliberately targeted financial hubs to create a dollar shortage that pressured Iran's economy.
- Aimen Dean frames this as a focused effort attacking banking and clearing nodes tied to Iran's dollar flows.
Military Posture Over Diplomacy
- Netanyahu's delegation was heavy on military personnel, signalling preparation rather than diplomacy.
- Aimen Dean says that posture made conciliatory messaging unlikely during the visit.