On Point with Meghna Chakrabarti Why Iran wants a long war
Mar 11, 2026
Vali Nasser, a Johns Hopkins SAIS professor and Iran specialist, discusses Tehran’s push to widen and prolong conflict. He explains decentralized command, asymmetric attrition tactics, and how nationalism reshapes internal politics. He also covers regional economic warfare, Gulf states’ shifting security calculations, and what might force Iran to step back.
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Iran Intends To Wage A Long War
- Iran's leadership intends to sustain a long war to punish the U.S. and Israel rather than collapse after decapitation strikes.
- Vali Nasser says decentralization and preplanned succession let Iran continue operations despite killings of senior commanders.
Mosaic Governance Keeps Command Intact
- Iran uses a 'mosaic governance' model so authority and decisions persist after leadership losses.
- Nasser explains IRGC and civilian systems appoint immediate successors to replicate command and keep operations running.
Asymmetric Attrition Is Iran's Chosen Strategy
- Iran fights asymmetrically by turning prolonged attrition into its strategic advantage against stronger militaries.
- Nasser traces this to post-2003 Iraq lessons: quagmire strategies trap powerful militaries unwilling to sustain long costly wars.