"We will decide when the war ends"…Iran signals resolve to fight on

Despite U.S. President Donald Trump’s remarks suggesting the war is nearing an end, Iran signaled its determination to keep up its offensive.

In a statement on the 9th (local time), Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said, “We are the ones who decide the end of the war,” adding, “U.S. forces cannot end the war.” It added, “If attacks by the United States and Israel continue, we will not export even 1L of oil.”

Iran’s foreign minister also said in an interview with PBS News that day, “We are prepared to continue missile strikes for as long as necessary, no matter how long it takes.” He stressed that negotiations with the United States were no longer up for discussion. The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) noted, “Over the past three days, Iran has fired an average of 45 missiles a day at neighboring countries and Israel,” adding, “The volume has fallen compared with the early days of the war, but given that the pace of attacks has stabilized, the strikes are being carried out under a clear strategy.”

Some observers also point to differences between the United States and Israel over an end-of-war plan. The United States is emphasizing the removal of Iran’s nuclear program and missile capabilities, while Israel is setting the overthrow of Iran’s theocratic regime as its war aim. In particular, the Israeli public supports the offensive against Iran. However, The Times of Israel analyzed, “Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with a general election later this year, will want to show he has U.S. backing,” adding, “If Trump tells him to stop, he will halt the war regardless of whether the objectives have been achieved.”

Reporter Myung-hyun Han wise@hankyung.com