Middle East
Why 'D-Day' was destined to be a dud
Trump's new sanctions won't alter the complex political dance between Iran's factions. It will, however, help to coalesce them around one goal: regime survival.
September 05, 2026
Trump's new sanctions won't alter the complex political dance between Iran's factions. It will, however, help to coalesce them around one goal: regime survival.
But don't think Tehran won't seek to bring down its Gulf neighbors along with it
Forever looming though, is the lack of a wider Washington Middle East strategy
His special envoy Steve Witkoff has mediated the president's frustrations but Israel could be a wild card
Tehran faces a pivotal moment that could shift its approach to both nuclear diplomacy and regional alliances
