The ultra-conservative press raises rewards for those who kill or capture American soldiers. Tehran strengthens missiles, drones and Revolutionary Guards while, behind the truce, it prepares for a new clash with the United States and Israel. Meanwhile, the fate of Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei remains shrouded in mystery.
The most radical Iranian press opened Monday’s edition by giving great emphasis to the announcement attributed to a senior military official in Tehran: cash rewards for anyone who manages to kill or capture American soldiers. The newspaper Hamshahri occupied a good part of the front page with the image of a US soldier with a fearful expression, held by the collar by a hand on whose wrist appears a bracelet with the colors of the Iranian flag. “Kill or Capture any American Invader and Receive a Reward of 3 Billion Tomans,” the headline announced, tracing the initiative to the army commander. According to the newspaper, for Iranian women who succeed in the feat, the expected sum would be even double. Also Kayhan turned the bounty into the main news of the day, announcing in very clear letters: “Reward of 30 billion rials ($30,000) for hunting any American invader.” In another article published at the beginning, the newspaper claims that Washington would have emerged defeated in the war against Iran and would therefore have to accept a series of concessions to reach the conclusion of hostilities.
Iran prepares for war of attrition
This climate fits into a broader scenario described by Wall Street Journalaccording to which Tehran he would have developed a secret strategy to prepare for a new military escalation. There Islamic Republicwhile keeping negotiations open and reaching agreements with Washington, would simultaneously work on the possibility of a new confrontation with the United States And Israel. According to what was reconstructed by the American newspaper, part of the Iranian leadership aimed above all at increasing the political, economic and military cost that Washington would have to bear if it decided to continue the conflict. At the same time, preparations would have been started to strengthen Iran’s capabilities in view of a possible new war against the Americans and Israelis. The Wall Street Journal also reports that the memorandum of understanding signed with the United States in June, which is scheduled to expire today, would never have been interpreted by some sectors of Iranian power as the definitive conclusion of the war. On the contrary, it would have been considered a temporary tool within a strategy aimed at preparing the next phase of the conflict. Again according to this reconstruction, already at the time of signing, part of the leadership decided not to fully respect the commitments undertaken. Iranian and Arab sources maintain that, immediately after the signing of the memorandum between Washington and Tehran, the most extremist exponents of the regime met to define the preparations necessary to face a new conflict with United States And Israel. In their assessment, the ceasefire would above all represent a tool to limit the consequences of the closure of the Strait Hormuz on the international economy.
Power in the hands of the Pasdaran
Some strategic decisions would emerge from that meeting. Leadership would have expanded the weight of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps within the military apparatus, promoted several commanders with experience gained during the Iran-Iraq war to top positions and ordered an acceleration of programs for the production of missiles and drones. Subsequently, Tehran gradually disregarded the memorandum, through attacks against vessels in the area Strait of Hormuz and the extension of operations to Red Sea. A strategy that would also have had the aim of increasing pressure on Saudi Arabia and, more generally, on the Gulf monarchies. During the phase formally characterized by the “ceasefire”, therefore, Iran would have used the time available to consolidate its military apparatus and prepare for the eventuality of a major clash. Among the priorities would be the strengthening of the chain of command of the Guardians of the Revolution, the expansion of operational capabilities and above all the increase in missile arsenals and unmanned systems. To further complicate the picture, the mystery remains about the fate of Mojtaba Khameneiabsent from the public scene for months. Tehran claims that it is alive and operational, but its prolonged invisibility fuels questions about the real conditions and who actually exercises power. An even more significant uncertainty as the hard wing of the regime strengthens the military apparatus and prepares the country for a possible new clash with the United States and Israel. In this context Tehran is trying to make it more and more burdensome for Washington the continuation of operations, in the belief that the increase in military and economic costs could affect the American willingness to maintain a prolonged commitment in the region. Some Arab intelligence services would also have acquired elements relating to this new strategic approach. The material collected would include communications between Tehran and Iranian-allied armed organizations present in Iraq And Yemen. The objective would be to multiply the fronts of pressure, increase the cost of the conflict for the United States and also directly threaten i Gulf countries. American officials have therefore warned several governments in the region, with particular reference to Kuwaitsignaling that the Iranian leadership is preparing the conditions to carry out possible operations even in what it considers “enemy territory”.
