Tehran-based analyst Ali Akbar Dareini said the war has changed the Middle East’s strategic situation and taught Iran that making concessions to US President Donald Trump would be a mistake. Dareini, an analyst at Tehran’s Center for Strategic Studies, made the comments to Al Jazeera.

He said Iran sought to raise the cost for the United States of pursuing conflict, while Washington is now trying to economically suffocate Iran. According to Dareini, Trump believed displays of force and threats of military action would make Iran retreat, but Iran did not do so. He added that US envoy Steve Witkoff had acknowledged Trump’s frustration.

Dareini said Iran would not surrender under secondary sanctions because it believes Washington cannot fully isolate the country. He argued that Iran’s connections with the outside world cannot be cut off, citing its land and maritime borders with 15 countries.