Iran, the US, and Israel need a victory picture: the next battle will be over consciousness
Ahead of another round between the US and Iran: Washington and Tehran, in addition to Israel, the Gulf states, and Europe, face military, economic, and political pressures – while the real struggle is over shaping…
Assessment
The framing of the next phase as a battle for perception signals that military and diplomatic outcomes may matter less than how they are narrated. All parties need a victory narrative to sell domestically and internationally, which could make compromise harder if it requires admitting concessions. The inclusion of Gulf states and Europe alongside the three main players suggests the stakes extend beyond direct US-Iran talks. Watch for each side's public positioning as they try to claim the upper hand before any deal is reached.