**[U.S. Intelligence Agencies: U.S. and Iran to Enter Prolonged Standoff]** According to a report by Jinse Finance, on July 21, a U.S. intelligence assessment concluded that a new round of U.S. military strikes against Iran is unlikely to deal a significant blow to the Iranian government or force Iran to soften its stance in negotiations. The U.S. and Iran are expected to enter a prolonged standoff. The *Washington Post* reported on July 20, citing multiple current and former U.S. officials, that the assessment was primarily authored by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and has been submitted to the Trump administration. The report states that the U.S. and Iran are currently locked in an "indefinite stalemate" between "peace and war." While U.S. and Israeli attacks have resulted in the deaths of several senior Iranian officials and significant damage to military equipment, Iran still possesses considerable resilience and survival capabilities. A CIA analysis from May of this year suggested that even if the U.S. were to impose a naval blockade on Iran, the country could endure for at least three to four months before facing more severe economic difficulties. According to the *Washington Post*, the report highlights the Trump administration's predicament regarding the conflict with Iran. The administration's ongoing escalation of strikes has led to a deadlock in the conflict. If the U.S. were to further escalate its actions, such as deploying ground forces, it would not only fail to guarantee the achievement of military objectives but could also pose greater political risks for the Trump administration, as the conflict with Iran is "highly unpopular" domestically in the United States. (*Xinhua News Agency*)