[Analysis: After multiple threats and concessions, Iranian leadership believes Trump does not want to escalate the war] BlockBeats News, August 4, according to a report by CBS (Columbia Broadcasting System), Iran appears increasingly skeptical of Trump’s “carrot and stick” diplomatic strategy. In April this year, Trump warned Tehran that it must agree to a ceasefire or “entire civilizations will perish,” but later extended the deadline. In May and June, he adopted similar tactics again. Iranian insiders claim that this approach has instead reinforced the leadership’s belief that Trump is not seeking to escalate the conflict but is looking for leverage in negotiations. They believe Iran can withstand the pressure and, through proxy forces (such as Yemen’s Houthi rebels) and threats to global shipping, increase the costs borne by the U.S. until Washington concludes that there is no military solution to this conflict. Tehran’s current assessment is that time is on their side. [Original link]