BIG: Iran appears more confident after six months of war with the U.S., according to recent U.S. intelligence assessments.
Tehran believes it has learned the limits of American military power, retained enough missiles and drones to keep fighting, and gained leverage by disrupting the Strait of Hormuz.
The broader assessment is that Iran sees little reason to negotiate now.
Instead, it may try to prolong the conflict through the U.S. midterm elections, betting that high energy prices, casualties and an unpopular war will weaken President Trump politically.
Source: NYT