Exclusive: Iran is ready for a long war with the US and only economic pain will end it, senior official tells CNN | CNN

Iran’s foreign policy adviser to the Supreme Leader said the government is prepared for a long war with the United States and is willing to keep attacking Gulf countries to pressure Washington. The stance signals an escalation strategy centered on coercing third-party states to intervene and on declaring diplomacy closed. The practical consequence is heightened regional risk as Iran frames continued strikes and economic pressure as the path to ending the conflict.

<p>In an interview in Tehran with CNN’s Fred Pleitgen, Kamal Kharazi, foreign policy adviser to the office of Iran’s Supreme Leader, said Iran can continue the war with the United States “for a long time” and that he does not see room for diplomacy. Kharazi said Iran’s position hardened on day 10 of the conflict and tied any end to the war to economic pressure sufficient to prompt other countries to intervene to guarantee a termination of what he described as American and Israeli aggression against Iran.</p><p>He also signaled Iran’s willingness to continue attacking Gulf countries in an effort to persuade them to pressure President Donald Trump to step back from the conflict. CNN stated it is operating in Iran with government permission required by local regulations and that Iran does not review, approve, or preview CNN’s reporting prior to publication or broadcast.</p>