Is the war set to drag on? U.S. intelligence agencies assess Iran has no intention of peace talks for now

As the conflict between the United States of America (U.S.) and the Islamic Republic of Iran (Iran) intensifies, U.S. intelligence agencies have concluded that Tehran currently has no real intention of entering negotiations to end the war.
On the 1st (local time), The New York Times (NYT), citing multiple U.S. officials, reported that several U.S. intelligence agencies recently assessed that "Iran believes it is now in a strong position and does not feel compelled to accept U.S. terms."
According to the report, Iran is keeping diplomatic communication channels open but is said not to trust Washington, D.C. In particular, U.S. intelligence agencies believe Iran harbors deep doubts about the sincerity of talks proposed by Donald Trump.
A senior source in the Iranian government told a news agency that "Iran is demanding a 'guaranteed cease-fire' that would permanently end the war."
The source added that on the 31st, mediators and Iranian officials discussed the continuation of diplomacy, but drew a clear line, saying there were no negotiations at all for a "temporary cease-fire."
Esmail Baghaei Hamaneh, spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry, said in an interview with the Iranian Students' News Agency (ISNA), "We are receiving messages through mediators such as Pakistan, but there are no direct talks with the United States."
U.S. intelligence agencies see little sign that Iran will make concessions in the short term, a stance they believe will significantly complicate the Trump administration’s pressure campaign against Tehran.
Earlier, Donald Trump had urged allies in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to join operations in the Strait of Hormuz, steadily ratcheting up pressure on Iran.
Iran, for its part, is taking a defiant, fight-to-the-end stance, raising concerns that the war could become a prolonged conflict.
Meanwhile, Trump is scheduled to deliver a speech at 10 a.m. on the 2nd, Korea time, in which he is expected to outline in detail NATO’s role, as well as his position on the war with Iran and broader Middle East strategy. Observers are closely watching what he will say.

jjyoon@fnnews.com Reporter Yoon Jae-joon Reporter