Iran saw MoU as attempt by Israel, US to buy time for larger attack, so it did the same – report

Iran viewed a memorandum of understanding with the United States as a tactic by Israel and the US to gain time for a larger attack, according to a Wall Street Journal report citing Iranian and Arab officials. Consequently, Iran used this period to prepare for a broader conflict, with Arab intelligence indicating Iranian leaders were planning potential attacks to expand the war and increase costs for the US. Mohammad Hassan Sangtarash, a Tehran-based defense analyst, stated, "There is also a widespread view in Iran that the main war has not yet begun." Iran's preparations included sending advisors to Iraq, Yemen, and Lebanon to coordinate with proxy militias, with the IRGC assisting Yemen's Houthi group in deploying missiles targeting the Red Sea and threatening Gulf states with attacks on energy facilities if the US targeted Iran. Former US nuclear negotiator Alan Eyre noted that "Iran will remain on a wartime footing, preparing for a subsequent attack."