{
  "id": 5698774,
  "title": "War has made Tehran more confident, say US intelligence agencies",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/05/war-has-made-tehran-more-confident-say-us-intelligence-agencies",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-05T02:54:56.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Dawn",
    "slug": "dawn",
    "url": "https://www.dawn.com/news/2027601/war-has-made-tehran-more-confident-say-us-intelligence-agencies"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "United States intelligence agencies suggest that the ongoing conflict in the Middle East may have bolstered Iran's confidence in its ability to withstand American pressure and persist in the conflict. A New York Times report states that Iran appears determined to extend the conflict for months, frustrating the United States. The assessment comes as skirmishes have resumed recently. The intelligence indicates that reaching a deal to end the war could be challenging, with few indications Iran is prepared to negotiate with Washington. Some US officials believe Tehran may prolong the conflict until the US mid-term elections in November, hoping that continued warfare and high energy prices could create difficulties for President Trump and Republicans. Donald Trump is not currently negotiating as he believes economic pressure could force Tehran to make concessions over its control of the Strait of Hormuz and eventually its nuclear program. However, sanctions could provoke further escalation, according to officials familiar with the intelligence. Iran's growing missile and drone capability, along with its strategic use of the Strait of Hormuz, which carried about one-fifth of the world's oil pre-war, influence its military calculations. Representative Jason Crow from the House Intelligence Committee describes Iranian leadership as increasingly confident, while acknowledging the damage Iran has suffered. Other officials note Iran may believe the United States will be constrained in launching major new attacks due to declining ammunition stocks. The conflict has expanded to a cyber front, with US officials suspecting Iran-linked hackers responsible for attacks on over 100 American water systems in late July. Iranian hackers have also shown interest in US oil and gas infrastructure, with cybersecurity experts suggesting such attacks could remain attractive to Tehran due to the potential exhaustion of public patience with the conflict. The report also highlights Iranian efforts to influence US politics, including propaganda and social-media activity focused on mid-term elections. Overall, the intelligence assessments depict an Iranian government that has been weakened but does not view itself as defeated.",
  "summary": "WASHINGTON: Intelligence agencies in the United States believe that six months of war may have made Iran more, not less, confident in its ability to withstand American pressure and continue the conflict. A New York Times report, published on Friday, says “Iran has grown more confident in its ability to attack targets in the Middle East and appears determined to continue the conflict for months to…",
  "key_points": [
    "Iran's war confidence has increased, according to US intelligence",
    "Prolonging conflict until November elections seen as possibility",
    "Cyberattacks on US infrastructure suspected to be Iranian-linked"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The US intelligence assessment indicates that the war has emboldened Iran, which may prolong the conflict to exploit American vulnerabilities, including high energy prices and mid-term election pressures.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}