{
  "id": 5921781,
  "title": "US banking on Iran's internal situation, says regional expert",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/06/us-banking-on-irans-internal-situation-says-regional-expert",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-06T05:30:59.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Ajel English",
    "slug": "ajel-english",
    "url": "https://english.ajel.sa/world/qo85a3up6"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "An expert has stated that the United States is relying on internal pressures within Iran to potentially create a legitimacy crisis, but may also incite Iran to adopt a policy of brinkmanship. Nabil Al-Atoum, the Director of the Iranian Studies Program at the Center for Regional Studies, made these remarks in a conversation with Al Arabiya FM. Al-Atoum explained that the United States has now escalated the situation to a new level by directly targeting Iran's economic infrastructure, particularly its oil industry, which serves as Iran's primary source of hard currency. He further stated that the rules of engagement have shifted, no longer confining US responses to military targets. The US has now expanded its focus to include Iran's economy, imposed new maritime deterrence measures by targeting Iranian oil tankers, and is intensifying domestic pressure on the ruling regime. The US has intensified its maritime blockade of Iran and escalated economic sanctions in response to the attacks on oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. These actions have completely impeded ongoing negotiations, according to the report.",
  "summary": "Washington is betting that internal pressures in Iran could spark a legitimacy crisis, but may also push Tehran toward brinkmanship, an analyst says.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "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."
}