Why Escalated U.S. Airstrikes on Iran May Not Work

After a July 8 ceasefire collapsed, the U.S. intensified airstrikes on Iran through mid-July. Analysts doubt escalation will yield concessions, noting Iran's pattern of absorbing pressure and retaliating asymmetrically. Trump's March 6 demand for "unconditional surrender" also removed face-saving off-ramps that coercion theory considers essential for compelling an adversary to de-escalate.