Público Analysis: Iran Wins Resilience Battle, Forces US into Unvictorious Peace 🇺🇸

May 25, 2026 · Editor · 6 min read

Original source: La Base

This video from La Base covered a lot of ground. Streamed.News selected 8 key moments and summarises them here. Everything below links directly to the timestamp in the original video.

Conflict results redefine nuclear deterrence. Iran's lesson could spur proliferation as the only sovereignty guarantee against major powers.

Público Analysis: Iran Wins Resilience Battle, Forces US into Unvictorious Peace

Iran outlasted the US in a three-month conflict, forcing the Trump administration into a precarious peace without victory, according to a Público analysis by Juan Antonio Sanz. Despite military and infrastructure losses, Tehran dictated negotiation terms. Washington remains militarily bogged down, its international image eroded by a strategy that primarily benefited the US oil industry.

The strategic implications extend beyond the battlefield. Iran learned a harsh lesson: North Korea-style nuclear weapons would have deterred US attacks. This realization radicalizes the Iranian regime, which may now view nuclear ambitions as its sole guarantee of sovereignty against stronger powers, fundamentally altering regional balance.

"Despite military and infrastructure losses, Iran dictated negotiations. Its symmetric war strategy left Washington militarily mired and its international image battered."

▶ Watch this segment — 22:27

GOP Figures Slam Potential Deal Strengthening Iranian Regime

US military action, intended to spark regime change, may have strengthened Iran's theocracy by empowering hardline factions against Washington and Israel. Despite targeted attacks on Iranian leadership, the power structure endured. The New York Times reports a hardline military elite now leads Iran, a foreseeable outcome of external aggression.

This paradox drew criticism from prominent Republicans like Ted Cruz, Lindsey Graham, and Mike Pompeo. They argue a leaked deal would be a "disastrous mistake," cementing Iranian control over the Strait of Hormuz, enabling nuclear development, and irreversibly shifting regional power—a "nightmare for Israel."

"If this results in an Iranian regime receiving billions, enriching uranium, developing nukes, and effectively controlling the Strait of Hormuz, that outcome would be a disastrous mistake."

▶ Watch this segment — 19:54

Report Details Possible Deal Favoring Iran's Stance

A plausible agreement, reflecting current power dynamics, would grant Iran significant concessions. Key points include ending regional wars, including in Lebanon, releasing billions in frozen funds, and potential war reparations. It would also lift the US naval blockade, followed by a gradual, coordinated opening of the Strait of Hormuz.

This scenario would also mean US forces withdrawing from Iran's vicinity and future negotiations on their regional presence. In return, Tehran would make nuclear concessions similar to the Obama-era pact—effectively a return to a known framework, not a significant strategic surrender.

▶ Watch this segment — 34:14

US, Iran Maintain Red Lines in Race Against Time

The Trump administration seeks a swift deal with Iran. It aims for a nuclear disarmament success and restored oil flow through the Strait of Hormuz, hoping to avoid electoral damage from rising prices. However, Washington wants these outcomes without dismantling its sanctions regime, complicating negotiations. Tehran remains firm on its own red lines. It refuses concessions without frozen assets released and will not abandon its ballistic missile program, which has proven a strong deterrent. This highlights irreconcilable interests driving the talks.

▶ Watch this segment — 6:24

Hawks, Israel Pressure Fractures US Stance on Iran

US-Iran negotiations expose deep internal divisions in Washington. The Trump administration faces hawk pressure, which firmly opposes any deal lifting sanctions or freeing Iranian assets. Hawks view such concessions as an unacceptable sign of weakness for US foreign policy, which has used sanctions as its primary punitive tool for decades. This tension worsens due to a core strategic contradiction: the US demands terms from Iran typical of a defeated nation, like denuclearization and renouncing war reparations. Yet Tehran retains its capacity to choke the Strait of Hormuz. Israel's pressure further complicates the scenario, undermining Washington's autonomy and pushing away any chance of concessions.

"The US demands conditions from Iran typical of a defeated nation, [...] but this clashes with the reality that Iran can still choke Hormuz."

▶ Watch this segment — 9:55

US Opposition Mounts to Iran Deal Perceived as Defeat

A potential Iran deal faces growing disapproval in the United States. Democratic-leaning media, like CNN, frame it as harmful to national interests. Meanwhile, Fox News attempts to project calm and support Trump’s strategy, but even its language hints at a "bad deal," a narrative now dominating public debate. Opposition isn't limited to Democrats; it's also rising among critical Republican factions, as reported by El Heraldo. Lawmakers and Trump allies question concessions and the justification for the military offensive if the outcome strengthens the Iranian regime. This deep internal political fracture weakens the White House's negotiating stance.

"Republican lawmakers criticize US concessions and question the justification for launching the military offensive in February [...] if the regime ultimately appears strengthened."

▶ Watch this segment — 18:15

Iran Conflict's Outcome 'Devastating,' Exposes US Weakness

The Iran conflict proved 'devastating' for the U.S., exposing its weakness over strength in political decisions and military operations. Washington's prestige in the Middle East and Asia plummeted. A deep rift emerged with European allies, whom the U.S. tried to pull into an unjustified war. This strategic setback surpasses even the chaotic 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal. More than just negotiations, the conflict damaged U.S. hegemonic credibility. Washington failed to impose terms on a resilient regional power.

"Not even the shameful 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal [...] approaches the setback this Iran crisis will mean for Washington's foreign policy."

▶ Watch this segment — 25:08

Israeli Pressure Hardens US Demands, Stalling Iran Talks

Washington-Tehran talks stalled after 'extreme pressure' from Israel and Zionist factions drastically shifted the U.S. stance. Following initial rapprochement, the White House demanded Iran surrender all ammunition reserves for minimal sanctions relief and partial asset release. The final breaking point was Israel's demand for full military freedom in Lebanon, unacceptable to Iran, which seeks a regional ceasefire. This shift shows how an external actor can impose red lines in bilateral talks, frustrating peace efforts.

"The Israelis also ended up demanding freedom of action in Lebanon, a key point where the Iranians refuse to yield, and clearly, the negotiations [...] have not prospered."

▶ Watch this segment — 27:28

Also mentioned in this video

Summarised from La Base · 41:01. All credit belongs to the original creators. Streamed.News summarises publicly available video content.

Streamed.News

Convert your full video library into a digital newspaper.

Get this for your newsroom →