The combined strain of US military pressure and economic restrictions is becoming increasingly difficult for Iran's leadership to sustain, Reuters reported on Thursday, citing an insider close to the country's decision-making process.
The assessment comes as Tehran prepares for a broader response if the United States launches another major attack, while continuing diplomatic efforts that Iranian officials privately see as unlikely to produce an agreement.
Three senior Iranian officials and another person familiar with the discussions told Reuters that commanders were reviewing plans to widen potential targets beyond US-linked assets, including countries supporting US military operations and possibly locations outside the Middle East.
Two officials said Iran had also told allied groups in Lebanon, Yemen and Iraq to prepare for a coordinated response stretching "from the Strait of Hormuz to US interests in the region and outside the Middle East."
Reuters said a key concern for Tehran was whether Iran's economy could withstand a prolonged confrontation under a US blockade that has cut oil exports, one of the government's main sources of revenue.
The economic pressure is also feeding concern within the leadership over the risk of renewed unrest, according to the report, after nationwide protests in January were triggered in part by deteriorating economic conditions.
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