Tehran is preparing for a longer war, not banking on diplomacy with Washington, per the WSJ.

Intelligence cited by the paper says Iran used the post-June lull to rebuild its missiles and drones, reinforce the IRGC, and coordinate regional militias. Hard-liners now hold tighter control over the military and internal security.

Pressure on Hormuz and Red Sea shipping has grown, Gulf energy sites have been threatened, and attacks on U.S. and regional targets have widened. The goal: make any strike on Iran costly enough to deter the U.S., Israel, and the Gulf.