Iran Used 60-Day US MoU to Prepare for Wider War, WSJ Reports

WASHINGTON, Aug 17: Iranian leaders used the two months following a June memorandum of understanding with the United States to prepare for a broader conflict rather than pursue de-escalation, the Wall Street Journal reported Monday, citing Iranian and Arab officials.

According to the report, hardline figures in Tehran viewed the agreement as a possible effort by Washington and Israel to ease economic pressure and gain time ahead of another attack.

Iran also coordinated with allied armed groups in Yemen, Iraq and Lebanon as the conflict expanded beyond the Persian Gulf, the newspaper reported.

The Wall Street Journal said Tehran has been rebuilding damaged military infrastructure and restoring access to missile bases faster than Israeli officials had expected, while maintaining enough firepower to threaten US forces, commercial shipping and energy infrastructure in the Persian Gulf.

The report comes as the 60-day MoU approaches its expiry, with negotiations stalled and both Tehran and Washington showing little indication of retreating from their positions.