Six months into the conflict, Iran’s leadership under Acting Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has appointed hard‑line military and clerical officials to senior security positions, indicating a resolve to confront the United States and to suppress potential domestic unrest. The United States under President Donald Trump initially sought regime change, but after two failed talks and renewed sanctions, Iran has maintained a confrontational posture, warning that new sanctions and a blockade could further damage its economy. Mohsen Rezaei, named secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, said that continued economic pressure could prevent any oil exports from the Persian Gulf. Hossein Taeb, a senior cleric and former intelligence chief, was appointed head of the Basij, the volunteer militia used to quell protests, and was tasked with expanding the group’s presence in society and abroad. The appointments follow a series of decrees by Khamenei that solidify a hard‑line leadership team, including Gen. Ahmad Vahidi as head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and other senior officers. Analysts say the reshuffle aims to ensure internal cohesion among hard‑line elements. President Masoud Pezeshkian, a prominent moderate voice, has urged a return to the June cease‑fire agreement and warned that escalation could harm Iran’s economy. In contrast, hard‑liners argue that continued pressure may force the United States to change its approach. The leadership’s emphasis on military readiness and control over the Basij suggests a strategy aimed at preempting dissent, while the ability of Iran to sustain economic pressure without triggering a broader conflict remains unclear.