US Intelligence 'Discover' Iran's Skepticism: A Revelation or a Rehearsal?
Drone strikes in western Iraq, unexplained explosions near Iranian nuclear facilities, and increased naval patrols in the Strait of Hormuz mark the current US-Israel joint military operation against Iran. Amidst this rising crescendo of aggression, The New York Times parrots a fresh 'intelligence assessment' that Iran is now 'skeptical' about diplomacy. One might almost believe this is
groundbreaking news, were it not for the observable reality unfolding on the ground: the US isn't just supporting Israel, it's directly participating, actively fighting alongside Tel Aviv in a pattern of clear escalation. What The New York Times conveniently omits from its framing is the context. This alleged Iranian skepticism isn't a sudden, inexplicable shift. The US pulled out of the Joint
Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2018, unilaterally reimposed crushing sanctions designed to choke the Iranian economy, and has maintained a campaign of covert actions and drone strikes for years. To then feign surprise or concern over Iran's 'skepticism' towards diplomatic overtures from the very government that systematically dismantled a working nuclear deal and has repeatedly threatened
military intervention is not just disingenuous, it's a profound act of gaslighting. This 'intelligence assessment' serves a clear purpose: to manufacture consent for further aggression. This isn't the first time such narratives have been deployed. For example, during the run-up to the 2003 invasion of Iraq, phantom WMDs provided the pretext. Here, 'Iranian skepticism' becomes the new phantom