The Wall Street Journal reported that leaders of the Islamic Republic have, alongside negotiations with the United States, prepared the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and proxy groups to intensify regional clashes and increase pressure on Washington and its allies. The newspaper, citing Iranian and Arab officials, wrote that Tehran viewed the talks as an opportunity to prepare for a broader confrontation, not to reduce tensions.

According to the report, in the past two months the Islamic Republic has increased the Guard Corps’ control over the armed forces, appointed new commanders, expanded missile and drone production, and strengthened its internal counterintelligence network. The Wall Street Journal also wrote that, as negotiations continued, the Guard Corps sent advisers to Iraq, Yemen, and Lebanon and tracked coordination of attacks by its proxy forces.

As the newspaper wrote, the Guard Corps has been reviewing plans to escalate regional attacks, including in the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf, and officials of the Islamic Republic believe that the main war has not yet begun. The report also said that the government is reorganizing its security and military structure and preparing to continue its confrontation with the United States and Israel.