Tehran Signals Resolve Amid Continued U.S.-Israeli Strikes and Talk of Nuclear Deal

On the 30th day of the conflict, Iran's Supreme Leader’s deputy issued a defiant statement, asserting that while others started the war, Tehran will decide its conclusion. This hardening rhetoric coincides with Israel's military reporting the near-completion of 'Operation Roaring Lion,' an intensive campaign that has targeted Iran's military and nuclear infrastructure. Despite the escalation, President Trump indicated on March 30 that a nuclear deal could be reached soon, citing Iran’s recent decision to permit 10 oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz as a sign of goodwill. The regional landscape has become increasingly complex as Houthi forces in Yemen officially entered the conflict by launching drones and missiles at southern Israel. Additionally, Iranian forces targeted the Prince Sultan air base in Saudi Arabia for a second time, damaging refueling aircraft. While the U.S. continues to deploy thousands of Marines to the region, the Pentagon has emphasized a strategy of limited raids rather than a full-scale invasion. The humanitarian toll in the Iranian capital is rising, with the Red Crescent Society reporting strikes on residential areas in Tehran. Monitoring groups recorded over 700 strikes within a 24-hour window, forcing rescue teams to use search dogs to locate survivors in the rubble. Amid these developments, domestic pressure in Iran remains high, with parliamentary leaders warning of a fierce response to any arriving U.S. forces, even as reports of back-channel negotiations in Pakistan persist.