US-Iran framing of 'end of the war' signals shift despite ongoing hostility, analyst says

Hardline figure Jalal Rashidikoochi on Saturday criticized Iranian lawmaker Seyed Mahmoud Nabavian over his comments on a potential Iran–US agreement, accusing him of fuelling division and undermining national unity.

Rashidikoochi also warned that Nabavian’s actions would “come back to haunt him,” saying they were causing what he described as serious harm to the country.

"Even if your intention was good, do not doubt that you have become the cause and instigator of a great evil in the country, which will also engulf you,' he posted on X.

Iranian reformist figure Seyed Mohammad Sohofi said on Saturday a potential agreement with the United States would, if reached, mark the first time since the 1979 revolution that Iran has acted before it is too late, invoking the Persian proverb “nushdaroo before Sohrab’s death”(nourishment before death) to describe past policy patterns amid ongoing crises.

A hardline influencer, Sarbaz Roohulla Rezvi, said on Saturday he takes his political position from the Supreme Leader, adding he would support any decision on ceasefire or military action if it is approved by him and act accordingly in practice.

"If the Leadership signs off on a ceasefire, I will defend the ceasefire, and if the Leadership signs off on a bomb, I will be the first to throw the bomb," he posted on X. "If I see the Leadership under pressure from a group, I will certainly take steps in a direction that reduces that pressure."

Mark Dubowitz, chief executive of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies on Saturday questioned whether additional negotiations with Tehran would benefit Iran, arguing that periods of ceasefire and diplomacy have given the country time to recover from damage inflicted during recent conflicts.

"A 38-day war and a 12-day war inflicted severe damage on Iran’s nuclear program, missile arsenal, military defenses, economy, leadership, and terror network. Then came three months of “ceasefire”—with mounting economic pressure on Iran, but also valuable time for the regime to recover, rebuild and leverage Hormuz and Hezbollah," Dubowitz posted on X.

"Now add 60 more days of negotiations — an arena where Iran always outmaneuvers American presidents. The question: who does this time favor? Will President Trump convert military successes into a real victory?" he added.

Israeli opposition leader and former prime minister Yair Lapid said a potential agreement between the United States and Iran would represent a strategic failure for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, adding that Iran's government remains in power, its missile program remains intact, and Tehran retains the ability to rebuild its nuclear program.

"The emerging agreement does not achieve any of Israel's war objectives. The regime survives, the missile program remains intact, and Iran will be able to rebuild its nuclear program," Lapid posted on X.

"This is a total failure by Netanyahu, and along the way he is turning us into a vassal state that receives instructions regarding its national security. No press conference, no media spin, and no AI video will hide the failure. The next government will have a historic role: to repair the damage caused by Netanyahu’s inability to turn military achievements into strategic successes," he added.