Political rivals blame each other as Iranians are further squeezed by sanctions that are unlikely to be lifted soon.

Tehran, Iran – As reinstated sanctions bite and the persistent chance of renewed war with Israel lingers, authorities in Iran are adopting a defiant posture, but one that masks a jockeying for influence within the ruling establishment.

United Nations sanctions were reimposed this month by European powers through the “snapback” mechanism of the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. Negotiations between Iran and the E3 – France, Germany, and the United Kingdom – were not successful in preventing the reintroduction of the sanctions, and Iran has signalled that it is not willing to compromise on its stance.

Iran believes that agreeing to the current deal proposed by the West – including a demand that there be a total ban on Iranian nuclear enrichment – would amount to a capitulation.

But the sanctions are further weakening an Iranian economy that is already suffering, with inflation now at more than 40 percent.

And that, coupled with mounting public frustration, is forcing the government to find policies that will stave off criticism, while political infighting bubbles under the surface.

Defiance

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has maintained a defiant posture towards the United States and its allies, saying in a televised speech earlier this week that Tehran would not “submit to impositions” by Washington.

He also shot back against Donald Trump personally, saying the US president us