Why should a badly damaged state, under severe economic pressure, lash out at the U.S. instead of pushing for a ceasefire? The answer, simply put, is that Iran is digging in for a long war. If the U.S. is truly interested in ending the war rather than engaging in endless military confrontation, it must recognize the limits of military pressure. The military campaign might be effective in damaging Iran’s military and economic infrastructure, but, until now, it has been politically counterproductive. It has heightened Iran’s economic crisis and increased poverty, but failed to force Iran's capitulation.