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Why Even Immediate Peace with the U.S. Would Not Save Iran
(Washington Institute for Near East Policy) Patrick Clawson - Iranians have suffered such extensive economic blows in recent years that their situation would not qualify as good even if an agreement is reached soon to decisively end the current conflict. Consider where Iran was before the damage to key economic sites caused by the Israeli-American bombing of 13,000 targets. In November, President Pezeshkian warned that Tehran might have to be evacuated due to acute water shortages. In addition, for months before the war, electricity was cut off in major cities for hours at a time. Natural gas shortages this past winter forced authorities to close industrial plants powered by gas and cut the wages of factory workers. Iran depends on natural gas for 69% of its total energy. The writer directs the Program on Iran and U.S. Policy at The Washington Institute.