Its nuclear programme is a rare area where Iran might claim to retain the initiative. Late last year Iran was producing around 7kg of uranium enriched to 60%—a stone’s throw from weapon’s grade—each month,

In an interview with Sky News, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned Israel and the US against attacking Iran’s nuclear facilities, asserting such an action would lead to severe retaliation.

The administration of new US president Donald Trump is reportedly considering various options to prevent Iran from being able to build a nuclear weapon. These include renegotiating a second nuclear deal, pursuing a policy of “maximum pressure” against Tehran by ramping up sanctions, and conducting airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.

Shortly before Donald Trump’s inauguration, however, the flag was quietly removed. There was no official explanation from Iranian officials. But the move captured a quiet shift in Tehran’s thinking, in what is shaping up to be its most consequential year since the 1980s Iran-Iraq war: with the country at its most vulnerable point in years,

Iran is closely watching how the new Trump administration may handle Iran policy. While Iran may have expected a “maximum pressure” campaign from Washington to return, the way it had existed during the first administration.