Iran has the “upper hand” in the war against the US and a former MI6 chief warns Donald Trump’s plan is not working, and the conflict has gone global. As the US and Iran engage in talks aimed at ending the war former MI6 chief Sir Alex Younger has given a grim appraisal of the situation and suggested who he thinks is likely to come out on top

Sir Younger said he believes the 79-year-old leader has “underestimated the task” and even pinpointed to the exact moment he believes the Iran gained the upper hand. “Iran has the upper hand”, Sir Younger told The Economist. “I regret reaching that conclusion. I spent most of my career dealing with the violence and brutality of the Revolutionary Guards”, he added.

He continued: “I did not shed a tear over the death of Ali Khamenei, but the reality is that the United States underestimated the task and, about two weeks ago, lost the initiative to Iran.”

The MI6 chief then went on say that the “Iranian regime has shown greater resilience than anyone would have expected”. He then went on to criticise Mr Trump for entering a “war of choice” with Iran currently holding the “dominant position”.

Sir Younger said: “Trump made it clear that Iran is in an existential war and that he wants to see it with its back to the wall. The United States, by contrast, is in a war of choice. ]

“I think that has given the Iranians more staying power than the United States — and certainly more than its partners. I think that gives them the dominant position.”

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