Great anecdote and thesis! In choosing this conflict and manner of use of force, Trump has harmed his objective, which remains unclear and contradictory. Where Trump has put the U.S. in a geopolitical hurting position, Iran is not hurting yet to the point they need mediation or reconciliation in the form of a cessation of the conflict. Tehran controls the clock and the geography. Short of using nukes, Trump has few if any rungs left on the escalation ladder. To say, it’s less about understanding what the mullahs want and more about what they’re willing to do to gain from the war having already won Trump’s game of chicken. The asset you mention knew what he wanted and would not be dissuaded; Tehran has the same disposition in this conflict of Trump’s choice.