FOR SEVERAL days it seemed that US President Donald Trump had retracted his threat to escalate the war on Iran by bombing its civil infrastructure – in favour of negotiating a settlement. Now the talks are off.
Hopes were first raised when Abbas Araghchi, the Iranian Foreign Minister, went to Pakistan, apparently ready to put forward proposals. Trump’s Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt welcomed the move, hoping it would lead to a positive outcome.
Hopes went higher when it was announced that a US delegation was ready to fly to Pakistan to join them. The delegation was to be led by Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff – but the key player, J.D. Vance, was not going to join them. He was apparently on stand-by, ready to join them if the talks were going well.
However, today Trump announced that no US team would go to Pakistan. He said that the USA held all the cards in this war – so why bother negotiating? This is not the first time Trump has said that he would negotiate over a war – only for it to be revealed that he is prepared to discuss the surrender of the other party, but not to negotiate a truce.
For their part, Araghchi thanked Pakistan for their help. He said he had put forward Iran’s views and that they were happy for Pakistan to continue its mediation role. However, he also made it clear that while Iran was willing to negotiate, it was not going to capitulate.
Where do the parties go next? Trump is unlikely to return to bombing Iran: he has no domestic or international support (apart from Israel) to do that – or the money. It is easier for him to continue his blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, cutting off Iran’s income. He hopes this will force Iran to surrender.
For their part, Iran is also blockading the Strait – putting economic pressure on much of the western world. They are hoping this will lead western countries to press Trump to negotiate a settlement.
While the major powers play global chess, the ordinary people of Iran are wondering when and how they will be able to rebuild their lives. Palestinians and the Lebanese are wondering just the same thing – as are the people of Ukraine. Trump’s legacy is truly horrendous.
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