Negotiation is being spoken of constantly, yet a meaningful settlement has rarely been farther away. In an existential war, talks are not a neutral return to reason. They become another theatre of the conflict itself. That is the central reality of the current war involving Iran, Israel and the US. For Tehran, entering negotiations before altering the regional balance of power – especially in relation to Israel and the Gulf monarchies – would not mean peace. It would mean formalising vulnerability. For Donald Trump, de-escalation is not a cost-free option either. A war tied to Hormuz, Gulf infrastructure and energy prices cannot simply be paused without looking like strategic retreat. This is why both sides now speak the language of […]
This article was sourced from Middle East Monitor.
Read Full Article on Middle East Monitor →![Daily life continues on the 30th day after the February 28 attacks attributed to the United States and Israel, which resulted in civilian casualties, including Iranian leader Ali Khamenei, and caused damage to buildings and vehicles, in Tehran, capital of Iran, on March 29, 2026. [Fatemeh Bahrami - Anadolu Agency]](https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/AA-20260329-40960662-40960654-TEHRAN_MARKS_30_DAYS_AFTER_ATTACKS-1.jpg)
