In a world seemingly flickering on the brink of chaos, Jared Kushner and Steve Wickoff are once again donning their diplomatic hats and heading to Pakistan, with the ambitious goal of calming Iranian tempers through talk rather than tanks. The scene would be downright amusing if the stakes weren’t so high. Secretary of War Pete Hexath seems to be reminding the world that America is not exactly biting its nails in an impatient urge to seal a deal with Iran. With all the time in the world on our side, the message seems loud and clear: the United States holds the power cards here.
While Iran’s dreaming of turning its nuclear aspirations into reality, the U.S. has no qualms about letting them know where that road leads—potential collapse under the economic pressure of America’s might. Enter stage left, the USS George HW Bush, the latest robust player joining the Middle Eastern waters, making it the first instance since 2003 that the U.S. has three whopping aircraft carriers cruising over there. So, it seems, we aren’t just talking the talk in diplomacy; we’re also walking the walk—or in this case, sailing it.
On the Iranian front, the landscape is riddled with complexity after the Ayatollah’s demise. Now, his son holds the reins, albeit with the grip of a feeble newcomer. The scene over there resembles a clumsy soap opera, with the military hogging the limelight and leaving the political peacemakers sidelined. While Ahmad Vahiti of the IRGC and the original Quds force commander apparently calls the shots, the negotiations have the air of a hardliner reunion.
Despite Iran’s stern poker face, they seem to have forgotten who is sitting across from them at the negotiating table. The U.S., with its formidable blockade and a third mighty carrier group, is not about to falter or withdraw its position. Back support from America is twice as powerful as it was at the onset of the conflict, signaling that if Iran is waiting for us to blink first, they might be waiting a while. Miscalculations on Iran’s part seem inevitable.
President Trump’s approach in these negotiations is clear-cut: no room for flimsy deals. The Iranians seem to delude themselves into thinking there’s an easy route out, by betting on political pressures forcing Trump’s hand. However, they might just end up discovering the unwavering nature of the White House’s intentions the hard way. The Iranians, presumably, have forgotten Homework 101 in Diplomacy; never underestimate someone who relishes in quickly pulling out of deals that don’t favor his ledger.
