New developments have emerged surrounding the possible resumption of talks between Iran and the United States. Tehran says it has received an official response from Washington to its proposals. U.S. President Donald Trump had earlier firmly rejected Iran’s proposed approach. Diplomatic contacts are continuing against the backdrop of a war that has lasted seven months. With the November 3 U.S. midterm elections approaching, time is becoming an increasingly important factor for both sides.
Iran expert Aram Shahnazaryan believes that, at this stage, both Tehran and Washington are trying to buy time while strengthening their positions. He says the war has entered a more attritional phase. Each side wants to secure additional advantages before a possible next stage in the negotiating process.
The U.S.–Iran war: both sides seek more time
In Shahnazaryan’s assessment, Iran continues to retain a strategic advantage at this stage. He argues that this advantage extends beyond the Strait of Hormuz to the Bab el-Mandeb area, owing to the actions of Yemen’s Houthis.
“Each side is trying to buy time, to play for time, and to establish and strengthen its position,” the expert said.
He believes the approaching November 3 elections make time particularly important for the United States. According to Shahnazaryan, Washington needs to secure at least one visible political “trump card” before the vote. It could then use that achievement during the election campaign to strengthen Trump’s position.
Negotiations or an effort to improve their positions?
At the same time, the expert argues that accepting the conditions of Iran’s proposed plan would amount to Washington effectively acknowledging the failure of its actions.
“If the United States tried to accept the seven-point conditions that Iran proposed for resuming negotiations, it would mean that the United States had once again acknowledged the failure of its actions and, as on the previous occasion, would again sit down at the negotiating table on Iran’s terms,” Shahnazaryan said.
According to the expert, it is still too early to reach a firm conclusion about the contacts between the two sides. Whether they will develop into substantive negotiations or remain an attempt to buy time and improve their respective positions remains an open question.
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