Amid ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, attention is once again focused on the complex relationship between Washington and Tehran. In the latest development, US President Donald Trump that he is not seeking a new war with Iran, while simultaneously emphasizing that he will wait a few days for a “suitable response” from the Iranian leadership—a move aimed at preventing the region from sliding into a larger, potentially disastrous military escalation.
Strict US conditions and ongoing sanctions
In detailing the American position, Al Arabiya channel, via its official X platform, quoted Trump describing Iran as a "defeated nation," emphasizing his administration's readiness to take military action against it if Washington does not receive an appropriate diplomatic response. Trump explained that his administration is currently dealing with figures within Iran who possess "reason," indicating that the only option before them is to sign a new and comprehensive deal.
The US president made it clear that his administration would not ease any of the economic sanctions imposed on Tehran before the formal signing of the agreement. Trump described the strategy of economic sanctions and embargoes imposed on Iran as "fantastic and excellent," emphasizing that the logical sequence of events should begin with the agreement first, followed by consideration of easing sanctions.
The historical context of the maximum pressure policy
These statements come as an extension of the “maximum pressure” policy adopted by the US administration towards Tehran, the most prominent milestone of which was the unilateral US withdrawal from the nuclear agreement in 2018. Since then, Washington has imposed successive packages of harsh sanctions targeting vital sectors of the Iranian economy, most notably the oil and banking sectors, with the aim of forcing Tehran to negotiate over its nuclear and missile program and its regional influence.
Iran's position: Warnings of a new war
On the other hand, Tehran responds to these pressures with a firm rejection of what it describes as attempts at subjugation. In this context, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated that the United States is effectively seeking to initiate a new war against Iran, asserting that Washington's true objective is to force Tehran into complete surrender in the open confrontation that began months ago.
Qalibaf, who led his country's delegation during a previous round of talks in Islamabad last month, added that American actions, both overt and covert, prove that Washington has not abandoned its military objectives, despite all the economic and political pressure exerted. In an audio message broadcast by Iranian state media, he continued: "A close examination of the internal situation and trends in the United States reinforces the likelihood that they still hope for the surrender of the Iranian nation, which will not happen.".
Expected impact on the regional and international landscape
These sharp tensions carry significant weight and profound implications at both the regional and international levels. Locally and regionally, any potential escalation raises serious concerns about the security of navigation in the Arabian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, through which a large portion of the world's energy supplies pass. Internationally, the continued state of neither peace nor war places the international community in a difficult position, as major powers strive to maintain stability and prevent the complete collapse of diplomatic efforts, amid warnings that any miscalculation by either side could ignite a global crisis with severe repercussions for financial and energy markets.
