Episode Description
A fragile halt to Iran war hostilities was always a question of who blinks first.
Even so, both the United States and Iran are declaring victory.
However, a careful reading of Donald Trump and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi's social media postings suggests that the US president blinked the most.
Iranian officials point to Mr. Trump's acknowledgment that the Islamic Republic's plan to end the war, involving ten points, which the president earlier rejected, was "a workable basis on which to negotiate."
In return, Iran has agreed to halt attacks on Israel and the Gulf states and to open the strategic Strait of Hormuz under continued Iranian control.
Even so, there is no indication that the gap between US and Iranian demands has narrowed.
Narrowing the gap will require significant compromise by both parties.
Yet, fresh out of the starting block, Mr. Trump’s acceptance of the Iranian plan as a negotiating framework is an initial Iranian success with a caveat.
Even so, both the United States and Iran are declaring victory.
However, a careful reading of Donald Trump and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi's social media postings suggests that the US president blinked the most.
Iranian officials point to Mr. Trump's acknowledgment that the Islamic Republic's plan to end the war, involving ten points, which the president earlier rejected, was "a workable basis on which to negotiate."
In return, Iran has agreed to halt attacks on Israel and the Gulf states and to open the strategic Strait of Hormuz under continued Iranian control.
Even so, there is no indication that the gap between US and Iranian demands has narrowed.
Narrowing the gap will require significant compromise by both parties.
Yet, fresh out of the starting block, Mr. Trump’s acceptance of the Iranian plan as a negotiating framework is an initial Iranian success with a caveat.