The pursuit of a lasting agreement between the United States and Iran faces significant hurdles rooted in fundamental differences, a prominent Iran specialist has warned. According to Karim Sadjadpour, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment, both nations find themselves in a structural impasse that limits the possibility of a sustainable deal.
Sadjadpour explains that while the United States needs a diplomatic resolution to ease costs and conflict, Iran relies on the United States' role as an adversary to uphold its regime’s internal legitimacy. This dynamic creates conflicting pressures: the US demands increasingly stringent terms to justify wartime expenses to American taxpayers, while Iran's leadership—confronting heavy financial and leadership losses—must demand more concessions and yield less than previously.
This deadlock stems from deeper identity issues. The United States, depicted as shifting erratically between isolationism and interventionism across global hotspots like Venezuela, Cuba, and Iran, has struggled to maintain consistent diplomatic engagement, particularly after recent cuts to the State Department. Conversely, Iran is described as an ideologically driven state, where opposition to America transcends policy and forms a core part of the regime’s identity. Having prepared for sustained conflict for decades, Iranian leaders approach negotiations much like enduring bargaining in a marketplace, adopting patience as a strategic tool, as reflected in statements by Iranian officials.
Sadjadpour highlights the contrasting expectations: while President Trump anticipated swift conflict resolution, Iranian authorities foresee a protracted struggle that aligns with their revolutionary ethos. This mismatch has led to repeated breakdowns in diplomacy, with the US resorting to military force after abandoning talks. The expert concludes starkly that while the United States seeks to resolve the dispute, Iran remains committed to revolutionary confrontation, making any immediate comprehensive peace deal highly improbable.