Contradictory narratives shape Iran-US standoff over talks and conflict
Dr. Nabil Al-Atoum says the future of Iran-US negotiations hinges on their outcome, as both sides pursue conflicting messages on diplomacy and military threats.
Key Takeaways
AIDr. Nabil Al-Atoum, Director of the Iranian Studies Program, said that the resumption of Iran-US negotiations depends on the outcome of the current talks.
Al-Atoum added, in an interview with Al Arabiya FM, that the standoff now involves two competing narratives. US President Donald Trump himself is sending contradictory messages—one about pursuing negotiations, and the other repeatedly threatening the use of force.
He explained that this American duality is intended to pressure Iran and convince the world that Washington will not back down from conflict, while also projecting to the US public that gains can be achieved without a prolonged war, keeping all options open.
Al-Atoum continued that Iran’s position is also dual: the Iranian Foreign Ministry claims it will not negotiate and will not open the Strait of Hormuz, while simultaneously promoting the narrative that Washington fears entering a full-scale war. Iran wants to stick to a “step-by-step” approach, maintaining the status of the Strait of Hormuz as a bargaining chip.
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