Iran will negotiate harder than ever as US options dry up, Mearsheimer says

Tehran - BORNA - Speaking in an interview, the University of Chicago professor argued that President Trump should have actively pursued a lasting agreement following the April 8 ceasefire and strictly adhered to the memorandum of understanding signed on June 17, local media reported.

Mearsheimer stated that instead of fully implementing the June memorandum to end the war, Trump attempted to bypass its fifth clause, sparking a renewed cycle of retaliation in July. Calling that approach a failure, Mearsheimer noted that while Washington must now seek a diplomatic exit, securing a resolution earlier would have been a far wiser course.

He emphasized that reaching a settlement similar to the Islamabad memorandum will now be substantially harder, as Iran is fully aware of its strengthened position.

"The Iranians know better than ever that they hold the upper hand," Mearsheimer said. "They are fully aware that President Trump faces severe difficulties and urgently needs a deal."

"Consequently, Iran will undoubtedly negotiate harder than before—harder than during the talks leading to the June 17 memorandum, and even harder than after the April 8 ceasefire," he added.

Describing the U.S. position as precarious, Mearsheimer stressed that securing a peace agreement will not be easy for the Trump administration, noting that the president lacks alternative military strategies to alter the current crisis.

"The reality is that President Trump mistakenly initiated a war on February 28 that was doomed to fail from the outset," Mearsheimer stated, adding that many of Trump's advisers recognized the strategy was unworkable.

Concluding his assessment, Mearsheimer pointed out that no effective alternative strategy exists for Washington. "The time for a deal has arrived, though achieving it will not be easy for Trump," he said. "I hope that in the coming weeks or months, he can finally bring an end to this war."

End Article