U.S. efforts to push Iran into accepting pre-war conditions are intensifying, as tensions continue despite an extended ceasefire between Iran and the U.S.
An indefinite ceasefire announced by Donald Trump has failed to bring Iran back to the negotiating table, with both sides absent from recent peace talks and divisions appearing to harden.
Speaking to AnewZ from Lisbon, Bassel Doueik from Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED), an independent conflict monitor, said Washington’s approach is aimed at compelling Tehran to accept sweeping conditions.
"I think what Trump is trying to do here is to force the Iranians into a deal with pre-war conditions, and this is a no-brainer for the Iranians. Trump wants Iran to have no nuclear weapons, no ballistic missiles, no control of the strait, and just cave into America's demands, especially the pre-war demands," Doueik said.
Efforts to revive negotiations have so far faltered. Pakistan hosted the so-called ‘Islamabad Talks’ earlier this month and proposed a second round, partly driven by domestic economic pressures, including rising fuel costs affecting its population.
Bassel said, "Pakistan is trying to bring two entities that are deeply unaligned onto one table in order to ink a deal that could actually save the region, save the Strait of Hormuz - which is the centre of gravity of energy resources - and save the world from global repercussions. However, I believe that Washington's decision not to send the delegation to Pakistan is directly related to Iran's decision not to send its delegation."
The Strait of Hormuz remains central to the dispute, given its critical role in global energy supplies.
Both Tehran and Washington appear entrenched in their positions. The U.S. is demanding Iran dismantle its nuclear capabilities, while Iran seeks to maintain control over the Strait of Hormuz and an end to U.S. blockades on its ports.
Doueik said these opposing demands are a major obstacle, adding that Iranian leaders “don’t trust” America.
"In June 2025, mid-negotiations, Israel carried out a preemptive attack against Iran, which led the U.S. to strike the nuclear facilities later on in the war. Again, since the start of this war, we've seen that there were negotiations between the Iranians and the Americans, and the Americans with the Israelis attacked Iran mid-negotiations."
Regional powers in the Gulf have also been drawn into the conflict, with Iran targeting states hosting U.S. military bases.
"I wouldn't say that they are leaning more towards the Iranian position. I believe actually they are more hostile towards Iran. Saudi Arabia is hostile towards Iran," Bassel says.
He added that the United Arab Emirates has taken a particularly firm stance.
"The UAE especially is the most hostile country against Iran; we've seen that with official statements actually from the Foreign Ministry and the Ministry of Interior and Information, etc. So, in this case, what the Gulf states see is that the U.S. bases on their land are actually a burden rather than an actual benefit for them," he said.
"They (the UAE) would like to still acquire the most advanced U.S. weaponry, but they would feel that it's better for the U.S. to leave their countries alone," Doueik added.
Observers say this growing unease highlights the wider regional risks, as diplomatic efforts remain stalled and mistrust deepens on all sides.
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