There’s little indication that recent developments between the United States and Iran have shifted either side’s core positions, according to political analyst James Dorsey who spoke to AnewZ on the Daybreak programme.
Despite recent reports of indirect engagement through intermediaries - including possible talks reportedly planned in Pakistan - Dorsey stressed that the core positions of both sides remain unchanged.
“What we’re seeing is motion without movement, or a dialogue of the deaf,” he said.
“The U.S. President still believes military and Israeli superiority will force Iran to surrender. That’s not how Iran sees it,” Dorsey added.
The analyst pointed to Tehran’s asymmetric military strategy as a source of leverage. Iran has sought to exploit its ability to threaten strategic routes such as the Strait of Hormuz, a vital passage for global oil shipments, and has taken steps to disrupt shipping through the waterway as part of its response.
Dorsey also addressed the role of Kharg Island, Iran’s main oil export hub. He described its importance as primarily economic:
“Control of Kharg would tighten the U.S. economic stranglehold on Iran, although Tehran still has alternative export options,” he said.
Iran’s leadership has repeatedly signalled that it would be prepared to fight on its own territory, underscoring its belief that homeland defence plays to its strengths.
Recent diplomatic dynamics have also been shaped by Tehran’s rejection of a U.S.-backed ceasefire plan, instead proposing its own terms - including demands for control over the Strait of Hormuz and compensation for losses - while maintaining a hardline stance on negotiations.
Meanwhile, there have been fresh Israeli airstrikes on cities such as Isfahan, Iranian long‑range missile launches, and growing involvement by regional actors alongside spillover attacks in the Gulf. Financial markets and global energy prices have also been unsettled by the prolonged fighting and threats to key supply routes.
On the diplomatic front, Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, has framed U.S. messaging as evidence of failure, reflecting Tehran’s belief that shaping the battlefield is part of its broader strategic posture. Dorsey said this view underscores Iran’s refusal to yield ground rhetorically or militarily.
Despite significant damage to Iranian infrastructure from U.S. and Israeli operations, there is no clear indication that Tehran’s negotiating stance has softened.
“As long as the Iranians can fire missiles and drones, they remain a player,” Dorsey said.
Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz slowed to a near standstill over the weekend, with five commodity vessels transiting Saturday and none on Sun...
Central Asia has become a major focus for Eurasian transport investment, with $71.7 billion committed to 114 projects, according to the Eurasian De...
The European Union is preparing what foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has described as its most far-reaching sanctions package against Russia since...
At least 11 people were killed in Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon on Saturday, among the deadliest since a June ceasefire. Meanwhile, Qatar denied holding Iranian pilots. It said it had found the remains of one pilot after an airspace violation and had contacted Iran to coordinate a handover.
Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz slowed to a near standstill over the weekend, with five commodity vessels transiting Saturday and none on Sunday. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Washington must meet Tehran's conditions for shipping to resume.
A wildfire in Croatia driven by strong winds descended on the tourist town of Omis overnight, engulfing houses, forcing about 1,000 people to evacuate to safety and injuring dozens, fire brigade and health officials said on Friday.
U.S. President Donald Trump's threats to make the Strait of Hormuz part of U.S. territory have been mocked by Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, who said the sea passage "cannot be seized by tweet."
Residents of villages in eastern Indonesia hit by a deadly earthquake that killed at least 54 people were awaiting aid on Monday as rescuers prepared to comb through collapsed buildings in search of people trapped beneath the rubble.
Kazakhstan has launched a unified digital platform to track coal supplies in real time, giving officials a clearer view of production, shipments, stocks and prices ahead of the heating season.
U.S. President Donald Trump’s push to end the war in Gaza returned to the diplomatic arena on Sunday (16 August), as his envoys met Egyptian, Qatari and Turkish mediators in Cairo while Israeli strikes continued across the strip.
At least 11 people, including three children and two women, were killed in Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon on Saturday, according to Lebanese authorities, in one of the deadliest escalations since a U.S.-mediated framework was agreed between Lebanon and Israel.
As the countries of the Turkic world seek deeper economic integration, the Turkic Investment Fund (TIF) is positioning itself as a key financial vehicle for turning political cooperation into tangible development projects.
For fishermen along Pakistan’s southwestern coast, the consequences of the U.S.-Iran conflict are being felt far from the battlefield.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment