Foreign & Public Diplomacy

Think of all the sparring ahead of the second round of U.S.-Iran negotiations as the World Series of Brinkmanship. The two sides are on a slippery slope above an abyss, and they bizarrely seem convinced that it’s the path to success rather than disaster.

The balancing act got trickier Tuesday, as President Donald Trump’s negotiating team delayed its departure for a new round of talks in Islamabad, Pakistan, to force the Iranians to clarify what concessions they’re willing to make. Trump then extended an ultimatum that was set to expire on Wednesday to allow a divided Iranian leadership time to make up its mind before he attacks Iranian bridges, power plants and other civilian targets.

Think of all the sparring ahead of the second round of U.S.-Iran negotiations as the World Series of Brinkmanship. The two sides are on a slippery slope above an abyss, and they bizarrely seem convinced that it’s the path to success rather than disaster.

The balancing act got trickier Tuesday, as President Donald Trump’s negotiating team delayed its departure for a new round of talks in Islamabad, Pakistan, to force the Iranians to clarify what concessions they’re willing to make. Trump then extended an ultimatum that was set to expire on Wednesday to allow a divided Iranian leadership time to make up its mind before he attacks Iranian bridges, power plants and other civilian targets.

Trump, in effect, has opened the door with his extension, rather than slamming it shut. If Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf can’t deliver, then the world will know the grim answer and can act accordingly.

I’ve never seen a negotiation that’s quite like this one. The American and Iranian sides aren’t just bargaining over the “shape of the table,” as happens in many negotiations, but whether there should be a table at all. Both sides act as if the only way to get to “yes” is to keep saying “no.”

Trump and the Iranians both appear to enjoy this game of chicken. Both seem to want a deal but insist that they don’t need it—and that the other side wants it more. Both are hurting economically, but they boast they’re willing to keep fighting indefinitely. Every time they near an exit ramp, they veer away.

When I visited a carpet bazaar in Tehran 15 years ago, I was advised never to hint that I wanted to buy a carpet. The only way........

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