THE Islamabad talks between the United States and Iran did not yield an immediate breakthrough, but neither did they close the door on diplomacy. Big structural differences and conflicting expectations kept the two sides apart despite meaningful engagement. What emerged was not failure, but a staging ground for future rounds. Iran entered the negotiations reinforced by the strategic leverage of the Strait of Hormuz. This chokepoint enables Tehran to influence energy markets and raise costs, offsetting US economic pressure and strengthening its negotiating hand. At the core of the deadlock lies the nuclear issue. Iran refuses to accept a permanent ban on peaceful uranium enrichment, instead insisting on a sunset clause while questioning the absence of similar constraints on Israel. The United States has shown limited flexibility, making compromise structurally difficult. The shadow of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action still looms large; Washington’s withdrawal in 2018 continues to shape Iranian distrust toward long-term commitments without guarantees. External actors, particularly Israel, have further narrowed the space for compromise.

Domestic and psychological asymmetries widened the divide. US leadership, constrained by electoral cycles and economic pressures, approached the talks with urgency. Iran, hardened by years of sanctions, showed greater patience and endurance in........

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