During the six-week-long war involving intensive airstrikes on Iran targeting its military and civil infrastructure, the combined forces of the USA and Israel failed to achieve any of their war objectives. The intensive airstrikes, missile and drone attacks on each other took a heavy toll on human lives, depleted weapon stocks, and devastated socio-economic and communication infrastructure. No doubt, Iran’s losses in terms of human lives and infrastructure were far greater than those of the aggressors.

The weapons, military hardware, and assets lost by the coalition forces were far more expensive compared with Iran’s relatively cheaper missiles and drones produced on a mass scale in the country.

Pakistan mediated a two-week ceasefire to halt the intense fighting and foster dialogue, announced on April 8, 2026, which was welcomed all over the world. The process of dialogue between the two sides did not make headway, mainly because of the USA leaders’ high expectations and impatience. President Donald Trump harboured the ill-conceived belief that he would intimidate Iranians into handing over what he failed to achieve in the military showdown.

President Donald Trump, a loose cannon as he is, remained in a state of bellicosity and belligerence, threatening Iranian leadership in derogatory terms and giving deceptive and contradictory statements. Dialogue is underscored by discretion, restraint, patience, and accommodation. No dialogue can reach fruition under the shadow of a sword hanging over the heads of........

© The Nation