Diplomacy with Iran once again hangs by a thread as U.S.–Iran talks proceed despite a dangerous military encounter in the Persian Gulf. Just days before negotiations, Iranian forces sent a Shahed-139 drone toward the USS Abraham Lincoln, forcing U.S. pilots to shoot it down in international waters. Hours later, IRGC gunboats attempted to harass and board a U.S.-flagged merchant vessel near the Strait of Hormuz. Yet even amid this aggression, Washington confirmed talks would continue—albeit shifted to Oman, a familiar venue for backchannel diplomacy.

The change in location followed Iran’s insistence on narrowing the talks strictly to its nuclear program, excluding discussions on ballistic missiles and proxy warfare—issues of central concern to Israel and U.S. regional allies. Analysts warn the regime is once again employing a familiar tactic: escalate militarily, posture publicly, then seek concessions at the negotiating table. Even as Iranian leaders probe U.S. resolve with drones and threats, they simultaneously call for sanctions relief, hoping diplomacy will deliver what force cannot.

SOURCE: All Israel News