With a Deal Seemingly Close, the U.S. Faces an Iran More Willing to Withstand Pressure
NYT > U.S. > Politics — 2026-06-13 09:23:00 — www.nytimes.com
President Trump’s Approach to Iran: Limits on Military Action and Stalled Negotiations
As the conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran continues to reshape the Middle East, President Trump’s approach to the crisis is coming under scrutiny. Analysts say that Iran’s leaders are convinced President Trump has no intention of restarting a full-scale war and have noted that he has put limits on Israel’s desire to escalate military action against Iran.
This perception has emboldened Iran’s new leadership, who now believe they can survive even a major renewal of fighting without significantly altering their negotiating positions or their broader regional aims. The excerpt highlights that, before the war, Iran had offered Trump’s envoys in Geneva a better deal than what is currently on the table in nuclear negotiations with the United States. However, with Iran’s regime now more militarized and risk-tolerant, the prospects for a comprehensive agreement have diminished.
Iran is testing Trump’s willingness to face strong opposition from some Republicans and Israel regarding the release of billions in frozen assets as part of any deal. Despite mounting economic pressure in Iran, analysts say that Iran believes Trump is in even more of a hurry to secure a deal, and thus has not been making the concessions Washington wants.
The situation remains in flux, with both sides accusing each other of duplicity and negotiations stalled on key issues. Experts doubt that the talks will reach a detailed nuclear agreement, much like the Gaza agreement Trump negotiated, which has also stalled. This ongoing state of “no war, no peace” is seen as advantageous to Iran, while increasing pressure on Trump to strike any deal that might restore stability in global markets.
In summary, President Trump’s reluctance to escalate the conflict and his eagerness for a deal have shaped the current dynamics, leaving the U.S. with limited leverage as Iran’s new regime presses its demands and retains its nuclear capabilities.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/13/world/middleeast/iran-united-states-israel-lebanon.html