Former Indian ambassador Rajiv Dogra said the latest US moves reflected mounting pressure and desperation.
“It certainly shows desperation on America’s part. It has tried everything and has failed right from the word go,” Dogra told CNBC-TV18.
“But the fact that within that day it decided to withdraw even that operation shows that America is now on the pleading side. I will not say the losing side, but the pleading side, pleading with Iran, directly or indirectly, to somehow sign something and get it over with.”
An Axios report earlier today said Washington and Tehran were close to a memorandum of understanding to end hostilities, while CNBC cited sources as saying Iran was reviewing a 14-point US proposal.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian criticised Washington’s approach, accusing it of pursuing a “policy of maximum pressure” while expecting unilateral concessions, which he said made resolution “impossible.”
Hours before Trump announced the pause, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said “Operation Epic Fury” had ended after achieving its objectives. The White House had earlier notified Congress that hostilities with Iran had been terminated, avoiding the need for formal authorisation beyond 60 days, even as Trump continued to warn of potential renewed strikes.
Changing tones
Dogra added that Washington’s renewed invocation of the United Nations signalled a shift in tone.
“Suddenly, they realise the value of the UN. So clearly, it shows they are at their wit’s end,” he said, expressing doubt that Iran would accept the reported proposal, including curbs on uranium enrichment.
He also pointed to China’s growing influence, noting Iran’s foreign minister was in Beijing, and said the geopolitical balance appeared to be shifting.
“The centre seems to be shifting to China,” Dogra said, adding that both Tehran and Beijing were playing a “smart” and “clever” long game.
Hasan Hashmi Pirzada, a geopolitics expert, said Pakistan was playing a key role in facilitating communication between the sides, alongside Saudi Arabia and China.
“At the moment, Pakistan is one of the few active channels communicating with both Iran and the US,” he said, citing recent diplomatic exchanges and coordination efforts.
Robinder Sachdev, a foreign affairs expert, said Trump’s core objective remained the removal of enriched uranium from Iran, but warned that any deal could be partial and fragile.
“If a preliminary MOU leads to a 30-day ceasefire, it may still be an unstable arrangement,” he said, adding that Iran could emerge as a stronger regional force.
Analysts said an interim framework could emerge in the coming days, potentially paving the way for direct talks, though key issues, including nuclear limits and security in the Gulf, remain unresolved.
Also Read: Trump threatens Iran with bombing if it doesn’t reopen strait
(Edited by : Ajay Vaishnav)
