Trump holds the cards in Iran standoff, foreign policy expert says

Key Points:

• Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian sharply criticized the U.S. and Israel at the U.N., portraying Iran as a victim of aggression, while President Trump responded with tough rhetoric warning Iran of possible annihilation if a deal is not reached.
• Foreign policy expert Behnam Ben Taleblu noted that Trump likely dismissed Pezeshkian’s speech, confident that the U.S. "holds the cards," and described the Iranian leader’s message as anti-American, anti-Israel, and aimed at casting Iran as a victim.
• Despite the hostile public exchanges, behind-the-scenes diplomacy continued with U.S. envoys and Iranian officials holding indirect talks during the U.N. General Assembly, suggesting both sides are testing the possibility of negotiations.
• Taleblu emphasized that both the U.S. and Iran are using talks strategically to shape outcomes favorable to their interests, but warned that Iran’s refusal to change key policies could lead to a diplomatic deadlock.
• The conflicting public confrontation and private dialogue underscore ongoing unresolved tensions, with the Trump administration seeking a political victory while Iran signals openness to diplomacy but resists military pressure.