One diplomat recently involved in the peace talks says he fears that if Trump cannot see a way out, he will resort to a nuclear weapon.
Emile Hokayem, from the International Institute for Strategic Studies, senses that
“Trump wants to avoid a long, protracted war of attrition so the Pentagon is giving him high risk, high investment options with potential high impact, as if one big blow will change the trajectory of the war, or at least the perception of it – ie that Iran retains strategic leverage by having identified and developed control over the centre of gravity of the war, Hormuz.
“This reminds me of when US and Israeli analysts and officials were arguing that Rafah in May 2024 was going to be the big, final blow in the Gaza war. How did that work?”