Former Indian ambassador Rajiv Dogra said recent U.S. steps show growing pressure and desperation, placing America on the “pleading side” — if not the “losing side” — in its standoff with Iran after pausing the “Project Freedom” campaign to allow diplomacy to proceed.
“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.”
Reports suggest negotiations may be advancing. An Axios story said Washington and Tehran were close to a memorandum of understanding to end hostilities, while CNBC sources indicated Iran was reviewing a 14-point U.S. proposal. Iran’s president, Masoud Pezeshkian, criticized the U.S. approach as a “policy of maximum pressure” that expects one-sided concessions and makes resolution “impossible.”
Hours before the pause was announced, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared “Operation Epic Fury” concluded after meeting its objectives. The White House notified Congress that hostilities had ended, removing the need for fresh authorization beyond 60 days, even as Trump warned that strikes could resume.
Dogra said Washington’s renewed appeal to the United Nations reflected a change in tone and a sign of desperation. “Suddenly, they realise the value of the UN. So clearly, it shows they are at their wit’s end,” he said, expressing skepticism that Iran would accept proposals such as limits on uranium enrichment. He also highlighted China’s growing role, noting Iran’s foreign minister was in Beijing and suggesting Tehran and Beijing were pursuing a deliberate long-term strategy.
Geopolitics expert Hasan Hashmi Pirzada said Pakistan, along with Saudi Arabia and China, is acting as a channel between the parties. “At the moment, Pakistan is one of the few active channels communicating with both Iran and the US,” he said, pointing to recent diplomatic exchanges and coordination efforts.
Foreign affairs analyst Robinder Sachdev said Trump’s primary aim remains the removal of enriched uranium from Iran, but warned any agreement 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 with greater regional influence.
Analysts expect an interim framework could surface in the coming days, potentially opening the door to direct talks, though core issues — including nuclear limits and Gulf security — remain unresolved.
Also read: Trump threatens Iran with bombing if it doesn’t reopen strait
(Edited by: Ajay Vaishnav)