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3:01 PM Washington and Tehran - A Stalemate Instead of Negotiations

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that achieving a peace agreement with Tehran is currently "extremely difficult," highlighting the escalating tensions in the region. The direct dialogue between Washington and Iran has effectively ceased, complicating diplomatic channels further.<p class="ql-align-justify">U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated in interviews with American television channels that achieving a peace agreement with Tehran today is "extremely difficult." This is in light of the ongoing attacks in the Strait of Hormuz—a narrow passage through which about one-fifth of the world's oil flows. Behind this dry diplomatic phrase lies a simple reality: direct dialogue between Washington and Iran has effectively stopped, and de-escalation channels are functioning increasingly poorly.</p><h2>What Rubio's Words Indicate</h2><p class="ql-align-justify">The phrase "peace deal is extremely difficult" coming from the U.S. Secretary of State is not a threat or an ultimatum, but rather a recognition of fatigue. The U.S. administration finds itself in a position where any compromise solution is perceived by its allies as a concession, while any military action is viewed as a step toward a larger war in the Middle East. Rubio, traditionally considered a "hawk" on Iranian issues, is forced to talk about negotiations without believing in their swift success.</p><p class="ql-align-justify">Tehran, for its part, shows no inclination toward capitulation. Attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz—regardless of who is directly responsible, whether it's the IRGC or affiliated groups—serve as a reminder that Iran possesses tools of asymmetric pressure on the global economy. This is a strong negotiating position but also a trap: the more actively these tools are used, the less political space Western capitals have for dialogue.</p><h2>The Strait of Hormuz as the Nerve of the Global Economy</h2><p class="ql-align-justify">About 20 million barrels of oil and a significant amount of liquefied gas pass through Hormuz daily. Any escalation here instantly impacts prices, insurance rates, and freight costs. This is not abstract "geopolitics"—it's about the price of bread and fuel in dozens of countries, including those far removed from the conflict. Attacks on tankers and retaliatory operations by coalition naval forces create a loop in which each side sees itself as being defensive.</p><p class="ql-align-justify">The experience of past escalations—the "tanker war" of the 1980s, incidents from 2019—shows that the strait has never been completely shut off, but even isolated attacks have cost the global economy billions. The current situation is more dangerous: there are no authoritative mediators, such as Switzerland or Oman in previous years, nor are there functioning multilateral formats. The JCPOA, the nuclear deal from 2015, is effectively dead. The negotiating infrastructure will have to be rebuilt from scratch—and it must be done during, not before, a crisis.</p><h2>Why Rhetoric is More Important Than It Seems</h2><p class="ql-align-justify">When a high-ranking official publicly states that peace is "hard to achieve," it sends a signal to markets, allies, and internal audiences. For American voters, it serves as a warning that war is possible. For European capitals, it hints that they will have to prepare for the consequences themselves. For Tehran, it is an invitation to negotiate through intermediaries, but under stringent conditions.</p><p class="ql-align-justify">The problem is that the language of a "complex world" can easily shift to that of "inevitable war." History shows that conflicts often started not with a decision to fight, but with a belief that negotiations were pointless. The task of responsible journalism is not to applaud either side but to remind us that any escalation in Hormuz puts the lives of tens of thousands of sailors, crew members, and oil infrastructure workers at stake, turning their lives into bargaining chips.</p><h2>Conclusion</h2><p class="ql-align-justify">Rubio's statement should be read not as an announcement of failure but as the last chance to pressure both sides—externally and internally—to return to the negotiating table. The alternative is well-known: a regional war with global economic consequences, in which everyone loses except for arms dealers. A difficult world is always better than an easy war—precisely because it demands efforts, compromises, and acknowledgement of others' rights, at least in part. Until this simple thought becomes the foundation of policy, the Strait of Hormuz will remain a place where not just the fate of oil but also human lives are at stake.</p><p class="ql-align-justify">© lesnoy, LifeArmy.org</p><p>© lesnoy, LifeArmy.org</p><p>Original: <a href="https://lifearmy.org/articles/washington-and-tehran-a-stalemate-instead-of-negotiations">https://lifearmy.org/articles/washington-and-tehran-a-stalemate-instead-of-negotiations</a></p>

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