It would invite far worse economic shockwaves than those already caused by Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner and special envoy Steve Witkoff’s pre-war negotiations with Iran failed. Peace negotiations are often preceded by posturing as each side cultivates its political case. Trita Parsi of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft believes Iran, like Trump, does have an incentive to end the war, and that diplomacy therefore has a chance. If it’s already passed the point at which diplomacy can act as a brake, the consequences are too horrible to contemplate.

Source: Egypt Independent March 26, 2026 11:10 UTC