Within hours, an Iranian official said more talks were still possible. Some years ago, I was speaking with an Iraqi Shiite businessman in the Persian Gulf about doing business with Iranians. He had dealt successfully with his fellow Shiites, and by default the Iranian government, for decades on energy projects. Sometimes as a way to avoid the hard issues, remaining content for both sides to talk past each other. That was the only way Iranian contacts came to understand, and to believe, that we could be trusted, leading to a productive relationship.

Source: Washington Post April 12, 2026 18:42 UTC