Former U.S. national security officials said that the United States lacks the leverage necessary to force a deal with Iran [1].
These concerns arise as the U.S. and Iran engage in complex negotiations to resolve long-standing tensions. The outcome of these talks could shift the geopolitical balance in the Middle East and affect global security frameworks.
Experts said that Tehran may be intentionally using delays in the process to gain further leverage [1]. This strategy would leave the U.S. with limited ability to compel the Iranian government to agree to specific terms. The dynamics of the negotiation suggest a gap between the goals of President Donald Trump and the demands of the Iranian leadership [1].
Parallel reports from the al-Arabiya network in Saudi Arabia said that a final draft of a U.S.-Iran agreement has been published [2]. According to those reports, the draft could be announced within hours [2], although both sides have yet to officially approve the document [2].
Pakistan has served as a mediator in these discussions, attempting to bridge the divide between Washington and Tehran [2]. Despite the presence of a draft, the lack of U.S. leverage remains a primary concern for security analysts who said Iran holds the stronger position in the current timeline [1].
“The United States lacks the leverage necessary to force a deal with Iran.”
The tension between the reported existence of a final draft and the warnings from security experts highlights a precarious diplomatic moment. If the U.S. is perceived as lacking leverage, any resulting agreement may be skewed toward Iranian interests or remain fragile, as Tehran continues to test the resolve of the Trump administration through tactical delays.
