This is Iran’s modus operandi – stalling and buying time

The recent round of negotiations between the United States and Iran has once again concluded without a breakthrough, a familiar pattern that underscores Iran's persistent strategy of delay and obfuscation. From our vantage point in the Gulf, where we have a long and intricate history of engagement with Iran, this is not a surprise. We understand that Iran's approach to diplomacy often involves stalling, a tactic that serves to prolong existing tensions and potentially weaken adversaries through sustained pressure.

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This is Iran’s modus operandi – stalling and buying time.

This pattern of "stalling and buying time" is not new. It echoes past instances where Iran has navigated international pressure, from the aftermath of the Shah's overthrow to the prolonged Iran-Iraq War. The narrative of turning defeats into victories, even amidst national ruin, is a recurring theme. This includes systematic interference in neighboring Gulf states through the formation of militant cells, acts of sabotage, and threats to sacred sites, as well as unwavering support for groups like the Houthis and Hezbollah, which destabilize the region.

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When I said some time ago that the Iranians’ habit is to stall in negotiations, I was referring to a wound the American negotiator does not want to see due to cultural differences, as well as because of the U.S. desire to prolong the blockade on Iranian ports, hoping it might lead to the regime’s collapse.

The article points to Iran's alleged role in the October 7th attacks and subsequent abandonment of Hamas, suggesting a calculated manipulation of regional conflicts for its own strategic ends. The current obstruction of Pakistani efforts to mediate further illustrates this modus operandi. Iran's negotiator, lacking substantive proposals, continues to obstruct progress, a move that appears driven by internal pressures, including the threat of popular dissent.

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As Arabs and Gulf citizens, we are fully aware that Iran seeks to buy time by any means necessary and raises the banner of victory after every defeat, even if its country is left in ruins.

Furthermore, the article highlights Iran's violation of declared truces through proxy attacks, such as the recent incident involving Iraqi proxies targeting Kuwait. The repeated use of American bases in the Gulf as a pretext for escalation, despite assurances from Gulf capitals, demonstrates a consistent pattern of provocation. From the perspective of Arab and Gulf citizens, this behavior is deeply concerning, as it perpetuates a dangerous state of 'neither war nor peace' that jeopardizes regional stability. Western media may focus on the diplomatic stalemate, but for us, this is a critical issue of national security and regional integrity, deeply rooted in a long-standing understanding of Iranian regional policy.

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The Iranian regime also played a role in the destruction of Syria and in fueling crises throughout the Arab world.