Today's Lianhe Zaobao reported: "U.S. Vice President Vance said that the United States is currently still in the middle phase of the strategic contest regarding the Iran conflict, and Washington is actively seeking to understand whether Iran is willing to make necessary long-term changes to improve its relationship with the U.S."
Vance told Fox News on Saturday (August 8): "The Iran conflict is not over, but clearly it has moved beyond the initial stage and entered a mid-phase of strategic competition. The U.S. is employing all available tools—diplomatic, economic, and military—to ensure the best possible outcome for its people."
Commentary: By stating that the situation is now in the "mid-phase" of the contest, Vance effectively admits that the first-stage military strikes failed to compel Iran to surrender, and the conflict has already deviated from the original plan of a swift, decisive victory. This narrative also serves as preemptive management of public expectations in the U.S., preventing voters from expecting a quick resolution and avoiding backlash if subsequent negotiations proceed slowly. At the same time, it functions as a diplomatic tactic—sending signals outward that the U.S. retains room for continued pressure and will not rush into a hasty agreement.
This strategic contest reveals a stark imbalance in demands: The U.S. seeks a low-cost, face-saving settlement that restores normal navigation through the Strait of Hormuz without paying real costs; Iran, on the other hand, aims to seize this opportunity to claim compensation and strengthen its influence in the Gulf region, refusing to relinquish any leverage. While the U.S. maintains diplomatic channels, it simultaneously preserves military deterrence and sanctions as fallback options, ready to resume hostilities should talks collapse. Iran fully understands this dynamic—relinquishing control over the Strait of Hormuz too easily would undermine its bargaining power in future negotiations. As a result, Iran consistently bundles multiple preconditions together. Currently, both sides are engaged mainly in surface-level posturing rather than bridging their fundamental differences. So long as the U.S. refuses to accept equal negotiation terms and Iran remains unwilling to make substantial concessions, the situation will remain stuck in a tense, fluctuating stalemate, and a complete de-escalation remains distant.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1873001218207753/
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