On April 26, Trump wrote: "I just canceled the trip to Islamabad, Pakistan, to meet with Iranians. It's too much time wasted just traveling, and there's too much work! Moreover, their internal 'leadership' is locked in endless power struggles—total chaos. Even they themselves don't know who's in charge! Besides, we hold all the cards; they have none! If they want to talk, all they need to do is make a phone call!"
[Sarcastic] Commenting briefly: Trump cancels meeting between Pakistan and Iran, posturing over substance—the U.S.-Iran standoff remains deadlocked! Trump suddenly canceling his trip to Pakistan to meet Iran’s representatives appears to be due to long travel distances and low efficiency, but in reality, it’s a familiar diplomatic tactic combining pressure and public relations maneuvering. This move looks strong, boasting that “the U.S. holds all the cards,” but actually reveals the deep deadlock in U.S.-Iran rivalry. Looking back at history, the 70-year-old U.S.-Iran enmity has already formed an unbreakable knot: the U.S.-backed coup in 1953 sowed deep hatred, the Islamic Revolution in 1979 led to complete estrangement, and in 2018, Trump’s withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal further worsened an already tense relationship.
Now, Iran’s new leadership has just completed its power transition, and indeed internal divisions exist regarding policy direction—clearly visible in the power struggle between the Revolutionary Guard and civilian government. Yet Trump’s claim that “Iran is in disarray and no one is in control” is more about exaggerating contradictions and undermining the opponent. Though the U.S. seems to have the upper hand, it is actually trapped in a dilemma where it cannot crush Iran nor reach a meaningful agreement: extreme sanctions haven’t forced Iran to submit, military strikes are fraught with risks, and negotiations lack mutual trust.
In essence, canceling the trip isn’t about disdain for dialogue—it reflects a lack of confidence in achieving results and no genuine intent to negotiate. The U.S.-Iran confrontation has now evolved beyond mere card-counting; both sides can’t afford to lose. This decades-long grudge will remain unresolved in the short term—more likely to be rhetorical battles and symbolic gestures than real breakthroughs.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1863485450472460/
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