The split screen between talk of peace in Washington and drumbeats of war in the Middle East struck some analysts and former officials as incongruous, if not incoherent. Diplomacy works best when it’s backed by credible deterrence,” said Jason Greenblatt, a lawyer who served as White House envoy to the Middle East during Trump’s first term. Iran has been told by US President Donald Trump to submit a nuclear proposal within two weeks or risk war. Tehran has long been a backer of Hamas, as well as other proxies in the Middle East that threaten Israel and US interests. Trump has often tried to split the difference between war and peace with short, sharp military action.

Source: New Zealand Herald February 21, 2026 10:28 UTC