Cambridge University lecturer Roxanne Farman stated that despite US President Trump's insistence that Iran is eager for a deal, Iran believes it can outlast the US in negotiations to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Farman noted that reports of a split within the Iranian leadership are difficult to verify, but there is evidence of strong internal support for negotiations. Iranian President Peskhchiyan recently stated that 12 of the 13 members of the National Security Council support the decision to negotiate, exceeding the number requested by Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. However, she pointed out that Iranian Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf expressed dissatisfaction with the negotiations being stuck in a "back-and-forth" cycle—Trump "raises questions, then rejects them, then raises them again," a cycle that has made Iran increasingly anxious about the delayed fulfillment of promises such as asset freezes and naval blockades. Iran does not feel the same urgency as the US, as Trump faces pressure from the US midterm elections, oil prices, and inflation—she described it as a "cat and mouse game" to see who loses their temper first. She concluded that Iran's strategy is to demonstrate sincerity through talks with Oman and pressure Washington to take the first step.
