Middle East analyst Luciano Zakara stated that despite continued mediation efforts, neither Iran nor the United States appears inclined to return to the negotiating table. He said, "Both sides have indicated that they will not stop retaliating as long as they are attacked. Therefore, we are trapped in this tit-for-tat cycle of retaliation, with no end in sight." Zakara indicated that neither side is willing to "sit down and reconsider" measures that could de-escalate the situation. He pointed out that further sanctions and a naval blockade of Iran do not seem sufficient to achieve Trump's desired goals. Zakara stated that the United States hopes to "strangle the Iranian economy" through economic punishment, and direct attacks on ships and oil facilities appear to have become another means of exerting pressure.
