Drumbeat of war with Iran gets louder despite diplomatic efforts

Following indirect U.S.–Iran talks in Oman, both sides publicly described the discussions as positive, but signs on the ground suggest deep uncertainty about whether diplomacy will prevail. Analyst Tim Constantine noted that while Washington continues to emphasize a preference for a diplomatic solution, the scale of recent U.S. military movements into the Middle East tells a different story. The deployment of more than 100 C-17 cargo planes, along with aircraft carriers and tens of thousands of U.S. troops stationed across the region, underscores the seriousness with which the United States is preparing for potential conflict.

On the Iranian side, mixed messages persist as well. While Iran’s leadership has warned of severe consequences if attacked, Iranian diplomats continue to signal an interest in negotiations, though with firm limits on discussions of missile programs and nuclear development. Constantine said the pattern of contradictory signals is nothing new, noting similar dynamics during past negotiations. Despite repeated calls for diplomacy, he warned that the underlying tension suggests the risk of conflict remains very real. Tim Constantine reports.