Iran Plays Hardball to Throw U.S. Off Balance

“Iran’s abandonment of a planned meeting with U.S. and regional officials in Turkey in hopes of holding more narrowly defined talks in Oman is right out of the regime’s hardball playbook—a last-minute curveball aimed at leaving everyone else off balance,” the Wall Street Journal reports.

“The diplomatic gambit along with military moves the same day, in which Iran launched a drone at an American aircraft carrier and sent gunboats to harass a U.S.-flagged oil tanker, suggest Tehran is determined to turn the tables and apply pressure on the U.S. as President Trump builds up forces in the region and tries to push Iran to negotiate on his terms.”

“Iran’s tactics present a challenge for Trump’s style of diplomacy, in which he prefers quick deals negotiated via a small number of trusted lieutenants. With few good options, analysts say Iran is playing for time and risking miscalculation as the armed standoff continues.”