Iran is willing to continue negotiations with the United States, but first wants clarity on whether President Donald Trump can pursue an independent foreign policy separate from Israeli influence, according to Foad Izadi, associate professor at the University of Tehran.
Izadi said there is a broad belief in Tehran that the current conflict is “Netanyahu’s war” and that the Israeli Prime Minister succeeded in drawing Washington deeper into the confrontation, Al Jazeera reported.
“The general consensus in Tehran is that this is Netanyahu’s war and that he managed to bring the US president in with him,” Izadi said.
He added that Iran’s insistence on achieving a ceasefire across all fronts before negotiations progress stems from concerns over whether agreements can genuinely hold.
Izadi pointed to Lebanon as a key test case, arguing that although a ceasefire formally exists, violence has continued on the ground.
“Lebanon is the litmus test,” he said.
“That is the test for Iran to see whether Trump can finally have an independent foreign policy or not.”
He added that if Tehran secures “a genuine ceasefire in Lebanon and an end to the war on all fronts, negotiations can move forward.”