Times: Is Trump playing the “Iranian Bazaar” game? | policy

The British newspaper The Times asked about the status of negotiations between America and Iran at a time when Iranian officials are continuing peace efforts through Pakistani mediators, despite US President Donald Trump’s announcement of his withdrawal from the talks, an indication of the potential keenness of both parties to avoid a return to war.

The newspaper reviewed the movements of Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi in the past two days, and noted that Trump acknowledged that Iran “is offering a lot, but not enough,” indicating that he is still listening to Iranian offers.

In an article on the subject, writer Richard Spencer commented on President Trump’s decision last week to extend the ceasefire indefinitely, despite faltering negotiations with Iran, saying that it made the war enter a state of ambiguity and stagnation.

At the same time, Iran continues to impose a blockade on the Strait of Hormuz, while the US Navy imposes a blockade on Iranian ports, making military tension prevail despite the ceasefire resolution being in effect.

According to the Times, Trump claimed that just 10 minutes after his decision to keep Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Washington and not send them to Pakistan, the Iranian side made a new offer.

Between withdrawal and return

The newspaper believes that Trump’s vacillating method between withdrawal and returning to negotiations aims to ensure that any final result will be presented as a victory for his war on Iran.

On the other hand, the newspaper adds, the Iranian regime is betting on Trump’s repeated statements suggesting his unwillingness to return to war, which gives Tehran more room for political maneuvering.

The Times cited American journalists commenting on Trump’s strategy, as they likened it to what is usually circulated in Western clichés about buying carpets in the “Iranian bazaar,” where the buyer must appear to be “withdrawing from the deal” to force the seller to make a better offer just to keep the negotiation going.

In this case, the newspaper explains, “withdrawal” means maintaining the naval blockade imposed by both parties, but Trump has previously said that he considers this situation “the problem of others,” in reference to his desire to reduce direct American involvement.

On the other hand, according to the newspaper, the Iranians refuse to liken the negotiations to bargaining in a traditional market, and consider it insulting and simplifying the nature of the conflict with America.

In a sarcastic tone, the newspaper said that it is not clear whether Trump has ever visited an oriental bazaar in his life, but it is known that he often draws inspiration for his strategic ideas from the media, which sometimes makes political life resemble the stereotypical images promoted by the press.