From the beginning of the Iran conflict on February 28 until today, one question has increasingly puzzled diplomats, military analysts, investors, and ordinary citizens alike: What exactly is the United States trying to achieve?
In less than three months, President Donald Trump has threatened Iran, announced impending peace, imposed deadlines, delayed deadlines, declared military success, pursued negotiations, revived military action, demanded regional concessions, and repeatedly altered the stated objectives of the conflict.
The result has been a growing perception of inconsistency that is now affecting not only diplomacy but also global markets, energy prices, and America’s international credibility.
Few critics have articulated this concern more forcefully than former UN weapons inspector and former US Marine Corps intelligence officer Scott Ritter. In a recent interview, Ritter described the United States as “agreement incapable,” arguing that Washington’s constantly shifting positions make it nearly impossible to sustain meaningful negotiations.
According to Ritter, Iran has remained relatively consistent in its demands, while American positions have repeatedly changed during the course of talks.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
The writer is a former Press Secretary to the President, An ex-Press Minister at Embassy of Pakistan to France, a former MD, SRBC Macomb, Detroit, Michigan