No new strikes, no peace deal: What Donald Trump’s ‘low-key’ Iran strategy means

The 60-day deadline set under a June agreement between the US and Iran to end the war and resolve the dispute over Tehran’s nuclear programme expired on Monday, with the two sides seemingly further apart than before. During the period, President Donald Trump repeatedly warned that America was “locked and loaded” and ready to act if diplomacy failed, fuelling speculation that a military offensive might be launched as soon as the deal window closed.

But as the deadline loomed, Trump signalled a different approach. Describing Washington’s strategy as “low-key”, the US president appeared to ease the immediate pace of military escalation while keeping pressure on Tehran through sanctions, economic measures and the naval blockade. In an interview with one outlet earlier this month, Trump said Washington was “only semi-negotiating” with Iran, suggesting that the US was deliberately keeping the diplomatic channel open without committing to a full-fledged negotiation.