Washington–Tehran meeting unlikely to resolve major disputes – Expert
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – A planned meeting between the United States and Iran on April 10 in Pakistan is a practical step following the announced ceasefire, but it is unlikely to settle the core disputes between the two sides, an expert told North Press on Thursday.
Isaac Andakian, an international crisis management expert, said that the encounter between delegations from United States and Iran aims to open a diplomatic track to reduce military tensions and discuss regional and security files after what he described as “unprecedented Iranian missile attacks” affecting several Gulf and Arab states.
“The meeting will not resolve the major contentious issues, but it represents an attempt to de-escalate and prevent a widening of military confrontation in the region,” Andakian added.
He described the talks as “a pulse-check” between the two sides amid deep mistrust following failed negotiations previously held in Muscat and Geneva, which he linked to the outbreak of war on Feb. 28.
According to the Washington-based expert, long-standing disputes over Iran’s uranium enrichment, its nuclear program, long-range ballistic missiles, and its regional allies “cannot be resolved through military action, but through negotiation and dialogue.”
He indicated that Friday’s (April 10) meeting is unlikely to end the ongoing war, citing the involvement of multiple regional and international actors, including China and Israel.
He pointed out that Israel has continued military operations involving Lebanon despite a brief statement by Shehbaz Sharif announcing a US–Iran ceasefire “across all areas, including Lebanon.”
Andakian said the complexity of the files — spanning regional security, Israel’s security, sanctions on Iran, and global energy risks linked to the Strait of Hormuz — makes a swift end to the conflict unlikely.