Former diplomats say Iran conflict is likely to worsen in coming weeks

Former Iranian and US diplomats have said the war on Iran is likely to get worse in the coming weeks, with no sign of an imminent peace deal. The discussion centred on the positions of Washington and Tehran and on whether the conflict could move toward any durable pause. The assessment was presented as a warning that the current trajectory remains unstable.

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Hossein Mousavian, a former Iranian diplomat, said Iranian leaders do not believe US claims that the war is about nuclear weapons rather than oil. Alan Eyre, a former US diplomat, said the conflict is not heading toward a peace deal or even a permanent stalemate in the near term. Both men said they had been involved in earlier negotiations over Iran's nuclear programme, giving their comments added weight in the context of the current dispute.

Eyre also said the administration of US President Donald Trump prefers quick wins to diplomacy. He argued that responsibility now lies more with countries in the region to take the lead, with US backing rather than US leadership. That view suggests a narrower role for Washington at a time when the conflict remains unresolved and the risk of further escalation is still present.

The comments matter because they point to a conflict that is still being shaped by mistrust, competing narratives and limited diplomatic space. Iran's nuclear programme has been a central issue in years of tension with the United States, and the latest remarks suggest that the same fault lines remain in place. If the parties cannot agree on the purpose of the conflict or the terms of any talks, the chances of a near-term settlement appear limited.

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The exchange also reflects a broader pattern in which regional actors are being asked to carry more of the burden for de-escalation. That is significant because any future talks would likely depend on whether neighbouring states can help bridge the gap between the two sides. The comments from two former negotiators indicate that, for now, the political conditions for a breakthrough are weak.

What remains unclear is whether any new diplomatic channel is being prepared or whether the conflict will continue to intensify. The remarks did not include any fresh announcement from governments or negotiators, and they did not set out a timetable for talks. For now, the main question is whether the coming weeks bring further escalation or a shift back toward diplomacy.

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