Trump's desperation gives Iran upper hand in talks, says former Pentagon advisor

Iran may have the upper hand in negotiations with the U.S. because President Donald Trump, despite his aggressive rhetoric, appears desperate to end the conflict, according to Jasmine El-Gamal, a former advisor to the U.S. Department of Defense. In an analysis for CNN, El-Gamal said the Iranian regime interprets Trump's statements as a sign of his desperation for a deal. She argued that Iran believes it can secure more favorable terms by continuing to impose costs on the U.S., its Gulf allies, and global energy markets. Her comments follow a threat from President Trump on April 1 to bomb Iran back to the Stone Age. El-Gamal pointed out that this inconsistent stance of urging dialogue while also warning of military escalation undermines progress toward a negotiated settlement.