West Asia war | Diplomacy only way out, but trust deficit between Iran and US is deep: Former Envoy

As the West Asia conflict stretches into its fourth week, former Indian Ambassador to Iran DP Srivastava said diplomacy remains the only viable path, though deep mistrust between Tehran and Washington continues to stall progress. His remarks come even as US President Donald Trump extended a pause on strikes on Iranian energy assets till April 6, claiming talks were “very well” underway—something Iran has denied.

Srivastava said it was “unfair to shift the onus to Iran” after it faced attacks during ongoing nuclear negotiations, adding, “The war has not been won by America—it is a stalemate. So you cannot impose your terms.” He stressed that talks can resume only after hostilities cease, noting, “A diplomatic solution is the only feasible option,” despite the trust deficit.

Pramit Pal Chaudhuri of Eurasia Group said the gap between both sides remains wide, with “maximalist demands” like ending nuclear enrichment unlikely to be accepted. “The air war is effectively at an impasse,” he said, warning that any US ground offensive could escalate asymmetric warfare.

The conflict has also strained Israel’s military, underscoring growing pressure for a negotiated resolution.