Whose war is it? Trump eyes Iran talks as Israel hints at long campaign

AFP / France 24
by François PICARD
March 23, 2026
3 min read

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Trump signals openness to direct talks with Iran while Israel hints at a sustained military campaign against Iranian interests.

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Trump is signaling openness to direct talks with Iran while simultaneously maintaining ambiguity about potential military action, including the possible deployment of forces to the Strait of Hormuz. This approach contrasts sharply with Israel, whose leadership appears committed to a sustained military campaign against Iranian interests—a conflict some Israeli officials have pursued for years. The U.S. position creates uncertainty about whether Washington will ultimately support or constrain Israeli operations. Trump's messaging since taking office 24 days ago has kept both allies and adversaries guessing about his administration's actual intentions. The divergence between U.S. diplomatic overtures and Israeli military posturing could determine whether regional tensions escalate into wider conflict or move toward negotiation.

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