2 Scenes from Masoud Pezeshkian’s Trip to New York
The U.S. government’s approach to issuing visas for the Iranian delegation heading to America suggests that Washington sees no need to engage with Tehran. Instead, it appears to be waiting for Iran to offer an enticing proposal that would effectively disarm itself. In this context, expecting positive developments in Iran–Western relations during the Iranian president’s visit to the U.S. seems unrealistic.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian recently visited New York as the head of a delegation attending the annual United Nations General Assembly and to hold multilateral meetings on the sidelines.
This year’s visit to the U.S. takes place in the aftermath of a 12-day war and amid escalating tensions across western Asia. Many experts and analysts believe the timing makes the trip particularly significant. In recent days, the activation of the snapback mechanism against Iran has become increasingly likely. Meanwhile, a majority of U.N. Security Council members have voted against extending the suspension of U.N. sanctions on Iran.
A Pezeshkian–Trump Meeting in New York?
In recent days, some political figures and analysts have floated the idea that a direct meeting between Pezeshkian and Donald Trump could help ease tensions in western Asia.
But Pezeshkian has dismissed the notion, saying, “You shouldn’t talk to someone who thrives on bullying and intimidation.”
There are at least three reasons why such a meeting seems far from practical.
First, during the recent 12-day war, the U.S. under Trump’s leadership conducted airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities. Trump openly praised the attacks, calling them a proud moment for his presidency.
Beyond that, his administration has pursued a range of policies that directly undermine Iran’s national interests and security. For Tehran, engaging with Trump wouldn’t signal constructive diplomacy; it would be a move clouded by deep mistrust.
Keep in mind that Israel’s 12-day offensive against Iran took place while Tehran and Washington were still in talks. Lately, Trump and key figures from his national security and foreign policy teams have admitted – sometimes directly, sometimes between the lines – that those negotiations were part of a larger plan to deceive Iran. Under such circumstances, sitting down with someone like Trump hardly seems like a sound diplomatic move.
The second point is that Trump’s administration and its Western allies currently view Iran as weakened. As Western media outlets like The Wall Street Journal have reported, they are seeking engagement on their own terms, expecting Iran to present an enticing offer that could pave the way for a new agreement. But any such deal would likely sideline Iran’s core interests. From this angle, too, meaningful dialogue with Trump and his team appears out of reach.
The third point is that Trump, in the current climate, is eager for a high-profile event like a meeting with the Iranian president that could generate headlines and help him present a major foreign policy win to his critics. It would allow him to claim an achievement no other U.S. leader has managed when it comes to Iran.
But for Iran, such a meeting would be problematic. In this context, it would serve primarily as a political victory for Trump, with little chance of delivering tangible benefits to Tehran. This concern becomes even more serious given how the U.S., Israel, and European powers currently perceive Iran as a country in a position of weakness.
Pezeshkian’s Visit to the US: Chance for Economic Gains?
In recent days, some have suggested that President Pezeshkian’s trip to New York could help lower tensions between Iran, the U.S., and European governments and possibly open the door to new economic opportunities. Supporters of this view argue that Iran should pursue active diplomacy during the visit, using political engagement to create space for economic progress.
But the U.S. government’s handling of visas for the Iranian delegation tells a different story. When even the president’s media team and photographers are denied entry, and some members of the delegation face visa refusals, it’s hard to believe Washington is open.
Ultimately, any meaningful breakthrough requires clear signals and, so far, the Trump administration has sent none. During President Pezeshkian’s visit to the U.S., Washington offered no gestures of goodwill toward Tehran.
That’s why many expect the coming weeks and months to remain tense in Tehran-Washington relations. In this climate, it’s not diplomacy or soft power that appears to be shaping the future, it’s hard power and military force that may end up defining the next chapter.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian recently visited New York as the head of a delegation attending the annual United Nations General Assembly and to hold multilateral meetings on the sidelines.
This year’s visit to the U.S. takes place in the aftermath of a 12-day war and amid escalating tensions across western Asia. Many experts and analysts believe the timing makes the trip particularly significant. In recent days, the activation of the snapback mechanism against Iran has become increasingly likely. Meanwhile, a majority of U.N. Security Council members have voted against extending the suspension of U.N. sanctions on Iran.
A Pezeshkian–Trump Meeting in New York?
In recent days, some political figures and analysts have floated the idea that a direct meeting between Pezeshkian and Donald Trump could help ease tensions in western Asia.
But Pezeshkian has dismissed the notion, saying, “You shouldn’t talk to someone who thrives on bullying and intimidation.”
There are at least three reasons why such a meeting seems far from practical.
First, during the recent 12-day war, the U.S. under Trump’s leadership conducted airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities. Trump openly praised the attacks, calling them a proud moment for his presidency.
Beyond that, his administration has pursued a range of policies that directly undermine Iran’s national interests and security. For Tehran, engaging with Trump wouldn’t signal constructive diplomacy; it would be a move clouded by deep mistrust.
Keep in mind that Israel’s 12-day offensive against Iran took place while Tehran and Washington were still in talks. Lately, Trump and key figures from his national security and foreign policy teams have admitted – sometimes directly, sometimes between the lines – that those negotiations were part of a larger plan to deceive Iran. Under such circumstances, sitting down with someone like Trump hardly seems like a sound diplomatic move.
The second point is that Trump’s administration and its Western allies currently view Iran as weakened. As Western media outlets like The Wall Street Journal have reported, they are seeking engagement on their own terms, expecting Iran to present an enticing offer that could pave the way for a new agreement. But any such deal would likely sideline Iran’s core interests. From this angle, too, meaningful dialogue with Trump and his team appears out of reach.
The third point is that Trump, in the current climate, is eager for a high-profile event like a meeting with the Iranian president that could generate headlines and help him present a major foreign policy win to his critics. It would allow him to claim an achievement no other U.S. leader has managed when it comes to Iran.
But for Iran, such a meeting would be problematic. In this context, it would serve primarily as a political victory for Trump, with little chance of delivering tangible benefits to Tehran. This concern becomes even more serious given how the U.S., Israel, and European powers currently perceive Iran as a country in a position of weakness.
Pezeshkian’s Visit to the US: Chance for Economic Gains?
In recent days, some have suggested that President Pezeshkian’s trip to New York could help lower tensions between Iran, the U.S., and European governments and possibly open the door to new economic opportunities. Supporters of this view argue that Iran should pursue active diplomacy during the visit, using political engagement to create space for economic progress.
But the U.S. government’s handling of visas for the Iranian delegation tells a different story. When even the president’s media team and photographers are denied entry, and some members of the delegation face visa refusals, it’s hard to believe Washington is open.
Ultimately, any meaningful breakthrough requires clear signals and, so far, the Trump administration has sent none. During President Pezeshkian’s visit to the U.S., Washington offered no gestures of goodwill toward Tehran.
That’s why many expect the coming weeks and months to remain tense in Tehran-Washington relations. In this climate, it’s not diplomacy or soft power that appears to be shaping the future, it’s hard power and military force that may end up defining the next chapter.
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