Nournews: U.S. officials, from President Donald Trump to the White House spokesperson, continue to insist that technical negotiations between Iran and the United States will begin in Qatar on Tuesday. They have even claimed that Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are traveling to the country for the talks. Iran, however, has categorically rejected these claims, stressing that no technical negotiations with the United States have been scheduled in Oman. This raises an important question: why is Washington so determined to promote this narrative, and what objectives is Trump seeking to achieve?
Trump Seeks a Way Out of Mounting Political Crises
A notable aspect of Washington's latest claims is that they coincide with a series of domestic developments in the United States that appear aimed at overshadowing a major political scandal.
Last Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear Trump's appeal, leaving intact the $5 million judgment awarded to E. Jean Carroll in her defamation and sexual abuse case. According to ABC News, a New York jury found Trump liable in 2023 for sexually abusing Carroll in a dressing room at Manhattan's Bergdorf Goodman department store in the 1990s and for defaming her in 2022, ordering him to pay damages.
The renewed prominence of this case, together with the possibility of renewed scrutiny surrounding the Epstein affair, could increase political pressure on Trump and the Republican Party as the United States approaches the congressional midterm elections.
Declining Social Cohesion and Growing Divisions
At the same time, two prominent opinion surveys point to a significant decline in confidence in American national identity.
According to a Gallup poll, only 53 percent of American adults say they are proud to be American—the lowest level recorded since 2001. As the country approaches the 250th anniversary of its founding, 77 percent of respondents believe the nation's Founding Fathers would be disappointed by the current state of the United States.
Meanwhile, a recent report by Human Rights Watch states that the Trump administration has faced numerous allegations of human rights violations in 2026, particularly regarding voting rights, freedom of expression, and immigration policies. The report has added to the growing legal and political pressure surrounding the administration.
Economic Pressures and the Political Use of Foreign Policy
Alongside these political and legal challenges, the U.S. economy continues to face serious difficulties.
Trump has previously criticized high fuel prices, calling for an immediate reduction in gasoline costs. Referring to oil prices of around $68 per barrel, he argued that gasoline prices remained excessively high and should fall to roughly $2.50 per gallon.
Despite these statements, economic indicators continue to point to persistent inflationary pressures and an ongoing energy crisis. These conditions have prompted the U.S. administration to adopt a more flexible approach toward certain energy-related sanctions than it had pursued previously.
Against this backdrop, analysts argue that raising issues such as negotiations with Iran—including the alleged Doha talks—could serve as part of a broader effort to influence public opinion and domestic market sentiment, particularly at a time when opportunities to capitalize politically on economic achievements are becoming increasingly limited.
Washington's Complex Strategy of Multi-Layered Pressure
Recent U.S. actions suggest that Washington remains committed to reshaping regional dynamics and increasing pressure on Iran through multiple avenues, including the Strait of Hormuz and other strategically important locations.
Within this framework, negotiations appear to be viewed not merely as a diplomatic instrument but as one component of a broader strategy of multi-layered pressure.
From this perspective, Washington's objective may be to place Iran in a position where entering negotiations could be portrayed as a concession, while refusing to negotiate could be used to justify further political accusations or subsequent measures.
Under such circumstances, Iran's strategy of maintaining a unified negotiating position, increasing the potential costs of any military action, and reinforcing its strategic posture in sensitive areas could serve as an important deterrent against these scenarios.
Nournews