# Trump meets his obstinate match in Iran’s hardball regime

https://mins.news/en/item/12493

- The Guardian, 2026-08-03 18:27 UTC
- World
- Original: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/aug/03/trump-meets-his-obstinate-match-in-irans-hardball-regime

> Donald Trump is struggling to find firm negotiating ground with Tehran and has complained about Iran’s “unbelievable duplicity.” The article portrays the US president as someone inclined to claim victory rather than concede defeat, while Iran has displayed a similarly stubborn approach. As Trump says new negotiations with Tehran will begin this week, Iran has also shown it can reignite the conflict by firing ballistic missiles at US bases in the region. Its continued grip on the Strait of Hormuz is allowing Tehran to seize the initiative in a stalled peace process. With a global energy crisis and difficult midterm elections approaching, time is pressing for Trump.

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