
Who Really Holds the Winning Cards In US-Iran Stalemate?
From Amanpour by CNN Podcasts
April 27, 2026 · 56 min
About this episode
Sanam Vakil discusses the US-Iran diplomatic stalemate and who holds the advantage in negotiations.
A diplomatic stand-off continues between the US and Iran after President Donald Trump called off his negotiating team's trip to Pakistan to meet with the Iranian delegation. The President has said Iran "can call" if they want but said the war could end soon. In turn, Iran has floated an initial deal that would require Washington to permanently end the war in exchange for the reopening of Hormuz. Sanam Vakil, Director of the Middle East and North Africa Program at Chatham House joins Bianna Golodryga to break down who is really holding the cards as diplomacy reaches a stalemate between Tehran and Washington. She joins the show from London. Also on today's show: author Rachel Goldberg-Polin; law professor/author Khiara Bridges Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
People in this episode
Host: Bianna Golodryga
Guest: Sanam Vakil
Topics covered
- US-Iran relations
- diplomacy
- political analysis
- Middle East
- international negotiations
Keywords
- US-Iran stalemate
- diplomatic negotiations
- Sanam Vakil
- Chatham House
- Middle East politics
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Chatham House
Places: US, Iran, Pakistan, Hormuz
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