
How does diplomacy work during a military deadlock?
From Consider This from NPR by NPR
May 3, 2026 · 8 min
About this episode
The episode discusses the complexities of diplomacy during a military deadlock in the Iran conflict.
The war with Iran is in a deadlock. Despite a back and forth of peace plans, there is no permanent ceasefire. President Trump has oscillated between a willingness to engage in diplomacy and threats to resume the American bombing campaign if he doesn’t get a deal. All this has complicated negotiations, which the U.S. and Iran are holding through intermediaries. So, how do leaders try to negotiate with countries they’re in conflict with? For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for C onsider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org . Email us at considerthis@npr.org . This episode was produced by Henry Larson. It was edited by Sarah Robbins and Tinbete Ermyas. Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy
Topics covered
- diplomacy
- military deadlock
- Iran conflict
- negotiations
- peace plans
Keywords
- diplomacy
- military deadlock
- Iran
- peace plans
- negotiations
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: NPR, Consider This, Apple Podcasts, pcm.adswizz.com
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