Ceasefire Talks Collapse Without Agreement
- Strait of Hormuz Remains a Flashpoint
- A War Rooted in Long-Standing Rivalries
- Military Claims vs Ground Reality
Iran refuses to concede as U.S.-Iran talks collapse without a deal. With tensions rising in the Strait of Hormuz and no clear resolution in sight, the 2026 conflict signals a prolonged and destabilizing war with global consequences.
A bigger war is coming
By Justice Markandey Katju
After the 40-day US-Iran war, US President Donald Trump announced a 2-week ceasefire, on condition that the Strait of Hormuz was opened. Iran agreed to this, but again closed the Strait after Israel attacked Lebanon.
Talks between the US and Iranian delegations took place in Islamabad but have failed, as announced by US Vice President Vance, who led the US delegation.
The US delegation has now left for home
The question which everybody is asking is: what now?
My own opinion is that the US-Israeli war against Iran will shortly resume, but on a much bigger scale. These are my reasons :
1. If Iran is allowed to assert its independence and cock a snook against the United States, other underdeveloped countries, which are almost all neo-colonies of the developed countries, having governments which are Western lackeys, e.g. Middle Eastern and Latin American governments which are all US puppets, will also rise up in revolt, under popular pressure, and assert their independence. This will be totally unacceptable to the US government, as it will totally upset the neo-colonial world order established after World War 2, and cause great economic damage to the developed countries, as explained.
Since the Iranians have refused to surrender, the US-Israeli forces are bound to attack them again soon, using even more powerful weapons, possibly even nuclear weapons, in order to crush their independence..
2. As I mentioned in my article , the real ruler of the USA is its big business class, and in this class often the dominant group are the arms manufacturers. These want wars, so that the demand for their products ( weapons ) continues, or even increases, thus giving them more profits.
Even if President Trump wants to end the war he will not be allowed to do so by the U.S. arms manufacturers, the real rulers of America, who thrive on war, as that generates more demand for arms, and thus increases their profits. Peace reduces the demand for weapons, and thus reduces their profits. Trump dare not disobey his masters, the arms manufacturers, in deeds, whatever he may say in words.
3. Unless the Strait of Hormuz is opened to shipping, prices of oil and gas will soar all over the world, including in America.This will cause a strong anti-US Government reaction among the American people ( there have already been huge 'No Kings' demonstrations in many US cities ), and this will further damage the prospects of the Republicans in the coming November mid-term elections to Congress.
The only way to open the Strait of Hormuz is for the US-Israeli forces to attack the region with great force, including using ground troops.
4. Not restarting the war against Iran means admitting defeat, and that too from an underdeveloped country. No big power easily does this, for it amounts to a tremendous loss of face, and thus diminishes its influence in the world.
One may recall that the Americans kept bombing Vietnam almost till the conclusion of the war, with B-52 Operation Linebacker bombings as late as Dececember 1972
So I regret to predict that worse is coming, and the Iranians must be prepared for greater sacrifices.
(Justice Markandey Katju is a former Judge of the Supreme Court of India, and former Chairman of the Press Council of India. The views expressed are his own.)
