Trump is trapped: he needs to end the unpopular Iran war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, but Iran refuses to back down despite a ceasefire since April 8.
Iran's price for negotiations is steep—likely sanctions relief and unfrozen assets—which conflicts with Trump's desire to claim victory and Republican hawks' opposition.
The Strait closure has crippled global oil supply by 20%, threatening worldwide economies and US petrol prices despite America's reduced Gulf oil dependence.
Trump and Netanyahu fatally underestimated Iran's willingness to resist; military strikes alone won't force the regime to concede its survival.
Gulf Arab states caught in the middle: mediators like Qatar push talks while suffering economic damage from the war's instability.