Today in Focus Trump chickens out on Iran deadline – The Latest
29 snips
Mar 23, 2026 
Patrick Wintour, diplomatic editor at The Guardian, offers concise analysis of US–Iran tensions and diplomatic backchannels. He explains likely intermediated talks, confusing White House messaging, Iran’s escalation choices and control of the Strait of Hormuz. He also outlines humanitarian risks if infrastructure is targeted and the short-term military options on the table.
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Trump's Repeated 'Armageddon Postponed' Pattern
- Donald Trump paused planned strikes and announced a five-day hold, creating repeated cycles of crisis and reprieve.
- Patrick Wintour says this looks like another Trump climbdown with no clear concessions from Iran, leaving high-stakes uncertainty.
Backchannels Through Regional Intermediaries
- Talks likely occurred via intermediaries such as Oman or Turkey rather than direct US–Iran meetings.
- Patrick Wintour suggests initial talks focused on reopening the Strait of Hormuz before possibly broadening into wider US–Iran coexistence.
Markets Move On Trump's Posts
- Markets react directly to Trump's social media signals, causing oil price swings tied to perceived escalation.
- Wintour links Trump's announcements to dramatic oil moves, with prices spiking to about $113 a barrel before falling after the hold.