The Islamabad peace talks have collapsed, dashing hopes of a near-term end to the Iran war. Buoyed, no doubt, by January’s near-flawless operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of Nicolás Maduro, Donald Trump authorised Operation Epic Fury, launching joint strikes with Israel on Iran on February 28 — expecting similarly swift and decisive results.
However, the conflict shows no sign of abating — and even the current 14-day ceasefire is beginning to look increasingly fragile. Trump has maintained a combative posture toward Iran, his rhetoric hardening as the war drags on. What was intended as a display of overwhelming force has instead drawn Washington deeper into a confrontation with no clear end in sight.
