Why should Iran and the United States negotiate directly?

A report published by the Iranian reformist newspaper "Sharq", published on December 16, 2025, indicates that there is a consensus that Iran is facing difficult economic and social conditions, as the high prices of foreign currencies, gold and food have put the economy in a predicament and caused unrest among the people.

And in these circumstances, the political divisions over how to get out of the status quo have increased, and the fundamental question has arisen: How can this destructive path be stopped and reversed?

In a recent letter, a group of economists stressed the need to eliminate non-productive expenditures from the budget, carry out economic and price reforms without charging vulnerable groups, and gain public confidence through transparency in resources and expenditures.

And while these recommendations are valuable, the question remains: Are these economic measures alone sufficient under current economic, social and psychological conditions? And can it succeed without significant political steps at the domestic and foreign policy levels?

As long as the economic blockade continues as an inflationary tool, and the country remains in a state of suspension between war and peace, with a general sense of confusion, paralysis of the authorities and a lack of hope for the future, economic and political policies alone are unlikely to be sufficient, especially with major challenges such as mismanagement and rampant corruption that require greater opportunity and decisiveness.

In these circumstances, a shift in foreign policy could effectively pull the country out of the danger zone, and allow for major domestic problems to be addressed. The regime has no choice but to seriously consider the possibility of reaching an agreement with the United States.

The report also notes that the United States remains an undisputed economic and military power, and that its economy — which forms the basis of its military capability — continues to outperform other countries’ economies significantly.

For example, between 2008 and 2024, the US economy grew by 120 to 130%, while the European economy grew by 60 to 70%, and the Russian economy grew by only 22%, while China achieved an amazing growth of about 280%.

And yet, U.S. GDP is still around $30 trillion versus China's $18 trillion, and it remains unclear whether China can surpass the U.S. economy.

The report notes that Iran during previous democratic governments in the United States relied on tools such as Type 2 diplomacy, people-to-people contact, indirect negotiations through intermediaries, and even the possibility of reaching an agreement with Trump I within the limits of "reforming the nuclear deal." However, the opportunity for understanding was lost during the Biden administration.

Now, the situation has changed for two reasons: First, Trump has moved quickly toward allocating foreign policy to himself, bypassing diplomats and the National Security Council, and even the secretary of state no longer has an active role.

Secondly, it has bypassed international norms and closed down traditional diplomatic channels, giving no value to traditional procedures. Trump’s perception of Iran’s weakness and loss of its cards also makes the situation more complicated.

Trump believes that his problem with Iran can be solved militarily, and that the rest of the problems are of little importance to the United States. And under these circumstances, Trump is unlikely to show any positive initiative.

And yet, given Israel’s reckless moves, the United States will likely focus on tightening sanctions and exploiting Articles 14 and 15 of the 1929 resolution on ship inspections, increasing economic and social pressure on Iran. Thus, it becomes necessary for Iran to consider the possibility of resolving its problems with the United States through direct and comprehensive negotiations.