President Donald Trump has extended the negotiation window, pushing the deadline for potential strikes on Iranian power plants from March 27 to April 6, citing that ongoing talks are "going very well." However, despite this pause, the following six factors illustrate why Washington cannot simply dictate ceasefire terms to Tehran:

Leverage over Global Energy: Iran’s control of the Strait of Hormuz is its ultimate deterrent.

Deeply Misaligned Objectives: There is a structural mismatch in what both sides want.

The Trust Deficit: Decades of diplomatic friction have left Tehran highly skeptical of Washington’s word.

Domestic Inflationary Pressure: Rising crude prices have already fueled inflation in the US, forcing the Federal Reserve into a tight monetary stance.

Financial Market Volatility: Increasing US Treasury yields have raised government borrowing costs. The cost of War will be too much.

Strong Regional Alliances: Partnerships with Russia, China, and Syria