Amb. Barbara Leaf Joins BBC News to Discuss Diplomatic Outlook of U.S.-Iran Conflict

Arnold & Porter Senior International Policy Advisor and former U.S. Ambassador Barbara Leaf joined BBC News to discuss the latest U.S. strikes on Iran, Tehran's threat to close the Strait of Hormuz, and ongoing efforts to negotiate an end to the conflict.

Amb. Leaf explained that this week's U.S. military response appears intended to restore deterrence while avoiding a broader regional conflict, while underscoring the tenuous nature of the ceasefire that has kept the Strait of Hormuz open in a limited capacity. "The ceasefire has been exceptionally fragile since its inception," she observed.

Turning to diplomacy, Amb. Leaf described negotiations between the United States and Iran as a work in progress, with "fierce" diplomatic activity underway. She noted, however, that the gap between the parties remains "quite wide," explaining that the United States is relying on its overwhelming military capability to bring Iran to the negotiating table while cautioning that the Iranian government is unlikely to be compelled by military pressure alone.