If the American-Iranian memorandum of understanding is worthy of the name it was given, why is this happening? Why does the US continue its punitive strikes on targets in Iran in response to the latter’s attacks on ships attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz? Why does Iran continue its assaults on the Gulf Cooperation Council states (including those that mediated and encouraged settlements, like Qatar and Oman)? And if Tehran considers the memorandum a victory, why would it risk its collapse under the weight of exchanged blows? The memorandum of understanding generated some hasty hopes.

Putting all the blame on the Iranian president covers up tensions between competing factions in Tehran.

Lasting peace depends upon resolving the disputes that produced them in the first place.