Iran left the door open to diplomacy on Friday, six months into a war with the United States that has upended the Middle East, but only if Washington abandons its pressure campaign. "Putting diplomacy back on track isn't impossible. It hinges on US understanding of one simple fact: pressure doesn't work," Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi posted on X on Friday.

As the shape of the conflict has morphed over the last half year, so have its objectives.

There still is no off-ramp in sight despite President Donald Trump's repeated assertions that the war has been won or a deal to resolve it was nearly complete.