Fawaz Gerges

Is it really basically to find a solution to Iran's nuclear program?

And I think that's feasible, that's doable.

President Erdogan and the Russian president and the Qataris and the Saudis and the Omanis have made it very clear that Iran is willing to compromise.

Or is it really about regime change?

My take on it is that Iran has a weaker hand.

Iran is vulnerable.

Iran is internally besieged.

And President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu believe this is a golden opportunity to strike a fatal blow.

So if this is really the overarching aim of President Trump, I don't think we're going to see any compromise.

And that's why there's a race against time between a diplomatic breakthrough and war.

And the next few hours and next few days will show what side the situation will have.

Extremely worrying.

Because, I mean, any confrontation between the United States and Iran will not...

be a bilateral war.

The Iranians are besieged.

They're vulnerable.

They're going to lash out because they realize that President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are coming for them.

And that's why the Arab states, even Iran's historical rivals like Saudi Arabia

and the United Arab Emirates.

Everyone really wants a solution because the Middle East cannot really afford another war.