US was "outplayed" by Iran in talks, former diplomats tell FT

Former U.S. diplomats have criticised President Donald Trump's handling of negotiations with Iran, arguing that sidelining experienced career officials weakened Washington's position after a memorandum of understanding between the two countries broke down.

Trump relied on close confidants to help broker last month's memorandum of understanding with Iran, but the agreement has since largely collapsed as the United States and Iran resumed exchanging military strikes. Critics have argued that the deal's fragility, as well as terms they say favoured Tehran, reflected the administration's decision to bypass experienced diplomats, officials told Financial Times.

“You need that kind of apolitical career expertise to be able to compete with, in this case, Iranian negotiators, who I know from personal experience are deeply versed in the issues,” said Bill Burns, who served in the U.S. Foreign Service for 32 years, including as ambassador to Russia and deputy secretary of state, before leading the CIA under President Joe Biden.

“The same is true if we ever get to a point of serious negotiation on Russia and Ukraine.”

Yael Lempert, a 27-year veteran of the State Department who was dismissed as U.S. ambassador to Jordan on the first day of Trump's second term, offered a more direct assessment.

“We were outplayed,” she said. “The Iranians are experienced negotiators and they brought teams of experts with them who knew these issues inside and out. The US did not, and so unilaterally put our side at a disadvantage.”

The United States and Israel launched military operations against Iran on February 28. In June, Washington and Tehran signed a memorandum of understanding providing for an immediate cessation of hostilities on all fronts, including in Lebanon. However, on the night of July 8, the United States resumed large-scale strikes on Iran, accusing Tehran of violating the agreement relating to the Strait of Hormuz.

By Sabina Mammadli