The ongoing conflict between the US and Iran has been a long and tumultuous one, with both sides engaging in a delicate dance of diplomacy and aggression. Despite numerous attempts at negotiation, a lasting peace has proven elusive, and the two nations have found themselves on the precipice of war on multiple occasions. As the US-Israel war on Iran enters its 100th day, it's worth examining the various instances in which a deal seemed within reach, only to ultimately fall apart.

One of the most notable examples of a near-miss came in 2015, when the US, Iran, and several other world powers signed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), commonly known as the Iran nuclear deal. The agreement, which limited Iran's nuclear program in exchange for relief from economic sanctions, was hailed as a major breakthrough and a potential turning point in US-Iran relations. However, the deal's implementation was short-lived, as the US withdrew from the agreement in 2018 under the presidency of Donald Trump, citing concerns over Iran's ballistic missile program and regional activities.

Since then, there have been several attempts to revive the JCPOA or negotiate a new agreement, but these efforts have been met with limited success. In 2020, the US and Iran engaged in a series of indirect talks, with European diplomats serving as intermediaries. While these talks showed promise, they ultimately stalled due to disagreements over the sequencing of sanctions relief and nuclear restrictions. More recently, the US and Iran have been engaged in a prisoner swap, which some see as a potential confidence-building measure that could pave the way for more substantive negotiations. However, the ongoing conflict has created a challenging environment for diplomacy, and it remains to be seen whether the two sides can find a way forward.

As the US-Israel war on Iran continues, the need for a diplomatic solution has never been more pressing. The conflict has already resulted in significant human suffering and economic damage, and the longer it persists, the greater the risk of escalation and unintended consequences. While the history of US-Iran relations is marked by numerous false starts and failed negotiations, there are still reasons to believe that a deal can be reached. Both sides have expressed a desire to avoid a wider conflict, and there are potential areas of common ground, such as a shared interest in combating extremist groups in the region. However, finding a way out of the current impasse will require creativity, flexibility, and a willingness to compromise – qualities that have been in short supply in recent years.