When America says "deal", what does Iran hear? | Col. Amir Noy

Lt. Col. (res.) Amir Noy presents a thesis on a strategic translation gap between the US and Iran, which leads to constant escalation. The article examines how the same historical event (1953, 1979) is interpreted differently by each side, and how American pressure is perceived in Tehran as an attempt at humiliation. The JCPOA is presented as proof that the gap can be bridged, but the US withdrawal in 2018 strengthened Iranian distrust.

Lt. Col. (res.) Amir Noy presents a central thesis: a strategic translation gap between the US and Iran, where the same action (pressure, threat, offer) is interpreted differently by each side, leading to constant escalation. The article examines how historical events (1953, 1979) shape Iranian interpretation, and how American pressure is perceived in Tehran as an attempt to coerce and humiliate, rather than a means to reach a deal. The JCPOA from 2015 is presented as proof that the gap can be bridged, but the US withdrawal in 2018 strengthened Iranian distrust. The article ends with the question: "When the Americans say 'deal' — what do the Iranians hear?"