India, May 31 -- Escalating US-Iran hostilities risk deepening global instability without delivering decisive military or political outcomes.

Introduction

For years, President Donald Trump had castigated his predecessors for plunging the country into "forever wars" in the Middle East. The war on Iran may not last forever, but he is now finding it very hard to find an exit from a conflict that never panned out as envisaged.

President Trump's declaration that he is making a "final determination" on a proposed agreement with Iran has pushed the latest round of diplomacy to a critical moment. But as he continues to suggest a deal with Iran is close, he finds himself caught between two extremes: Tehran's demand for an end to attacks and fin...