Investigative journalist Matthew Vadum appeared August 28, 2026, on Egypt’s Al-Qahera News program Muntasaf al-Nahar (Midday) to discuss the stalled U.S.-Iran confrontation, the Strait of Hormuz, failed talks, and the approaching November midterm elections in the United States. (The interview was in Arabic. Vadum was given an interpreter.)

Vadum, joining from Washington, told host Raghda Abu Laila that both sides in a sense are trapped.

“Both sides are caught between a rock and a hard place,” he said. The United States launched major strikes on Iran on February 28.

President Trump has claimed he controls the flow through the strait and that it is open. Vadum disagreed.

“Let me say it is open only to the extent that Iran wants talks,” he said. “And the United States also wants to end this war. However, the talks have failed more than once.”

The United States, Vadum added, appears to be preparing for possible future military action even as it faces shortages of ammunition and weapons. At the same time, Washington has shifted toward economic warfare—new and secondary sanctions, pressure on frozen assets, and a blockade—rather than relying solely on military force.

Iran, he argued, is an experienced and tough negotiator that does not want a quick end to the conflict. Tehran sees the war as an opportunity and understands that protracted fighting is hurting the Republican Party’s prospects ahead of the November elections.

“I don’t think Iran wants to end the war quickly,” Vadum said.

Trump, he noted, wants the war over as soon as possible. Iran knows the political calendar and may try to use it.

On the economic front, Vadum said Washington is pursuing “maximum pressure” to force Tehran back to the table. The damage is real: fewer ships are moving through Hormuz than before the war, a reported one-third drop in Iran’s trade, higher inflation, and rising unemployment. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has acknowledged some of the pain. Vadum cautioned, however, that real power in Iran does not rest with the president.

“The Iranian president has never had real power; rather, power lies in the hands of others, such as the Revolutionary Guard,” he said.

Sanctions have been in place for decades without producing surrender, Vadum observed. Economic pressure may take a long time to bear fruit, if it works at all. Iran, meanwhile, continues to use propaganda to claim it can outlast the United States.

The clips from the appearance are here:

Short clip:

Longer segment clip: