Middle East experts say U.S.-Iran deal talks remain difficult amid ongoing conflict, in PBS interview

U.S. and Iran continue to face a strained relationship as the two governments remain locked in a broader period of confrontation, and that backdrop is shaping how outside experts view the feasibility of a new U.S.-Iran deal. In a PBS NewsHour interview aired June 11, 2026, correspondent Amna Nawz spoke with two analysts, retired Army colonel Joel Rayburn of the Hudson Institute and Suzanne Maloney of the Brookings Institution, to assess prospects for negotiations.

Rayburn, a former U.S. Army colonel who is now at the Hudson Institute, and Maloney, who previously served in the State Department during the George W. Bush administration and now works at Brookings, addressed “the latest developments” in the U.S.-Iran conflict. The interview focused on how those developments could affect whether the sides are able to reach an agreement, as well as what obstacles would likely have to be overcome.

Because the interview is structured as an assessment rather than a report of a specific new proposal or decision by either government, it does not, in the published preview text, specify particular terms under discussion or document formal negotiation milestones. Instead, it frames the debate around the overall environment for diplomacy and the practical constraints analysts say can determine whether talks move forward.

The experts’ institutional perspectives differ, but both are positioned to weigh U.S. policy and regional security implications. Rayburn’s background in the U.S. military and security community, and Maloney’s prior diplomatic experience inside the U.S. government, underscore the interview’s dual focus on security dynamics and the policy process that typically governs how U.S. administrations approach engagement with Iran.

With U.S.-Iran tensions continuing, the next steps for any potential deal would depend on actions taken by the governments, including whether official channels advance negotiations, how any confidence-building measures are designed, and whether the parties can align on verifiable commitments. For the public, the practical issue is that any agreement, or the absence of one, can affect risks related to regional stability and the enforcement of U.S. policy instruments aimed at Iran.

The PBS interview offers a timely snapshot of how two prominent Washington analysts assess the current diplomatic landscape, while leaving room for developments beyond the conversation, including any official statements or negotiation updates from U.S. and Iranian officials.