Less than a month after signing a ceasefire, Iran and the United States are back at odds, with each side accusing the other of breaking the deal. The core problem, according to analyst Ali Vaez, is that neither country views the other as a reliable negotiating partner. Main Developments Both Tehran and Washington are now trying to enforce their own interpretation of the ceasefire agreement, Vaez told Al Jazeera. Neither side can deliver a knockout blow at an acceptable price, yet neither is ready to make the uncomfortable concessions needed for lasting peace. President Donald Trump has grown frustrated with the diplomatic process because it is not producing the kind of quick results he prefers, Vaez added. This impatience has contributed to the renewed hostilities. Read also: Thousands flee South Africa as xenophobic attacks surge Background The ceasefire agreement was signed last month after months of escalating tensions. The deal was intended to halt direct military clashes between the two longtime adversaries, but it left key disagreements unresolved. Ali Vaez, director of the Iran Project at the International Crisis Group, has closely tracked the negotiations. He notes that both sides acknowledge they have no choice but to engage in diplomacy, yet neither is willing to make the first move. Why It Matters The breakdown of the ceasefire risks a return to open conflict in a region already scarred by decades of proxy wars and direct confrontations. For ordinary Iranians and Americans, renewed hostilities could mean higher oil prices, increased military deployment, and a new wave of regional instability. If the two sides cannot find common ground, the window for a negotiated settlement may close entirely, leaving only the option of escalation. What's Next Neither side has signaled a willingness to compromise, suggesting the current stalemate could persist. Vaez warns that until both Tehran and Washington see each other as reliable partners, any ceasefire will remain fragile. Diplomatic channels remain open, but without a shift in attitudes, the agreement may continue to unravel piece by piece.