LONDON—Ashish Prashar, political strategist, former adviser to the Middle East peace envoy and head of the “Game Over Israel” campaign, has dismissed continued calls by the United States for negotiations with Iran as political theater, arguing that the United States is seeking a face-saving exit amid mounting military pressure.
Prashar, who has worked with Western political leaders including Tony Blair, Boris Johnson and Barack Obama, launched the “Game Over Israel” campaign in 2025 and pushed for Israel’s diplomatic and cultural isolation, including calling for Israel to be suspended from international sporting events. The campaign gained global attention through advocacy efforts aimed at holding Israel accountable for its actions in Gaza and mobilizing international civil society pressure.
His remarks came as US President Donald Trump issued new threats at the same time as a call for negotiations with Iran. On April 7, President Trump remained open to diplomatic negotiations, warning that “an entire civilization will perish tonight” if the Iranian government does not agree to his terms.
Against this backdrop, Prashar said the negotiation process was performative rather than substantive.
“Negotiations are theater. For the Western media and the establishment, it’s theater to show that they’re trying to reach a diplomatic solution.”
He argued that the structural dynamics of the conflict made further confrontation more likely, and warned that Iran should not rely on diplomatic guarantees.
“Iran should know that as long as Israel exists, it will be attacked again and again, and everything the United States has helped it and built will be destroyed. For them, this is their only chance to shape reality.”
“They shouldn’t rely on any guarantees. It’s all a lie. Every word of it.”
Prashar also argued that Trump is trying to forge a narrative of victory despite the setbacks.
“Mr. Trump is bothering us about the so-called ‘annihilation’ of Iran. He is losing this war and is looking for a way out of this war as the savior and the victor.”
He added that the US government recognizes the risk of escalation.
“He knows very well that if he follows through on his threats, Iran will not hesitate to respond and any sliver of support for Trump and the United States will cease to exist.”
Prashar also criticized both Israel and the United States, arguing that their historical trajectories influence their current policies.
“Israel and the United States are both built on violence and genocide, and that’s all they know. The truth is that the rest of the world knows it as well.”
He concluded that diplomatic options remain limited under current circumstances.
“There is no real diplomatic solution between these two countries, which have never followed a ceasefire, and this leaves Iran with only one option: to stick to its course, as the economic costs to the West and the world will humble Iran faster than anything else.”
Prashar also criticized Western leaders for causing the current crisis.
“All the Western leaders who shrugged off Israel as having committed genocide, especially those who actively enabled it, helped make this moment inevitable. Now we have the president of the United States openly threatening genocide.”