Turin, 27 July (LaPresse) – US President Donald Trump finds himself at yet another crossroads in relations with Iran. But every time he reaches such a point, his options narrow further and further and the costs rise. This is according to CNN. On Sunday, the Trump administration explained that the pause in air strikes – now extended to three nights, following 13 consecutive nights of bombing – was intended to create space for diplomacy, whilst warning that it was “ready for action” in the event of a possible new escalation. There are some signs of diplomatic activity. Iran has stated that, in recent days, it has hosted talks at the level of deputy foreign ministers with Oman. However, so far there is no indication that the Islamic Republic intends to back down on its main demand: control of maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz. The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmaeil Baghaei, stated in a televised press conference that no talks are currently taking place with the United States and that Tehran “will never allow the United States to dictate the timing of war and peace”. Trump finds himself once again in a familiar situation. He has sought to force Iran to make concessions by stepping up attacks. But this plan is no more successful now than it was after the first phase of the fighting. Almost five months into a war he had said would last only a few weeks, Trump continues to try to create room for manoeuvre against Tehran. Yet it is precisely this strategy that seems to be leaving him with ever less room for manoeuvre.
Iran: media report Trump at a crossroads, options narrowing and costs rising
Turin, 27 July (LaPresse) – US President Donald Trump finds himself at yet another crossroads in relations with Iran. But every time he reaches such a point, his options narrow further and further and the costs rise. This is according to CNN. On Sunday, the Trump administration explained that the pause in air strikes – now extended to three nights, following 13 consecutive nights of bombing – was intended to create space for diplomacy, whilst warning that it was “ready for action” in the event of a possible new escalation. There are some signs of diplomatic activity. Iran has stated that, in recent days, it has hosted talks at the level of deputy foreign ministers with Oman. However, so far there is no indication that the Islamic Republic intends to back down on its main demand: control of maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz. The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmaeil Baghaei, stated in a televised press conference that no talks are currently taking place with the United States and that Tehran “will never allow the United States to dictate the timing of war and peace”. Trump finds himself once again in a familiar situation. He has sought to force Iran to make concessions by stepping up attacks. But this plan is no more successful now than it was after the first phase of the fighting. Almost five months into a war he had said would last only a few weeks, Trump continues to try to create room for manoeuvre against Tehran. Yet it is precisely this strategy that seems to be leaving him with ever less room for manoeuvre.
