Iran again – plus TDS
In a development that should surprise no one, Iran responded to the latest US offer and Trump has declared it “totally unacceptable” (in all caps):
“I have just read the response from Iran’s so-called ‘Representatives.’ I don’t like it — TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
The president also warned the country against “playing games” after Tehran refused to discuss its nuclear program in its latest response to America’s peace proposal through Pakistani mediators.
Trump slammed the rogue Mideast country for delaying negotiations historically, ranting on the social platform.
“Iran has been playing games with the United States, and the rest of the World, for 47 years (DELAY, DELAY, DELAY!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
Iran reportedly offered some small possible concessions on its nuclear program and nuclear material, but nothing close to what the US is demanding, and only after fighting ends and the Strait opens.
So, what now? Those who trust Trump believe he’s got a plan. Those who have contempt for him believe he’s in over his head and is just flailing around. I am one of those who think there’s a plan, and some of it involves the increased economic pressure on Iran that’s been going on for quite some time, plus the current ceasefire that resets the time schedule for the need for Congressional approval. Beyond that I cannot say.
This idea that Trump’s planfulness or lack thereof is in the eye of the beholder is perfectly illustrated in this short clip I’ve cued up of Sam Harris, someone who generally is quite clear-eyed on the topic of Iran and Islamic jihadism and the need to defeat it, but who hates Trump with the heat of a thousand suns and therefore can give him no credit for anything. As with so many Trump-haters, Harris fairly drips with contempt for Trump, and makes assertions about him (and the US and Europe) that I find preposterous but that I’ve heard from friends of mine who are Trump-haters:
NOTE: Harris also gets what Trump said about Ukraine “starting it” wrong; I happen to have written a post on the subject and you can find it here.
I hope we are on top of this:
https://www.timesofisrael.com/russia-said-to-be-sending-iran-drone-parts-via-caspian-sea-bypassing-hormuz-blockade/
I vey much fear that Russia and China would love to get more lethal weapons into Iran. The playbook is obvious – turn popular sentiment in the U.S. against the war. It would likely only take a few casualties to do so.
Trump may wait until he returns from his meeting with Xi, but otherwise I believe it’s Game On again. I know Israel is impatient and I suspect many in the US military are likewise.
Ret. Gen. Jack Keane on Fox has never wavered from “Finish the job.”