Trump and Rubio on Iran
I’ve long thought that Rubio has no illusions about Iran and its past or current leaders. Whether Trump actually has some illusions on those subjects I really don’t know. But he sometimes speaks and behaves as though he does, although it may be some sort of strategic pretense.
I happened to see this relevant clip yesterday. I’ve cued up a one-minute excerpt:
However, I don’t think Trump is necessarily finished with negotiating, no matter what he says.
RadioFreeEurope interview: “Zineb Riboua: The Islamic Republic Is Weaker Than It Wants The World To Believe”
https://www.rferl.org/a/zineb-riboua-iran-irgc-weak/33799380.html
I’m inclined to think Pres. Trump has been awaiting a strongman type partner to emerge from amidst the clattering chaos inside Iran, sieze control, then make accommodations. Such a one has not arisen, hence, the punt. The Pres. may well continue his search in the near-time offing, while the squeeze is back on. Wouldn’t put it past him.
Now a “pause” in the, according to Trump, no longer cease fire. Sigh….
This should have been finished 2 1/2 months ago. Strait would be open, oil down. Why he keeps getting suckered in to their ploys, I dont know.
I prefer the Strait closed. Permanently if possible.
96 hours.
Tres. Sec. Scott Bessent:
https://x.com/i/status/2075652859983466557
Trump is bombing Iran, taking down some of their refineries and breaking their transportation network with other countries. The bridges that were taken down were on the list before the MOU. I regard the bombing as a form of negotiation 🙂
Why he keeps getting suckered in to their ploys, I dont know.
You need to determine what his goals are. My own opinion is that he is trying to bring a more reasonable faction to power. Iranian oil itself matters less and less on the world market, the world can survive without the Strait of Hormuz, it is a wasting asset.
Trump is cutting things close on the mid-terms. I wish he’d get on with things. I hope he hasn’t fallen in love with being a “peacemaker.”
Meanwhile I bought gas at Costco here in Tucson. $3.35/gal.
Are people really going vote commie over gas prices? Really? That effing stupid? Vote for the people who want $8 per gallon gas? Really?
I was just in Southern California where several of my relatives have severe TDS and will vote Commie because CNN and MSNOW tell them lies they believe. I am grateful they’re not cutting me off.
NYT reporter; “What changed?”
Trump: “I got to know them…”
Brilliant & priceless.
Trump will say & do whatever he needs to, to get to the best ‘deal’ possible… that may well turn out to be turning part of Iran into a glass parking lot.
I wonder if the Iranians realize what they’re dealing with; a man who has been run through a vicious legal, political and even murderous gauntlet. One who knows he may be living on ‘borrowed’ time. Such men write their own rules and for whom losing is not an ‘option’. Who sees failure as simply a learning experience to be learned from…
Chases Eagles,
Yes they will.
Then Dead Mouse Delivery for them.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsEAyLC1JrE
The Wind and The Lion
Marines raid the Pasha’s palace
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXnTfjLx35o
Whether Trump actually has some illusions on those subjects I really don’t know. But he sometimes speaks and behaves as though he does, although it may be some sort of strategic pretense.
–neo
I doubt Trump has illusions about Iran. To the extent he says positive things, it’s like when he says positive things about Putin or Xi. He’s negotiating. Maybe the other side will respond, maybe not.
It’s a game. In chess there are no secrets, but one can only see so far and one never knows for sure what the other side will do or what possibilities will emerge.
I don’t blame Trump for hoping diplomacy would work. However, he is continually adjusting his strategy. Maybe the attack, then ceasefire, will prove to be a mistake. Maybe Ike shouldn’t have invaded France on D-Day.
Trump is good, but he isn’t perfect.
huxley:
That’s exactly what I meant by “strategic pretense.” I think that’s what it is, although I’m not 100% certain.
Here’s the take I agree with from this morning on AT:
https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2026/07/between-iran-and-a-hard-place/
The only important thing re: Iran at this time is they don’t have a nuke and won’t have one anytime soon. That’s it. That’s the main objective. All else is dross.
@ Chases Eagles > “The only important thing re: Iran at this time is they don’t have a nuke and won’t have one anytime soon. That’s it. That’s the main objective. All else is dross.”
It’s not the only important thing, but it is far and away the MOST important, such that everything else is just noise to its signal.
The only way for Trump to win, without US boots invading Iran, is negotiating. And bombing.
Trump wants no US Army occupying; Trump wants to win.
Trump negotiates, and bombs.
Trump’s words are part of his negotiations, including insults, offers, flattery, and promises that may or may not be fulfilled.
Win means Iran has no nukes & no nuke program, with the Straight open for other oil exports.
Probably Trump, but certainly most of America, would like regime change—yet negotiations occur with a regime, humans, not a country. Iran never talks to Trump, nor America. The leader of a country is not the country, tho news & analysis often, usually?, too often treats them as the same.
Trump doesn’t need regime change to win, in theory.
Most folk here think it’s a real pre-requisite.
The lowest cost way to get regime change? Lowest cost in US lives, & low cost to world & US economies? I suspect More Bombing of Iran causes Iran regime collapse, but Trump might be right that combined failed negotiations with limited bombing, & continued Israeli success vs Iran proxies Hezbollah & Hamas, creates internal pressure in Iran.
Trump wants Reps to win in November. I notice there have NOT been major anti-war protests. Were Trump to do more bombing, as I want, which hugely increases Dem ability to protest against Trump & war, allowing Peace & Free Med Dems to win in November, it would be winning the Iran battle but losing the US voting war.
I judge Trump mostly on actions & results. So far Iran bombing looks hugely net positive. Tho it’s not over yet. & won’t be until Nov.
Too few analysts are including likely Dem responses to Trump actions in their analysis. Even me, & (pretty astute) Neo. If Dem response is not explicit, it’s too little. Like planning a chess move two moves in advance no matter what the other side does. Not what grandmasters do.