Trump and Iran: A review of the options of power and diplomacy
Former US President Donald Trump, in remarks reflecting the escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran during his presidency, asserted that he had “many ways out” of any potential military confrontation with Iran, indicating his ability to control the duration of the conflict, making it either long or short. These remarks came in an interview with Israel’s Channel 12, where Trump accused Iran of backing out of imminent negotiations, claiming it lacked a “genuine desire” to reach an agreement.
Tense context and historical background
These statements come at the height of the “maximum pressure” policy adopted by the Trump administration after its unilateral withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal (the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) in 2018. This withdrawal aimed to force Iran to negotiate a new, more comprehensive agreement addressing its ballistic missile program and regional influence. The policy led to the reimposition of crippling economic sanctions on Tehran, causing a sharp decline in the Iranian economy and increasing hostility between the two countries.
During that period, the Arabian Gulf region witnessed a series of serious incidents, including attacks on oil tankers, Iran's downing of a US reconnaissance drone, and attacks targeting Saudi oil facilities – events that Washington and its allies blamed on Iran and its proxies in the region.
The importance of the statements and their potential impact
Trump's statements carried multiple messages directed at different parties. Domestically, they aimed to portray him as a strong leader unafraid of confrontation, yet keen to avoid involvement in protracted and costly wars—a stance consistent with his campaign promises. Internationally, the message to Iran and its allies was that all options remained on the table, including swift and decisive military action.
In this context, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) in the Middle East announced that its forces successfully repelled Iranian missile and drone attacks, asserting that damage to US sites was “limited” and that no American soldiers were killed. This military announcement was intended to bolster the political stance and underscore the US military’s readiness to deter any Iranian aggression and defend its interests and those of its allies in the region. This has further complicated the regional landscape and heightened concerns among neighboring countries about the outbreak of a full-scale confrontation that could destabilize the entire Middle East and disrupt global energy supplies.
