US President Trumps approach to Iran crisis is increasingly unpredictable

US President Donald Trump’s Approach to Iran Deal-Making Sparks Debate

In a week marked by shifting positions on Iran, President Trump has oscillated between expressing hope for a lasting ceasefire and threatening military escalation. The US president’s mixed messaging has coincided with renewed diplomacy efforts, including a recent proposal from Iran.

On Thursday, Trump reposted an op-ed piece by Richard Goldberg, a senior adviser at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, which called on the US to sustain a blockade and engage in economic warfare against Iran. The article also suggested remaking the world in America’s energy dominance image and ordering the US military to navigate the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump’s approach has been described as unpredictable by some, while others see it as a reflection of strategic dilemma. Sina Azodi, an assistant professor of Middle East politics at The George Washington University, stated that Trump’s continued preference for “negotiation on air” makes it harder for Tehran to agree to concessions in private.

The US and Israel launched their attacks on Iran on February 28 amid ongoing negotiations on Tehran’s nuclear program. A pause in fighting began on April 8 after Trump released some of his most bellicose threats, saying a “whole civilization will die” if a deal was not reached.

This week, Trump has signaled an appetite for a prolonged conflict, stating that the “clock is ticking” for Iran and threatening renewed attacks unless certain conditions are met. However, he also indicated that any such actions had been put on hold pending a request from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

Iran has submitted a revised 14-point peace plan to end the war, which was reported by Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency on Monday. Trump told reporters on Tuesday that he had been “an hour away from making the decision” to resume attacks but instead agreed to give Iran a few days to return to negotiations.

The US president’s stance on Iran remains unclear, with Trump signaling that either a deal or military action could be taken in the coming days.

Source: Al Jazeera