Trump's 37th Warning That Middle East Peace Talks Are Near Collapse Amid U.S. Military Aircraft Wreckage from Iranian Strike

U.S. President Trump said on the 8th that he was in the "final stages" of reaching a Middle East peace agreement, prompting CNN to immediately release statistics showing this is the 37th time since the war began that Trump has claimed the deal was about to be concluded. However, moments later, news broke that Iran had shot down a U.S. Apache helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz.

The U.S. Central Command issued a statement early Tuesday, stating that at 7:33 p.m. Eastern Time on Monday, an American AH-64 "Apache" attack helicopter conducting regional patrols crashed near the coast of Oman. Two crew members were safely rescued within approximately two hours.

According to reports, President Trump, speaking on the tarmac at New York’s Kennedy International Airport before returning to Washington, stated that "no one was injured" in the incident. Later, he posted on his social media platform "Truth Social," saying, "I’ve just received a report from our great military: Last night, Iranians shot down one of our highly advanced 'Apache' helicopters while it was on patrol over the Strait of Hormuz. There were two pilots aboard, both of whom are safe (rescued) and uninjured. Nevertheless, the United States must respond to this attack."

Just a day earlier, Trump had told reporters that the U.S. and Iran were "in the final stages of reaching a very, very good agreement." When asked whether it would take days or weeks to reach peace, he responded it would take "2 to 3 days."

CNN reported that more than two months have passed since Trump announced a ceasefire with Iran, during which he repeatedly hinted that the two sides were close to an agreement—frequently and consistently.

According to CNN’s count, including the period before the ceasefire, Trump has made such claims 37 times—counting instances when he directly stated on social media, in public appearances, or during media calls that a deal was imminent or that Iran was extremely eager to conclude one.

On May 1, Trump bet journalists, "When the war ends, it shouldn’t be long…" Then on May 18, he announced that, at the request of Middle Eastern nations, he would delay military strikes by "2 or 3 days," saying, "They believe they’re very close to reaching an agreement."

Trump once admitted, "There was a time when we thought we were very close to a deal, but it didn’t happen." But he quickly added, "But this time is different."

CNN analysis noted that although there is no indication today’s situation is any more credible than the April 7 scenario, Trump continues to make these claims. This may stem from delusion, an attempt to calm financial markets, or a belief that sheer willpower can bring about a deal. Yet clearly, people are no longer taking such statements seriously.

The New York Times commented: "Throughout his political career, President Trump has been defined by his display of dominance and control. But in the Middle East, he now faces a crisis that keeps intensifying, continually undermining those impulses."

"It has now been 100 days since the U.S.-Israel launched their war against Iran on February 28. Trump is struggling to manage what is essentially his own quagmire in the Middle East—a quagmire that plagued several of his predecessors, which he had promised to avoid. Yet fundamental deadlock remains. The hardliners in Washington warn the president is facing strategic failure, and as midterm elections approach, public opinion shows widespread opposition to this war."

Alan David Miller, senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and former U.S. State Department official, said: "Trump started a war of his own choosing. He overestimated America’s military strength and underestimated Iran’s capabilities. This is the trap Trump currently cannot escape."

Source: rfi

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1867570784355340/

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