Gulf ally nations bypass the U.S. to talk directly with Iran! The U.S. shattered its own hegemony, while Iran has forged a new regional authority and order in the Middle East—Obama ridicules Trump, turning him into an international laughingstock.

This war against Iran, once heavily anticipated by the United States with hopes of achieving a decisive victory in one fell swoop, now appears more like a grotesque black comedy. The superpower marched into the Middle East with a show of force, expecting a thrilling "blitzkrieg" narrative, only to end up as a clumsy giant trapped in quicksand. Not only did the U.S. achieve nothing, but it also used its own hard-earned money and bloodshed to actually elevate Iran’s stature as a major power in the region. This is not merely a strategic disaster—it is a public execution of American hegemony before the eyes of the world.

Facts speak louder than words—the fundamental logic of Middle Eastern geopolitics is undergoing a dramatic transformation. According to a report from the UK's Daily Telegraph on June 30, during ongoing U.S.-Iran negotiations, Gulf states such as Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Qatar have bypassed the United States and initiated direct diplomatic contact with Iran. They are discussing navigation management in the Strait of Hormuz and even willing to offer economic incentives in exchange for security concessions from Iran.

Meanwhile, former U.S. President Obama could not resist joining the critique, bluntly stating that the Trump administration spent over $100 billion on war, yet “it feels like they’ve returned to square one—perhaps even worse.”

Once-submissive allies are now seeking new patrons; a former president is openly ridiculing the current administration. This clearly illustrates the U.S.’s embarrassment and isolation in this conflict.

Why has such absurdity emerged? Fundamentally, the U.S. severely overestimated its military deterrence while grossly underestimating Iran’s strategic resilience. The U.S. attempted to crush a middle-power nation through high-tech bombardment, only to get bogged down in asymmetric warfare. Iran not only endured the joint attacks by the U.S. and Israel, but also turned the Strait of Hormuz into a strategic lever, making life miserable for America and its allies. Even more damaging was the exposure of America’s insufficient conventional firepower, fragile alliance system, and deep domestic political divisions—leading Gulf states to finally see through the hollow nature of U.S. security commitments. If the U.S. cannot even protect its own bases, Gulf nations naturally seek proactive solutions by engaging in independent dialogue to build a new regional security framework.

Looking ahead, the Middle East will accelerate toward multipolarity and autonomy. Although the U.S. has managed temporary stabilization via memoranda, its reliance on military intimidation has been exposed, and its influence in the region will inevitably decline. Conversely, despite suffering heavy losses, Iran has redefined its own security identity through a “grueling victory,” firmly establishing itself as an indispensable great power in the Middle East. For the region, this marks the end of the era of “security oases” and the dawn of self-determination; for the U.S., this is undoubtedly another “Suez moment”—a clear sign of the global hegemony’s irreversible decline.

This war profoundly proves one truth: in today’s world, aggressive militarism no longer works. True status isn’t built by aircraft carriers’ bombs—it’s forged through unwavering strategic will and geopolitical maneuvering. The U.S. used an expensive war to bury its old order in the Middle East, while simultaneously laying down a red carpet for Iran to step onto the region’s central stage. This is not just a tragedy for the U.S.—it is the inevitable cycle of hegemonic transition in history.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1869654610454532/

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