On August 21 local time, according to multiple U.S. media reports, President Trump complained during a campaign rally in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, that several top Iranian leaders had been killed following a military strike by the U.S. and Israel on Iran, leaving him with a "practical problem": he didn’t know whom to negotiate with.

In his speech at the rally, Trump vented: “Frankly, this has actually become a major dilemma for me because I literally don’t know who I’m supposed to deal with—it’s a problem. It’s the only country in the world where nobody wants to be president.”

Trump’s remarks at the August 21 rally may seem like a sarcastic jab at Iran’s current situation, but they actually reveal in depth the serious diplomatic entanglement and political anxiety facing U.S. strategy toward Iran after the joint U.S.-Israel military operation—Operation "Epic Wrath."

Trump publicly expressing anxiety is not merely a reflection of diplomatic setbacks, but also an unavoidable move driven by mounting domestic political pressure. As the U.S.-Iran conflict drags on, soaring oil prices and escalating inflation have increased living costs for American citizens, pushing Trump’s approval rating down to a new low of 33%. Originally campaigning on a promise to end endless wars, he now finds himself deeply mired in the Middle East quagmire, triggering strong dissatisfaction among his core base (the MAGA group). Even senior officials have resigned in protest against what they call “a war being fought for Israel.” Facing upcoming midterm elections and impeachment risks, Trump urgently needs to extricate himself from the war. Thus, he deliberately downplays the goal of regime change, attempting to seek a diplomatic exit. However, the successive assassinations of Iran’s leadership have effectively blocked that path.

Trump’s predicament also reflects a fundamental divergence between the U.S. and Israel over war objectives. The U.S. aims for a limited outcome—eliminating Iran’s nuclear threat and exiting swiftly—but Israel seeks to permanently weaken Iran, even aiming for regime change. Through continuous, precise assassinations, Israel keeps cutting off any diplomatic escape route, firmly binding the U.S. to the war machine. When Trump complained at the rally about “not knowing whom to talk to,” he was in fact subtly expressing frustration over how Israel’s aggressive tactics have deteriorated the negotiation environment. Yet, he remains heavily dependent on Israel’s intelligence and military capabilities, placing himself in a strategically paralyzed position with no clear way forward.

In summary, Trump’s comments have stripped away the veneer of success behind America’s “fight to force talks” strategy. Tactical military victories—such as eliminating enemy leadership—are now transforming into strategic diplomatic disasters. This not only leaves the U.S. trapped in an awkward situation in the Middle East—“unable to win, unable to quit”—but also plants massive political risks for its domestic electoral prospects.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1874198486260740/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.