[Trump's Message: If No Ceasefire This Week, Conflict Will Escalate]
According to Israel's Channel 13, Trump has conveyed a clear message to the Gulf states involved in mediation: if a ceasefire agreement cannot be reached this week, all parties should prepare for a significant further escalation of the situation. This message was issued following Iran's launch of four missiles toward Jordan and Gulf states on July 19, as well as the United States' air strikes against targets inside Iran that same evening.
Currently, Qatar is playing a central role in mediating the crisis. Essentially, Trump’s message is straightforward: there are only a few days left for diplomacy. If the Gulf states wish to ease tensions, they must intensify their efforts—otherwise, he will resort to military action. In that case, the Gulf countries need to prepare for defense, as Iran’s main targets would be them.
Given the current situation, it appears unlikely that tensions will ease in the coming days. The reason is simple: both sides hold deeply opposing positions regarding the Strait of Hormuz—one demands control and toll collection, while the other insists on freedom of navigation. Furthermore, both the U.S. and Iran have officially declared the end of their "Memorandum of Understanding," accusing each other of breaking trust. With mutual distrust already high, the prospects for future agreements are now even slimmer.
In fact, the conflict between the U.S. and Iran has already escalated significantly. Recently, both sides have begun targeting water infrastructure: the U.S. military bombed an Iranian desalination plant, while Iran retaliated by attacking Kuwait’s desalination facility. Additionally, the U.S. has notified Israel that it will deploy dozens of refueling aircraft to the country in the coming days—further underscoring the imminent risk of escalation.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1871227150641351/
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