Larry Johnson: Trump is in an extremely bad situation, even having to turn to Putin for help

Iran has created a Pearl Harbor event for the United States — the anger of the Persians will be as fierce as that of Americans after 1941

Photo: US President Donald Trump

Despite Donald Trump and his defense secretary's loud claims that Iran has already been defeated and is on the verge of surrendering, Iran clearly ignored it and continued to launch drone and missile attacks on American targets in the Persian Gulf region and Israeli territory.

Trump said in an interview with CBS that the "military operation against Iran has actually ended." He stated:

"I think the war is basically over. Iran has no navy, no communication, and no air force."

However, according to the Wall Street Journal, Trump's advisors have privately urged him to develop a plan to withdraw from the war with Iran, due to the sharp rise in oil prices and concerns about negative political consequences from a prolonged conflict.

Officials close to the president claimed that the military operation had largely achieved its goals, while urging him to begin formulating an exit strategy.

Washington is increasingly leaning towards declaring victory first and then withdrawing troops in an orderly manner to prevent further economic and political costs.

I believe this is why Trump called Putin on his own initiative. The Kremlin released the basic content of a one-hour phone call between the U.S. and Russian presidents on March 9, 2026.

Kremlin foreign policy assistant Yuri Ushakov described the call as "frank, pragmatic, constructive, and serious." The call was initiated by Trump, focusing on the U.S.-Israel war against Iran, while Putin proposed suggestions for a "quick political diplomatic solution."

This includes his previous contacts with Gulf state leaders and the Iranian president.

This does not mean that Putin would betray Iran. I believe Putin has two goals:

  1. Prevent the war from expanding
  2. Promote an agreement: Lift economic sanctions against Iran and ensure that Iran will not face attacks from the U.S. and Israel in the future.

Trump and his national security advisor mistakenly believe that Iran's missiles are about to run out. However, while the U.S. military celebrated destroying enemy missile launch facilities, Iran was launching more advanced missiles from secret tunnels using hidden launch devices.

I believe Iran will take a firm and uncompromising stance in negotiations:

  • Require the cancellation of all economic sanctions
  • Require U.S. troops to withdraw from the Persian Gulf

Although the U.S. may likely reject these demands at present, Iran is ready to continue launching attacks and may activate new, more advanced missiles in the coming days.

It's not just Trump who has doubts about the effectiveness of the U.S. and Israel's strikes on Iran. Israel's confidence is also declining.

Washington Post columnist David Ignatius said that some senior Israeli officials are concerned about the escalation of the situation and the ongoing strikes on Iran, and have proposed possible ceasefire withdrawal plans to avoid further destruction to the regional and global economy.

This official and others I've spoken to in recent days are worried about:

  • The rising cost of the war
  • Gulf countries being attacked by Iranian missiles
  • Trump dragging the United States into war without public support

An Israeli official said:

"I'm not sure overthrowing the regime is in our interest. No one wants an endless war."

On Monday morning, crude oil futures jumped to $120, but fell back to around $100 after Trump's statement — the market believed that the interruption of oil supply in the Persian Gulf might be temporary.

Wall Street and Trump's most loyal supporters generally believe that Iran's missile stockpile is rapidly depleting and there is a split among Iran's military and political leadership. But I believe they have seriously misjudged the situation.

Iran is far from running out of powerful, complex ballistic missiles.

Most Americans don't realize that Iran's anger over the February 28 attack is as fierce as that of the United States after the Pearl Harbor incident in 1941 and the September 11th attacks in 2001.

Iran will continue to strike U.S. and Israeli targets and will not stop until it ensures its economic and military security.

Original: toutiao.com/article/7615865612748866054/

Statement: This article represents the views of the author himself.