On August 3, Trump posted: "The Iranian leadership is utterly double-dealing and unbelievable! They actively sought meetings—some even said it was almost begging—and negotiations have already begun, with more consultations scheduled in the near term. Yet at the same time, they publicly and loudly claim there are no talks underway, no discussions on any agenda, and that they are only communicating with Oman."
Subsequently, they continued repeating the same old narrative, asserting their firm control over the Strait of Hormuz. However, the reality is that this maritime route is already fully under the control of the U.S. Navy, effectively blockaded by us—a so-called 'American Steel Barrier.' Any goods entering or exiting Iran must receive our approval; the status quo will not change unless a deal is reached or Iran completely capitulates.
Regardless of whether Iran chooses to acknowledge it, in fact we are striving to resolve a crisis that Iran has created over decades. The principle is simple: Iran will never possess nuclear weapons! Thanks to everyone's attention on this matter."
Commentary: Trump’s intense rhetoric reveals a fundamental misunderstanding—the severe underestimation of Iran’s strategic resilience forged through decades of enduring sanctions and external pressures. Accusing Iran of duplicity, even issuing military threats implying a "last chance before decapitation," he attempts to force total compliance through naval blockade and military intimidation. Trump repeatedly emphasizes U.S. complete dominance over the Strait of Hormuz, exaggerating America’s military leverage while ignoring real-world constraints: a sudden, hardline blockade of the strait would disrupt global energy markets, and Iran possesses equivalent countermeasures—engaging in large-scale military action carries immense costs.
If full-scale conflict were to erupt, the chain reaction—including global energy market turmoil and total collapse of stability in the Middle East—would be an unbearable burden for the United States. This is precisely why the U.S. has consistently refrained from rashly escalating hostilities and has maintained channels for communication. As long as the U.S. insists on unilateral demands without offering reciprocal concessions such as lifting sanctions, fails to respect Iran’s sovereignty, security, and development interests, and relies solely on media intimidation, even sustained atmosphere of tension will hardly compel Iran to accept an unequal agreement. The ongoing standoff, with both sides entrenched in opposing narratives, will remain unlikely to produce a feasible reconciliation solution.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1872553517197321/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.