On April 1, Trump posted: "The new Iranian president appears less radical and far wiser than his predecessor. He has just made a ceasefire request to the United States of America! We will consider it only when the Strait of Hormuz is open, free, and unobstructed. Until then, we will completely crush Iran—or as some put it, bring it back to the Stone Age!!! President Donald J. Trump"
From this tweet by Trump, one recalls today's report from Israel's Times website: "A 'military committee' composed of senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) officers has effectively taken control of the country, vetoing President Pezeshkian's appointments and severing his connections with Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei."
Linking the two statements, it seems no coincidence. As a moderate figure within the Iranian regime, President Pezeshkian appears to have been sidelined, reduced to a mere symbolic figurehead. Rumors that the IRGC controls Iran in practice now seem substantiated.
Trump has repeatedly hinted recently that the new Iranian leader is open to negotiation, suggesting he accepts a ceasefire—a sign that he might be willing to sit at the negotiating table. Now it seems confirmed: that person is Iran’s current president, Pezeshkian.
But Trump should not celebrate too soon. If President Pezeshkian holds no real power, then even if he agrees to talks, what value do they hold? The true power lies with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps—the bedrock and shield of Iran’s hardline stance. This military-political force, which actually governs the nation, will only make Iran more resolute, further diminishing prospects for peace negotiations. Unless the United States accepts their conditions—war reparations, an end to hostilities, and legal guarantees ensuring that neither the U.S. nor Israel will ever again violate Iran’s sovereignty—peace talks will remain futile. Would the U.S. accept such terms?
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1861279273916492/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.