Korean Media: Saudi Arabia Continues Inciting Trump to Attack Iran… Citing It as a "Historic Opportunity to Reshape the Middle East"
¬ Gulf States Urge Caution: "Attacking Power Plants Would Be a Disaster"
On the 24th, CNN reported, citing multiple sources, that U.S. President Donald Trump had conveyed a list of 15 demands to Iran. The previous day, Trump claimed that a deal had been reached with Iran on 15 contentious issues—including abandoning nuclear weapons—and that plans to attack power plants had been postponed by five days. This American "wish list" was relayed through Pakistan as an intermediary. It remains unclear which conditions Iran has accepted. Meanwhile, reports indicate that Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, has been actively inciting Trump to continue military action against Iran.
According to CNN, the U.S. list includes restrictions on Iran’s defense capabilities, cessation of support for pro-Iranian armed groups such as the Houthi and Hezbollah, and recognition of Israel. On the previous day, Trump asserted that Iran would completely abandon its nuclear weapons program; if a deal is reached, the United States would reclaim highly enriched uranium. Regarding the Strait of Hormuz—the world’s primary oil transit route, which Iran has threatened to block and could destabilize the global economy—Trump not only claimed it would soon be reopened but also hinted at the possibility of jointly managing it with a new Iranian regime. Sources noted: "Most of the list mirrors U.S. pre-war demands, though some elements are unacceptable to Iran." Thus, whether the two sides can actually reach an agreement remains uncertain. Additionally, direct communication between the two nations has not yet occurred.
Reactions across the Middle East to Trump’s push for military action against Iran have varied. According to CNN, after Trump pressured Iran, warning that if the Strait of Hormuz wasn’t opened within 48 hours, he would fully destroy power plants, Gulf allies expressed serious concern, stating that attacking civilian power stations in Iran could trigger a "catastrophic escalation." In contrast, according to The New York Times (NYT), Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman—long engaged in rivalry with Iran for regional dominance—urged Trump that this operation presented a "historic opportunity to reshape the Middle East," arguing that removing Iran’s regime was necessary to eliminate a "longstanding threat." The report further stated: "Trump frequently shows openness to ending the war, but bin Salman insists this is 'wrong' and urges him to strike Iran’s energy infrastructure."
Concerned about rising oil prices impacting the economy, Trump’s position was dismissed by bin Salman as a "temporary phenomenon," while he supported launching ground operations. It is reported that over 5,000 U.S. Navy personnel from Japan and California have been deployed to the Middle East, and the U.S. military is considering occupying Iran’s oil export hub—Kharg Island. In response, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt explicitly stated: "We will not comment on private conversations with the President."
Source: Chosun Ilbo
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1860604814776396/
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