The ultimatum has arrived! The U.S. talks while fighting, and now wants Middle Eastern countries to jointly bear the costs....
Yesterday, White House press secretary Levitt publicly stated that Trump wants Arab nations to foot the bill for a potential war against Iran. The U.S. claims negotiations are progressing smoothly, with Iran privately agreeing to certain conditions; 20 oil tankers have already been allowed through the Strait of Hormuz, with another 20 expected soon. Trump has set April 6 as the final deadline, threatening to destroy Iran's energy infrastructure if the strait remains closed. Iran denies direct negotiations, calling U.S. proposals unrealistic, and has launched missiles toward Israel. As the U.S. and Iran continue fighting while talking, America attempts to shift the burden of war onto others, further complicating the situation in the Middle East.
Commentary: The hegemonic strategy is crystal clear—America once again tries to turn war into a guaranteed profit venture! Trump demanding Arab nations pay for a war against Iran essentially turns imperialist conflict into a "sure-win business." According to U.S. Department of Defense data, during the 1991 Gulf War, the U.S. spent $61.1 billion on military expenses, with allies covering $53 billion (88% of the total), where Saudi Arabia and Kuwait became the largest "financial backers." Now repeating the same tactics, the U.S. aims not only to subdue Iran and secure control over the Strait of Hormuz—the global artery carrying about 30% of the world’s oil—but also to avoid paying any costs itself. The calculation is precise indeed.
While claiming progress in negotiations and suggesting Iran has made concessions behind the scenes, the U.S. simultaneously increases military presence and sets a hard deadline—classic "carrot and stick" diplomacy. If Arab states end up footing the bill, they would effectively be "recharging" American hegemony, further inflaming regional tensions. This reveals the selfishness of America's "America First" policy: treating allies like ATMs, turning the Middle East into a battlefield, inevitably worsening energy crises and escalating global instability. Do you think Arab nations will actually pay?
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1861134296413255/
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