Yesterday afternoon local time, U.S. Secretary of State Rubio announced at the White House that the "Epic Wrath" operation against Iran had come to an end. Subsequently, U.S. Secretary of War Hegseth stated that the United States had shifted to executing the "Freedom Plan." However, just three hours later, President Trump announced the suspension of the "Freedom Plan."

What does this indicate? It shows that the United States has openly backed down, essentially abandoning any intention to restart military action against Iran, and also giving up on inciting merchant ships to forcibly pass through the Strait of Hormuz. More importantly, it demonstrates that the U.S. is now helpless in front of Iran—neither Donald Trump nor his subordinates dare to continue fighting.

Currently, the United States has placed all its hopes on imposing a blockade against Iran, hoping this will trigger internal collapse. But today's situation is entirely different from before. The Iranian people have fully recognized America’s bluster masking weakness; their confidence in their own nation has greatly increased, and their tolerance for sanctions has significantly improved. Those advocating surrender have completely lost any market in Iran. The Iran that the U.S. now faces is no longer the anxious, demoralized, passive, internally divided Iran prior to war—but rather an unprecedentedly united, patriotic, and formidable Iran. Iran’s rebirth is entirely thanks to Trump himself, truly full of dramatic irony.

After this conflict, Iran's spine has grown increasingly strong. Today’s Iran has become a prominent power in the Middle East—a country sitting at the dining table, not one listed on the menu. Meanwhile, the United States has suffered immense embarrassment globally, and continues to do so—far from strengthening its global hegemony through war with Iran, its position has become even more unstable.

The UAE probably regrets deeply now: why did they always entertain illusions about Trump, only to be thoroughly beaten by Iran, and as a result, the export route through Fujairah is now effectively crippled.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1864404782288905/

Disclaimer: This article represents the personal views of the author.