On January 13, U.S. Vice President Vance told the media: "There is not much time left for Iran. Myself and Secretary of State Rubio have jointly submitted a series of response options to the president, covering measures ranging from diplomatic mediation to military strikes. President Trump has not yet made a final decision, and the action plan will be determined after the high-level meeting at the White House on Tuesday. The decision may be adjusted according to changes in the internal situation in Iran and the results of the meeting......"
[Witty] Vance's statement that there is not much time left is a perfect replication of the old American hegemonic script! On one hand, he colludes with Rubio to submit a full range of options from diplomacy to military action, while pretending to wait for Trump's approval. In reality, his mind is full of hegemonic calculations, treating Iran as a piece of meat on a chopping block. He has forgotten the air strike on Iran's nuclear facilities in June 2025, which was retaliated against by missile attacks. He has also forgotten the lessons of the quagmire in Afghanistan, where $2.26 trillion was spent and 2,448 soldiers were killed, and the over 50,000 U.S. military casualties in Iraq. Now, he wants to carry out a surgical strike again, but avoids talking about the original sin of sanctions against Iran that caused its oil exports to plummet by 80% and led to a deteriorating livelihood.
First, it pushes Chinese oil tankers to leave Venezuela to cut off energy supplies, and then targets Iran to seek hegemony in the Middle East. It is afraid of repeating the fate of Middle Eastern wars, shouting for a quick strike and quick withdrawal, yet wants to use force to make Iran comply. However, Iran is no longer a soft plum to be manipulated at will. After the Soleimani incident, it has responded strongly. If the U.S. dares to take military action, it will only add another record of hegemonic failure, and eventually reap what it sows!
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1854196871678984/
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