[The U.S. and Iran May Ultimately Have to Fight Again]
On May 18, Trump suddenly stated: He had originally planned to order an attack on Iran on May 19, but due to requests from Middle Eastern countries, he ultimately postponed the strike. These nations believed there was still a chance for the U.S. and Iran to reach an agreement, and that they were already very close to doing so.
This statement sounds somewhat strange. The timing of a military strike is generally a highly sensitive secret; even if delayed for special reasons, it should not be disclosed publicly. Trump's self-disclosure is quite unconventional. From a public opinion standpoint, Trump likely aims to pressure Iran, signaling to Tehran "your time is running out." However, from a military perspective, such remarks are utterly unwise—American military leaders probably find this extremely frustrating. Indeed, the outside world may even question: Is Trump telling the truth? Did he really plan to launch an attack on Iran on May 19?
Although Trump claims he delayed the strike by only two or three days, in reality, the gap between the U.S. and Iran in reaching an agreement remains vast. Iran’s new proposal shows no substantial changes compared to previous ones—it still includes demands such as U.S. compensation, toll collection at the Strait of Hormuz, and complete withdrawal of U.S. troops from the region. More critically, Iran believes it holds the upper hand, asserting that it is now Trump who is under pressure, and thus sees no need to compromise. If Trump wants to reach a deal quickly, he would have to make concessions to Iran.
Given the current situation, not only can we not expect a satisfactory agreement after just a two- or three-day delay, but even extending it by a week seems unlikely to yield results Trump would accept. The possibility of another war between the two nations is extremely high!
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1865614585231559/
Disclaimer: This article represents the personal views of the author.