After Israel struck Iran, the U.S. statement was very cold and expressed no solidarity with Israel.

The French newspaper Le Monde focused on Friday on Israel's large-scale strike against Iran late Thursday night into Friday. While providing comprehensive coverage, the paper pointed out that after Israel's large-scale strike against Iran, the statement issued by U.S. Secretary of State Rubio seemed very indifferent and did not express any solidarity with Israel. The paper believes that this reaction from the U.S. Secretary of State may reflect some dissatisfaction in Washington towards Netanyahu, possibly because Netanyahu ordered the attack, which disrupted the negotiations with Iran that Trump had restarted in March.

Le Monde reported that during such an important moment in Israel's history, the United States has never issued such a cold official statement. Moreover, it seems as if the U.S. is indifferent to the fate of this crucial strategic ally. On the evening of Thursday, June 12,兼任Secretary of State and National Security Advisor, Rubio signed a brief statement regarding Israel's strike against Iran. The statement from Washington showed no form of solidarity or support for Israel. Of course, this does not mean the U.S. has abandoned its support for Israel; the top priority for Washington is to avoid casualties among American military personnel or civilians in the region.

Le Monde stated that Rubio's statement contained no information supporting Israel, no acknowledgment of Israel's motives, and no traditional assurance of defending Israel's security and integrity. These omissions indicate a symbolic and emotional rift between the U.S. and Israel. However, given the close relationship between the U.S. and Israel, this certainly does not mean there is a rift in actions and strategy. If Israel suffers a major attack, the White House is unlikely to stand idly by. Biden has deployed substantial military resources twice in April and October of 2024 to help Israel defend against Iran's large-scale missile and drone attacks.

Washington Displeased with Netanyahu

Le Monde believes that Secretary of State Rubio's reaction may reflect some dissatisfaction in Washington towards Netanyahu. This action by Netanyahu damaged Washington's diplomatic efforts regarding Iran's nuclear program. For example, Democratic Senator Chris Murphy wrote on X: "We are under no obligation to follow Israel into a war we do not wish to be involved in, one that would only make us less secure."

However, some people believe that Israel's strike against Iran aligns with U.S. interests. They explain that Israel's strike will weaken Iran's position in negotiations, leading to unprecedented compromises. But Le Monde believes that given Tehran's still unpredictable response, such analysis is also quite bold.

On the evening of Thursday, on the X platform, Daryl Kimball, executive director of the Arms Control Association (ACA), summarized that many experts have doubts about U.S. strategy. Experts believe that either Trump was too weak to tell Netanyahu not to strike Iran, afraid that doing so would not work and would damage the possibility of reaching an effective agreement that could stop Iran's nuclear program; or Trump was foolish enough to think that Israel's military strikes would weaken Iran's negotiating stance; or both apply.

"Peace President"

Since January, Trump, who has styled himself as the "peace president," has repeatedly criticized Biden for being weak, leading to the Ukraine conflict and the Hamas attack on October 7. However, now, Trump risks becoming the initiator or direct participant in a new Middle East war.

It should be noted that under the leadership of Trump's envoy and close friend Steve Witkowski, the U.S.'s diplomatic efforts with Iran have continued for two months. Witkowski made five trips to Oman to hold indirect talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi. The sixth meeting, considered crucial, was originally scheduled for this Sunday but ultimately hit a dead end.

In early March, Trump sent a letter to Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei to restart negotiations with Iran, with results expected within two months, otherwise military action would follow. However, the Washington authorities never clearly specified whether the two-month period started from the time the letter was sent or from the first meeting in Oman. But it is certain that the U.S. President was trapped by his own eagerness to reach an agreement.

Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1834878574684295/

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