(Image source from: PTI)
U. S. President Donald Trump is close to making an important choice about Iran, as his senior advisors are preparing plans to restart airstrikes if he decides to use military action to end the current lack of progress in diplomacy, according to The New York Times. Trump has just come back from a trip to China. Other countries are working to create a deal that would reopen the crucial Strait of Hormuz and allow Trump to announce a political success before the U. S. elections, but he has held his ground. “I reviewed it, and if the first sentence doesn’t appeal to me, I simply discard it,” Trump mentioned to journalists on Air Force One after departing from Beijing, as he dismissed Iran’s recent offer for peace. This rise in tensions follows Trump's discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping. China is an important ally for Tehran and depends significantly on energy deliveries through the Strait of Hormuz. Although Trump acknowledged he spoke with President Xi regarding Iran, he stated he did not request China to pressure Tehran. Meanwhile, the Pentagon is getting ready for all possible scenarios. The New York Times reported that military planners are preparing to possibly restart Operation Epic Fury, possibly under a different name, after the ceasefire from the previous month.
Intelligence reports in the region indicate a shift towards increased tensions, with two officials from the Middle East speaking anonymously to the American newspaper that U. S. and Israeli forces are currently involved in their largest joint training exercises since the ceasefire, setting up for possible strikes as soon as the following week. Trump mentioned that the U. S. and China have agreed that "Iran can't possess nuclear arms" and that the Strait of Hormuz needs to be reopened, as reported. “I hold a lot of admiration for him. Regarding Iran, he strongly believes that they should not have nuclear weapons and stated it emphatically; they must not have nuclear weapons, and he wishes for them to reopen the strait. But as he pointed out, when they shut it down, they face consequences from us. This is true; we (the U. S.) have control over the strait, and for the past two and a half weeks, they (Iran) have conducted no business, which amounts to around $500 million each day,” Trump explained. In exchange, Trump noted that Xi does not wish to see a "struggle for independence" in Taiwan, as it would result in significant confrontation. “Our stay was great; it was a memorable time. President Xi is an exceptional individual. We had extensive conversations about Taiwan. He strongly believes they should not interfere with what is taking place. He is quite opposed to their actions. We discussed Taiwan and Iran at length, and I feel we have a solid understanding on both topics. ”
Taiwan was the most crucial subject for China during the discussions. Xi privately cautioned Trump that disagreements over the self-governing island, which Beijing asserts as its territory, could lead to clashes or conflict between the U. S. and China, according to Reuters.
