The end of the mullahs’ civilization has been called off, at least for now and probably forever. President Trump is characterizing it positively:
President Trump agreed to a two-week pause on military strikes on Iran in a dramatic pivot less than 90 minutes from his 8 p.m. deadline — saying it was subject to Tehran agreeing to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
In a statement on Truth Social, Trump said he spoke with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir, who urged him to hold off on what he described as a “destructive force” set to be unleashed on Iran.
The cease-fire is “subject to the Islamic Republic of Iran agreeing to the COMPLETE, IMMEDIATE, and SAFE OPENING of the Strait of Hormuz,” he added.
Which I interpret to mean that the regime has not yet agreed to reopen the Strait, or at least, had not done so as of the time of Trump’s announcement. Let’s hope they actually do stop harassing shipping.
“This will be a double sided CEASEFIRE! The reason for doing so is that we have already met and exceeded all Military objectives, and are very far along with a definitive Agreement concerning Longterm PEACE with Iran, and PEACE in the Middle East,” Trump said. “We received a 10 point proposal from Iran, and believe it is a workable basis on which to negotiate.”
The president further explained that “almost all of the various points of past contention have been agreed to between the United States and Iran.”
“A two week period will allow the Agreement to be finalized and consummated,” he added. On behalf of the United States of America, as President, and also representing the Countries of the Middle East, it is an Honor to have this Longterm problem close to resolution. Thank you for your attention to this matter.”
Personally, I do not share Trump’s enthusiasm for a deal with the IRGC, now effectively the rulers of Iran. What do they have to offer? In the immediate term, an end to their harassment of shipping. Beyond that, what? An agreement not to pursue nuclear weapons? Worthless. We have bombed their military assets to smithereens, which guarantees that they won’t have such weapons for some years to come. If the regime remains in power, we may need to do it again. But that benefit is the fruit of our military campaign, not of any possible agreement. Likewise with any possible agreement to stop supporting terrorist proxies like Hamas and Hezbollah.
We will see, over the next two weeks, whether any meaningful deal materializes. Consider me skeptical. I suspect that tonight’s announcement is really a prelude to Trump’s announcing victory and an end to the conflict, which has always been his second-best alternative–second to the overthrow of the mullah/IRGC regime, which we evidently are not in a position to bring about.
Destroying the military capability and damaging the economy of America’s most virulent enemy is, of course, a notable accomplishment.
