As tensions between Iran, Israel and the United States continue to escalate, a former senior White House official has said President Donald Trump’s ultimate goal is to emerge as a “diplomatic hero” by securing a nuclear deal with Tehran, despite his recent resort to military action.
Matthew Bryza, who served on the US National Security Council, said Trump’s decision to greenlight airstrikes on Iran was not indicative of a desire for regime change but rather a tactical step in a longer game aimed at salvaging his image.
“Trump's patience ran out with Iran after five rounds of negotiations failed to yield any positive results, but he needs an agreement to boost his image, which has taken an immense hit in recent days back home,” Bryza told reporters.
He suggested that while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seeks regime change in Iran, Trump is unlikely to support such a move. “I am 100 per cent sure that Trump does not want a regime change in Tehran for multiple reasons, though Netanyahu is hell bent on forcing one,” Bryza said.
“I seriously think that Trump and Netanyahu could clash big time over the regime change issue, where Trump is likely to tell Netanyahu, ‘enough’,” he added.
EU to take Israel to task over Gaza
Meanwhile, Europe appears poised to harden its stance against Israel’s military actions in Gaza. A meeting of European Union foreign ministers is scheduled in Brussels later on Monday, where mounting pressure is expected for punitive action against Tel Aviv.
French authorities, in a symbolic move during the Paris Arms Expo, shut down Israeli weapons manufacturer stalls, citing concerns over the continued violence in Gaza. The Israeli side lodged formal protests, but the French government maintained that the displayed weaponry was objectionable under current circumstances.
Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares is expected to go a step further, proposing a complete suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which governs political and economic ties between the bloc and the Jewish state.
Albares has also voiced support for a broader arms embargo on Israel and targeted sanctions on individuals obstructing the two-state solution.
The death toll in Gaza, as reported by internationally verified sources, has now crossed 56,000 since the resumption of hostilities earlier this year.
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