The Irish Independent's View: Donald Trump has the power to end Iran-Israel war – it's time he used it
Today's equivalent might be Donald Trump's repeated declarations that 'we're going to do a deal'. Once the words 'big and beautiful' are added, cynics will claim, the obsequies for all hope are complete. They point to: Afghanistan, North Korea, Ukraine, the Middle East and possibly now Iran.
Mr Trump has been bigging-up deals, but when it comes to their delivery, a strategy or a glimmer of success, there is nothing to show for the effort.
Mostly because they were not deals at all, but rather strong-armed ultimatums. They were delivered as offers that cannot be refused. And crises seem to deepen as a result of such off-the-cuff engagements. In less than five months in office, Mr Trump has upended US diplomacy, with a far friendlier posture towards Russia while treating trusted allies with disdain.
Now, as Israel continues to attack Iran, Mr Trump has weighed in, telling the 10 million citizens of Tehran – its capital – they would be well advised to vacate their city. Having left the G7 early, he contradicted French president Emmanuel Macron, who had said Mr Trump's premature departure was to arrange a ceasefire. Mr Trump flatly dismissed this. He was instead calling on Iran for a 'complete give-up'.
He had 'not reached out to Iran for 'peace talks' in any way, shape, or form', he added.
The price of oil immediately began to rise on the news. But Mr Trump then said he 'may' send his envoy Steve Witkoff or vice-president JD Vance to meet Iranian leaders, but 'it depends what happens when I get back'. As Israel's biggest backer, Mr Trump could seize the initiative. The world is watching to see if Washington will deploy its B-2 stealth bombers to help Tel Aviv blow up Iran's deepest nuclear facilities – especially its uranium enrichment plant at Fordow, dug into a mountainside under reinforced concrete.
Washington has repeatedly called for a 'broader de-escalation' in the Middle East, instead of insisting on it. It is ignoring its unique leverage with Tel Aviv.
Mr Trump says he wants to see a 'real end to the conflict'. But again, he is overlooking the fact he has the power to demand a ceasefire and create a space for the diplomacy that was thwarted by the Israeli attacks.
Critics of Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu say he manipulated the showdown to divert from domestic political threats.
It would be quite an irony were Mr Trump to find himself on the wrong side of his 'America First' diehards, who are bitterly opposed to entangling US troops in new Middle East hostilities.
All the while, Mr Netanyahu seems ever more emboldened with Mr Trump at his back.
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