Washington-Tehran war of words casts doubt over ceasefire sustainability

Editor's note: Mohamed El-Bendary, a special commentator on current affairs for CGTN, is a Cairo-based freelance writer and independent researcher. His commentaries have appeared in major international media outlets. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

Since the signing of a ceasefire between Israel and Iran on June 24, the United States and Iran have been engaging in a war of words that raises fear of the resumption of hostilities. Tension between Washington and Tehran mounted on June 27, with U.S. President Donald Trump stating – or threatening rather – that if Iran enriches uranium to an alarming level, he would "absolutely" consider bombing it again. Trump also cancelled plans for lifting sanctions on Iran and criticized Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who, on June 26, praised his country's military attack on the U.S. base in Qatar, describing it as a "slap to America's face." Khamenei added that Iranians will never surrender.  

No one knows exactly what is on Trump's mind, as he issues a statement one day and changes it the next. There is always a hidden agenda behind his statements. While he noted on June 27 that a ceasefire in Gaza between Israel and Hamas could be reached within a week – a move which was welcomed worldwide – Middle East experts fear that Washington is planning to attack Iran again but needs time to manage a ceasefire in Gaza and strengthen the Israeli defense system, particularly as Iranian missiles were easily reaching Israeli regions later in the 12-day war.

It is possible that the U.S. will embrace the same military strategy it pursued during the 2003 Iraq war, which lasted for eight years and resulted in the death of more than 4,000 U.S. military personnel and hundreds of thousands of Iraqis. Washington may also push to form a coalition to fight Iran based on a spiral of lies by the Western media that propagates that Iran possesses, or is actively striving to manufacture, nuclear weapons. Washington has also apparently realized that Iran's nuclear sites, in spite of U.S. bombing of three of them on June 22, could soon become fully operational.

It is myopic for U.S. officials to claim that Trump "vetoed" an Israeli plan to kill Khamenei, simply because the Israelis would have done so quickly and without any U.S. consultation. After all, the U.S. and Israel have been struggling for a regime change in Iran since 2003 and despite Tehran agreeing to suspend uranium enrichment and permit enhanced inspection by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Two years later, the U.S., UN and EU imposed multiple sanctions on Iran under the claim that Tehran was not compliant.

Most Arabs doubt Trump's ability to deliver peace to the Middle East. The U.S. president continues to foolishly think that he lives in the age of the American empire. With his "America First" policy, Trump is reluctant to accept the demise of the American empire. He believes that by bombing some states here and threatening others there – even through placing high tariffs – he can revive his American imperial dream.

Unless there is mutual respect between people, there can be no valid agreement. It is absurd for Trump to dehumanize and blast a spiritual leader like Khamenei, whom millions of Iranians revere. Perhaps it is plausible here to pose this question to Trump: Didn't Tehran and its leaders give prior warning to Washington before attacking the major U.S. base in Qatar to save lives – a step which you later recognized and thanked them for?  

Washington and Tel Aviv want an Iran that is fragmented, politically unstable and militarily weak in order for Israel to rise as a hegemon in the Middle East. They opt to get rid of the Iranian political power and deprive Tehran of the peaceful use of nuclear energy. But their anti-Iranian policy will fail due to the Iranian people's strong determination. Only through a fair role by the IAEA can the Iranian nuclear issue be resolved and a durable peace agreement be reached.

The Trump administration should comprehend that no Arab state would endorse any future attacks on Iran, particularly as evidence has shown that Iran does not possess nuclear weapons. In fact, Arab states are now growing fearful that after destroying Iran, they will be next. Many have also been shouting why Israel is reluctant to join the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.  

The Iranian people prefer engagement rather than military confrontation. But only peace agreements founded on justice can endure. Tehran and Washington have no choice but to engage in dialogue based on mutual respect today. This has to commence with the lifting of the sanctions on Iran. Then comes the major task of striking a comprehensive peace settlement in the Middle East.  

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