‘Trump’s war of words with Iran is adding fuel to the fire...’
Fears grow that Trump’s war of words with Iran could erupt into actual war following Saudi Arabia oil field attack
Countries now worry that Trump will draw them into a long and unwanted war
AS DRIVERS face a 7p a litre hike to fill up with petrol following a drone attack on Saudi Arabia’s oil facilities, we need look no further than Donald Trump to see who is fuelling the crisis.
The weekend’s attacks on the Abqaiq processing facility and the Khurais oil field knocked out more than five per cent of the world’s supply and left it calling on its reserves.
But while the UK and rest of the world look to solve the current Middle East impasse, the US President picked up his spade and decided to dig himself further into trouble.
Squarely blaming Iran for Saturday’s attack, Trump put America on a footing to war saying they were “locked and loaded” and poised to take military action.
“Saudi Arabia oil supply was attacked,” he boomed.
“There is reason to believe that we know the culprit, are locked and loaded depending on verification, but are waiting to hear from the Kingdom as to who they believe was the cause of this attack, and under what terms we would proceed!’
Trump’s tweet immediately led to accusations he was allowing Saudi Arabia to dictate US foreign policy.
But while the Middle East kingdom was the target, the attacks were clearly designed to taunt Trump and elicit a response.
Before Saturday, the US leader had appeared fascinated by the chance of meeting Iranian President Hassan Rouhani at next week’s United Nations General Assembly.
Intoxicated by the thought of entertaining another of the world’s dictators, much as he was with Kim Jong-Un, a face to face would serve to fuel Trump’s ego through the media attention it would receive.
Make no mistake Iran has played the role of agent provocateur in the Middle East for decades carrying out acts of aggression against Syria, Iraq and Lebanon and needs to be brought in line.
But Trump’s decision to turn his back on the international agreement which includes the UK, restricting Iran’s nuclear program while enforcing damaging new sanctions, has aggravated Tehran into increasing its already combative hostility.
America’s drive to prevent all Iranian foreign oil trade – in itself practically an act of war – has dealt a devastating blow to the country’s already struggling economy.
In response, Tehran began by intercepting and attacking tankers in the Straits of Hormuz before Saturday’s assault on one of the world’s largest oil processing plants.
And while, as yet, there is no conclusive proof Iran was behind the drone attack, it was, at the very least, approved with Tehran’s knowledge. But, whereas previous US presidents have been able to calm volatile situations with Iran, Trump and his erratic team have not, due to their severe lack of knowledge or diplomacy.
Until there is clear overwhelming evidence to support his claims that Iran was responsible, Trump will struggle to persuade even his closest European allies, including Britain, that military action should be taken.
Countries have been willing to play their part in achieving Persian peace but they now worry Trump will draw them into a long and unwanted war.
None have forgotten how, only months ago, the unstable president tweeted he was minutes away from launching an assault on Iran before calling it off.
Trump recently seemed to acknowledge he has dug himself into a hole when it comes to Iran.
It was refreshing to see him respond positively to a French attempt to broker a meeting with Rouhani, hinting at a possible easing of sanctions.
But like most things with Trump, the hope didn’t last long.
On Sunday he performed another U-turn, denying he had offered to meet with no conditions despite repeatedly saying so publicly.
It is just the kind of rambling uncertainty that provokes the Ayatollahs into escalating their aggression while putting Trump and the rest of the world even deeper into his hole.
Let the Saudis take care of their own problems.