Middle East waits out Trump on Iran — SkimNews
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- Trump told Time magazine he does not believe peace with Iran is possible, signaling a hardening stance eight months into the conflict.
- Iran insists sanctions be lifted and refuses to export enriched uranium before talks, setting conditions the current U.S. administration cannot meet.
- UAE opened a back channel with Iran after joining the anti-Iran campaign in February, signaling a shift toward independent diplomacy.
- U.S. House of Representatives has voted three times to restrict Trump’s war powers in Iran, reflecting growing domestic pressure to end the conflict.
- JD Vance has distanced himself from the Iran war, declining to endorse Netanyahu, while Marco Rubio focused on trade in India, both positioning for 2028.
- Pete Hegseth made an unannounced visit to Israel days after Trump endorsed Netanyahu, increasing his visibility amid speculation he may be made the war’s fall guy.
- Saudi Arabia has absorbed Houthi attacks but received no U.S. airstrikes in response, pushing Gulf states to hedge against unreliable American security guarantees.
Why it matters: The U.S. is losing its role as the central security broker in the Gulf as allies like the UAE act independently, while Trump’s political fragility and rigid Iran stance accelerate the shift. With 46% of voters saying ending the war won’t change their midterm vote, escalation risks are rising even as regional actors prepare for a post-Trump order.
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