Middle East waits for post-Trump era amid Iran war — SkimNews
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- Trump stated he does not believe peace with Iran is possible, a position that undermines diplomatic expectations despite ongoing regional pressure and midterm political constraints.
- Iran insists sanctions be lifted and refuses to export enriched uranium before negotiations, maintaining a stance that rules out near-term diplomacy under current U.S. conditions.
- UAE has opened a back channel with Iran despite earlier alignment with U.S.-led efforts, signaling a strategic pivot to direct engagement amid eroding trust in American policy continuity.
- U.S. House of Representatives has voted three times to restrict Trump’s war powers in Iran, reflecting growing domestic political resistance tied to rising crude prices above $110 a barrel.
- JD Vance has distanced himself from Iran policy and declined to endorse Netanyahu, while Marco Rubio focused on trade in India, suggesting internal administration figures are positioning for post-Trump geopolitical realities.
- Pete Hegseth made an unannounced visit to Israel shortly after Trump endorsed Netanyahu, reinforcing perceptions he may be positioned as a fall guy if the Iran conflict ends poorly.
- Saudi Arabia is absorbing Houthi attacks but receiving limited U.S. military support, as Washington rebuffs Riyadh’s requests for strikes and shifts burden to partners like the UAE.
Why it matters: The U.S. is losing its role as the central security guarantor in the Middle East as allies like the UAE and Saudi Arabia adjust to Trump’s unpredictable foreign policy and prepare for a shift after 2024. With 46% of voters saying ending the Iran war wouldn’t change their midterm vote, escalation risks are rising even as regional actors hedge independently, reducing American leverage.
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