Washington:US President Donald Trump has announced the United States' withdrawal from the Iran deal, indicating a possible shift toward increased tensions. In a statement issued on Thursday, Trump declared, "We don't need a deal with Iran. Those days are long gone."
According to Maan News Agency, Trump has directed Vice President JD Vance to concentrate on domestic issues, particularly focusing on combating corruption and crime in Democrat-led cities and states. This directive may suggest that Vance will be removed from his role in managing the Iranian diplomatic efforts, where he was previously a key figure in seeking an agreement with Tehran.
An analysis by retired Israeli officer Amit Yegur, published in the Hebrew newspaper Maariv, noted that this development follows a Wall Street Journal report raising concerns about the interim agreement's effectiveness. The report questioned whether the agreement allowed Iran to enhance its military capabilities and increase oil revenues.
Furthermore, the United States has established a task force named 'Iron Gateway' to disrupt Iranian smuggling and land trade routes, including those through the Caspian Sea. This move comes after accusations that Iran was bypassing a naval blockade. The analysis highlighted that the lack of cooperation from Turkey and neighboring countries in closing land borders with Iran led Washington to create this independent force.
The author concluded that these actions might signal a strategic shift in the Trump administration's approach, potentially moving from negotiations through regional mediators to imposing stricter military and economic pressures on Iran while keeping the door open for escalation.