Iran Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Donald Trump

EA-Times Radio VideoCast: “Trump Is At Breaking Point”

UPDATE, MAY 2:

I joined Pakistan’s Express 24-7 on Friday afternoon to analyze the “limbo” between Iran’s control of the Strait of Hormuz and the US naval blockade on Iranian ports.

I explain that while Tehran’s hold on the Strait has given it leverage, the American blockade has not given the Trump Administration — despite its declaration of Operation Economic Fury — a new option for “regime surrender”.

With US-Iran talks stalled, I discover other threatened action by the Administration, including renewed airstrikes and even a ground invasion.

Watch from 3:26:

UPDATE, APRIL 30:

Middle East analyst Meir Javedanfar and I joined India’s WION on Thursday morning for an evaluation of the economic and military dimensions of the US-Israel War on Iran.

We agree on the significance of the contest between Iran’s control of the Strait of Hormuz and the US naval blockade of Iranian ports.

Meir believes the Trump Administration has the stronger hand with its economic pressure on Tehran, but I doubt that the Trumpists can break the regime. Will that leave a perpetual limbo or, given effects on both the US and global economies, will the Trump camp back down into genuine negotiations with Iran?

Watch from 3:16:

UPDATE 0807 GMT:

I spoke with Pakistan TV on Monday about the latest manuevers over the US-Israel Wars, as Iran seeks an advantage with its ceasefire proposal and control of the Strait of Hormuz.

What is the Trump Administration’s next step when, failing to obtain “regime surrender”, it has no good options for its assault?

I begin by looking at the domestic opposition in the US to the war, and then look at the Iranian effort to use this for a ceasefire.

I conclude by examining the further effect on the Trump Administration’s breaking of alliance with Europe.

Watch from 9:42:

UPDATE, APRIL 25:

I joined Poland’s TVP World on Friday morning for a 12-minute examination of both the US-Israel War on Iran and Israel’s attacks on Lebanon.

Amid uncertainty over the status of US-Iran talks in Pakistan and escalating tension over Iranian control of the Strait of Hormuz, I evaluate the prospects for an end to the wars.

I explain why the latest Trump Administration effort for “regime surrender”, Operation Economic Fury, is unlikely to succeed, and I discuss the Netanyahu Government’s quest for occupation in southern Lebanon as part of a “Greater Israel”.

I summarize how the war has sapped US credibility with former allies, including in Europe, and how Ukraine and the Europeans are planning for their security without a reliance on Trump.

UPDATE 0849 GMT:

I spoke with Pakistan TV’s Sana Maqbool on Thursday afternoon about the fragile US-Iran ceasefire, based on Donald Trump’s unilateral announcement, as the two sides face off in the Strait of Hormuz.

To an extent, we are at the mercy of one unpredictable man and where he goes next.

How do we get out of this limbo?

Both sides have to recognize that the carrying on of this war do not benefit them.

I think the Iranian regime already recognizes that because it just want to survive.

The Trump camp has to recognize that it does not have any good options.

Watch from 3:23:

UPDATE 0841 GMT:

I joined Pakistan’s Express 24-7 on Thursday to consider the “uncontained war”, with the connection between the US-Israel War on Iran, the Israeli attacks on Lebanon, and Iranian retaliation on Gulf States.

I note the violations of international law by all sides — and why it does not matter to them — and examine whether there can be a lasting Israel-Lebanon ceasefire.

Watch from 5:00:

UPDATE, APRIL 24:

I joined Ireland’s RTE Radio 1 on Thursday morning to explain the lack of options for the Trump Administration in its war on Iran, as Donald Trump unilaterally extended a ceasefire.

I also examine the “limbo” between Tehran’s control of the Strait of Hormuz and the US blockade on Iranian ports.

In effect, whether the White House meant this, they said to Iran, “You can seize ships as long as they are not US or Israeli.”

ORIGINAL ENTRY, APRIL 22: Hours before Donald Trump’s U-turn extending a temporary ceasefire in the US-Israel War on Iran, I joined Pakistan TV to explain how Tehran is resisting Trump’s threats — including a refusal to meeting a US delegation, led by Vice President J.D. Vance, in Pakistan’s capital Islamabad.

What does Trump’s bluster cover up?

The problem for the Trump Administration is that they are in the same position as 3 to 4 weeks ago. The Iranian regime is refusing to surrender and give way to American ultimata.

So all Trump can do is say, “We are going to bomb you more.” Bombing alone does not get rid of the regime. Either the Trump Administration continues negotiations, and might have to compromise, or it puts in ground troops.

Watch from 17:58: