Middle East Expert Calls Iran War A Strategic Defeat For Trump

The war in Iran has been “a strategic defeat” for Donald Trump despite his repeated claims of victory, according to a leading Middle East expert.

Jeremy Bowen, the BBC’s international affairs editor, said the Tehran regime had been left “empowered” by the conflict, despite the US president’s stated aim of bringing them down.

Trump signed a memorandum of understanding with Iran agreeing to end hostilities while talks continue over Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

Under the deal, Iran has agreed to re-open the Strait of Hormuz, in return for being able to export oil again.

The war began on February 28 when America and Israel joined forces to launch bombing raids on Iran.

Speaking on Radio 4′s Today programme, Bowen said it had been a failure for both countries.

“We’re looking at the reality of a strategic defeat for the United States and by extension for Israel,” he said.

“Look back at what they said when all this started on February 28. Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu said there was going to be regime change, Donald Trump called for unconditional surrender.

“Now we’re in a situation where the Iranian regime and the Americans through intermediaries did this deal essentially speaking to each other as equals in this.

“While the concessions in the deal to Iran are predicated on the success of the nuclear negotiations, the fact is it is front-loaded with inducements, not least the ability to immediately start exporting oil in return for opening up the Strait of Hormuz.

“So I think we’re looking at an empowered Iranian regime which had had its worst nightmare happen, which is a joint attack by the Americans and the Israelis aiming at regime change, they got through it [and] it didn’t happen.”

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