jordan pulse -

By Dr. Rashed Al-Shashani

​The mediation of the Iraqi Prime Minister, who visited Iran immediately upon his return from Washington, was akin to "placating the second wife after hearing the first one's word." Due to the denials volunteered by everyone dealing with American affairs, believing the denial from Al-Sudani's office regarding a mediation that ended in failure, talk of an American bait thrown by Trump into Al-Sudani's basket prompted the latter to believe in his ability to accomplish something.

​Al-Sudani presented his "special role" in exchange for a deal to entice Iran, following attempts to intimidate it with the scarecrow of international support—headed by the Americans—to disarm the factions, while simultaneously trying to prove to Iran that he is "compelled, not willing," in a move where he seemingly attempted—under American inducement—to play a role instead of Pakistan.

​The same bait was carried in the gift bags of the Lebanese President, who did not even wait until his return to reassure the Saudi Crown Prince that he continues to operate in his camp—a camp now trying to move closer to Iran rather than clashing with it.

​Two scenes proving that American magic offers no immunity against "Iran's strikes" and must be mixed with the drops of water from the "beards of dominance," and that political and governance affairs for the "dealmakers' authority" in regional matters amount to nothing more than jumping over the ropes of manipulating the desires of both sides.

​These figures overlook the fact that playing with ropes always ends in them being severed. If we add the United States' realization that kissing its hands does not mean fooling the beards of Iran or others, we understand that both sides agree on how to maneuver these games, without falling for the naivety of those claiming a secret under-the-table understanding between them.

​As for the tricks aimed at depriving Iran of the opportunity to choke the world through the straits—by resorting to the "whiteness" of alternative pipelines, transport routes, and ports, blended with the "blackness" of the hatred harbored by Khamenei's groups—they are no less dangerous, and in fact are far more dangerous than others. Suffice it to say that a small bomb is enough to destroy or disrupt a pipeline, and a small group of fighters is enough to disturb world peace by cutting off these routes.

​With the United States understanding these realities, it seems to have diverted the course of events into new minefields. If we look at the Houthi pressure on Saudi Arabia, and with it the entire world, through control over the Bab al-Mandab Strait, we see Trump's interest in escalating Iran's situation—where Iran pushes the Houthis into such conduct, compelling Saudi Arabia to reconsider its attempts to reduce the sway of the United States.

​In the very same minefield, Trump has confused the calculations of allies before enemies with his deceptive idea about opening talks with Hezbollah, within the same arena of shouting calls to strike the party forcefully with a coalition of players on Syrian territory.