Despite overwhelming calls for de-escalation from all sides of the world, Trump has once again threatened Iran, putting the chances of peace with the Islamic Republic in jeopardy.
President Donald Trump on Friday warned Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, to be “very careful with his words.”
The threat came after Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei decided to give a Friday sermon after 8 years, due to the ongoing US-Iran tensions caused by US’ drone strike on General Qassem Soleimani, Iran’s top military commander.
Today’s Friday Prayer in #Tehran, led by Iran’s Commander in Chief Imam Sayyed Ali Khamenei #Iran #Khamenei #Jummah pic.twitter.com/UZJS6cP5BL
— Zainab Zaidi (@zainabZaidi110) January 17, 2020
Even though Iran has tried its best to underscore the fact that it desires peace and does not want war, Trump has shown utter disregard for peaceful diplomacy and chooses to resort to jingoistic and hawkish statements.
“The so-called ‘Supreme Leader’ of Iran, who has not been so Supreme lately, had some nasty things to say about the United States and Europe,” Trump tweeted of Khamenei’s comments earlier Friday in Tehran.
The so-called “Supreme Leader” of Iran, who has not been so Supreme lately, had some nasty things to say about the United States and Europe. Their economy is crashing, and their people are suffering. He should be very careful with his words!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 17, 2020
According to Trump, Khamenei’s blistering speech, in which he attacked the “vicious” United States and described Britain, France and Germany as “America’s lackey’s,” was a mistake.
“Their economy is crashing, and their people are suffering. He should be very careful with his words!” Trump tweeted.
Political analysts have opined that the ‘hawkish’ Trump doctrine could prove to be catastrophic for the world at large, if left unchecked.
The US Congress is currently in the process of carrying out an impeachment trial against President Trump for ‘abuse of power’ and ‘obstruction of congress’, though it is unlikely that he will be removed by a Republican held Senate.
In these crucial times, the 100 US Senators stand at a historic crossroad and they must decide which path to choose. Down one road is anarchy and chaos, down the other, peace.
One can only hope they decide to be on the right side of history.
GVS News Desk (Rai Mustafa Bhatti) with additional input from AFP