Hussein Shobokshi

SINCE his days as a presidential candidate, he has repeatedly called Iran’s nuclear deal the worst agreement the United States has ever made in its history and if he becomes president, it will not be allowed to continue. This was Donald Trump’s statement as a candidate, and after he became the president, he repeated it. He explained the reasons for his dissatisfaction with the agreement. He termed the deal as unfair as it allowed Iran to earmark huge sums of money, which runs into millions of US dollars, to support and spread terrorism in the region — directly or through terrorist factions and militias such as Hezbollah, the Houthis and others — and thus continuing to be a supportive force for terrorism.

Maintaining his open, frank and unambiguous position, Donald Trump scrapped the Iranian nuclear deal and announced the US exit from it. In doing so, Trump resisted a lot of pressure exerted by some of his allies in the West, especially France, Britain and Germany, who have committed themselves to mega trade deals with the Iranian regime and fear the deterioration of Iran’s economic conditions as a result of looming sanctions on the regime will take a heavy toll on the proceeds from their mega trade deals.

Donald Trump was also under pressure from former US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson as well as former National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster, who had repeatedly expressed their disapproval over any kind of change in the agreement, let alone its abolition. The intransigent position taken by them on the deal, in fact, led to their eventual dismissal and they were replaced by two other key figures who have similar views to that of President Trump.

Trump had another reason to scrap the nuclear deal with Iran as he wanted to prove to his audience back home that he is a man who sticks to his election campaign promises, unlike traditional politicians in Washington.

However, Trump wants to go to meet the North Korean president, carrying a big stick to show his strong resolve, seriousness and strength of the US administration in dealing with rogue states, especially when they are found to be in violation of their promises.

North Korea will now have Iran as a very clear model before its eyes and be absolutely careful not to manipulate the promises it eventually will make. Meanwhile, the cancellation of the nuclear deal was a resounding blow to the regime of Iran and its allies in the region. It is news that is depressing and disturbing for the regime as it brings a screeching a halt to its dreams. It will bring about an economic crisis and political confusion whose effects will be felt in the street with angry Iranians, especially youth revolting.

Iran is a failed country and the sings of its failure are clear, a regime that brought with it nothing but destruction and destruction, and naturally it does not succeed in anything it does. It’s really a “slap” of the century.