Trump's room to manoeuvre narrows as US, Iran close in on framework deal
United States President Donald Trump finds himself in a bind as he seeks to end the war against Iran: he is under pressure to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and get US gasoline prices down, but at the same time faces a potential backlash from Iran hawks in his own party over any concessions to Tehran. Trump’s dilemma became clear during a week of hectic diplomacy marked by word of an emerging framework deal that, according to sources familiar with the matter, would extend a current ceasefire and release Iran’s stranglehold on the vital oil-shipping route while deferring discussions of its nuclear programme. Such an interim agreement, if approved by Trump and Iran’s rulers, would amount to the most significant step toward peace since he joined with Israel in attacking Iran on February 28, and could ease the soaring energy prices the conflict has triggered. But it could also draw the disapproval of a key segment of Trump’s base — influential Republicans clamouring for him to “finish the job” by resuming strikes to close Tehran’s path to a nuclear weapon, his main stated reason for going to war. Earlier this week, some of Trump’s hardline anti-Iran allies responded to reports of a possible deal with criticism, even arguing that he might gain little beyond the 2015 Iran nuclear deal negotiated by former president Barack Obama and scrapped by Trump during his first term. Senior Republicans rarely at odds with Trump, including Senators Lindsey Graham, Roger Wicker and Ted Cruz, urged the president not to compromise. Trump pushed back, insisting he was in “no rush” and would only accept a “great” agreement. Caught between the competing demands — a quick solution to high gas prices and an end to Iran’s nuclear ambitions — the president has little room to manoeuvre. “Trump’s rhetorical swings and abrupt reversals of the past week suggest a president trying to park a wide war in a tight spot,” said Laura Blumenfeld, ...
Original source: Dawn Pakistan