Divisions Grow Over US Middle East Policy

(WASHINGTON, DC) – United States President Donald Trump has intensified public attacks on former allies while facing mounting pressure over his administration’s handling of the Iran conflict and a fragile ceasefire in the Middle East.

Speaking on The Trump Report, Professor Scott Lucas of University College Dublin described Trump’s recent conduct as erratic and lacking strategic direction, arguing that the president’s public statements reflect confusion rather than coherent diplomacy.

Trump used his Truth Social platform to criticise several prominent conservative commentators, including Tucker Carlson, Megyn Kelly, Candace Owens and Alex Jones, accusing them of undermining his position on Iran. The remarks mark a notable shift, as many of those targeted were previously supportive of his political agenda.

Lucas said such attacks highlight a broader pattern in Trump’s behaviour. “This is not a logical approach. This is not clever diplomacy. He is simply shouting,” he said, adding that the president tends to adopt an aggressive tone when uncertain about policy direction.

The criticism comes as a ceasefire between the United States and Iran shows signs of strain. The agreement, centred on the strategic Strait of Hormuz, has been undermined by disputes over shipping access and security. Reports indicate that vessel traffic through the waterway has dropped sharply, with only a handful of ships passing daily compared with typical volumes exceeding 100.

Iran has signalled it may impose transit fees and warned that vessels could face security risks, further complicating negotiations. Trump has publicly objected, stating that Tehran is “doing a very poor job” of upholding the agreement.

Lucas suggested the administration is now on the defensive after failing to secure its initial objectives, which reportedly included curbing Iran’s nuclear programme and limiting its regional influence. Instead, the focus has shifted to maintaining access through the Strait of Hormuz, a development he described as a significant strategic setback.

Negotiations are expected to continue, with US officials, including Vice President JD Vance, potentially playing a greater role. However, divisions remain over key issues such as uranium enrichment limits, sanctions relief and regional security arrangements.

The situation has been further complicated by Israeli military operations in Lebanon, which Iran claims violate the terms of the ceasefire. Tehran has warned it may withdraw from talks if strikes continue, raising the risk of renewed escalation.

Lucas said the United States faces difficult choices, including whether to pressure Israel to de-escalate or risk the collapse of diplomatic efforts. “If they are serious about an agreement, they have to address the wider regional dynamics,” he said.

Separately, attention has also turned to domestic developments after First Lady Melania Trump issued a rare public statement denying any links to Jeffrey Epstein. The unannounced address, which also called for greater transparency and support for victims, appeared to diverge from the White House’s approach to the issue.

Trump reportedly said he had not been briefed on the content of the statement in advance, prompting questions about internal coordination.

Lucas noted that the Epstein issue remains politically sensitive and could regain prominence if international tensions ease. He added that the administration now faces pressure on multiple fronts, including foreign policy, economic concerns and ongoing scrutiny over past associations.

With negotiations ongoing and the ceasefire uncertain, Lucas said the administration’s next steps remain unclear. “There is no clear end point at the moment,” he said. “And that uncertainty is driving both the rhetoric and the instability we are seeing.”