(MOSCOW) – Russian state media commentators have asserted that Donald Trump is attempting to exit Middle Eastern tensions without losing face, despite facing what they describe as “humiliating” resistance from Iranian leadership. During a broadcast of the programme “The Meeting Place”, journalist Maxim Yusin stated that Trump is desperate to avoid a full scale war because he has already served his primary political term. Yusin noted that the former leader frequently issues contradictory statements, making his foreign policy positions unreliable.<\/p>\n
The panel suggested that while Trump wishes to withdraw from regional conflicts, he seeks to portray himself as a victor within his own social media sphere. Analysts argued that Iran is deliberately refusing to assist in this effort, instead choosing to challenge the American position. Yusin claimed that Trump might resort to symbolic military strikes, such as targeting minor Iranian vessels, to create “pseudo-victory” videos for his supporters. The commentary took a sharp turn as participants described the global political climate as being held hostage by the “imaginary world” of an ageing politician.<\/p>\n
Political scientist Andrey Sidorchik added that while Trump fears rising oil and petrol prices, his greatest fear is personal humiliation. Sidorchik posited that the American leader would be willing to sacrifice regional stability and economic interests to avoid being belittled. The discussion detailed a potential escalatory loop where US strikes on Iranian infrastructure, such as desalination plants and bridges, would prompt immediate Iranian retaliation against Gulf states. This scenario, the analysts warned, could plunge the Middle East into a humanitarian crisis similar to the 1920s.<\/p>\n
Alexei Naumov of the Russian International Affairs Council concluded that negotiating with Trump is futile because his words lack value. He argued that the American negotiating position has collapsed because commitments are no longer honoured. The analysts maintained that Iran is correct to refuse concessions, noting that Trump has failed to achieve his stated foreign policy goals in almost every theatre except, arguably, Venezuela. The panel cautioned that dealing with an “inadequate” negotiator makes diplomatic discourse impossible.<\/p>\n