Ex-Diplomat Slams Trump’s “Shocking” Iran Threats

Former US Diplomat Criticizes Trump’s Inflammatory Rhetoric Towards Iran

Former US Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs, Barbara Leaf, has strongly condemned President Trump’s aggressive and offensive language directed at Iran, calling it “truly shocking.” Leaf’s comments come in the wake of a complex military operation to rescue a downed US airman and escalating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz.

Spectacular Rescue Operation Highlights Dangers

The successful rescue of a US airman, whose F-15 fighter jet was shot down over Iran, was hailed by President Trump as a display of bravery. However, Barbara Leaf pointed out that the mission, while heroic and complex, underscored the dangerous operating environment for US forces. “The nation was pretty well gripped by this story,” Leaf said, acknowledging the public’s attention and the administration’s focus. She added that the operation revealed “just how complex the operating environment is for our forces, including for our pilots and air crews.”

Propaganda Risks and Military Losses

Leaf emphasized the significant risk involved if the injured airman had been captured by Iranian forces. “There’s no question” they would have used him as a “propaganda tool,” she stated. The rescue itself was fraught with difficulty, requiring extensive deployment of forces and facing challenges such as damaged aircraft due to sand and terrain. “The toll is eight or nine aircraft lost,” Leaf reported, including the F-15 Strike Eagle, A-10 aircraft, and transport planes. This contradicts President Trump’s earlier claims of having “obliterated” much of Iran’s air defenses.

Air Defenses Degraded, Not Eliminated

While acknowledging that US and Israeli air strikes have “substantially degraded” Iran’s air defenses, Leaf cautioned that they are “not gone.” She highlighted the sheer scale of the rescue mission, which involved “literally hundreds of people moving into Iran to bring him out of harm’s way.” This indicates that the threat remains significant, even five weeks into the conflict.

“Shocking” Language and Civilian Targets

Barbara Leaf expressed deep dismay over President Trump’s recent public statements. She recalled Trump’s threat: “Tuesday will be power plant day and bridge day all wrapped up in one in Iran. There’ll be nothing like it. Open the effing straight, you crazy bastards, or you’ll be living in hell. Just watch.” Leaf stated, “As an American citizen, I’m shocked.” She noted that these threats were made on a “holy day” for both Christian and Jewish communities, coinciding with Easter and Passover. “The notion that he keeps repeating that the US is simply going to obliterate structures which are critical for civilian life in a country of 92 million is truly shocking,” Leaf declared. She fears that the “help” promised to the Iranian people is actually aimed at destroying vital infrastructure like bridges, power plants, and water facilities.

Diplomatic Dead Ends and Escalating Regional Threats

Leaf also questioned the effectiveness of extending deadlines for Iran to comply with US demands. She suggested that these delays are more likely related to marshaling US forces for a potential ground operation rather than expecting diplomatic breakthroughs. “There is literally nothing in terms of a diplomatic roadway out of this,” she observed. Leaf warned that the Iranian regime does not appear “cowed” by the threats. Instead, she fears that Iran may retaliate by targeting Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, and possibly Oman. This retaliation could involve devastating attacks on their water and power facilities, a “punch for punch” response.

What’s Next?

The coming days will be crucial in determining whether diplomatic channels can be opened or if the situation will escalate further. The international community will be watching closely to see how both the US and Iran respond to the heightened tensions and the potential for wider regional conflict.

Source: Trump’s Language In Iran Threat ‘Truly Shocking’, Says Former US Diplomat Barbara Leaf (YouTube)