'LOSER OF MIDDLE EAST': Trump taunts Iran's apology to neighbors
What's the story
United States President Donald Trump has reacted to Iran's recent apology to its Gulf neighbors. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said Iran is no longer the "bully of the Middle East" but a loser. "Iran is no longer the 'Bully of the Middle East,' they are, instead, 'THE LOSER OF THE MIDDLE EAST,'" he wrote. He claimed this shift was due to relentless strikes by the US and Israel in an ongoing conflict.
Apology reaction
Iran's President hints at de-escalation
Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian recently hinted at de-escalation, apologizing for attacks on neighboring countries. Pezeshkian called these nations "brothers" and said Iran's armed forces were instructed not to attack unless provoked. Trump claimed this promise was only possible because of US and Israeli pressure. He wrote that Iran has apologized and surrendered to its Middle East neighbors and that this promise was only made because of the relentless US and Israeli attack.
Apology aftermath
Middle Eastern countries thanked me, says Trump
Trump also claimed that Middle Eastern countries thanked him for his role in the situation. He wrote, "They have said, 'Thank you, President Trump.' I have said, 'You're welcome!'" The US President further warned that Iran would be "hit very hard" due to its "bad behavior." He wrote, "Under serious consideration for complete destruction and certain death, because of Iran's bad behavior, are areas and groups of people that were not considered for targeting up until this moment in time."
Casualties
Over 1,300 killed in Iran, chaos in West Asia
According to Iran's official reports, over 1,332 people have been reported killed in Iran following the start of US-Israeli air attacks on February 28, with thousands more wounded. Over 4,700 are reported to be injured as well, according to Al Jazeera. Casualties have also been reported in Lebanon, Iraq, Bahrain, and other neighboring areas. Meanwhile, the US military has confirmed six American service members have been killed.
Energy supplies
Effect on energy supplies
Since the region is key to petroleum supplies, the price of oil has started going up. In the US, average petrol prices were up approximately 23 cents per gallon compared to the previous week, and up approximately 41 cents per gallon of diesel over the same period, the BBC reported. The same report says that traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has almost completely stopped after Iran threatened to "set fire" to ships, with about 200 tankers effectively stranded.