Iranian-affairs specialist Mokhtar Haddad said President Donald Trump’s claims of a U.S. cease-fire and respect for regional mediation are false.
These assertions matter because they influence the stability of the Persian Gulf, where trust between Tehran and Washington remains fragile. Haddad said the U.S. is using diplomatic language to mask a strategic military buildup.
Haddad said the president's statements are a tactical deception designed to mislead Iran and other regional actors. He said the strategy is intended to buy time for military preparations while projecting a facade of peace.
To support this view, Haddad cited previous U.S. behavior, specifically referring to a 12-day war [2] used as a precedent for such maneuvers. He said the gap between official U.S. rhetoric and actual operations is evident in the ongoing maritime pressure exerted on Iranian ports.
The specialist also noted recent shifts in regional logistics. He said Iran opened the Strait of Hormuz three weeks ago [1], a move that contrasts with the continued pressure from U.S. forces in the area.
Haddad said the U.S. approach relies on creating a false sense of security to gain a tactical advantage. He said the current diplomatic posture is not a genuine attempt at peace, but a tool for strategic positioning.
“Trump’s claims of a U.S. cease-fire and respect for regional mediation are false”
The analysis by Haddad suggests a deep skepticism toward U.S. diplomatic overtures in the Middle East. By framing the cease-fire claims as a 'tactical deception,' he highlights a pattern of distrust where military movements are perceived as the true intent behind political statements. This tension is exacerbated by the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz and the history of short-term conflicts in the region.
