Betting On TACO? Oil Slides Despite Unraveling 'Diplomacy' In Iran; Trump Warns China & Russia - Gulf Insider
Somewhat surprisingly,oil prices are pushing lower by week’s close, especially after a succession of perhaps‘diplomacy-lite’ headlines; however, the reality still remains is that the bombing campaign is. . .
Somewhat surprisingly,oil prices are pushing lower by week’s close, especially after a succession of perhaps‘diplomacy-lite’ headlines; however, the reality still remains is that the bombing campaign is escalating… and typically the region witnesses the biggest bombs away on a weekend, with markets closed:President Trump took to Truth Social to warn China and Russia against giving or selling arms to Iran, saying: “If they did, it would be very bad for them”. However he also sought to clarify: “In my opinion, (they are) not participating. ”Doing so was “certainly not in their best interests” – the president added. The president addressed a Reuters report that alleged Iranian strikes on CIA targets in the Gulf earlier in the war is being investigated, on concerns that Russia or China may have helped with such targeting. Xi “told me he would not,” Trump wrote. Was there a pinky promise?…The latest little peace overture by Washington widely reported Thursday night was apparently a big nothingburger, as on Friday the Iraqi prime minister’s office hasdenied aNew York Timesreport claiming that Iran rejected a US ceasefire proposal delivered to Tehran by Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi. The fresh statement from the prime minister’s office said what was published in theTimeswas“entirely unfounded” and had “no relation to reality. ”The statement underscored the temporary nature of the proposal and that it was the “only offer on the table” and still left the question of control over the Strait of Hormuz unresolved – and so Tehran was uninterested. It’s also the reality thatTehran wants to see Trump sweat and impose economic and political costsparticularly ahead of the midterms in November, where Congressional Republicans must face voters over failing to rein in Trump’s Iran war. The Iranians continue to openly voice this, for example in the following from the parliament speaker:Meanwhile, in what is becoming a brutal, nightly routine, US Central Command (CENTCOM) has wrapped up its 13th consecutive wave of airstrikes against Iran. The Pentagonsaidittargeted military command centers, drone storage facilities, communication networks, and coastal surveillance sites. Iranian state media reported overnight into Friday heavy explosions rocking major hubs across the country, including Khorramabad, Jask, Ahvaz, Bandar Abbas, and the strategic outpost of Qeshm Island. Iranian media further said aUS missile strike left four dead and five injured in the key industrial and transportation hub of Ahvaz. As the bombs fall, Tehran is still signaling that military pressure won’t force a cheap surrender – with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi lashing out at the US escalation,warning that “mindless aggression” will only see Trump pay a “heavier price”for a deal to end the war. Iranian retaliation on US-linked sites in the Gulf have continued at the same steady pace, with on Friday Bahrain’s military having intercepted “several treacherous Iranian air attacks” – according to the general command of the Bahrain Defense Force. The Bahraini military further denounced Iran’s “systematic hostile approach” and “criminal attacks targeting civilians”. The statement emphasized, “The general command emphasises that the deliberate use of missiles and drones to target civilians and private property constitutes a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law. ”Throughout the morning the Iranian military’s targets also included locations inJordan, Kuwait, and northern Iraq. Sky News isreportingthat“Explosions were also heard near a base hosting the US in Iraq, near the Erbil International Airport. ”Fox feeding its Boomer audience some Freedom Viagra with a helping of war crimes on the side:Fox News discussion about Iran's infrastructure:"What do you think we might hit first?""I don't know if we'll hit it first, but the Damavand plant supplies 40% of Tehran's electricity. "pic. twitter. com/VpYVT2X4lI— The American Conservative (@amconmag)July 23, 2026But Fox News also reports the results of its latest pollwhich finds56% oppose the ongoing American military action against Iran, including 40% who “strongly” oppose. “Disapproval of President Donald Trump’s handling of Iran hit a record high in July,” Fox writes. “A majority of voters oppose U. S. military action, and nearly two thirds think the conflict will last at least a year,”thereportsays. This as The Wall Street Journal does an entire investigative report which should be laughably obvious to any careful observer to what’s been going on and the deepening quagmire the US is gettingitself into:As the war inIranenters its fifth month, Trump is increasingly frustrated that a conflict he once thought would be over in a matter of weeks has dragged on with no end in sight, administration officials and others close to the president said. Some of Trump’s advisers now worry that the war—whichhas resulted in higher prices, falling approval ratings and the deaths of more than a dozen U. S. servicemembers—is consuming his presidency and damaging Republicans’ already dim prospects in the coming midterm elections. Alarmingly, the WSJ noted that Trump seems in“revenge mode”against Tehran, and apparently sees no other options than to try and keep bombing his way out of it. Of course,this script has been written many times– not only during the “Global War on Terror” and this millennium’s “forever wars” – but going all the way back to the Vietnam war. NBC:The four service members being flown from the Middle East to Dover Air Force Base were 28-year-old Angel S. Rampersad of New York, 30-year-old Michael Emmanuel Swinton of North Carolina, 25-year-old Tyler James Feehan of Hawaii and 19-year-old Isabella Gonzales of Texas. The war is said to be taking a heavy “toll” on Trump and his top officials. According to more of what’s also been glaringly obvious for anyone who has had a shred of independentthought:The war is splitting the conservative coalition over which Trump once had an iron grip, worrying some Republicans close to the White House. Longtime Trump allies such as Fox News hostLaura Ingrahamhave used their platforms to express concerns about how the war might affect Republicans in November’s midterm elections. On Monday,she said the “clock is ticking” to the midterms.