United States of the Middle East?': Trump posts US flag covering Iran

A Truth Social post by President Donald Trump showed the U.S. flag covering a map of Iran and asked whether the United States of the Middle East is desired. Experts said the message could be incendiary during negotiations for a more lasting ceasefire in the U.S.-Israeli war involving Iran. The post may roil allies and foes because of past U.S. interventions, including the 2003–2011 invasion of Iraq, and because it appears to conflict with claims that the U.S. does not seek prolonged occupation or outright regime change. The U.S. says it does not seek regime change but would welcome it as a byproduct. A pause in fighting has largely held since early April, while the U.S. blockades Iranian ports and Iran effectively closes the Strait of Hormuz.

"President Donald Trump has posted a photo of the United States flag covering the map of Iran, with the question: United States of the Middle East? The post on Truth Social on Saturday represented another potentially incendiary message from Trump amid ongoing negotiations for a more lasting ceasefire in the US-Israeli war with Iran, experts said."

"It carries the potential to roil both regional allies and foes alike given Washington's past intervention in the Middle East, most notably during the US invasion of Iraq from 2003 to 2011, as well as the Trump administration's push to increase its influence abroad. The sentiment also appears to run counter to the Trump administration's repeated statements that it is not seeking a prolonged occupation of Iran."

"The US has maintained it is not seeking outright regime change in its war, which it launched alongside Israel on February 28, but that it would welcome such change as a byproduct of the military campaign. Even for a president known for outlandish social media posts and conflicting messaging on the war, the post could have implications for ongoing negotiations aimed at a more lasting ceasefire, according to Vali Nasr."

"He pointed to Trump's threat in early April that an entire civilisation will die if Iran did not agree to a deal at the time. Hours later, both sides agreed to a pause in fighting. That pause has held since, save for a handful of flare-ups, with the US continuing to blockade Iranian ports and Tehran effectively closing the Strait of Hormuz."

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