Trump Envoy Demands Iran 'Cut Programs,' Ignores US Sanction History
Steve Witkoff, a former Trump envoy, recently outlined a familiar set of demands for Iran: curb its missile and nuclear programs to achieve a 'diplomatic agreement.' This narrative, amplified by outlets like RT, frames Iran as the aggressor necessitating these cuts. What's omitted from these pronouncements is the historical context of US foreign policy in the region, particularly the Trump
administration's unilateral withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2018, an agreement Iran was adhering to according to the IAEA. The US then imposed 'maximum pressure' sanctions, crippling Iran's economy and fueling distrust. It's a classic setup: demand concessions after breaking a deal and then blame the other side for not being 'diplomatic enough' for refusing. This
pattern isn't new; it echoes the lead-up to the 2003 Iraq War, where dubious claims about WMDs led to devastating consequences. The constant drumbeat for Iranian concession, without acknowledging the US's own role in destabilizing the region or its significant military presence, reeks of selective memory. One might legitimately ask: how many times can a global superpower demand disarmament from
nations it has repeatedly threatened or sanctioned without offering genuine security guarantees?