The article argues that Donald Trump’s recent shift toward Iran, including reports of a potential deal worth $300 billion, has stunned Israelis and raised fears that Washington is abandoning Israel. It says the move follows a dramatic change in Trump’s tone over recent days and weeks, after which he was said to have criticized Israel, praised Iranian leaders, and even floated direct U.S. talks with Hezbollah.
The piece offers several possible explanations for the turnaround. One is Trump’s age and alleged cognitive decline, citing reports of him dozing off and speaking incoherently. Another is a possible pressure point in China, after Trump returned from a visit to Beijing, which the article describes as an Iranian ally. It speculates that Chinese leader Xi Jinping may have said or shown something private that could be used to influence Trump, and also points to Iran’s importance to Chinese oil supplies and the economic harm caused by disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.
The article also focuses on Trump’s advisers Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, described as wealthy Jewish businessmen and among the most conciliatory figures on Iran and Israel. It says their business interests in the Gulf, including Kushner’s Affinity Partners, help explain their push for calm in the region. According to the article, Affinity Partners was formed in Miami after Trump’s first term, is funded almost entirely by Gulf sovereign wealth money, received about $2 billion from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, and another $1.5 billion from Qatar and the United Arab Emirates by late 2024, taking its assets above $6 billion. The article says it has also taken more than $150 million in management fees and invested in firms in the U.S. and Israel, including Phoenix and Shlomo Group.
Domestic U.S. politics is presented as another major factor. The article cites polls showing 52% of Americans think the war with Iran is not worth its cost, 66% say Trump has not clearly explained its goals, and 58% disapprove of his performance overall. It says Trump fears the political price of war ahead of the November midterm elections and is prioritizing his own career.
Finally, the piece says Trump is eager to arrive at the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence in 2026 on good terms with his enemies and with a grand national celebration underway. It notes a proposed $250 bill bearing his image, a yearlong official program of events, and Trump’s statement that on July 4, 2026, America will mark “the most important milestone in our nation’s history.” The article closes by saying the real explanation for the reversal is found in “Prison 10,” where Torah scholars are being held, a reference to Israeli religious prisoners.
