Thomas Friedman, the longtime New York Times columnist, published a sharp attack this week on the U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding, arguing that President Donald Trump decided to stop the war for domestic political reasons even at the expense of Israel and Gulf states.
Friedman wrote that Trump “sold Israel and the Gulf states” to protect Republicans in battleground states ahead of the November midterm elections. He said the president understood that a prolonged war could drive up food and fuel prices and help trigger a Republican defeat in places such as Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Michigan.
He also argued that Trump’s concern was not only political but personal. If Democrats win control of both the House and the Senate, Friedman wrote, Trump could face lengthy congressional investigations into how he used the presidency to enrich himself and his family. In Friedman’s view, Trump again abandoned principles and allies in favor of self-interest.
Friedman said the agreement leaves Israel and Gulf countries more exposed to Iran and sends Tehran the message that Washington wants to end the confrontation, even at a steep cost. He warned that U.S. allies in the region will read the deal as evidence that America is pulling back and leaving them to confront Iran alone. He described the outcome as a major geopolitical shift in the Gulf, with Iran emerging stronger and more secure.
