By Moubarak Baydoun
Every day, U.S. President Donald Trump appears with contradictory or incomplete statements, turning the political scene into an open-ended state of anticipation filled with possibilities. Talks about a permanent ceasefire, or understandings involving major issues such as maritime routes and the Strait of Hormuz, were expected to lead to clear and announced steps. Yet so far, the picture still appears incomplete, and no agreement seems mature enough for a final declaration.
The situation has become so confusing that it almost feels as though we need a fortune teller, a clairvoyant, or even a political “witch” capable of revealing the future and deciphering the mysteries behind the American statements, just to understand what Trump truly wants and how far he intends to go during this sensitive stage. His daily shifts in position make it increasingly difficult to determine the real direction of the U.S. administration and whether it is moving toward a comprehensive settlement or toward further calculated escalation and pressure.
The core issue is that Trump’s political style often relies on keeping everyone in a constant state of uncertainty and pressure. He tends to exploit time and political ambiguity to secure the greatest possible strategic and political gains, whether in regional files or in negotiations with both allies and adversaries. As a result, his statements often appear as multi-layered messages — some aimed at media consumption, while others are part of a long and complicated negotiation process.
What is happening now suggests that Washington does not want a quick resolution. Instead, it appears to be managing and investing in tension in order to improve its political and security conditions. At the same time, regional actors are also acting with extreme caution, since any final agreement would require guarantees and broader understandings beyond media statements or political leaks.
Therefore, these daily fluctuations in positions are not entirely random. They may well be part of a deliberate strategy based on gradual pressure and calculated ambiguity, designed to push all parties toward concessions or acceptance of new conditions before any final settlement is reached.
