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

Washington, DC – President Donald Trump has posted a photo of the United States flag covering the map of Iran, accompanied by the question: “United States of the Middle East?”
The post on Truth Social on Saturday, according to experts, represents another potentially inflammatory message from Trump amidst ongoing negotiations for a more lasting ceasefire in the US-Israeli conflict with Iran.
This action has the potential to unsettle both regional allies and adversaries, given Washington’s historical interventions in the Middle East, most notably during the US invasion of Iraq from 2003 to 2011, as well as the Trump administration’s broader efforts to expand its influence globally.
The sentiment expressed also appears to contradict the Trump administration’s repeated assertions that it is not seeking a prolonged occupation of Iran. The US has consistently stated it is not pursuing outright regime change in the war, which it initiated alongside Israel on February 28, but would welcome such a change as a byproduct of the military campaign.
Even for a president known for provocative social media posts and inconsistent messaging regarding the war, this particular post could have significant implications for the ongoing negotiations aimed at achieving a more durable ceasefire, according to Vali Nasr, a professor of international affairs and Middle East studies at Johns Hopkins University.
Nasr recalled Trump’s threat in early April that an “entire civilisation will die” if Iran did not agree to a deal at that time. Hours later, both sides agreed to a pause in hostilities.
That pause has largely held since, apart from a few minor flare-ups, with the US maintaining its blockade of Iranian ports and Tehran effectively closing the Strait of Hormuz.
“First he declared he wanted to eradicate Iran’s civilisation now he is declaring that he wants to turn Iran into an American property,” Nasr wrote on X.
He added, “It is this kind of grotesque behaviour that undermines diplomacy and unites Iranians in defence of their country. In the middle of delicate diplomacy he casts doubts on America’s true intentions.”
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Fragile negotiations continue
On Saturday, both US and Iranian officials indicated that a new deal might be within reach.
Trump informed CBS News that both sides were “getting a lot closer”. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reportedly stated that an update could be coming shortly.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said the two sides were “currently working to finalise” a memorandum of understanding, and that “the opinions have been converging”.
However, no official announcements have been made regarding key unresolved issues in the standoff, including the future of Iran’s nuclear program, the status of its highly enriched uranium stockpile, and its future influence over the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump regularly uses his Truth Social account, which he launched after a brief ban from Twitter (now X) following the 2020 election, to make significant announcements, criticize political adversaries, and share AI-generated images and videos.
The foreign policy approach for his potential second term has been characterized by efforts to increase US influence abroad, particularly in the Americas. This has included the military abduction of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, ongoing threats against Cuba, and pledges to take control of Greenland, the semi-autonomous Danish territory in the North Atlantic.
On Saturday, Trump also posted an image of his face peering over a mountain range in Greenland, accompanied by the caption: “Hello, Greenland!”
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