Days after signing an executive order to block immigrants from certain Muslim-majority countries, President Donald Trump moved against Iran, tweeting late Wednesday that Tehran is “rapidly taking over more and more of Iraq even after the U.S. has squandered three trillion dollars there.” Early Thursday he continued: “Iran has been formally PUT ON NOTICE for firing a ballistic missile. Should have been thankful for the terrible deal the U.S. made with them!”
Trump’s tweets follow condemnation from his national security advisor Gen. Michael Flynn after Tehran tested a ballistic missile, saying “such actions by Iran that undermine security, prosperity, and stability throughout and beyond the Middle East and place American lives at risk.”
Arabic-speaking users, mainly from Saudi Arabia and other Sunni regional rivals of Iran hailed the statements from Washington. Many expressed hope that the new American president would “put an end” to Iranian ambitions in the region, wondering whether “Trump is more serious toward Iran than his predecessor.”
Using the hashtag “The end of Iran is near” (#اقتربت_نهايه_ايران), users said Trump’s rise would spell doom for Iran. One raved that the American president “is whipping Iran, I’m starting to love this person.” Some Saudis wrote that the new rhetoric “reminds them of the escalation of Bush and the Taliban and al-Qaeda at the beginning of his term” and that “the war is on our doorstep.” Others from the region rejoiced that “Allah is imposing Trump on Iran,” predicting “2017 will be a fiery year of hell for Iran.” A Saudi writer even praised the GOP, saying “Trump isn’t leading America alone, but with the Republican party that understands the region well and know who are the long-time allies of their country.”
Others, however, condemned the tacit support of those mainly Sunni Arabs for Trump. “The Saudi Arabia that attacked Trump during the elections for his remarks against Muslims is now cosy with him because of his threats against Iran, (Saudi) is the dirtiest government in the region,” wrote an Egyptian. “Don’t be fooled by the American threats to Iran, it’s only words to hide the fact the America is the first supporter to any aggression against Saudi,” tweeted another.
The U.S. president and Saudi Arabia’s King Salman spoke and reportedly agreed on the importance of enforcing the nuclear deal with Iran, and “addressing Iran’s destabilizing regional activities.” Reuters noted that the exact implications of the U.S. threat against Iran are unclear but may force the administration to back up rhetoric with action, something that might endanger the agreement and lead to more uncertainty in the Middle East.
