Retired U.S. General Mark Kimmitt Says Trump’s Public Statements May Shift Leverage Toward Tehran

Retired U.S. General Mark Kimmitt said U.S. President Donald Trump’s public statements may inadvertently shift leverage to Tehran. According to Odaily, Kimmitt said Trump has shown impatience with negotiations, saying he announces “two or three times every two or three days” that an agreement will be reached within “two or three days.” Kimmitt said these statements signal to Iranians that Trump lacks patience and that Iran is using this to its advantage. He added that Tehran is “provoking him,” not necessarily on the battlefield but at the diplomatic negotiating table. On how Trump responds, Kimmitt said Trump is not responding at the negotiating table but through military force.