With his weak Iran deal, Trump reveals danger for allies – Australia included

June 19, 2026 — 9:30am

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American power is not what it used to be. American hubris, on the other hand, is stronger than ever.

The hubris last peaked in 2003 when president George W. Bush stood on an aircraft carrier in front of a banner that declared “mission accomplished” in the war with Iraq. It took seven long years before US troops could withdraw from that fiasco.

Now we have seen Bush eclipsed. Donald Trump showed even greater hubris this week with his declaration of victory in the war with Iran.

And that is a problem for American allies – including Australia.

“We stopped nuclear holocaust,” the president claimed of his deal at one point when speaking at the G7 summit in France. He argued he had brought peace to the Middle East, opened the oil trade and averted economic catastrophe.

‘Wake up and smell the reality’: Vance excoriates Israeli critics of Iran deal

In fact, his peace deal releases billions of dollars to the rulers in Tehran, eases military pressure on the regime and delivers no guarantee of lasting security.

Trump is on the defensive when many of his MAGA supporters believe the outcome is too good for Tehran. He tries to project strength with his tough talk about bombing Iran if it does not behave, but the terms of the deal show weakness.

Allies are adjusting to this across Europe. NATO leaders refused to support Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when they launched the war on February 28, and some paid a price. In Germany, for instance, Trump took steps to........

© WA Today