Donald Trump opted to spend his Sunday on the golf course with a mystery blonde aide as he urged Americans to 'relax' about the ongoing Iran conflict. His laissez-faire approach to leading the United States was on full display as he teed off at the Trump National Golf Club in Washington, D.C., on Sunday. The former president was accompanied by an unknown blonde woman, believed to be an aide, and attempted to quell public fears about the fragile ceasefire with Iran.
Trump's Truth Social Message
On his social media platform Truth Social, Trump wrote: 'Iran really wants to make a deal, and it will be a good one for the U.S.A. and those that are with us. Just sit back and relax, it will all work out well in the end – It always does!' The post came amid ongoing crossfire and repeated violations of the ceasefire agreement.
Ceasefire Negotiations and Escalation
Trump met with advisers on Friday but has yet to decide whether to move ahead with a deal to extend the ceasefire and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has stated that the deal has not been finalised, but Trump seemed optimistic in his social media post while mocking critics. The United States bombed Iranian radar and drone control sites in Iran after Tehran shot down an American MQ-1 Predator drone this weekend, the US military said on Monday. Iran acknowledged launching a retaliatory strike, while Kuwait reported intercepting incoming drone and missile fire.
The ceasefire has seen repeated attacks even as American and Iranian officials try to negotiate a deal to extend it. Iran has maintained its chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz, disrupting global energy supplies, as a fifth of all oil and natural gas once passed through this narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf. Fighting continues to escalate as Israel extends its occupation of Lebanon and as the militant group Hezbollah continues to launch drones into Israel.
US Military Response
The US military's Central Command said it carried out strikes in Iran on Saturday and Sunday around the city of Geruk and on Qeshm Island. Central Command described the strikes as 'measured' and in response to 'aggressive' Iranian actions, including shooting down a US drone operating in international waters. 'US fighter aircraft swiftly responded by eliminating Iranian air defences, a ground control station and two one-way attack drones that posed clear threats to ships transiting regional waters,' it added.
Kuwait said its air defences opened fire early on Monday morning to intercept incoming drone and missile fire. In a statement carried by the state-run IRNA news agency, Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard said US forces had targeted a telecommunications tower on an island. The Guard said it responded with an attack without specifying the location, likely referring to the attack on Kuwait.
