Trump Deputy Press Secretary Admits Iran Deal Was Days Away Before Israeli Strikes
"End of last week, Donald Trump said we're getting closer to a deal. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, expect something. Then the bombings happened when they attacked Israel over the weekend. Donald Trump didn't want to upset that apple cart. I think they were really close."
About this episode
Piers Morgan hosted a contentious debate on the escalating Iran-Israel conflict and President Trump's increasingly desperate efforts to broker peace. The episode opened with Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Sharon Haskell defending continued strikes on Hezbollah in Lebanon despite the supposed ceasefire, followed by a heated panel discussion featuring Glenn Greenwald, Rania Khalek, Colonel Richard Kemp, and Hogan Gidley. Greenwald made the explosive claim that Israel deceived Trump into war by promising quick regime change and falsely assuring the Strait of Hormuz would remain open. Gidley, Trump's former Deputy Press Secretary, revealed negotiations were days away from success before Israeli strikes on Beirut torpedoed the deal, suggesting Israel is actively sabotaging US diplomacy. Lebanese journalist Khalek disclosed new data showing Israel has killed 26 Lebanese army soldiers since March, contradicting claims of only targeting Hezbollah. The most striking moment came when Tehran University professor Mohammad Marandi joined to declare Iran has the upper hand militarily and will accept no compromise until Trump meets Iran's conditions, warning continued conflict will plunge the global economy into depression. The discussion revealed fundamental fractures between US and Israeli war aims, with Trump seeking an exit while Netanyahu appears committed to regional dominance regardless of American political costs. With midterms approaching and Trump's approval sinking, the episode painted a picture of a president trapped in an unwinnable conflict he never wanted, facing the choice between humiliating withdrawal or catastrophic escalation.
Key takeaways
- Hogan Gidley revealed US-Iran peace deal was days away before Israeli strikes on Beirut derailed negotiations last weekend.
- Glenn Greenwald claimed Israel tricked Trump into war with false promises of quick regime change and assurances Iran wouldn't close Hormuz Strait.
- Rania Khalek disclosed Israel has killed 26 Lebanese army soldiers since March 2nd, contradicting narrative of targeting only Hezbollah.
- Mohammad Marandi stated Iran has upper hand and will not compromise until Trump accepts Iran's conditions, can wait until US economy crumbles.
- Iranian professor warned continued US siege warfare will trigger global recession then depression if conflict persists.
- Panel consensus emerged that Israel and US have fundamentally different war aims, with Netanyahu seeking permanent regional dominance while Trump wants exit.
- Trump faces political disaster with midterms approaching as first modern US war to have majority opposition from start, risking loss of House and Senate.