"The Ice in the Middle East Has Broken" Trump Praises Himself for Peace Mediation

Going All Out to Promote Diplomatic Achievements Ahead of the Presidential Election
Meeting the Press Corps in the Office and Giving Briefings and Interviews
Close Aide O'Brien: "Nobel Peace Prize Material"

Jared Kushner (left), Senior Advisor to U.S. President Donald Trump, and Robert O'Brien, National Security Council (NSC) Advisor, are briefing on the agreement to normalize diplomatic relations between Iran and the UAE.
[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] On the 13th (local time), Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) agreed to normalize diplomatic relations, prompting U.S. President Donald Trump to promote this diplomatic achievement as a result of his mediation. President Trump also mentioned the North Korea issue, boasting that he prevented a war. This move is seen as an attempt to overturn his disadvantage through diplomatic achievements with about 80 days left before the U.S. presidential election.

On the morning of the same day, President Trump posted a joint statement on Twitter announcing that Israel and the UAE had agreed to full normalization of relations, praising it as a "historic peace agreement," and then unexpectedly met with reporters in his office.

He said, "When I was elected, they said a war would break out within days," adding, "If someone else had been elected, we would have been at war." He emphasized, "We are doing very well in the Middle East right now." He also boldly claimed, "If I win the election, I will reach an agreement with Iran within 30 days." In an interview with Fox News, he predicted that "the ice has been broken" and that additional agreements would follow in the Middle East.

He did not forget to mention North Korea, saying he prevented a war there as well. President Trump said that everyone, including former U.S. President Barack Obama, said "we would be at war" with North Korea, but "we did not go to war."

President Trump reiterated the importance of this agreement during the COVID-19 briefing held in the afternoon. This time, he emphasized it as "big news worldwide," claiming it was "the most important diplomatic breakthrough in 40 years since the Israel-Egypt peace agreement."

President Trump's surprise announcement appears to be mindful of the presidential election just over 80 days away. It is believed that he focused on resolving Middle East issues to secure support from his base, including white Christian evangelicals and Jewish voters. The Hill, a U.S. congressional media outlet, also evaluated that the announcement seemed more like a card for President Trump in the election less than three months away than a diplomatic breakthrough.

Trump's close aides also rallied in support. Jared Kushner, senior White House advisor and Trump's son-in-law, said at a separate press conference, "I think there will be very good opportunities in the Middle East," and Robert O'Brien, White House National Security Council (NSC) advisor, praised, "I would not be surprised if President Trump is nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize."