The Trump administration’s war of words against Iran reflects a widening diplomatic chasm, and comments from four leaders over the past two days make it clear that tensions are rising dramatically.
First up was President Hassan Rouhani, who warned President Trump on Sunday, “do not play with the lion’s tail, because you will regret it eternally.” Rouhani noted that a war with Iran would be the “mother of all wars.” Then came Rouhani’s boss, Ayatollah Khamenei who, with a thin veil, warned Rouhani that Iran will not suspend its strategic design of expanded theological power. Rouhani is pressuring Khamenei to divert funds away from the revolutionary guards and into domestic economic investment and liberalization. But Khamenei is siding with the hardliners.
