Never far away from the computer keyboard, US President Donald Trump quickly responded to Iran’s test-firing of a ballistic missile on Thursday via his favorite social networking site:
Iran has been formally PUT ON NOTICE for firing a ballistic missile.Should have been thankful for the terrible deal the U.S. made with them!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 2, 2017
Washington implemented a new wave of sanctions against Tehran on Friday in response to what it called Iran's "provocative behavior." The White House suggested the sanctions were only the "initial steps" of their response, indicating that the US would no longer turn a "blind eye" to any hostile actions by Iran.
Trump has been clear over his disapproval of the Iran Nuclear Deal which saw years of crippling sanctions lifted, calling it “the worst deal ever negotiated”. Meanwhile, the former Apprentice judge has given his ear to the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who enthusiastically supports a harsher stance towards Tehran.
In spite of his ambiguous attitude towards the Gulf nations, Trump’s hardline attitude towards Saudi Arabia’s nemesis has won him fans across the GCC. Being avid Twitter users, Gulf elites have enthusiastically taken to the microblogging website to praise the American President’s no-nonsense approach to Iran using the English-language hashtag “Trump warns Iranian terrorism”.
#TrumpWarnsIranianTerrorism#AnittaNoMultishow
— Abu Hamdan (@Abuhamdan011) February 5, 2017
Iran is the biggest state sponsor of terrorism in the world Mr Trump will put a end to them! pic.twitter.com/rYMO5g7yOx
It's Trump time , he knows how to deal with the country of corruption and terrorism #iran
— منال (@mnoooolh10) February 5, 2017
#TrumpWarnsIranianTerrorism#JustinIsRacist pic.twitter.com/SBa5JVlXIm
The White House has spoken: Iran is playing with fire. Trump's Era is about Action not talk.#TrumpWarnsIranianTerrorism pic.twitter.com/0NjSXB9GEA
— nasser (@nasser_ma12) February 5, 2017
#عيدوا_الاجازه_مانتبهنا together we will stop them #TrumpWarnsIranianTerrorism pic.twitter.com/KE9h30Htie
— نصراوية موت (@Nasseroneoneone) February 4, 2017
@realDonaldTrump
— 500k طفيشآن (@6fshan011) February 7, 2017
This is true in every way
The Iranian Mullah terrorism is the problem the world is facing!#TrumpWarnsIranianTerrorism pic.twitter.com/l3TcDKvcO4
@realDonaldTrump
— عبدالمجيد السعيد (@mjeed_alsaeed) February 7, 2017
This is brilliant, you started your presidency fighting the Iranian terrorist threat. #TrumpWarnsIranianTerrorism
Saudis and their neighbors might be pleased with how the new American presidency is panning out so far, but there is no guarantee Trump will be entirely positive for the Gulf. During his campaign, the businessman-turned-politician repeatedly threatened to block all Saudi oil imports to ensure “complete American energy independence.”
Nonetheless, speaking prior to a phone conversation between Trump and Saudi King Salman last week, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Adel bin Ahmed al-Jubeir indicated that: “We are very, very optimistic about the Trump administration and on working closely with it to deal with the many challenges, not only in our region but in the world.”
RA
