Academic Questions Trump's Claim Iran Has Surrendered: Merely Political Rhetoric

US President Donald Trump’s post on Truth Social, in which he referred to Iran as “The Loser of the Middle East” and described Iran as having ‘surrendered’ to neighbouring states, does not reflect the geopolitics currently at play. Associate Professor Emaridial Ulza of Universitas Muhammadiyah Hamka (Uhamka) said the statement is nothing more than political rhetoric and not an accurate portrayal of the Middle East as fighting rages. “Donald Trump has a habit of framing announcements around victories as the first message to try to pressure opponents psychologically,” Emaridial Ulza said, citing Antara, Sunday 8 March. The head of the Muhammadiyah Youth’s Central Leadership Council in Foreign Relations also highlighted Trump’s assertion that Iran ‘has apologised and surrendered’ to neighbouring countries after US and Israeli attacks, and that Iran would face ‘very hard blows’. According to Emaridial, the statement is full of contradictions. He argues that the on-the-ground situation is highly complex and that it leaves the United States in a difficult position. He also added that in many situations of war or international conflict, unilateral declarations of victory are usually used as part of a negotiation strategy to build public opinion. “This pattern has been seen repeatedly, from trade negotiations with China, the North Korea crisis, to earlier conflicts in the same region,” he said. “The claim that Iran ‘has surrendered’ is almost certainly framing for domestic consumption to build a triumphant narrative he needs for his people and the world, not an accurate description of the on-ground conditions,” he added. On that basis, a member of the Foreign Relations and International Cooperation Commission of the Indonesian Ulama Council (MUI) said that declarations of victory on social media do not equate to peace. “In many historical cases, such rhetoric can actually prolong the cycle of escalation. Moreover, the absence of direct involvement by allied countries such as the UK or Spain following Germany strengthens the case that Trump needs negotiation,” he added. Indonesia could be a mediator. Furthermore, Emaridial argues that when the positions of the US and Iran are pressured, a third-party mediator is necessary. He also said Indonesia could play an important role by organising meetings through the OKI or with other Middle Eastern countries as one of the world’s largest Muslim-majority nations. He stressed that Indonesia’s presence on the Board of Peace (BoP) established by Trump and as a member of BRICS could serve as a conduit. He believes President Prabowo Subianto could help reduce the tensions currently at play. “Even if not directly, a goodwill gesture by President Prabowo could modestly reduce tensions given the consequences,” he concluded.