Iran: Trump Mideast peace plan a ‘nightmare’ for region and world

The Iranian foreign minister on Tuesday called President Trump’s newly revealed Middle East peace plan a “nightmare” for the region and world.

Mohammad Javad Zarif condemned the White House’s proposed “Vision for Peace” on Twitter by posting a picture with the plan’s title crossed out and replaced with “Sleepwalking into Catastrophe.” The foreign minister also included the hashtag #LetsUniteForPalestinians.

“The so-called ‘Vision for Peace’ is simply the dream project of a bankruptcy-ridden real estate developer,” he wrote. “But it is a nightmare for the region and the world. And, hopefully, a wake-up call for all the Muslims who have been barking up the wrong tree.”

The so-called “Vision for Peace” is simply the dream project of a bankruptcy-ridden real estate developer.

But it is a nightmare for the region and the world

And, hopefully, a wake-up call for all the Muslims who have been barking up the wrong tree.#LetsUniteForPalestinians pic.twitter.com/j2CJ9JaH9c

— Javad Zarif (@JZarif) January 28, 2020

The president revealed his plan for a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine on Tuesday after getting approval by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli opposition party leader Benny Gantz. During his announcement, he encouraged Palestinian leaders to back the plan.

The proposal includes giving some land in the West Bank and other areas recognized by the U.S. as part of Israel to the Palestinian government, once conditions are met. 

“My vision provides a win-win opportunity for both sides. A realistic two-state solution that resolves the risk of Palestinian statehood to Israel’s security,” Trump said at the White House event.

Jordan’s Foreign Affairs minister also denounced the proposed deal, saying, “We condemn the unilateral Israeli measures and warn of its consequences by directing its guardian.”

الدولة #الفلسطينية وعاصمتها #القدس الشرقية وفق حل الدولتين سبيل السلام
مبادئ المملكة إزاء القضية الفلسطينية ومصالحنا الوطنية تحكم تعامل الحكومة مع كل الطروحات
ندين الإجراءات الإسرائيلية الأحادية ونحذر من تبعاتها
بتوجيه الوصي عليها يكرس الأردن كل إمكاناته لحماية المقدسات وهويتها pic.twitter.com/RHzt667aPM

— Ayman Safadi (@AymanHsafadi) January 28, 2020

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) also spoke out against the plan, saying that it did not offer any chance for a “real” Palestinian state. 

Trump’s “peace plan” is a rubber stamp for annexation and offers no chance for a real Palestinian state. Releasing a plan without negotiating with Palestinians isn’t diplomacy, it’s a sham. I will oppose unilateral annexation in any form—and reverse any policy that supports it.

— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) January 28, 2020

Tuesday’s White House rollout marked a culmination of sorts for Trump, who has long promised to would deliver a plan to foster peace between the Israelis and Palestinians, but details had always been scarce and the release was repeatedly delayed.

There is much skepticism about the proposal. Palestinian leaders had cut off communications with U.S. officials in 2018 after Trump recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and said the U.S. would relocate its embassy there.

Updated at 3:30 p.m.