Trump Maximizes Options on Iran as Australia Faces Diplomatic Setback
Prime Minister's missed G7 meeting highlights Middle East crisis impact on bilateral relations
The Trump administration is weighing multiple strategic options against Iran while viewing Israel as "winning this battle," according to a leading US-Australia relations expert, as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's failure to secure a face-to-face meeting with the US president at the G7 summit underscores how Middle East tensions are reshaping international diplomacy.
Jared Mondschein, research director at the US Studies Centre, told Sky News that President Donald Trump is "trying to maximize as many options for himself as possible" regarding Iran, while remaining committed to avoiding ground troops in any potential conflict.
"Let's not forget that as much as this is a very challenging, thorny military problem and diplomatic problem, we also have to understand his own background and the fact that he likes winners," Mondschein said. "And right now he views Israel as winning this battle."
The assessment comes as Trump's early departure from the G7 meeting to focus on Middle East developments prevented the long-anticipated bilateral discussion with Albanese, marking another missed opportunity for high-level US-Australia engagement after President Joe Biden cancelled a planned Quad summit visit to Australia last year due to domestic budget constraints.
"This is not the first time the US president has had to bow out of an important meeting with Australia because of other issues," Mondschein said, describing the cancellation as "completely understandable" given presidential responsibilities.
The diplomatic setback occurs amid ongoing Pentagon reviews of the AUKUS submarine partnership, with senior Defense Department official Bridge Colby reportedly raising questions about the program's viability. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who did secure a Trump meeting at the G7, emerged expressing confidence that AUKUS would proceed despite the review.
"There is a division within the Trump administration about what is the future of AUKUS, whether the US can afford to allow some critical nuclear-powered submarines to go to Australia," Mondschein explained.
The Iran situation presents particular complexity for Trump's foreign policy approach, with Mondschein noting that "Iran is clearly a divisive topic within his own MAGA movement." However, Trump appears encouraged by Israeli momentum against Iranian interests, which aligns with broader regional dynamics involving Sunni-majority countries, particularly Saudi Arabia.
"He's seeing the momentum that the Israelis have made against Iran and is something that a powerful Iran has long gone against the interest of not only Israel, but a number of Sunni countries across the region," Mondschein said.
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