Trump seeks to avoid prolonged war with Iran: former US diplomat

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Trump seeks to avoid prolonged war with Iran: former US diplomat

2026-03-02 15:59 Last Updated At：17:38

Former U.S. diplomat Nabeel Khoury on Sunday said President Donald Trump seeks to avoid a prolonged war with Iran, which will hurt the American economy and voters back home.

The United States and Israel on Saturday launched strikes against Iran, plunging the war-torn Middle East into a new round of violent conflicts. Iran has retaliated with a series of counterattacks against Israel and U.S. targets across the region.

Trump said Sunday that the joint U.S.-Israeli military operations against Iran could last up to four weeks. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on the same day that the Israeli air force was striking Tehran with "increasing intensity" and that operations would "intensify further in the coming days".

"President Trump has different goals in mind than Prime Minister Netanyahu. Donald Trump would prefer not to have a prolonged war. He is fully aware of the cost, and already the mobilization and the ongoing bombing. It's very costly, and that hurts him with his voters back home. Because if this is a prolonged war, it will hurt the U.S. economy. And it will be felt mostly by the average American," Khoury said.

The latest flare-up came after the United States and Iran wrapped up their third round of indirect talks on Iran's nuclear program, during which Iran agreed to "never, ever have nuclear material that will create a bomb."

Khoury analyzed the possibility of a peace deal between the United States and Iran to end the new round of conflict.

"It's possible for him to end and declare victory, if the Iranians come to him with maybe a more flexible approach at the negotiation table," he said.

Traditional Nine-Turn Lantern Fair celebrated in Shanxi

People in Loufan County, north China's Shanxi Province, gathered to celebrate a local Lantern Festival tradition, the Nine-Turn Lantern Fair, praying for peace and good fortune in the coming year.

The Lantern Festival holiday, which falls on March 3 this year, marks the end of the Chinese New Year, or Spring Festival.

At the Nine-Turn Festival, a lantern maze inspired by the winding curves of the Yellow River welcomes visitors to wander through its nine symbolic gates. Locals, holding colorful lanterns, walk in an orderly procession through the twisting paths, offering prayers for luck and prosperity.

"This is our Loufan tradition, the 'nine-turn' festival. We came here to join in, share the festive spirit, and hope for a smooth year ahead," said Sun Junlin, local resident.

The lantern maze is intricately designed, with winding paths and carefully arranged lights. Folk music groups perform throughout the event, guiding participants as they stroll through the glowing maze, wishing for happiness and well-being in the new year.

"Walking the nine-turns is a long-standing folk blessing tradition in Loufan. It carries the people's beautiful hopes for peace, good luck, and favorable weather," said Lyu Xuyan, director of the Loufan County Cultural Center.