The day that could change the course of the clash in the Middle East began on Monday in the early eveningbetween the roar of an American F-15 taken off more than promptly and the echo of an explosion: shortly after 8 pm, now of Doha, a rocket hit the perimeter area of the American base of Al Udeid, in Qatar, the largest in the region. No injuries, the other 13 missiles launched by Tehran intercepted. It was the retaliation for American raids against the three Iranian nuclear sites. But it was only a symbolic response, well choreographed, agreed with the Qatar and prevailing Washington.
A way to save the face, raising the tone but not yet the volume. Shortly thereafter, From the situation room of the White House, Donald Trump raises the phone. At his side is JD Vance, the young and ambitious vice -president who in recent weeks has become one of the most trusted councilors on the Middle Eastern crisis, together with the secretary of state Marco Rubio and the correspondent Steve Witkoff. On the other side of the line, the Emir of Qatar, Tamim Bin Hamad at Thani. It is a short but intense phone call.
The Commander in Chief wants a direct, quick, reserved channel. He already has the green light of Israel in his hand but Doha has to bridge between Washington and Tehran, exploiting his ambiguous but effective neutrality. The message is clear: the US does not intend to launch new attacks, but Iran must descend to more mild advice and accept a mutual de-Escalation, not declared, but concrete. Foreign Minister Qatari, Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman at Thani, convenes the Iranian ambassador urgently. In Geneva, where the US maintain a secret contact channel with Tehran, the messages cross. For hours, however, the Iranian from Iranian reigns silence. But then the signal comes: the supreme guide office ledger that Khamenei has given its green light. No retreat, but a break. The first confirmations come from the Iranian broadcasters: the tones drop, the words “retaliation” and “martyrdom” disappear from the titles. A Pasdaran general speaks of “defense completed”.
Trump begins to post on Truth, about three hours after the Iranian counterattack, which defines a “weak response”, “effectively contrasted”, and embarrasses Tehran by thanking it “for notifying us in advance”. “Maybe Iran can now proceed towards peace and harmony in the region, and I will encourage enthusiasm Israel to do the same”, he writes. “For everything he did to seek peace in the region». A day started between sirens and fear ended with a surprise respite. The Qatar, once again, is confirmed by the mediator behind the scenes. And Trump, between a raid and a post, takes the merit of a peace, albeit fragile.