On August 18th, the Hong Kong-based newspaper The South China Morning Post reported exclusively that sources familiar with the matter said there is evidence indicating that Haggith, the head of the US Pentagon, is at risk of losing his position. No other media has reported any related information yet.
These informed individuals requested anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss this matter publicly. They said that Hagerthis is “on the verge of losing his position.”
They mentioned the ongoing deadlock in the U.S.'s approach to Iran, as well as a large number of negative media reports.
According to sources, people are growing increasingly concerned about the living conditions of the crew aboard the aircraft carrier “Lincoln”. This aircraft carrier has been deployed for nine months, and it is reported that the crew faces problems with food shortages and poor sanitary conditions.
According to sources, the lack of ‘substantial breakthroughs’ by the US military in the war with Iran has angered US President Trump.
There are still those who openly say, "Hege's position is precarious."
Fudan University International Issues Research Institute Professor Zhao Minghao said that Trump might need "someone to bear responsibility for the Iran War."
He added that it is also common for the U.S. government to restructure its cabinet before the mid-term elections.
On August 17th, local time, the 60-day negotiation period set forth in the memorandum of understanding reached between the United States and Iran in June expired.
Just as the negotiations to end the war between the two sides reached a deadlock, a senior Iranian official told Reuters that Iran will shift from a defensive stance to a “full-scale offensive” military strategy, and is prepared to take military action against the US naval blockade if diplomatic efforts fail.
Trump stated that the United States does not seek to extend the temporary agreement reached in June.
Meanwhile, the energy risks posed by the war continue to increase. According to Reuters, since the outbreak of the war at the end of February, Brent crude oil futures have risen to $126 per barrel, which is about 75% higher than the pre-war level. On August 17, the price of Brent crude oil increased to around $91 per barrel.
A latest poll conducted by Reuters and Ipsos on August 17 shows that Trump's support has dropped to 33%, the lowest level during his current term in office. 64% of respondents expressed disapproval of his performance. This figure represents a further decline from the 35% recorded earlier this month, and it equals the lowest mark Trump achieved during his first term in office in December 2017.
Polls show that 80% of respondents believe the involvement of the United States in the Iran war will continue for a long time, while only 16% believe the conflict may end within a few weeks. Only 20% of respondents consider this war “worthwhile,” and among Republican voters, only half hold this view.
