Former MI6 chief John Scarlett appeared on today’s Sky News to discuss President Donald Trump‘s decision to strike Iran, as he said it may be down to a “misunderstanding” in negotiations. Scarlett told journalist Trevor Phillips during the breaking news announcement as the banner flashed at the bottom of the screen: “It was clear that Benjamin Netanyahu was concerned Donald Trump was reluctant to go in – and suddenly he did. So what was it that caused that sudden change of mind, maybe in one evening?” When asked where he leaned amongst the theories about Trump starting the conflict, Scarlett said: “I am leaning towards a misunderstanding, maybe – or an overinterpretation of what’s happening or not happening in the negotiations in Muscat.”
His comments come as the war continues to wage on between the US, Israel and Iran, which began on February 28.
Earlier today, Gulf Arab states reported new missile and drone attacks after Iran threatened to widen its campaign and called for the evacuation of three major ports in the United Arab Emirates.
When the US and Israel attacked Iran in recent weeks, they said they were targeting military and nuclear sites and calling for the Iranian people to rise against their leaders.
Iran has been responding with attacks against Israel and neighbouring nations in the Persian Gulf. The conflict, now in its third week, has disrupted oil exports from the region and raised fuel prices worldwide.
Sky News viewers took to X to comment on Scarlett’s remarks, with one writing: “It wasn’t down to any misunderstanding but simply due to Trump’s irrational behaviour coupled with Netanyahu’s deception.” Another penned: “The whole World will be plunged into a war that only Israel wanted and that Netanyahu dreamed about for 40 years. How is this normal?”
A third added: “Absolutely! Negotiations can never win, till you are on attacking Mode.” Meanwhile, a fourth shared: “There is/was no misunderstanding.”
A fifth remarked: “It’s ego and he has to learn every living man has one.” Another said: “Calling a massive military strike a misunderstanding is a wild way to frame a conflict that could reshape the entire Middle East. If negotiation gaps lead to missles flying then the diplomacy has already failed on a level we havent seen in decades. You can’t just write off a direct hit on a sovereign state as a simple lack of communication between leaders.”
