“The world knows an Iranian soldier will defeat an American soldier” Tito Rutaremara
On July 16, 2026, Tito Rutaremara, Chief of Rwanda’s Council of Elders, issued a sharp critique of US President Donald Trump’s handling of the war in Iran. He argued that America appears indecisive and warned that if US troops were deployed on Iranian soil, they would ultimately be defeated.
The war began on February 28, 2026, when US and Israeli forces launched heavy strikes on Iran. In the opening days, several senior Iranian military and political leaders, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, were killed. Trump declared the offensive aimed to topple Iran’s “dictatorial regime,” halt its nuclear ambitions, and cut support for militant groups. Initially expected to last only days, the war has dragged on for nearly seven months.
Rutaremara highlighted Iran’s unexpected resilience. Instead of surrendering, Iran retaliated by firing missiles at Israeli targets and US bases in Arab countries. Shortly after, Tehran closed the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of global oil passes, crippling international trade and pressuring Washington.
This move, Rutaremara noted, struck at America’s economic lifeline, sparking global outrage as oil prices soared. Business leaders in the US, Israel, Europe, and Asia demanded an end to the war, forcing Trump and Netanyahu to reconsider their strategies.
According to Rutaremara, Netanyahu redirected Israeli attacks toward Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah, while Trump attempted to blockade Iranian ports to weaken its economy and disrupt oil supplies to China and Japan. However, these moves backfired, drawing criticism worldwide.
Even after a peace deal signed on June 17, 2026, tensions persisted. Iran insisted on fair terms, while Trump sought to dictate conditions as if Iran had been defeated. The fragile truce collapsed when Iranian forces attacked ships rerouted through Oman, reigniting clashes in Hormuz.
Rutaremara concluded that the war could end in two ways: either Trump withdraws, appearing defeated, or he escalates by attempting to seize Iranian territory near Hormuz. He warned that Iranian soldiers, fighting to defend their homeland, would have the upper hand over American troops, who lack direct motivation.
“The world knows an Iranian soldier will defeat an American soldier, because he fights for his country. The American soldier has no reason his country was not attacked,”
Rutaremara stated, drawing parallels to US failures in Vietnam and Afghanistan.
About The Author
