On Thursday, Donald Trump held the first meeting of his Peace Council.Image: keystone
analysis
In the Middle East, the American president is massing an armada that could attack Iran. Meanwhile in Washington he plays the role of peacemaker. How does that fit together?
Feb 19, 2026, 6:39 p.mFebruary 19, 2026, 7:00 p.m
This is the role he enjoys playing the most. Donald Trump, American President, was the global peacemaker on Thursday. As President of the new Board of Peace, he chaired the first official meeting of the body in Washington, which, in Trump’s eyes, is intended to strengthen the United Nations. Critics, however, say that the American wants to replace the UN.
Although: session is perhaps a word that could give the wrong impression. Because there was no debate at the event.
Rather, the host used the meeting to give a 50-minute speech in which he pulled out all the stops. Trump discussed the advantages of stealth bombers and the danger of escalators with Gianni Infantino – the general secretary of the FIFA football association, who was present along with 17 heads of state and government. He also praised the documentary “Melania,” in which his wife plays the lead role. And he once again complained bitterly about Norway, which had passed him over for the Nobel Prize.
Above all, Trump made humorous comments about the guests in attendance and his ability to supposedly bring peace around the world. So he said: “There is nothing more important than peace.” Or: “We now have peace in the Middle East.”
This remark referred primarily to Gaza – the Peace Council was originally created by Trump to end the Gaza war. The organization’s goal is to monitor the ceasefire and promote the reconstruction of the devastated strip of land. Several attendees reiterated that they would support this process financially and logistically.
Infantino promised that FIFA would build 50 mini football pitches in Gaza. The construction of a new stadium with up to 25,000 seats is also planned, as can be seen from a video film that was created with the help of artificial intelligence. “Football is the universal language of this world,” said the FIFA boss. That is why his organization also supports the goals of the Peace Council in the Middle East.
Trump says negotiations with Iran are good
Iran also belongs to the Middle East. And of course Trump knows that the rest of the world is watching intently as he, as commander in chief of the American armed forces, is currently massively deploying troops around the world. The aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln is off the coast of Oman; In addition, the largest warship in the world, the USS Gerald R. Ford, is on its way to the Mediterranean.
Trump could use this arsenal, which also includes fighter jets, submarines and thousands of soldiers, to attack Iran as early as the weekend. However, those close to him say that the president has not yet issued any corresponding orders.
In his speech during the Peace Council deliberations, Trump indicated that the moment of decision was approaching. Iran is currently a “hotspot,” he said, which can be translated as a source of crisis or danger. But he also said that negotiations with the regime in Tehran were making good progress. The last round of talks took place on Tuesday in Geneva, mediated by Oman.
However, Trump also made it clear that his country was not prepared to make concessions in these negotiations. He repeated the statement that Iran should never have nuclear weapons. If the regime resists this “sensible” demand, “bad things” will happen, warned the chairman of the Peace Council. And addressing the foreign representatives present, he said: “In the next 10 days” they would probably find out which direction things would go.
Switzerland represented by two observers
Now Trump is notorious for setting deadlines and then forgetting them. But the American troop buildup in the Middle East suggests that this time he is serious. In any case, his allies in politics and the media are warning the regime in Tehran not to ignore the American president’s threatening gestures. Fox News host Sean Hannity, whose fans include Trump, said: “I have a little advice for the radical leaders of Iran. You might want to get on the plane to Russia sooner than you thought. Now would be a good time.”
Iran was of course not represented at the meeting of the Peace Council, which currently has around 30 members. The meeting of the “Board of Peace” was also boycotted by China and Russia. Other states chose a middle course and sent observers to Washington to attend the meeting. This also included Switzerland. In addition to Ambassador Ralf Heckner, Monika dirt Kirgöz, head of the Department for the Middle East and North Africa in the Department of Foreign Affairs, was present. (aargauerzeitung.ch)