Iran, as seen in this article, is now claiming all Pres. Trump declarations are invalid and will be withdrawn. “Reversing Trump Mideast Policy, Biden Ready for Talks With Iran,” Matthew Lee, Real Clear Politics, February 19, 2021.
What timing. Get some extra hostages for leverage. Either Iran is totally tone deaf, or it is banking on the knowledge that in this case “past performance is a guarantee of future performance” (to turn a financial phrase)—they know that hostage taking pays. See “French-Iranian, German Citizens ‘Arrested In Iran’,” RFE/RL, February 19, 2021.
“Iran hangs already-dead woman Zahra Esmaili, lawyer says,” Iran Human Rights Monitor, February 19, 2021.
“Iran’s Largest Agrifood Export Terminal Launched in Mazandaran,” Financial Tribune, February 19, 2021.
“IRGC official says Iran’s conventional arms non-negotiable,” Tehran Times, February 19, 2021.
A great story. “Judoka who fled Iran over Israeli matchup wins silver in Tel Aviv Grand Slam,” Rami Ayyub, Yahoo Sports, February 19, 2021.
Five years?! “UIA plane crash: Ukraine expects to get compensation from Iran within 5 years,” Ukrinform, February 19, 2021.
“Unaddressed by the president and his team was the shift in posture that announcement represented. For weeks, and as recently as February 12, the White House had insisted that no new talks with Iran could commence, even with the Europeans involved, unless and until the Islamic regime first returned to compliance with the nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). “It’s really up to Iran to come back into full compliance with its obligations under the JCPOA. And at that point, we could move the discussion forward,” White House Press secretary Jen Psaki said at the press briefing of February 8. Four days later, she repeated: “If Iran comes back into full compliance with its obligations under the JCPOA, the United States would do the same and then use that as a platform to build a longer and stronger agreement and also address areas of concern.” See “White House defends shift in Iran posture,” James Rose, Local 12, February 19, 2021.
Will the Biden Administration require accountability from Iran, or will the USG look away? “Iranian-backed militias likely behind deadly rocket attack on U.S.-led base, experts say,” Dan De Luce, NBC, February 19, 2021.