“Pentagon chief warns Iran of consequences for supporting Houthis,” Reuters, 4-30-25.
“Iranian journalists say they are being muzzled over reporting port explosion,” Guardian, 4-29-25. This is the first I’ve seen about a second explosion, on Tuesday, in Isfahan. But it is not surprising that criminal charges have been threatened against media outlets. This is attempts to control and coverup, but of course makes the long-term problems of trust and governance worse.
“Katz threatens to attack Iran as Trump tries to cut a contested nuclear deal,” JPost, 4-28-25.
“Iran accuses Israel of seeking to disrupt nuclear talks with US,” Al Jazeera, 4-28-25.
We may never know publicly what caused this at Bandar Abbas. So many accidents, so much mismanagement, so much corruption. Corners cut due to time pressure, restricted budgets due to support of terrorism and not building out the port in a sufficient way, and of course opaqueness to not let its opponents know what is happening. But let’s not forget that missile fuel was involved, something that no one says Iran needs to defend itself. These are offensive weapons. “Fires extinguished at key Iran port as explosion death toll rises to 70,” Al Jazeera, 4-28-25.
“40 killed in blast at Iran’s biggest port as Tehran denies explosion ‘linked to fuel for missiles’,” Sky, 4-27-25.
“Russia sends help to Iran after deadly port explosion,” Guardian, 4-27-25.
“Explosion at Iranian port severely impacts regime, Iran expert says,” JPost, 4-27-25. Largest port, used by IRGC to transfer weapons to terror groups such as Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis, and used to illegally send oil to China.
Like Hezbollah’s explosion in Beirut? I can’t imagine it was as large. The 2020 blast was started by almost 3,000 tons of ammonium nitrate are resulted in an earthquake and affected about half of Lebanon. There were over 200 fatalities, 7,000 injuries, and over a quarter million displaced persons, and property damage of $15 billion. But … Iran did it to itself both times. See in the news today, “Huge explosion at Iranian port kills 5, injures hundreds,” Politico, 4-26-25.
“3rd round of nuclear talks between Iran, U.S. concludes in Oman,” i24NEWS, 4-26-25.
“Iran, Russia agree on 55 bcm of gas supplies, nuclear plant funding,” Reuters, 4-25-25.
“What to expect as Iran and US head for more nuclear talks in Oman,” Al Jazeera, 4-25-25.
“US names Michael Anton to lead technical talks with Iran,” Politico, 4-24-25.
Iran will try to stop this. “Syria ‘willing’ to join Abraham Accords, claims Trump ally,” Jewish Chronicle, 4-24-25.
“China, Russia and Iran jointly discuss Iran’s nuclear programme with IAEA, reports Xinhua,” Reuters, 4-24-25.
“Netherlands summons Iranian ambassador over alleged assassination attempts,” Reuters, 4-24-25. A familiar story in various countries. “… two men were arrested in June 2024 in the Dutch town of Haarlem after an assassination attempt there on an Iranian residing in the country.”
“Saudi Arabia Opposed Obama’s Deal With Iran. It Supports Trump’s. Why?,” NYT, 4-20-25.
“Moscow may gain key role in Iran nuclear deal as US talks progress,” Guardian, 4-20-25. The U.S. wants a deal. So does SArabia. And the UAE. And Russia wants a slice of the action. ““The two most daunting issues are the storage or destruction of Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium, and the external guarantees that can be provided to Iran if the US was to breach an agreement to lift economic sanctions in return for Iran putting its civil nuclear programme back under external supervision by the UN inspectorate, the IAEA. Iran wants a guarantee of consequences for the US if it pulls out of or breaches another deal. Iran wants to keep its uranium stockpiles inside the country, but the US rejects this and wants either the stockpiles’ destruction or a transfer to a third country, such as Russia. … On guarantees, Iran believes the only secure agreement is a treaty signed by US Congress, but Araghchi was told it would be anyone’s guess whether Trump could get such an agreement through Congress given the strength of pro-Israeli opinion there. … Such an arrangement potentially gives Russia a pivotal role in the future US-Iran relationship, and might freeze out Germany, France and the UK, the current guarantors of the 2015 agreement. Neither Iran nor the US want to keep a major future role for the UN.”
“US, Iran set third round of nuclear talks – what’s next? – analysis,” JPost, 4-20-25.
“Iran nuclear talks to enter ‘next phase’ after negotiations in Rome,” Politico, 4-19-25. The Trump two-month deadline continues.
“Iran says it will never agree to dismantle uranium centrifuges, eliminate stockpile,” Reuters, 4-18-25.
“Iran offered US a nuclear agreement with same enrichment cap as 2015 deal — report,” Times of Israel, 4-18-25. “Three-stage proposal would reportedly see Tehran temporarily cap enrichment at 3.67%, transfer highly enriched uranium to 3rd country, boost UN oversight at nuclear facilities.”