“Trump says U.S. holding nuclear talks with Iran in surprise announcement,” Axios, 4-7-25. “President Trump said Monday that the U.S. had been holding “direct talks” with Iran and that a “very big meeting” involving “very high-level” officials will be taking place this Saturday. Why it matters: The surprise announcement from Trump follows his repeated warnings that Iran must sign a new nuclear deal or face military strikes. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei had ruled out direct talks with the U.S. so long as Trump kept his “maximum pressure” policy in place. Tehran has not confirmed Trump’s claim that talks had already “started” and would soon ramp up. Trump emphasized that the talks with Iran will be direct — rather than through intermediaries — and take place “at almost the highest level.”” Meeting in Oman. FM will represent Iran. Direct talks despite the claims by the Leader. “U.S. and Iran to Hold Nuclear Talks on Saturday,” NYT, 4-7-25.
“For the sake of Sudan’s interests, we would even make a deal with the devil.” Never a good position. “Israel Concerned as Sudan Turns to Iran for Military Support Amid Civil Conflict,” Belaaz, 4-7-25.
The Biden Administration could have done this. “Exclusive: Iran-backed militias in Iraq ready to disarm to avert Trump wrath,” Reuters, USA Today, 4-7-25. Six “powerful Iranian-backed militia groups in Iraq are prepared to disarm for the first time to avert the threat of an escalating conflict with the U.S. Trump administration. … The move to defuse tensions follows repeated warnings issued privately by U.S. officials to the Iraqi government since Trump took power in January. … The officials told Baghdad that unless it acted to disband the militias operating on its soil, America could target the groups with airstrikes. … The groups include Kataib Hezbollah, Nujabaa, Kataib Sayyed al-Shuhada, and Ansarullah al-Awfiyaa. … Iraqi PM “Sudani is pressing for disarmament from all the militias of the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, which declare their allegiance to Iran’s IRGC or Quds Force rather than to Baghdad. The militias are part of the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group of about 10 hardline Shi’ite armed factions that collectively command about 50,000 fighters and arsenals that include long-range missiles and anti-aircraft weapons.”