Month: April 2025

Trump decided for trying for diplomacy first.  He must remember, though, that Iran is expert at stalling.  “Trump Waved Off Israeli Strike After Divisions Emerged in His Administration,” NYT, 4-16-25.

So fallacious.  His articles shouldn’t be printed by the Western media.  Here he equates the U.S. and Iranian positions, somehow making the countries equal.  “Behind the US-Iran talks: five points of convergence between Trump and Khamenei,” Seyed Hossein Mousavian, Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, 4-16-25.

“Former FAA contractor pleads guilty to spying for Iran, sharing private info on US airports, energy industry,” Fox, 4-16-25.

“Scoop: Trump holds situation room meeting on Iran nuclear deal negotiations,” Axios, 4-15-25.  It looks like there is the possibility of Iran keeping a civilian nuclear program.  Will they hang their hat on this?

“Confusion surrounds US-Iran nuclear talks venue as Tehran points to Oman over Rome,” Euronews, 4-15-25.

“Trump envoy stresses need for verification in Iran nuclear talks,” CNN, 4-15-25.

“Iran expected to resist US plan to move uranium stockpile to third country,” Guardian, 4-15-25.

“Iran Has a Reason to Strike a Nuclear Deal: Its Economy Is in Trouble,” WSJ, 4-13-25.

“Witkoff spoke briefly with Iranian counterpart amid Trump’s nuclear pressure campaign,” Politico, 4-12-25.  Oman hosted mediated talks, but they also met face to face.  As recently posted, these talks would not have happened but for Iran’ respect for force (the U.S. attacks on its ally, the Houthis).

“The clock is ticking for Iran,” Politico, 4-11-25.  “President DONALD TRUMP set a 60-day deadline for Iran to make progress on talks over its nuclear program or face potential military retaliation, according to four people familiar with the matter.”  This is true.  See reporting on the two month deadline that runs May 19, but actually the letter was delivered a few days prior.  March 19 is when this was reported about the U.S. letter to the Supreme Leader.  “Trump gives Iran two-month deadline to reach new nuclear deal,” CNN, 3-19-25.  So, mark May 19 on your calendar.

Blackmail.  The 100th time?  So much more.  “The Case for a “Trump to Tehran” Strategy,” Foreign Affairs, 4-11-25.

“Iran says external threats could lead to deterrent measures against IAEA,” Reuters, 4-10-25.  “Ahead of Trump admin-Iran talks, new report says Iran nuclear threat rises to ‘extreme danger.'”

“Iran sends new missiles to Iraqi proxies that were said to be disarming – report,” Times of Israel, 4-9-25.  “The deliveries from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ air force include surface-to-surface missiles that could reach as far as Europe, as well as shorter-range Quds 351 cruise and Jamal 69 ballistic missiles, The Times of London reported, citing regional intelligence sources involved in monitoring the Iran-Iraq border. A source cited by The Times said the new long-range models had never before been given to Iraq’s separatist pro-Iranian militias, which last year killed US and IDF troops in drone strikes on military bases in the region. “It’s a desperate move by the Iranians, risking the stability of Iraq,” said the source. The report came after Reuters reported on Monday that several powerful Iran-backed militias in Iraq had agreed to disarm for the first time to avert the threat of an escalating conflict with the Trump administration.”

A form of bribery.  “Iran’s president insists Tehran does not seek a nuclear bomb and dangles US business opportunities,” AP, 4-9-25.

Iran’s “IRGC is now opting for a sea route to help Hezbollah rearm.”  See “Hezbollah reportedly using sea route to smuggle in weapons,” i24, 4-8-25.

“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.”

“Israel’s Defense Minister reveals Iranian funding Hamas’ plan to destroy Israel,” i24NEWS, 4-6-25.  “Israel’s Defense Minister, Israel Katz, has unveiled for the first time direct evidence of Iran’s support for Hamas’ plan to destroy Israel. During a visit to the intelligence unit on Sunday, Katz presented transcripts of conversations obtained from the tunnels of senior Hamas leaders in Gaza, showing a clear connection between Iran and key Hamas figures Yahya Sinwar and Muhammad Deif. The intercepted documents reveal that Sinwar and Deif demanded $500 million from the commander of the Quds Force of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards. The funds were requested to further Hamas’ campaign against Israel and its struggle against the United States. Despite Iran’s difficult economic situation, the head of the Palestinian branch of the Revolutionary Guards, Izadi, agreed to the request, emphasizing that Iran would continue to provide financial support to Hamas because the fight against Israel and the US is Tehran’s top priority. In his remarks, Katz asserted that this new intelligence provides unequivocal proof that Iran remains the primary sponsor of Hamas and continues to fund terrorism across the region. He emphasized that Iran’s commitment to its goals, even in the face of domestic economic hardships, underscores its dedication to destabilizing the region and pushing forward its agenda of confronting Israel and the West.”

The same playbook and steps as many other assassination attempts in various countries.  “Iran’s plot to kill Jewish leader in Azerbaijan foiled – Media,” MSN, 4-6-25.

This quote and story explains why Iran has agreed, for the first time, to direct negotiations with the U.S.  “Tehran has so far resisted direct talks with the United States. Why would it now be open to them? Because it recognizes that the possibility of a U.S. or Israeli strike on its nuclear program is closer to reality than at any other time in recent history. The highest goal of Iranian statecraft is regime preservation. If the survival of the clerical leadership is directly and credibly threatened, Iran will modify its behavior.”  Kenneth F. McKenzie, Jr., Commander U.S. Central Command until his retirement in 2022.  “Forget the Signal Chat. The Strike on the Houthis Was a Necessary Blow,” NYT, 4-6-25.