“Why Iran Is in No Rush to Return to Talks With United States,” NYT, 7-28-26.  Hormuz.  Since 1979.  The 1,000 Year perspective.  Proxies.  Term limits for U.S. president.  Terrorism pays.  Hostage-taking pays.  Shia Revolutionary ideology.  Population is controlled.  (and maybe there is no Ayatollah to control them).  The list goes on.

This is not news, it is the status quo.  Butttttttt, it is one step away from Iran declaring itself as having the ability to do anything it wants nuclear-wise.  In other words, it can do a North Korea.  Here’s another way of saying this—for all the persons who say Iran doesn’t have a nuclear weapons program or even desire or is prohibited by a (non-existent) fatwa from having nuclear weapons, why would the Foreign Ministry come out today and say this?  See “Iran says it is effectively operating as a non-NPT state,” Iran International, 7-28-26.

“Riyadh condemns Iran-backed drone attacks from Iraq on oil facilities,” Iran International, 7-28-26.

“Trump: US will hit Iran with force in response to attacks on American forces in Jordan | LIVE BLOG,” i24, 7-28-26.  During an unofficial ceasefire with the U.S., Iran attacks.

I keep on harping on Iran can’t charge blackmail/fees for transiting international straits.  They are providing nothing of value for the fee (like navigation), but are certainly providing threats.  See “Iran rejects Oman’s 50-50 Hormuz shipping plan, proposes new route,” Iran International, 7-28-26.  Note that Iran insists that all or part of both ingress and egress goes through its territorial waters.  Piracy.

“Saudi Aramco Shuts 400,000-Bpd Refinery After Houthi Strike,” OilPrice.com, 7-28-26.

Iran continues to try to kill Pres. Trump and PM Netanyahu and other high officials (this will most likely be the case for the rest of their lives).  “Bid by Iran to harm senior Israeli officials prompted Netanyahu’s secretive DC departure – reports,” Times of Israel, 7-28-26.

“Tankers divert to Egypt as Houthi threat upends Red Sea trade,” Japan Times, 7-28-26.

“The Islamic Republic is preparing to receive hundreds of shoulder-launched defense systems from China,” Iran International, 7-28-26.  By land or sea?  And through Pakistan.

The blog program at my host institution has been down for over a week, so I’m working now to catch up.