“Iran Says It Won’t Negotiate With the U.S. While Under Threat,” NYT, 1-30-26. Again, the Regime through its FM under orders from the Leader flips and says something new. And keep in mind that how Iran defines “threats” is really, at its core, that the U.S. exists, not whether the Lincoln strike force is now present or that the U.S. has bases in the region (which can’t be picked up and quickly moved away obviously). Here’s the key–that the question is not what will the U.S. do, or anyone else. The question solely is what will Iran do? That has always been the focus of this blog and rightfully so. The reason we watch Iran is because the Regime’s for 45 years has brought our eye to them. They are responsible for their actions, not Iraq or Saudi Arabia or Afghanistan. The U.S. didn’t make Iran do anything, nor Turkey or Israel or the UK or the UAE. You get the picture. For weeks the question is centering for some persons, will Trump or Israel attack? But that is the wrong question, and all those other questions are really predicated on will the Islamic Republic decide to act as a normal country?
“Intense Saudi Moves in Washington to De-escalate Tensions with Iran,” Alhurra, 1-30-26. “Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman held a series of meetings on Friday in the U.S. capital with senior officials in the Trump administration. His meetings included Secretary of State and acting National Security Advisor Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.”
“U.S. Approves $15.7 Billion in Potential Arms Sales for Saudi Arabia, Israel,” WSJ, 1-30-26. “The arms deals would need congressional approval and could take years for the weapons to be delivered.” See also “US approves $6.7 billion arms sale to Israel, $9 billion Patriot missile deal for Saudis,” Times of Israel, 1-31-26. “The Saudi sale is for 730 Patriot missiles and related equipment that “will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a Major non-NATO Ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in the Gulf Region.”
“Iran History – Part 1 – American Minute with Bill Federer,” 1-30-26.