“A significant number of Iran’s leaders are ready to give-up on Khomeinism: Arash Azizi,” CNBC, 6-18-26. I’ve been thinking about this, whether having a Supreme Leader (and the associated ideology) has run its course. Is the Regime ready to leave a cleric-led country? Could Shia beliefs be led by an inflential but not an all-powerful leader? (i.e., Sistani in Iraq). Has this run its course? Iran has grown more feared but not more economically sound. They people are worse off after 45 years. This interview also mentions the famous Kissinger quote, asking if Iran is ready to be normal or to remain a revolutionary cause? BTW, the interviewee is correct that Iran will want to charge for services in the Hormuz Strait, but after the 60 days the world (the U.S.) will not approve of such fees because Iran is not offering anything in exchange for the fee. Protection? (that is blackmail). Safe passage through a narrow strait? The charts already provide underwater information. A toll to pass through is also not going to fly because other international straits do not have a passage fee. It is nothing more than the pirates of the Barbary Coast did.
“Iran Won the War but May Lose the Peace,” Foreign Affairs, 6-18-26.
“New arrest in Toronto US consulate shooting as authorities probe foreign ties of gunmen,” BBC, 6-18-26. I’ll keep this posted until we are sure it is not Iran. It has fingerprints.
They targeted civilians and where they live and work. “Iran: Deadly drone strikes on Bahrain and Saudi Arabia may constitute war crimes – new research,” Amnesty International, 6-18-26.
“Saudi FM says Iran’s attacks on the GCC resulted in a significant loss of trust in Tehran,” Arab News, 6-18-26.
“Three Saudi oil tankers carrying 6 million barrels cross Strait of Hormuz,” CNBC, 6-18-26.
The history of international relations, and of war, is full of secret agreements. This is part of how things get accomplished, countries talking outside the glare of critics or those who could sabotage movement. See “Secret US-Iran proposals reveal fragile path toward broader nuclear deal,” CNN, 6-18-26. BTW, Trump is being repeatedly derided in the media at present for making an agreement just like Pres. Obama did with the JCPOA. No. I wrote six op-eds against the Obama deal, and lots of other persons complained also. There were many reasons to object, not the least was that at the end, after several years, Iran was free to produce nuclear weapons.
He would be more persuasive if he did this in person. “Khamenei shifts responsibility for MoU as Iran, US implement Hormuz terms,” Iran International, 6-18-26.
“U.S. Ends Naval Blockade of Iran,” USNI, 6-18-26.
Comments typed on a social media channel are not proof. Why won’t the media admit this? “Iran’s supreme leader says he authorized deal, direct talks with U.S.,” Axios, 6-18-26.