“US, Iran say they’re moving closer to nuclear deal after fifth round of talks,” The Hill, 5-23-25.

“Iran-US nuclear talks end with no agreement but ‘possibility of progress’,” Guardian, 5-23-25.  Remember, this is what the ISI wants, stringing out the negotiations just like they’ve strung out the issue of nuclear weapons over several years now.  Every day they are closer and closer.

Good news.  And also encouraging since Iran’s multi-year effort to control Syria continues to unravel.  “Iran-backed Palestinian terror groups said to leave Syria under pressure from Sharaa,” AFP, Times of Israel, 5-23-25.  “Flight of pro-Assad factions comes amid Trump’s demand that new regime crack down on Palestinian terrorism as a condition for sanctions relief.”

Absolutely correct.  “The development of nuclear weapons would provide Iranian authorities more leverage to intensify their efforts to repress the fundamental rights of Iranian citizens. Therefore, the international community must consider how the emergence of a nuclear-armed Iran could affect the rights of Iranian women.”  See “Gender, Nuclear Weapons and Repression: The Complex Case of Iran,” Fair Observer, 5-23-25.

“Iran Update, May 23, 2025,” ISW, 5-23-25.

“Iranian Regime Executed 159 People in One Month, Marking Bloodiest Period in Years,” NCRI, 5-23-25.

“Iran says it may take ‘special measures’ to defend nuclear sites from Israel,” AP, 5-22-25.

“Iran’s supreme leader rejects US stance on uranium enrichment,” AP, 5-20-25.  The U.S. doesn’t want Iran to enrich because of how far Iran has taken enrichment from just for energy production to the heights of weapons levels.  Wonder if the Ayatollah will talk about that?

“Iran’s Khamenei doubts US nuclear talks will lead to agreement,” BBC, 5-20-25.

“Iran Update, May 19, 2025,” ISW Press, 5-19-25.

“Shin Bet arrests Yavne resident who spied on Naftali Bennett for Iran,” JPost, 5-18-25.

“Iran foreign minister vows nuclear enrichment will continue ‘with or without a deal’,” Fox, 5-18-25.

“Trump Envoy Says Iran Must Give Up Nuclear Enrichment Capability,” NYT, 5-18-25.

“Hamas document shows Oct. 7 attack aimed at derailing Saudi normalization – report,” Times of Israel, 5-28-25.  Similar, “Hamas Wanted to Torpedo Israel-Saudi Deal With Oct. 7 Attacks, Documents Reveal,” WSJ, 5-18-25.  And remember a key element in this WSJ story.  “The Journal, citing senior members of Hamas and Hezbollah, has reported that another meeting connected to the attack took place on Oct. 2 that year, this one in Beirut involving representatives of Hamas and Iranian security officials. Iran approved the planned attack, those people said. … Senior officials from Iran and Hezbollah had been discussing attack options with Hamas since the summer of 2021. Iran also gave Hamas weapons, financing and training over a long period, including combat training in the weeks before Oct. 7, according to intelligence officials from several countries.”

This has happened repeatedly, against the reporters and facilities of Iran International.  The Leader and the Regime must fear this news outlet.  “Alleged Iranian spies charged with targeting UK-based journalists,” BBC, 5-17-25.

“Iran’s Khamenei launches blistering attack on Trump after Middle East visit,” Fox, 5-17-25.  Quote of the Day, Pres. Trump, “While you have been constructing the world’s tallest skyscrapers in Jeddah and Dubai, Tehran’s 1979 landmarks are collapsing into rubble.”

“Iran says it will continue nuclear talks with the U.S., shrugging off Trump’s threats,” NBC, AP, 5-17-25.

“Iran says no new nuclear proposal, disputing Trump: ‘Confusing and contradictory’ messaging,” The Hill, 5-16-25.

“Iran, Europe meet in Istanbul for nuclear talks as sanctions loom,” AFP, 5-16-25.

“Trump Says U.S., Iran Close to Nuclear Deal,” WSJ, 5-15-25.  “Trump cited a story published Thursday setting out Iran’s position on the talks.   …  an NBC interview with Ali Shamkhani, a top adviser to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In the interview, Shamkhani said that Tehran was ready to make concessions to secure a nuclear deal with Washington. However, he didn’t signal any change in Iran’s most important red line—an insistence that Tehran is able to continue enriching uranium. Trump and other top officials have said Iran shouldn’t have an enrichment program under a new nuclear deal. Shamkhani said Iran would commit to never making nuclear weapons, scrap its stockpile of highly enriched, near weapons-grade uranium and agree to enrich uranium only at low levels of purity needed for a civilian peaceful program.”  And the U.S. would offer great sanctions relief.

“Top Iranian official says Tehran would forgo highly enriched uranium in nuclear deal with Trump,” NBC, 5-14-25.  Shamkhani is one of the few persons Supreme Leader  Khamenei trusts.

“Iran passes bill that could remove it from dirty money watchdog blacklist,” Reuters, JPost, 5-14-25.  “Iran has been on the blacklist of the Financial Action Task Force since 2020 because it did not comply to the organization’s standards on anti-terrorism financing.”  I don’t know if the bill will satisfy the FATF.  Iran has used its banking system for so long to fund terror and proxies.

“Trump tells Gulf leaders Iran must end support of proxies under nuclear deal,” AP, Times of Israel, 5-14-25.

“Trump appeals for Qatar’s help in persuading Iran to give up its nuclear program,” AP, 5-14-25.

“US issues sanctions to hit Iranian efforts to build ballistic missiles,” Reuters, 5-14-25.

“Iran rejects Trump’s negative portrayal of its regional role,” Reuters, 5-14-25.  No state backs up Iran’s statements about itself.

“Exclusive: Iran to send Russia launchers for short-range missiles, sources say,” Reuters, 5-10-25.  More deadly news for the citizens of Ukraine, from the Supreme Leader.  But this is a reminder—Iran says its armaments are not meant for Ukraine nor are they ending up there.  So why are ISI drones flying through eastern Ukraine?  They are shot down or explode, and there remnants remain.  They are there for anyone to see.

“Iran won’t give up on its ‘nuclear rights,’ FM says ahead of upcoming talks with US,” Reuters, 5-10-25.  There are no “nuclear rights” in international law.