“Saudi Arabia Opposed Obama’s Deal With Iran. It Supports Trump’s. Why?,” NYT, 4-20-25.

“Moscow may gain key role in Iran nuclear deal as US talks progress,” Guardian, 4-20-25.  The U.S. wants a deal.  So does SArabia.  And the UAE.  And Russia wants a slice of the action.  ““The two most daunting issues are the storage or destruction of Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium, and the external guarantees that can be provided to Iran if the US was to breach an agreement to lift economic sanctions in return for Iran putting its civil nuclear programme back under external supervision by the UN inspectorate, the IAEA. Iran wants a guarantee of consequences for the US if it pulls out of or breaches another deal. Iran wants to keep its uranium stockpiles inside the country, but the US rejects this and wants either the stockpiles’ destruction or a transfer to a third country, such as Russia. … On guarantees, Iran believes the only secure agreement is a treaty signed by US Congress, but Araghchi was told it would be anyone’s guess whether Trump could get such an agreement through Congress given the strength of pro-Israeli opinion there. … Such an arrangement potentially gives Russia a pivotal role in the future US-Iran relationship, and might freeze out Germany, France and the UK, the current guarantors of the 2015 agreement. Neither Iran nor the US want to keep a major future role for the UN.”

“US, Iran set third round of nuclear talks – what’s next? – analysis,” JPost, 4-20-25.

“Iran nuclear talks to enter ‘next phase’ after negotiations in Rome,” Politico, 4-19-25.  The Trump two-month deadline continues.

“Iran says it will never agree to dismantle uranium centrifuges, eliminate stockpile,” Reuters, 4-18-25.

“Iran offered US a nuclear agreement with same enrichment cap as 2015 deal — report,” Times of Israel, 4-18-25.  “Three-stage proposal would reportedly see Tehran temporarily cap enrichment at 3.67%, transfer highly enriched uranium to 3rd country, boost UN oversight at nuclear facilities.”

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.