Joyce Karam
Editor-in-Chief, AL-Monitor | Professor, GWU
linkedin.com/newsletters/china-m…
- In last 2 hrs: • Axios says Iran talks collapsing • Israeli press confirms • Trump says Khamenei 'should be worried' • Witkoff still in region but returning to Miami instead of Oman on Friday
- NEW: Israel fears being sidelined in partial Iran deal. Regional source told @al-monitor.bsky.social talks were moved from Turkey —where they'd been expected to include other Arab countries—to Oman at Iran’s request. Oman talks will now exclude Arab countries..More www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
- This is well played by regime in Iran so far: '- Talks limited to US - In Iran's preferred venue: Oman - Topics, commitments TBD - No strikes yet - Impunity after crackdown on protests - Trump toned down language
- NEWS: US-Iran proposed talks • Proposal to start with Declaration of De-escalation • Iran showing flexibility on nuclear • Ballistic Missiles discussions ‘limited’ • ‘Positive signs’ on regional proxies/influence. Report from Tehran www.al-monitor.com/originals/20...
- “According to a regional diplomatic source, the proposed talks designed to begin with a de-escalation declaration rather than immediate bargaining ..Iran and US would issue a declaration stating that neither side intends to engage in hostile exchanges against the other..“
- Active diplomatic channels on #Iran • Qatar PM in Tehran today, delivered US message. 2-hr visit • Araghchi - Turkey: Thursday, Friday • Larijani in Russia Friday, tweets today that negotiations are “progressing” • MBZ in Russia Thursday • Trump says ongoing talks
- In parallel: - US military/naval presence ramped up - IRGC drills - Centcom statements - Explosions reported in Bandar Abbas and in Tehran. Regime said “gas leak” on first. Trump could still go either way. But with diplomacy underway, many parties involved, no decision yet
