Analysis

The senior American official distorted the truth in a briefing to reporters: The centrifuges will remain, the enriched uranium will not be removed, and Trump himself contradicted him the next day. Iran won on the money issue: Lifting sanctions on oil exports will channel tens of billions of dollars to the Revolutionary Guards, more than they earned by bypassing sanctions. Senior US official to Israel: “You will not be a signatory to the agreement, but every action you take will have to be coordinated with the US.”

President Trump threatened an unusual attack and the seizure of Tehran’s fuel terminals, but behind the scenes, a memorandum of understandings has already been drafted. Diplomats in the Gulf are worried and are calling on Netanyahu to intervene: “Trump is going back to his old conduct. This will be a missed opportunity for real change.”

A year after Operation Rising Lion and the subsequent Operation Roaring Lion, it is becoming clear that the impressive operational achievements in Iran created a strategic situation more challenging and complex than ever.

The capture of the Beaufort ridge is not expected to bring immediate quiet to northern Israel, but it contributes to encircling the enemy, destroying infrastructure and strengthening deterrence. The true significance of the move is far broader than a narrow tactical achievement.

For years, Netanyahu built his political identity around the image of “Mr. Iran,” the leader who argued that only pressure, deterrence and force could stop the regime in Tehran. But, a long series of impressive tactical achievements ultimately led to a resounding strategic failure.

Benjamin Netanyah has strengthened the US-Israel security partnership and deepened cooperation, but behind the close strategic alliance lay a long and troubling process. This is how the prime minister’s years in power pushed Israel away from America’s heartland. 

Accompanied by a large delegation of top US business leaders, President Donald Trump arrived in China for a historic visit. On the agenda are all the explosive issues between the two giants. The key question: Will this visit pave the way to reopening the Strait of Hormuz and ending the war with Iran?

In recent years, Israel has grown accustomed to mediators such as Qatar, Oman, Egypt and Saudi Arabia. So how did Pakistan suddenly find itself at center stage, influencing the war in Iran? And who is really pulling the strings in the giant Muslim state?

The Victory Day parade scheduled for this weekend has been scaled back over fears of a drone attack. Oil depots are burning at an unprecedented rate. Problems are piling up on the front, while on the home front, citizens are no longer afraid to criticize him openly. The skies are darkening over the Russian president, who appears to be losing his grip while also stepping up his security.

For China, the Middle East is merely background noise on the way to its main goal: Taiwan. In less than two weeks, Trump and Xi are set to meet in Beijing. What will China demand in exchange for help on Iran?