Iran agrees to include missiles, proxies in talks
According to the New York Times, ballistic missiles and support for terrorist organizations will also be on the table in Oman. Tehran presented its own demand, fearing Trump would stage a “show.”
Iran & The Gulf
Report: Iran considers shake-up of Revolutionary Guards command
Arab diplomatic sources estimate that alongside talks with the US, Iran is preparing to “boost its readiness for war” should fighting break out. Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s senior adviser, Ali Larijani, is expected to see his powers expanded, alongside a series of appointments of new commanders from the hardline camp.
Trump: Khamenei should be worried, but talks are under way
President Donald Trump said in an interview with NBC that talks between Washington and Tehran are set to take place in Oman on Friday, despite earlier reports that the talks had collapsed.
US–Iran talks to go ahead after Arab intervention
Several allies pushed to keep the talks going after the US demanded discussions on Iran’s ballistic missile program, a demand Tehran rejected.
Talks between Iran and the US on brink of collapse
The talks scheduled for Friday were postponed, after Tehran firmly rejected a US demand to discuss Iran’s ballistic missile program.
US sets preconditions for Iran talks, casting doubt on Istanbul meeting
A senior American diplomatic source says Washington is demanding guarantees from Tehran on uranium enrichment, the transfer of existing stockpiles and Iran’s ballistic missile program. According to the source, without agreements on these issues, no meeting between the sides will take place.
Iran campuses erupt again as students protest executions
Students in Tehran, Shiraz and Tabriz have staged new protests in recent days against executions and the alleged torture of detainees in the regime’s prisons. Medical students in Shiraz announced a strike over plans to execute doctors who treated wounded protesters. Meanwhile, Iran’s prolonged internet shutdown is exacting a heavy economic toll on the Islamic Republic.
Iran demands changes to talks as internal tensions surge
According to multiple reports, Tehran is backtracking from understandings reached in recent days, while an intense internal power struggles within the Iranian leadership is taking form.
Iran threatens to quit talks as US Carrier Lincoln downs drone
Iran is threatening to withdraw from nuclear negotiations as tensions escalate in the region, while the US military shot down an Iranian drone that approached the US Navy aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea, a US official told Reuters.
Armed assailants attempt to seize vessel in the Strait of Hormuz
The UK Maritime Trade Operations agency said that several armed motorboats attempted to stop a merchant vessel between the coasts of Iran and Oman, but the ship’s captain chose to ignore the assailants and continued sailing.