The latest statements by US President Donald Trump only adds to the confusion, and may have been intended to do exactly that. In the absence of an official Iranian response, attention is shifting to developments on the ground: If there is indeed a significant increase in the movement of ships and tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, that could point to advanced contacts.
The soldiers whose names have been released are Capt. Noam Madmoni, 22, of Sderot, a team commander in the Nahal Reconnaissance Unit; Staff Sgt. Ben Cohen, 21, of Lehavim; and Staff Sgt. Maxsim Entis, 21, of Bat Yam. The name of the fourth soldier has not yet been cleared for publication.
The decision could leave Tehran in control of one of the world's most important trade routes. According to The Wall Street Journal, Trump wants to meet the operation's core objectives, damaging Iran's navy and missile stockpile, within four to six weeks, and then scale back the fighting while shifting to diplomatic pressure.
Amid secret contacts between Washington and Tehran, Iran is trying to tempt the US with a foothold in the oil industry. Diplomatic sources told Israel Hayom that the US is demanding guarantees from the heads of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, who in turn oppose the talks. The American plan: direct sanctions targeting the regime elite’s “pockets.”
Security officials have revealed that Israel had planned to launch a pre-emptive strike on Hezbollah, but the terrorist organization struck first. The IDF believes the campaign is nearing completion, with the exception of the Iranian nuclear issue. Officials also assess that the chances of a deal are low and that the US will lead the diplomatic endgame.
The US president warned US will "blow up" Iranian oil wells, power plants and desalination facilities if diplomacy fails – even as he insisted negotiations are on track.
Sergeant Liran Ben Zion, a fighter in the 401st Armored Brigade, was struck by an anti-tank missile fired by Hezbollah terrorists; a separate incident left two soldiers seriously wounded and three moderately wounded.
According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, No final order has been given, US officials say, as the president weighs the dangers of a complex, multi-day mission that would require American forces to operate inside Iran.
Iran is nearing the limits of its economic and military capacity, but internal divisions and stalled contacts with the US are delaying any settlement. In the background, the economic crisis is worsening and the regime is under heavy pressure.
As Islamabad hosts de-escalation talks and Iran sits on an American ceasefire proposal, Ghalibaf warns Washington that armed Iranian forces are ready to punish US troops and their regional partners.
