Middle East

Despite statements by President Donald Trump and the US defense establishment that Iran’s navy was destroyed and now lies at the bottom of the ocean, the seizure of two commercial vessels this week shows that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps still maintains thousands of speedboats. While Iran’s conventional fleet has largely been destroyed, its asymmetric “mosquito fleet” continues to operate with hit-and-run tactics, uses deep caves as cover and poses a real threat to the critical shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz.

Three diplomatic sources from the region say China is involved behind the scenes in the contacts between Iran and the US, and is trying, among other things, to pressure the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to soften their position. Trump is willing to grant a brief extension of just a few days, sources in Washington say, but recent developments indicate even those few days could drag on.

After the US Treasury Department announced new sanctions and Tehran said it would not attend talks in Pakistan, Trump is extending the ceasefire without setting a new deadline. At the same time in Israel, US Ambassador Mike Huckabee has been summoned back to Washington for “consultations,” apparently regarding the issue of Lebanon.

Oil-producing states across the gulf are drawing up contingency plans for a scenario that leaves the regime in Tehran intact. Even so, for the US and Iran to reach an agreement, they will have to overcome what appears to be an almost insurmountable barrier: Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander Ahmad Vahidi.

According to a Wall Street Journal report, the US Navy is using a mix of manned and unmanned systems in the mine-clearing mission. Experts said that after mines are identified in an initial sweep, a second wave of sea drones is sent in to neutralize the charges, either with explosives or by detonating them remotely.

Ahead of talks set to open in Pakistan, it appears one of the most significant disputes may be resolved. The regime still shows no willingness to give up its ballistic missile program. If Iran’s trend toward flexibility continues, the US will announce an extension of the ceasefire.

The US president remained optimistic despite the latest developments: “We’re offering a very fair and reasonable deal. It will happen, one way or another.”

Accounts obtained by the Daily Mail describe widows and displaced women being sexually exploited, blackmailed for aid and silenced by Hamas as rights groups warn tens of thousands may be at risk.