The three-hour meeting between Trump and Netanyahu on Iran ended without the usual press conferences. Trump only repeated his previous positions on his personal network afterward: We haven’t made a final decision yet. It’s in Iran’s interest to reach an agreement.
Kabul 24: Last time they didn’t make a deal, and we hit them with the Midnight Hammer operation.If we put tonight’s White House meeting and Trump’s statements alongside the diplomatic traffic in Oman and Qatar, and Larijani’s interview with Al Jazeera, we arrive at the following conclusions:
Ali Larijani says Omani officials wrote down the American side’s demands and delivered them to us.
These demands are presumably the same three conditions regarding nuclear, missiles, and proxies.
Trump is likely waiting for a negative or positive response from Iran within a specific timeframe. In the meantime, he will continue political, economic, and military pressures against Iran.Iran will most likely avoid an outright rejection and instead try to keep the diplomatic window half-open, delaying a final break by saying “yes, but…”.
From here on, the ball is in Trump’s court—unless there’s another plan in motion and he pulls the trigger while messages are being exchanged and talks continue.What makes this side of the matter somewhat suspicious is the low-key welcome for Bibi and the lack of the usual press conference after the meeting ended.As for Iran’s response, there’s no need for conspiracy theories or wishful thinking. Logically, it cannot give up missiles, which are its primary deterrent tool.
Larijani’s meetings yesterday and today with Houthi and Hamas leaders need no explanation either.
In reality, what’s new is simply Netanyahu’s sixth visit to the White House in the past year.
Bibi, knowing Iran’s answer will be negative, went to reassure Donald not to back down.
Salahuddin Khadiv
