The US, Iran and the Middle East

demos
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The US, Iran and the Middle East Nov 11, 2024 20:56:29 GMT

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Post by demos on Nov 11, 2024 20:56:29 GMT

More on Saudi rapprochement with Iran:

Iran and Saudi Arabia pursue cautious rapprochement

Iran and Saudi Arabia are intent on continuing their cautious course of rapprochement. After a Saudi-Iranian deal brokered by China in 2023, the erstwhile rivals want to deepen their relationship. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi's visit to the Saudi capital Riyadh at the beginning of October indicates that relations are developing. He also met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia...

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Saudi-Iranian Relations Warm as Middle East Braces for Trump's Return

The general chief of staff of Saudi Arabia's armed forces, Fayyad al-Ruwaili, met his Iranian counterpart, Mohammad Baqeri, in Tehran during a rare visit on November 10. Iran's official IRNA news agency said they discussed the development of defense diplomacy and bilateral cooperation without offering any details. Iranian media said Baqeri had discussed regional developments and defense cooperation with Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman al-Saud last year...

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At Riyadh summit, Saudi crown prince backs Iran, accuses Israel of genocide

Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler on Monday called on Israel to respect Iran’s sovereignty and refrain from attacking Iranian soil, while appearing to step up criticism of Jerusalem, accusing it of genocide. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman made the comments at a summit of Arab and Muslim leaders organized to press for the establishment of a Palestinian state, a year after the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation held a first conference on the subject...

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So, give these guys a defense pact or nah?

Also, think it's not in our interests to ignore the development of these relations. We could use this to our benefit, but the hawks are unlikely to think that way.

demos
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The US, Iran and the Middle East Nov 14, 2024 21:19:22 GMT

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Post by demos on Nov 14, 2024 21:19:22 GMT

Iran willing to ‘resolve doubts’ about its atomic programme with IAEA

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian has told the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that his government was willing to resolve doubts about its atomic programme, ahead of US President-elect Donald Trump‘s arrival in office. “As we have repeatedly proven our goodwill, we announce our readiness to cooperate and converge with this international organisation to resolve the alleged ambiguities and doubts about the peaceful nuclear activity of our country,” Pezeshkian told Rafael Grossi on Thursday...

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US Wants 'Behavioral Change' By Iran After President's Nuclear Pledges

The United States wants action rather than words by Iran on its nuclear program, after President Masoud Pezeshkian promised to resolve doubts ahead of Donald Trump's return to the White House, the State Department said Thursday. "Ultimately, what we want to see from Iran is actual behavioral change and action, not just signs of something or indications of something," said State Department spokesman Vedant Patel, part of the outgoing administration of President Joe Biden...

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demos
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The US, Iran and the Middle East Nov 14, 2024 22:00:06 GMT

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Post by demos on Nov 14, 2024 22:00:06 GMT

Hmmmm...

Elon Musk, a close adviser to President-elect Donald J. Trump, met with Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations on Monday in New York in a session that two Iranian officials described as a discussion of how to defuse tensions between Iran and the United States.

The Iranians said the meeting between Mr. Musk and Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani lasted more than an hour and was held at a secret location. The Iranians, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss policy publicly, described the meeting as “positive” and “good news.”

Asked about whether there was such a session, Steven Cheung, Mr. Trump’s communications director, said, “We do not comment on reports of private meetings that did or did not occur.” Mr. Musk did not respond to a request for comment...

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Wonder if there's any connection with the above.

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The US, Iran and the Middle East Nov 20, 2024 22:39:12 GMT

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Post by demos on Nov 20, 2024 22:39:12 GMT

US defense chief says Houthis need to pay a price, vows to step up attacks

Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin said Wednesday that the US military would be stepping up its attacks on Yemen’s Houthis because of its continued attacks on shipping lanes in the Red Sea. “You’ll see us increasingly place — use all the elements that are available to us in our national power to really begin to dial this down, dial it back,” Austin said about US efforts to degrade Houthi capabilities and their ability to conduct attacks...

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I wonder if I'll ever see Congressional authorization for this.