The war mongers are in Tehran, not Washington. Between 2009 and 2025, the United States spent twelve years under Obama and Biden trying to reach a modus vivendi with the Islamic Republic. Sanctions relief, diplomacy, outreach, engagement. Yet a stable accommodation remained elusive. Why? Veterans of the Obama team and their ideological supporters blame America’s supposed “war mongers.” The claim is absurd. The central argument of the hawks has never been that conflict is desirable. It is that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is a revolutionary jihadi organization that can only be deterred, not seduced. Most Americans would prefer engagement to work. They are not eager for confrontation. They will give diplomacy every chance to succeed. But they are not willing to ignore reality indefinitely. The problem was never those of us warning about the impossibility of a lasting accommodation with Tehran. The problem was Tehran itself. When engagement fails year after year, American leaders return to deterrence not because American hawks are politically powerful, but because their diagnosis is far more accurate. We hawks did not scuttle engagement. Tehran did.

The Independence-variant of the @USNavy littoral combat ship #USSCanberra (LCS 30) called at #ColomboPort for a brief replenishment stop. Canberra is the fourth USN LCS to call at Colombo thus far. #SriLanka #Navaldiplomacy #IOR

Iran’s Mehr news agency publishes the purported text of the draft agreement with Trump. It will keep the Strait of Hormuz under Iranian control, will promise Iran $300 billion in reconstruction money in addition to an immediate cash transfer of $24 billion, a suspension of sanctions and the withdrawal of U.S. forces from the Middle East. Also, a commitment not to bother Iran again about its missiles and proxies, and restraining Israel in Lebanon. The U.S. gets in exchange a pinky promise to respect the NPT. Let’s see what happens in coming days. Link: mehrnews.com/news/6857718 Full text: A permanent and immediate cessation of war on all fronts, including Lebanon. A U.S. commitment not to interfere in Iran’s internal affairs and to respect the sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Full lifting of the naval blockade within 30 days. A U.S. commitment to withdraw its forces from areas surrounding Iran. Reopening of the Strait of Hormuz within 30 days under arrangements determined by Iran. Suspension of sanctions on the sale of oil, petrochemical products, and related derivatives, along with full Iranian access to the resulting financial revenues. The United States and its allies would be required to present reconstruction plans for Iran worth at least $300 billion. A 60-day negotiation period aimed at reaching a final agreement covering nuclear issues and the complete removal of U.S. primary and secondary sanctions, as well as the repeal of relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council and the IAEA Board of Governors. Reaffirmation by Iran of its commitment under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) not to produce nuclear weapons. During the negotiation period, the United States would commit not to deploy additional forces to the region and not to impose any new sanctions. The release of $24 billion in frozen Iranian assets during the 60-day final negotiation period. Half of this amount must be made available to Iran before negotiations begin. Establishment of a monitoring mechanism to oversee implementation of the agreement. The final agreement would be approved through a UN Security Council resolution. Final negotiations would not begin before the release of half of Iran’s frozen assets, the suspension of oil sanctions, and the lifting of the naval blockade. The final agreement would focus exclusively on the future of enriched nuclear material and uranium enrichment, sanctions relief, and a program for rebuilding Iran’s economy. Discussion of Iran’s missile program and its support for resistance groups would be definitively excluded from the agenda. As stated by the Foreign Ministry spokesperson, this text still requires review and final approval by the relevant authorities in Iran.

Iran’s Mehr, citing a source close to Iran’s negotiating team, claims a proposed U.S.-Iran draft MOU includes: • Immediate and permanent ceasefire on all fronts, including Lebanon • U.S. commitment not to interfere in Iran’s internal affairs • Maritime blockade lifted within 30 days • U.S. forces to withdraw from areas around Iran • Strait of Hormuz reopened within 30 days under Iranian arrangements • Suspension of sanctions on Iranian oil and petrochemical exports • Full access to Iranian financial assets • 60 days of negotiations toward a final nuclear agreement • $24 billion in frozen Iranian funds to be released, with half before talks begin • Missile program and support for resistance groups excluded from negotiations • Final agreement to be endorsed by the UN Security Council • Draft still pending review and approval by Iranian authorities (Again, this an Iranian report, and not confirmed by the U.S.)

If you watched US media you might think Hezbollah was invading Lebanon, not Israel. No, whether you like them or not, Hezbollah is defending Lebanon from an invading army - the IDF. Israel is attacking Lebanon and plans to take southern Lebanon. They are clearly the aggressors.

"At some point in the not too distant future, we will be taking Kharg Island, and other oil infrastructure points, and assume total control of their Oil and Gas Markets, much like we have with Venezuela" -- @JemimaShelley @TankerTrackers @mercoglianos