🚨🔍 Where the Iran conflict stands: Trump says deal in days — Iran says 'speculative' — Strait remains closed
President Trump called off another round of nighttime military strikes against Iran, then pivoted to announce that a deal is imminent – possibly signed in Europe this weekend, with JD Vance representing the US.
🇮🇷 Foreign Ministry spokesman Baghaei says reports of a signing are "speculative." Most of the text was ready, but the US kept changing its positions. Iran will not compromise on its red lines. The Strait of Hormuz remains closed due to "illegal US actions."
✡️ Netanyahu's office claims Trump assured Netanyahu that any final agreement would require Iran to remove enriched nuclear material, dismantle enrichment infrastructure, limit missiles, and end support for regional armed groups. Israel says it is not a party to the deal. Trump has not publicly confirmed any of this.
⚔️ Reality on the water: IRGC naval forces confronted an oil tanker ...
In case you missed it:
President Trump just effectively announced that the US will be putting boots on the ground to take Kharg Island in Iran in the near future.
Kharg Island, which is one-third the size of Manhattan and located in the Persian Gulf, controls ~90% of Iranian crude oil exports.
That's roughly 1.5 to 2.0 million barrels of crude oil exports per day.
Trump specifically says this would be a "Venezuela" style takeover, where the US would take complete control of Iran's oil and gas infrastructure.
If this happens, it would be the biggest escalation of the Iran War yet.
We expect to receive Iran's response shortly.
(@TheKobeissiLetter)