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Welcome to The Logoff: President Donald Trump has had a lot to say about the US-Iran talks this week. Here’s what’s going on.
What’s the latest? Currently, the US and Iran are reportedly talking indirectly, with Pakistan serving as a mediator. Both sides have made initial proposals – a 15-point deal from the US and a rival five-point deal from Iran – although they are far from anything that will be agreed. Shares fell on Thursday as investors grew more optimistic about the deal.
There have been positive signs, however: On Thursday afternoon, Trump said he was extending the deadline for threatened strikes against Iran’s power plants by an additional 10 days, until the evening of Monday, April 6.
What is the context? This is the second time that Trump has adjusted his schedule for talks. Over the weekend, he previously threatened to “destroy” Iran’s power plants if the Strait of Hormuz, a major waterway controlled by Iran and vital to the world’s energy supply, was not reopened within 48 hours.
He later extended that period to five days to create space for ongoing negotiations, which he described as “DEEP, COMPREHENSIVE, AND CONSTRUCTIVE.”
what is the main picture? As my colleague Josh Keating reportsthere are still serious obstacles to ending the war quickly. For one, control of the port gives Iran a way to punish the United States for starting a war, and the Iranian government may think more pain is needed to drive home the message. Israel and other Trump allies in the Middle East also seem interested in continuing the war.
At the same time, the United States is sending more soldiers in the regionfueling speculation about a possible ground invasion. And the 10-day pause on strikes only covers Iran’s energy plants; other goals are still being met. Without a deal on Iran’s nuclear program, Trump said Thursday, “we’re going to continue to ignore them.”
