United States President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that he had a “very good” meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, during which he insisted that the negotiations with Iran should continue. “There was nothing definitive reached other than I insisted that negotiations with Iran continue to see whether or not a Deal can be consummated. If it can, I let the Prime Minister know that will be a preference. If it cannot, we will just have to see what the outcome will be,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social. “Last time Iran decided that they were better off not making a Deal, and they were hit with Midnight Hammer — That did not work well for them. Hopefully this time they will be more reasonable and responsible,” he added. The US president stated that he and Netanyahu also discussed “tremendous progress” being made in the Gaza Strip and the entire region, claiming “there is truly PEACE in the Middle East.”
Oil up over 1% as Iran worries persist
Crude prices gained more than 1% on Wednesday as investors monitored developments in the Middle East. A report published yesterday alleged that the United States considered seizing another tanker carrying Iranian oil to try to push Tehran into a nuclear deal, but decided against it for fear of destabilizing the market. Meanwhile, negotiators from the US and Iran failed to reach a meaningful breakthrough in last week’s talks.
West Texas Intermediate (WTI) for deliveries in March added 1.93% at 8:11 am ET and went for $65.49 per barrel. Brent for April settlements rose by 1.81% and sold for $70.32 a barrel.
Iran: Missiles not part of US talks, nor will ever be
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated during the anniversary of the 1979 Iranian Revolution march in Tehran that Iran’s missile program remains a strictly non-negotiable defensive matter .”No one can make the slightest encroachment on our missiles,” the minister said, speaking to reporters at the event, and reaffirmed that Iran’s “missiles are not a subject of negotiation and will not be.” Regarding diplomatic engagement with the United States, Araghchi confirmed that the time and location for the next round of negotiations have not yet been determined. Following talks in Muscat last Friday, both sides have returned to their respective capitals for consultations.
NN: Simple solution…. Blast every rocket, launcher and factory to hell. And the Ayatollah with them..
Herzog hopes US talks can topple Iran’s ‘evil empire’
Israeli President Isaac Herzog expressed hope on Wednesday that upcoming talks between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and United States President Donald Trump can undermine Iran’s “empire of evil.” During his visit to Australia, Herzog wished both Netanyahu and Trump “success in bringing peace” and also in discussions on the next phase of the Gaza peace deal, “which is important to all of us, which I hope will bring a better future for all of us.” The Israeli prime minister arrived in Washington earlier today and is scheduled to meet the US president later in the day.
Netanyahu arrives in US for meeting with Trump
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu landed at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland at 6 pm local time on Tuesday, the Times of Israel reported. Netanyahu is due to meet with United States President Donald Trump on Wednesday to discuss negotiations with Iran, the Israeli prime minister’s office said Saturday on X. “The Prime Minister believes any negotiations must include limitations on ballistic missiles and a halting of the support for the Iranian axis,” Netanyahu’s office added in Saturday’s post.
NN: This is a critical meeting. Trump can go either way. Fall for the Iranian endless negotiations trick or End this evil theocracy of crazies and save mankind and our oil trade
Trump: Iran can’t have nuclear weapons, missiles
United States President Donald Trump told Israel’s Channel 12 on Tuesday that Iran can’t have nuclear weapons and missiles, reiterating his readiness to take military action if the negotiations with Tehran fail. “The Iranians really want to make a deal. Either we make a deal, or we have to do something very tough – like last time,” the US president stressed, referring to the 12-day war between Iran and Israel in June last year.
More to come…
Iran may cut uranium enrichment for sanctions lift
Iran’s Atomic Chief Mohammad Eslami said that Tehran was open to reducing its uranium enrichment levels to 60% in exchange for the complete lifting of sanctions, as reported by the Iranian Students’ News Agency (ISNA) on Friday. According to the outlet, Eslami told reporters that the proposal was totally dependent on whether or not all sanctions against Iran are lifted as part of the negotiations. He also spoke on the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) role, stating that although Iran still cooperates with the agency, it still has “an unfulfilled obligation” regarding a military attack on sites that are protected by the agency. “If we are under the Agency’s supervision and hold its certification of credibility, then it cannot remain silent about what happened,” he said.
NN: Iran continues to insist its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes. As it makes weapons grade Uranium…
WTI, Brent rally over 3%
The prices of oil futures gained ground on Monday, rising more than 3%, as geopolitical tensions across the globe seemingly increased supply concerns. The United States and Iran were in the forefront, with Washington previously sending an advisory to US-flagged ships, warning them to stay “as far as possible” from Iranian territory while going through the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman. In addition, the European Union (EU) recently announced that when it comes to tightening sanctions on Russian oil, it plans to discard the price cap limitations and introduce a ban on maritime services. The West Texas Intermediate (WTI) for March deliveries shot up 3.60% at 12:32 pm ET, going for $64.82 per barrel. A minute later, Brent for April settlements jumped 3.35%, selling at $69.39 a barrel.
Araghchi: Iran not scared by US’s military buildup
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi insisted on Sunday that his country is not intimidated by the United States increasing its military presence in the Middle East. Speaking at a forum in Tehran, Araghchi stressed that Iran will not give up its nuclear program, even if a conflict “is imposed on us” as it is its right. “Iran has paid a very heavy price for its peaceful nuclear program and for uranium enrichment,” he noted. Araghchi’s comments came after another round of negotiations with the US on Iran’s nuclear status. Afterward, he said that Tehran is ready for peace, but also for a conflict with the US.
NN: I am wafting. I believe the US and Israel will attack
If US attacks, Iran says it will strike US bases in the region
CAIRO, Feb 7 (Reuters) – Iran will strike U.S. bases in the Middle East if it is attacked by U.S. forces that have massed in the region, its foreign minister said on Saturday, insisting that this should not be seen as an attack on the countries hosting them. Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi spoke to Qatari Al Jazeera TV a day after Tehran and Washington pledged to continue indirect nuclear talks following what both sides described as positive discussions on Friday in Oman.
The Reuters Gulf Currents newsletter brings you the latest on geopolitics, energy and finance in the region. Sign up here. While Araqchi said no date had yet been set for the next round of negotiations, U.S. President Donald Trump said they could take place early next week. “We and Washington believe it should be held soon,” Araqchi said. Trump has threatened to strike Iran after a U.S. naval buildup in the region, demanding that it renounce uranium enrichment, a possible pathway to nuclear bombs, as well as stopping ballistic missile development and support for armed groups around the region. Tehran has long denied any intent to weaponise nuclear fuel production. While both sides have indicated readiness to revive diplomacy over Tehran’s long-running nuclear dispute with the West, Araqchi balked at widening the talks out. “Any dialogue requires refraining from threats and pressure. (Tehran) only discusses its nuclear issue … We do not discuss any other issue with the U.S.,” he said. Last June, the U.S. bombed Iranian nuclear facilities, joining in the final stages of a 12-day Israeli bombing campaign. Tehran has since said it has halted uranium enrichment activity. Its response at the time included a missile attack on a U.S. base in Qatar, which maintains good relations with both Tehran and Washington. In the event of a new U.S. attack, Araqchi said the consequences could be similar. “It would not be possible to attack American soil, but we will target their bases in the region,” he said. “We will not attack neighbouring countries; rather, we will target U.S. bases stationed in them. There is a big difference between the two.” Iran says it wants recognition of its right to enrich uranium, and that putting its missile programme on the negotiating table would leave it vulnerable to Israeli attacks
NN: This is called playing a losing hand. And Iran is flirting with the end of the Ayatollah reign of terror. Its simple move the US assets as in fly the planes off the venerable bases. This is coming to a head.