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Politico
a day ago
- Politics
- Politico
Florida's immigration crackdown week
Good morning and happy Friday. Immigration has been a top issue driving discussions and decision-making in Tallahassee this year. But the topic dominated headlines across the state this week possibly more than any other time since January. The week started with the DeSantis administration celebrating a map released by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement that showed Florida, more than any other state, had leveraged the help of local police to identify and remove undocumented people. And by Thursday, the state assisted with one of Florida's largest-ever raids in Tallahassee. Gov. RON DESANTIS praised the raid as a 'major bust,' while one of his spokespeople, SIERRA DEAN, joked that the blue-speckled map ICE published was the only instance the public would see the state turn blue during the governor's term. State Attorney General JAMES UTHMEIER delivered an alliterative review: 'Detain. Deport. Deliver for the American people.' More than 30 people were arrested Thursday of about 100 detained, reported USA Today Network — Florida and Ana Ceballos of the Miami Herald. Tampa's Homeland Security Investigation's unit said on X that some had previously been deported or had criminal backgrounds, but others who were questioned appeared not to have been living here illegally. It was all the latest instance of Florida working to carry out President DONALD TRUMP's agenda, especially when it comes to illegal immigration. Last month, ICE and local law enforcement arrested more than 1,100 people during a six-day crackdown. But it hasn't been all smooth sailing. Though DeSantis signed a sweeping illegal immigration bill into law earlier this year, a portion of the law that makes it illegal for undocumented people to enter Florida has been blocked in court. On Thursday, one of Uthmeier's lawyers faced questions in Miami over the state AG potentially being held in contempt of court over that law. While Uthmeier wasn't present for the hearing, U.S. District Judge KATHLEEN WILLIAMS — an Obama-era appointee — sharply criticized him for comments he made that seemed to undermine her order. Williams raised not only a letter Uthmeier wrote, but news interviews. She loosely quoted one from Newsmax, saying there were 'buckets' more to choose from, where Uthmeier said he would not 'rubber stamp' Williams' orders or 'bow down and withhold my oath.' He further argued that a judge 'can't order people around who are not under the jurisdiction of the court.' Uthmeier's attorney, JESSE PANUCCIO urged the judge to focus on the letter alone. He argued Uthmeier was merely stating his opinion on her ruling without undermining the court's orders — pointing out that arrests haven't occurred under the new law since Uthmeier first notified law enforcement of the block. As the judge weighs her decision, what jumps out about Uthmeier's public comments on the judiciary is how much they mirror those of Trump and his allies, who've argued that judges aren't allowed to control the power of the executive branch as questions swirl over whether they'll openly defy multiple orders to halt the president's agenda. And remember: It remains an open question whether Trump will get behind Uthmeier's 2026 election or select a handpicked alternative. WHERE'S RON? Gov. DeSantis is holding a press conference in Jupiter with Florida Division of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie. Have a tip, story, suggestion, birthday, anniversary, new job, or any other nugget that Playbook should look at? Get in touch at: kleonard@ ... DATELINE TALLAHASSEE ... 'FREE KILL' VETOED — 'DeSantis on Thursday vetoed a bill that would have expanded malpractice claims filed against doctors, saying the measure would lead to a spike in frivolous cases and an exodus of medical professionals from the state,' reports POLITICO's Arek Sarkissian. 'Florida's current malpractice law bans adults and parents from claiming pain and suffering in a malpractice suit, instead only allowing for consideration of economic damages. FL HB6017 (25R) sought to remove the ban on pain and suffering, which DeSantis said would open the floodgates for more lawsuits, driving up malpractice insurance claims and compelling droves of doctors to leave the state.' GOV ON UF PRESIDENT CONTROVERSY — 'DeSantis gave a tepid response Thursday to the University of Florida's decision to hire University of Michigan President Santa Ono — as key conservatives push to quash the move over Ono's past support of diversity, equity and inclusion programs,' reports POLITICO's Andrew Atterbury. 'Florida's GOP governor acknowledged statements from Ono that have triggered Republican blowback made him 'cringe.' But he expressed faith in the University of Florida trustee board's determination that the school leader 'reached the limit on campus leftism.'' The governor said: 'People are saying, 'Well, you know, you could have woke here.' No, that's not going to happen, because if he were to go in and do that, he will lose his job in Florida.' SENTENCED — 'An Everglades scientist found guilty of contempt of court will surrender in July to serve a 10-day jail sentence, according to a judge's order issued Thursday,' reports Jenny Staletovich of WLRN. 'Tom Van Lent was sentenced to time behind bars after the Everglades Foundation accused him of stealing trade secrets three years ago. Van Lent denied stealing protected documents, but a judge found him guilty of criminal contempt after he disobeyed an order to stop deleting information from his computers. Van Lent said he was erasing personal documents.' — 'Chamber summit: Amid controversy, Casey DeSantis pitches Hope Florida to business community,' reports Drew Wilson of Florida Politics. PENINSULA AND BEYOND TODAY — Florida A&M University's board of directors will meet at 2 p.m. to talk about the compensation for incoming president MARVA JOHNSON, reports Tarah Jean of the Tallahassee Democrat. They've already agreed on a salary range of $450,000 to $750,000. — 'St. Cloud prevents Pride Month proclamation on Pulse anniversary through blanket 'pause,'' reports Natalia Jaramillo of the Orlando Sentinel. — 'Dynasty city: How three Miami families may extend their decades of political power,' by the Miami Herald's Douglas Hanks and Tess Riski. ...HURRICANE HOLE... TALLYING THE BILL — The Miami Herald has estimated the cost of putting together hurricane kits ahead of this year's season, including water, non-perishable food and a weather radio. STORM SAVINGS — 'Squabbling legislators have kept the Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday from landing as the new windstorm season starts June 1, but a new state website shows how homeowners can save even bigger bucks,' reports Anne Geggis of the Palm Beach post. 'The website … explains how hurricane-proofing a home not only fortifies against Mother Nature's wrath, it could also soften the hit from paying windstorm insurance premiums if homeowners follow certain steps.' … As for the hurricane preparedness tax holiday: DeSantis thinks it should be reinstated, he said during a press conference Thursday in Fort Myers. But as Gray Rohrer from USA Today Network — Florida noted, with hurricane season starting Sunday it won't happen ahead of the peak storm period as it usually does, given that the budget is still in limbo. — 'Vital hurricane hunter missions scrapped due to aircraft issues, cap on crew flight hours,' reports Kimberly Miller of the Palm Beach Post. CAMPAIGN MODE LOCAL CANDIDATE BACKING — Ruth's List Florida, which backs Democratic women who support abortion rights, has released its endorsement of candidates running for local office: MIRA TANNA for Orlando City Council District 3, KYANDRA DARLING for Florida House District 62, LAURA DOMINGUEZ for re-election to the Miami Beach City Commission, and state Rep. LAVON BRACY DAVIS for Florida Senate District 15. — 'Maxwell Frost backs LaVon Bracy Davis in the race to succeed Geraldine Thompson,' reports Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics. — 'Conservative social media personality threatens Lakeland with legal action,' by Sara-Megan Walsh of the Lakeland Ledger. TRUMPLANDIA AND THE SWAMP IMPERSONATOR — 'Federal authorities are investigating a clandestine effort to impersonate White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, according to people familiar with the matter, after an unknown individual reached out to prominent Republicans and business executives pretending to be her,' reports Josh Dawsey of the Wall Street Journal. 'In recent weeks, senators, governors, top U.S. business executives and other well-known figures have received text messages and phone calls from a person who claimed to be the chief of staff, the people familiar with the messages said.' — 'Todd Chrisley released from Florida prison, Julie from Kentucky. What to know about Trump pardon,' by USA Today Network — Florida. — 'Trump pardons Jupiter shark divers who destroyed a fisherman's longline, released catch,' by Hannah Phillips of the Palm Beach Post. DATELINE D.C. ETHICS SPOTLIGHT — 'A congressional watchdog office has found reason to believe that Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick requested community project funding, also known as earmarks, on behalf of a for-profit entity — a potential violation of House rules,' reports POLITICO's Hailey Fuchs and Nicholas Wu. 'The findings of a new report made public Thursday by the Office of Congressional Conduct — which reviews outside ethics complaints against House members and recommends further action to the House Ethics Committee — builds on the allegations the Florida Democrat has been facing since 2023.' HOPE FLORIDA SCRUTINY HEADED TO DC — Sen. RICK SCOTT told reporters during a press conference in Pensacola that Florida Chief Deputy Attorney General JOHN GUARD — whom Trump nominated as judge on the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida — would face questions about his involvement in Hope Florida during confirmation hearings, report Jim Little and Edward Bunch III of the Pensacola News Journal. DISTURBING CONDITIONS — 'A member of Congress who made an unannounced visit to the Krome North Service Processing Center in southwest Miami-Dade County said migrants in deportation proceedings are being subjected to overcrowded and inhumane conditions where they are forced to carry out bodily functions without privacy,' reports Jacqueline Charles of the Miami Herald. LATEST STOCK TRADES — 'Rep. Byron Donalds of Florida and his wife, Erika Donalds, bought or sold between $8,008 and $120,000 worth of stock on April 10, a week after Trump's tariff declaration, according to a NOTUS review of new congressional financial disclosures,' David Levinthal reported. — 'Congress could kill rooftop solar tax credits used by Florida homeowners,' reports Emily Mahoney of the Tampa Bay Times. ALL ABOARD — Rep. GREG STEUBE (R-Fla.) has introduced legislation that would require the DC Metro's governing body to be renamed Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA) and Metrorail the 'Trump Train' — or otherwise lose federal funding. ODDS, ENDS AND FLORIDA MEN BIRTHDAYS: State Rep. Kaylee Tuck … former Rep. Dan Miller … Marco Rubio alum Rob Noel … former state Rep. Julio Gonzalez … former state Rep. Dwight Dudley … (Saturday) Elizabeth Dos Santos of Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart's office ... former state Sen. Charlie Dean … former state Sen. Daryl Jones … (Sunday) state Sen. Danny Burgess … Tallahassee Democrat's Jeff Burlew … Lyndee Rose of LOTUS Strategies … journalist Jake Stofan of Action News Jax.
Politico
2 days ago
- Health
- Politico
Oil groups target heat rule as workers bake
For oil and gas workers, heat exposure can turn deadly. The industry is trying to tank a federal rule intended to help. The industry hopes its push will find favor with the Trump administration, which has pledged to eliminate barriers to fossil fuel production and dismantle policies to tackle climate change, writes Ariel Wittenberg. The rule — which the Biden administration proposed in July — would require employers to offer outdoor workers paid water and rest breaks when combined heat and humidity reach 80 degrees. Companies would also have to train managers and workers to identify heat illness symptoms and know when to get medical attention. The fossil fuel industry ranks third in the nation for heat-related hospitalizations and is among the top five for deaths. A reported 149 oil and gas workers have been hospitalized for heat exposure since 2017, compared with nine workers in the wind and solar industries. 'There are a lot of places where workers can't say, 'Oh, it's getting hot out here, I need to drink some water,' and this would help protect them before they are so ill they need to go to the hospital or die,' Jordan Barab, an Obama-era Occupational Safety and Health Administration official, told Ariel. Strenuous labor can worsen the dangers of high temperatures, leading to kidney damage, heat exhaustion and even heat stroke, which can kill in a matter of minutes. But industry groups, including the American Petroleum Institute, are urging the Trump administration to abandon the rule. They say it would apply 'a one-size-fits all' standard instead of letting employers set break schedules 'based on their specific workforce operations.' Such 'unbridled access to breaks' is unworkable, the group wrote to OSHA in January. Debate over the measure could bubble over next month when administration officials are scheduled to hold a hearing for public comment. By that time, summer will be heating up, and it could be a scorcher if history is any guide. The U.S. has suffered a string of record-breaking temperatures as climate change driven by burning fossil fuels turbocharges heat waves around the world. Temperatures in Texas have already broken 100 degree s — a record for May — and the rest of the country is on track to see hotter-than-normal days in the months ahead. It's Thursday — thank you for tuning in to POLITICO's Power Switch. I'm your host, Arianna Skibell. Power Switch is brought to you by the journalists behind E&E News and POLITICO Energy. Send your tips, comments, questions to askibell@ Today in POLITICO Energy's podcast: Catherine Morehouse breaks down the forced power outages in New Orleans this weekend, which left 100,000 people in the dark, and how that could help the Trump administration's efforts to keep fossil fuel plants running. Power Centers Bitcoin miner moves on up A former bitcoin miner whose company had a track record of permit violations and conflicts with neighbors is now operating at the highest ranks of the Energy Department, writes Brian Dabbs. Greg Beard, a career energy investor who ran the bitcoin firm Stronghold Digital Mining until March, joined the DOE's Loan Programs Office in recent weeks as a top-ranking political appointee — and staffers say he's already making big moves at the department. Musk is out, but DOGE remainsElon Musk is stepping back from the federal government but his Department of Government Efficiency isn't going anywhere, write Robin Bravender, Danny Nguyen and Sophia Cai. Just this week at the Interior Department, a 30-year veteran of the agency who told employees to ignore DOGE directives was escorted out of the building. Elsewhere, some DOGE employees have been hired on as permanent government staffers and given high-ranking positions inside agencies. And Cabinet heads like Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought have been quietly prepping plans for lasting changes that stand to be even more consequential than the initial rounds of cuts from Musk's team. From the sidelines: Musk and Tesla blast the GOPTesla criticized the Republican megabill for gutting clean energy tax credits, a message amplified by Musk hours after he announced he was leaving the Trump administration, writes James Bikales. 'Abruptly ending the energy tax credits would threaten America's energy independence and the reliability of our grid,' Tesla Energy, the company's solar and battery division, wrote on X. In Other News Glacier collapse: Nearly all of a Swiss Alpine village was buried when an unstable glacier in Switzerland collapsed this week. Green fee: Hawaii has become the first U.S. state to charge tourists a fee in an effort to fund climate policies. Subscriber Zone A showcase of some of our best subscriber content. The Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that federal agencies conducting environmental reviews can take a more limited view of the impacts of transportation and energy infrastructure projects they are permitting. April saw $4.5 billion in cancellations and delays of clean energy projects in the U.S., highlighting pressure on the clean power and low-carbon sectors as Congress weighs cutting billions of dollars in tax credits. By the end of the decade, the cost of buying and operating electric trucks could equal to — or even beat — the price of comparable diesel vehicles. That's it for today, folks! Thanks for reading.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Federal judge considers penalizing DeSantis-picked attorney general over Florida immigration law
MIAMI — A federal judge seemed wary of arguments during a Thursday court hearing that state Attorney General James Uthmeier, an appointee of Gov. Ron DeSantis, hadn't tried to undermine her court order blocking a Florida immigration law. Yet U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams said she would take the defense of Uthmeier's attorney, Jesse Panuccio, into consideration and review a past court case outlining the standards for potentially holding Uthmeier in contempt. She promised to issue a ruling soon — one that could result in Uthmeier receiving a fine or jail time if she does determine he's in contempt. The law in question makes it a crime for undocumented immigrants to enter Florida. Williams, an Obama-era appointee, put a temporary hold on it last month after the ACLU challenged the law, and predicted it would be found unconstitutional. She said state and local law enforcement officials could not use the law to arrest people. Thursday's nearly two-hour hearing centered on a memo Uthmeier sent on April 23 — a few weeks after Williams' hold — that disagreed with the ruling and argued 'no lawful, legitimate order currently impedes your agencies from continuing to enforce Florida's new illegal entry and reentry laws.' The ACLU said those comments indicated Uthmeier was telling law enforcement officials to disobey the judge's order and arrest people anyway. But Florida's attorney general argued in court filings that he was merely stating his legal objections. He argued he did obey the order by telling officers in an earlier letter, issued five days prior, to put enforcement on hold until the case made its way through the courts. Panuccio argued Thursday that both letters needed to be considered in context together. He said the intent of the second letter was for Uthmeier to clarify news reports that appeared to show he told officers not to enforce the immigration law. In reality, he said, the order had been the judge's. The second letter was also supposed to update the public on how Uthmeier appealed Williams' ruling to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals and why, he added. (Uthmeier was not present for the hearing.) Williams appeared skeptical about Uthmeier's intent, calling herself a 'very linear thinker.' At one point she dug into Panuccio over Uthmeier's comments — not just from his letter last month, but remarks he made during news interviews disagreeing with her ruling. In one instance, Uthmeier said he was 'not going to rubber stamp' the order or 'direct law enforcement to stand down on enforcing the Trump agenda or carrying out Florida's law.' 'That was just one,' she said of the example she quoted loosely. 'There are buckets.' Panuccio disputed using the comments from that interview during the hearing, saying the court should only be focused on briefs entered into the court record rather than what officials say during media interviews. Using the comments to make a final decision about court contempt could raise constitutional concerns about free speech and the power of the states, he added. Williams shot back: 'You're inviting me to consider context and I'm considering context.' She also noted that Panuccio had himself raised an unspecified news report in arguing one of the reasons Uthmeier wrote the second letter. 'When someone tells you who they are, you should listen,' she said later in the hearing. But Panuccio also repeatedly referenced a case about standards for issuing contempt of court decisions, including that there should be no ambiguity in how the comments can be interpreted. Williams said she wanted to look at the case more closely as she makes her decision. Uthmeier, who was appointed to his role by DeSantis in February, has the governor's support over his actions. He was previously DeSantis' chief of staff and will be running to keep his job in the 2026 election. ACLU deputy director Cody Wofsy, who argued against Uthmeier in court Thursday, insisted the second letter's wording was 'more damning than the next' and said Uthmeier should have rushed to clarify his words if he hadn't meant them to come across the way they did. 'He may have held those goals,' he said of Panuccio's description of Uthmeier's letter, 'but they don't explain the decision of issuing the letter.' The judge signaled she was open to his argument. 'There needs to be an appreciation and abiding by court order or else this all becomes anarchy,' she said. But Panuccio rebutted with the fact that local law enforcement officials had made no arrests under that portion of the law since Uthmeier's April 18 letter. (Dozens had been arrested before.) That, he said, serves as evidence that Williams' ruling is widely seen as binding among law enforcement. An attorney for the state backed him up at one point after Williams asked whether they'd checked to confirm that no one had been arrested.
Politico
2 days ago
- Politics
- Politico
Federal judge considers penalizing DeSantis-picked attorney general over Florida immigration law
MIAMI — A federal judge seemed wary of arguments during a Thursday court hearing that state Attorney General James Uthmeier, an appointee of Gov. Ron DeSantis, hadn't tried to undermine her court order blocking a Florida immigration law. Yet U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams said she would take the defense of Uthmeier's attorney, Jesse Panuccio, into consideration and review a past court case outlining the standards for potentially holding Uthmeier in contempt. She promised to issue a ruling soon — one that could result in Uthmeier receiving a fine or jail time if she does determine he's in contempt. The law in question makes it a crime for undocumented immigrants to enter Florida. Williams, an Obama-era appointee, put a temporary hold on it last month after the ACLU challenged the law, and predicted it would be found unconstitutional. She said state and local law enforcement officials could not use the law to arrest people. Thursday's nearly two-hour hearing centered on a memo Uthmeier sent on April 23 — a few weeks after Williams' hold — that disagreed with the ruling and argued 'no lawful, legitimate order currently impedes your agencies from continuing to enforce Florida's new illegal entry and reentry laws.' The ACLU said those comments indicated Uthmeier was telling law enforcement officials to disobey the judge's order and arrest people anyway. But Florida's attorney general argued in court filings that he was merely stating his legal objections. He argued he did obey the order by telling officers in an earlier letter, issued five days prior, to put enforcement on hold until the case made its way through the courts. Panuccio argued Thursday that both letters needed to be considered in context together. He said the intent of the second letter was for Uthmeier to clarify news reports that appeared to show he told officers not to enforce the immigration law. In reality, he said, the order had been the judge's. The second letter was also supposed to update the public on how Uthmeier appealed Williams' ruling to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals and why, he added. (Uthmeier was not present for the hearing.) Williams appeared skeptical about Uthmeier's intent, calling herself a 'very linear thinker.' At one point she dug into Panuccio over Uthmeier's comments — not just from his letter last month, but remarks he made during news interviews disagreeing with her ruling. In one instance, Uthmeier said he was 'not going to rubber stamp' the order or 'direct law enforcement to stand down on enforcing the Trump agenda or carrying out Florida's law.' 'That was just one,' she said of the example she quoted loosely. 'There are buckets.' Panuccio disputed using the comments from that interview during the hearing, saying the court should only be focused on briefs entered into the court record rather than what officials say during media interviews. Using the comments to make a final decision about court contempt could raise constitutional concerns about free speech and the power of the states, he added. Williams shot back: 'You're inviting me to consider context and I'm considering context.' She also noted that Panuccio had himself raised an unspecified news report in arguing one of the reasons Uthmeier wrote the second letter. 'When someone tells you who they are, you should listen,' she said later in the hearing. But Panuccio also repeatedly referenced a case about standards for issuing contempt of court decisions, including that there should be no ambiguity in how the comments can be interpreted. Williams said she wanted to look at the case more closely as she makes her decision. Uthmeier, who was appointed to his role by DeSantis in February, has the governor's support over his actions. He was previously DeSantis' chief of staff and will be running to keep his job in the 2026 election. ACLU deputy director Cody Wofsy, who argued against Uthmeier in court Thursday, insisted the second letter's wording was 'more damning than the next' and said Uthmeier should have rushed to clarify his words if he hadn't meant them to come across the way they did. 'He may have held those goals,' he said of Panuccio's description of Uthmeier's letter, 'but they don't explain the decision of issuing the letter.' The judge signaled she was open to his argument. 'There needs to be an appreciation and abiding by court order or else this all becomes anarchy,' she said. But Panuccio rebutted with the fact that local law enforcement officials had made no arrests under that portion of the law since Uthmeier's April 18 letter. (Dozens had been arrested before.) That, he said, serves as evidence that Williams' ruling is widely seen as binding among law enforcement. An attorney for the state backed him up at one point after Williams asked whether they'd checked to confirm that no one had been arrested.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Opinion - Trump must not fall for Iran's nuclear shell game
Team Trump has a growing Iranian problem. Tehran's latest purported nuclear offer — a farcical proposal to pause uranium enrichment for a year in exchange for the release of Iranian frozen funds and Washington's recognition of Iran's right to enrich uranium for civilian and energy purposes — is an obvious strategic non-starter for both the U.S. and Israel. As Freedom for the Defense of Democracies President Mark Dubowitz posted on X, 'Do [the Iranians] think we're that stupid?' Apparently so. Despite President Trump's assertion that talks between Iran and the U.S. might produce 'good news' this week, it is clear Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is intent on playing him for the fool. Iran has been allowed to play this dangerous nuclear shell game for far too long. It has proven repeatedly that it cannot be trusted, and Israel is done playing Iranian games. The White House must forcefully push back and disabuse Tehran of the notion that Trump can be played or that a slightly revised present-day rehash of the ill-advised Obama-era nuclear deal with Iran is even remotely acceptable. Iran's strategic objective is apparent. Tehran is hell-bent on retaining its uranium enrichment capacity — a rapidly growing capacity that we have repeatedly warned would permit Iran to immediately produce five nuclear weapons within one week and exponentially many more nukes thereafter given Tehran's substantial centrifuge capacity to spin 90 percent weapons-grade highly enriched uranium. Yet Iran's nuclear shell game is becoming even darker. It is no longer simply the ultimate manifestation of Iran's 'Axis of Resistance' war against Israel. Rather, it is now also Tehran's key staying card in Russian President Vladimir Putin's 'Axis of Evil.' To preserve its status in both — especially given Iran's growing strategic standing with Putin as a primary supplier in his 'Arsenals of Evil' — Tehran is desperate to find ways to buy time to thwart any U.S. or Israeli military strikes against its nuclear weapons program. Enter Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. His two-day state visit to Muscat, Oman earlier this week was a multifaceted attempt to do just that. Accompanied by Abbas Araghchi, Iran's foreign minister, Pezeshkian met with Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, the Sultan of Oman, ahead of a proposed sixth round of nuclear negotiations between Washington and Tehran. Pezeshkian's regional Middle East gambit is to persuade Oman — who is serving as a negotiating mediator between the U.S. and Iran (and negotiated the U.S.-Houthi rebel ceasefire) — to sanction Iran's proposal to freeze uranium enrichment in exchange for sanctions relief and U.S. recognition of Tehran's right to enrich uranium going forward. One of Pezeshkian's main regional goals is to obfuscate the issue of uranium enrichment. Earlier, in mid-May, in the lead up to his state visit to Oman, Tehran proposed that Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and other interested countries in the Persian Gulf region form a nuclear consortium to enrich uranium for commercial purposes. Uranium enriched at levels below 5 percent — the amount required for hospital equipment and medical experiments — would be produced under the supervision of Iranian engineers. Iran's goal is obvious — to obtain the backing and support of fellow Gulf States. Although their interests in procuring low-enriched uranium are legitimate, the Sunni Arab Gulf states are not likely to sign on to Tehran's proposal. First, it would put Doha, Dubai and Riyadh in direct conflict with Washington's zero-enrichment negotiating position. Second, it would potentially put them in Israel's crosshairs, should any Iranian-controlled production facilities be physically located in their countries. Intentionally or no, Israel sent a message to Iran and the Gulf States during Pezeshkian's visit that it was a bad idea when it again struck Houthi targets in Yemen — Oman's neighbor in southwest Arabia. To underscore the point, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu forcefully declared that 'Iran is responsible' for aggression against Israel from Yemen. Notably, there was an even darker transregional element to Pezeshkian's meetings in Oman. While he was meeting with the Sultan, Iran was also slated to participate in an 'Axis of Evil' military summit being hosted in Moscow by Sergei Shoigu, the former Russian defense minister. Military and security officials from North Korea and Iran were in attendance. Disconcertingly, the United Arab Emirates was in attendance as well. That meeting in Moscow is a timely reminder that Russia has a vested interest in disrupting any nuclear negotiations between Washington and Iran. It is also working to deter any U.S. military action against Tehran and its nuclear, ballistic missile or drone production facilities spread out throughout the country. Khamenei, presently, is a key supplier of ballistic missiles and drones to Moscow – the importance of which was recently underscored when Iran's parliament recently approved a 20-year strategic partnership with Moscow. Iran is doing its best to leverage its relationship with Putin to safeguard its nuclear ambitions. They are connected in that Trump's Special Envoy Steven Witkoff is negotiating this and the Russian ceasefire deal in Ukraine. That pact, notably, comes on top of a free trade agreement that went into effect in mid-May under the auspices of the Eurasian Economic Union. Israel sees all of this for what it is: a highly dangerous nuclear shell game being played against Jerusalem and Washington by Tehran and Russia. Significantly, it is equally clear that Israel is likely nearing a military strike on Iran's nuclear weapons program as evidenced by Trump's acknowledgement on Wednesday that he asked Netanyahu to wait. The Israeli prime minister is short on patience with Iran these days given its support for Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthi rebels. It is time Team Trump saw this the same way and with the same level of clarity. Tehran, like its Russian ally, is attempting to play him for a fool. The White House needs to send a clear message to Khamenei, Oman, the United Arab Emirates and by extension Putin and his 'Axis of Evil' allies, including China, that Washington is nobody's fool. Mark Toth writes on national security and foreign policy. Col. (Ret.) Jonathan E. Sweet served 30 years as an Army intelligence officer. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
