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Gulf Insider
03-04-2025
- Business
- Gulf Insider
Trump Weighs Iran Talks, Sends Second Carrier
Various international reports have said that the White House is seriously considering Iran's proposal for indirect nuclear talks, however, on Tuesday the US slapped more sanctions on the Islamic Republic as part of the Trump's restored 'maximum pressure' campaign. The Treasury Department in this latest move sanctioned several entities based in Iran, the UAE, and China – saying they are involved in 'procurement of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) components on behalf of Iran-based Qods Aviation Industries (QAI)—a leading manufacturer for Iran's UAV program.' At the same time, it has become a central White House talking point that Iran and the Houthis are like hand-in-glove. The administration has been declaring that the over two week bombing mission in Yemen is huge blow to Iran. Currently a second US aircraft carrier is en route to the Middle East. This was confirmed Tuesday with an order by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to send the USS Carl Vinson and accompanying warships to the region. There it will join the USS Harry Truman – which has already come under repeat attempts of the Houthis to attack it in the Red Sea region. The Vinson is traveling to the area from the Asia Pacific. Hegseth has also 'ordered the deployment of additional squadrons and other air assets that will further reinforce our defensive air-support capabilities.' Paris is on Wednesday hosting Iran-related diplomatic talks over finding a way forward. France's Foreign Ministry has issued a statement saying the window of opportunity for a new nuclear agreement with Iran is 'narrow and if a deal cannot be reached then a military confrontation seems to be almost inevitable.' President Trump has basically laid out a strong, provocative ultimatum: Tehran can either sign a fresh deal or face American bombs. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has hit back, warning a 'strong counterattack' would certainly ensue. Iranian state media has been highlighting that some ten US military bases in the region are in range of Iranian missiles. Another sign that Trump might be serious about preemptive strikes is that last week the Pentagon dispatched at least five B-2 bombers to the American base at Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean. The wildest intercept video I've ever seen. A F/A-18F and F-35C escort a Ilyushin Il-38N low level past the USS Carl Vinson. 🤯Do you think they did the whole SEDLO SEDLO SEDLO. DELTA ECHO. IVORY EAGLE thing over the radio? — Thenewarea51 (@thenewarea51) March 27, 2025 This puts the bombers within close striking distance of either Iran or Yemen. Likely any escalation between Tehran and Washington would occur outside Iran, with the US likely to strike at 'proxies' first. Russia and Iran have meanwhile still been talking about Moscow running point as an outside mediator between Tehran and Washington over its nuclear energy program. The US administration has so far seemed open to this. Also read: Indian Refiners Seek Alternatives To Russian Oil After Trump Tariff Threat
Rudaw Net
01-04-2025
- Business
- Rudaw Net
US sanctions target Iranian drone, missile networks
Also in Iran Iran threatens shift toward nuclear arms if attacked by US or Israel Iran summons Swiss envoy to protest US 'threats,' potential Israeli 'mischief': FM Iranian intelligence block access to Qazi Muhammad's tomb on execution anniversary Khamenei warns of 'strong' retaliation if US attacks A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The United States imposed sanctions against six entities and two individuals linked to the procurement of parts for Iran's drone and ballistic missile program, the State Department said on Tuesday. 'Today's action is a part of President [Donald] Trump's maximum pressure campaign on the Iranian regime, to disrupt efforts by the U.S.-sanctioned Iran-based Qods Aviation Industries to procure equipment for Iran's military-industrial complex and UAV program,' State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said in a statement. The sanctioned entities and individuals are based in Iran, the United Arab Emirates, and China, according to the statement. 'Iran uses this technology and the proceeds from arms sales to bolster its military industrial base to build missiles and UAVs, which are used against fellow countries, as well as exported to Russia, terrorist proxy groups around the Middle East, and to other actors of concern,' the statement added. After returning to the White House in February, Trump in early February restored his 'maximum pressure' policy against Tehran, arguing that it is 'too close' to a nuclear weapon. He also expressed openness to negotiate a new deal with Tehran, though Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei deemed negotiations 'unwise.' Under a 2015 nuclear deal - formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) - with world powers, Iran agreed to curb its nuclear enrichment program in exchange for much-needed relief from crippling sanctions. But the deal began unraveling in 2018 when Trump, during his first term, unilaterally withdrew the US from the accord and reimposed biting sanctions on Iran. Tehran adhered to the deal for a year before gradually ramping up its nuclear activities afterward.
