The Biden admin had been expecting a possible proposal from Iran FM Zarif to be issued this week. But it did not materialize, amid growing signs that Iran pre elections politics are hindering prospects to come to an understanding diplomatic.substack.com/p/iran-electio…
Rouhani yesterday blasted internal rivals as betraying the Iranian nation by denying them possible economic relief, adding to the impression that there is a lack of consensus in Iran to move forward diplomatic.substack.com/p/iran-electio…
Rouhani’s language about denying Iranians economic relief seemed to echo comments Iran’s Sup. Leader made a few months ago, that Iran should not hesitate one hour to seek sanctions relief, so perhaps the effort to seek consensus or an opening is not over diplomatic.substack.com/p/iran-electio…
“Basically, I think increasingly people in the Biden team are coming to the conclusion that Iran’s domestic politics are proving to be an insurmountable obstacle to any diplomatic progress right now,” diplomatic.substack.com/p/iran-electio…
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🧵House Intel chair Schiff on ODNI report: “The Intelligence Community Assessment released today underscores what we all knew already – that Russia interfered to support former Pres. Trump, hurt Pres. Biden, &undermine confidence in our electoral process. Through proxies, Russia
“ran a successful intel operation that penetrated the former president’s inner circle. Individuals close to the former president were targeted by agents of Russian intelligence inc. Andriy Derkach & Konstantin Kilimnik, who laundered misinformation into our political system
“with the intent of denigrating now-President Biden and damaging his candidacy.” ...
Jake Sullivan, on Iran: We are waiting to hear further from the Iranians how they would like to proceed. It is not going to be easy.
But we believe we are in a diplomatic process now that we can move forward now.
referred to communication through the Europeans
Asked about apparent Pompeo charge the ayatollahs only understand strength, & asking if Biden showing weakness for not retaliating for rocket attack on base in Iraq, Sullivan says if look at pattern of attacks in 2019-2020, not sure the former Sec in position to give advice.
Ahead of Persian new year, Zibakalam says Iran began and is ending this past century still struggling for democracy and democratic values. identifies 3 internal divisons threatening it: ethnic, growing economic inequality, cultural divisons between ultra religious &more educated
Zibakalam says many of the 24 million Iranians who voted for Rouhani 4 yrs ago will stay home in the election in June, and he expects a hardliner to be Iran’s next president, whether from rev. guards or civilian.
Acting US envoy to IAEA today offered robust defense of Iran deal, and spoke of the new need to rebuild confidence in both Washington and Tehran. diplomatic.substack.com/p/prospects-fo…
“..the JCPOA, a key achievement of multilateral diplomacy, and a vital instrument...” acting US charge to IAEA Louis Bono today. “...confidence must be rebuilt – in Washington, in Tehran...” diplomatic.substack.com/p/prospects-fo…
DC National Guard’s MG William Walker says on call requesting National Guard to help police, Gen. Flynn and Gen. Pyatt were the ones worried about the optics.
Gen. Flynn is the brother of Michael Flynn.
Robert Salesses, who was not on the call, says multiple times Gen. Pyatt told him yesterday he did not say anything about the optics.
Klobuchar does not ask about, so was it Flynn?