Iran floats ‘plan B’ to defuse Hormuz standoff, delay nuclear talks The proposal would postpone negotiations over Iran's nuclear program in an attempt to break the deadlock. Iran
Pistachios reach highest prices in eight years amid Iran war Pistachio prices rose to around $4.57 a pound in March, their highest since 2018, according to data company Expana. Iran
Analysis As Iran's power struggle deepens, US talks stall, who’s calling the shots in Tehran? Ultraconservative figures and security officials have intensified their criticism of the negotiating team, accusing it of jeopardizing Iran’s gains. By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Trump extends ceasefire with Iran ‘until discussions concluded’ Trump also said he directed the US Navy to continue its blockade of Iranian ports. Iran
Analysis Israel sees chance of US-Iran deal as almost 'non-existent,' readies for war By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Veteran peace hands see growing Israeli-Arab alignment in Warsaw While the Palestinians boycotted the meeting in Poland, a number of Arab delegates showed an interest in engaging with US plans for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Legacy: Gulf
Trump allies hijack Warsaw summit with calls for Iran war, regime change Giuliani's meeting with Iranian opposition group and Israeli prime minister's tweet about war with Iran gets conference on promoting peace in the Middle East off to problematic start. Yemen
Will Warsaw summit unite US, EU against Iran? Despite a likely Western European snub in terms of level of representation, the Warsaw summit holds the possibility of being a starting point for a European-American consensus against Iran down the line, potentially depriving Tehran of even the minimum benefits of the nuclear deal. United States
Iranian opposition unwelcome at Pompeo’s anti-Iran bash Iranian opposition gets left out of meeting on Iran taking place in Poland next week. Legacy: Gulf
Why Europe just made Rouhani’s effort to exit FATF blacklist even harder The E3’s seeming tying of the launch of its new trade mechanism to Iran’s passing of controversial bills has energized hard-line calls for refusal to accede to the FATF’s action plan. Iran
Why Europe's payment channel may be too little to keep Iran in JCPOA Iran is inching closer than ever to withdrawing from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action as it finds European steps toward maintaining the deal too little, too late — a perception exacerbated by more European non-nuclear sanctions. Iran
GCC states boxed in by US sanctions on Syria The United States creates dilemmas for GCC in Syria; Qatar steps up with $500 million Lebanon investment; Netanyahu seeks Arab photo-op in Poland. Legacy: Gulf
China’s emerging role in Iran’s petroleum sector Despite the stumbling blocks, China’s strategic goal of securing energy resources for its future demands and Iran’s need for foreign investment will continue to pave the way for a greater Chinese role in the Iranian energy sector. Iran
Iran calls new European special payment mechanism ‘first step’ Iran called a new European initiative to establish a payment mechanism to facilitate trade a “first step” and hopes it will expand. Iran
US intel assessment suggests Trump's Iran policy not working A new US intelligence assessment suggests that the Donald Trump administration’s Iran policy is not achieving its goals and may in fact be counterproductive. Congress
US allies try to dilute anti-Iran agenda for Warsaw summit Wary European allies are trying to dilute and broaden the agenda and lower their diplomatic representation for a US-backed ministerial meeting on Middle East peace and security to be held Feb. 13-14 in Warsaw, Poland. United States
Iran says moving towards readiness to ramp up nuclear program Iran's atomic chief says he is establishing a readiness to revive the country’s nuclear program, in line with an order by the supreme leader. Iran
