Middle East Crisis Iran War

Gulf States Are Being Drawn Deeper into the War – Wanting Revenge

The United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia are being drawn deeper into the Iran War, reports The Wall Street Journal. The US-allied countries have outwardly tried to stay out, but in reality their involvement has become more clear.

After persistent attacks from Iran – which threaten security and the economy – the countries around the Persian Gulf are considering several counterattacks.

Saudi Arabia allowed US forces to use its King Fahd Air Base, something they had previously refused. Bahrain is also said to have allowed the US military to fire ground-based missiles to attack Iran, according to videos verified by the Irish news agency Storyful.

At the same time, the United Arab Emirates, which has long been a center for Iranian entrepreneurs, is trying to strike at the Iranian economy. They have threatened to freeze assets and have already closed Iranian clubs and hospitals.

Former defense secretary: “We are in a difficult position in Iran”

James Mattis, who was defense secretary during part of Donald Trump’s first term, says that the United States is in a difficult position in the Middle East, Axios and Politico report.

During a speech last night at the CERAWeek energy conference, he said that it is difficult to see any good way forward. If Trump declares himself the victor and withdraws, Iran could claim ownership of the Strait of Hormuz.

– Then I can see a tax being imposed on every ship that passes through the strait, which would be completely unsustainable for the global market.

According to him, opening the strait, which is so important for the global oil market, by military means is difficult to implement and he is therefore encouraging diplomacy.

Iran: We are in contact with American mediators

Iran has reportedly received the first points for possible negotiations with the United States. This is confirmed by a high-ranking Iranian official for CBS News. The points have reportedly been handed over to Iran through a mediator.

– We have received points from the United States through mediators and they are being reviewed, says the official.

The information comes after Donald Trump claimed that productive talks had been held with Iran and that he was therefore stopping attacks on energy targets for a couple of days. However, this has not been confirmed by Iran, whose Foreign Ministry initially denied that talks had taken place.

Iran: We are willing to listen to US proposals

Iran has been in contact with the US through mediators in recent days and is ready to listen to "sustainable" peace proposals that take into account the country's interests, an Iranian source told CNN.

- The proposals being examined are not just aimed at a ceasefire, but a concrete agreement to end the conflict between the US and Iran, the source said without elaborating.

- Iran is ready to provide all necessary guarantees that we will never develop nuclear weapons, but we are entitled to use peaceful nuclear technology.

One of the demands is that all sanctions against Iran must be lifted, according to the source.

Sources: US to send 3,000 paratroopers

The US is to send 3,000 paratroopers to the Middle East, according to government sources to the Wall Street Journal.

The announcement is expected within the next few hours, according to the sources. However, no decision has been made on a ground invasion of Iran yet.

The soldiers from the elite 82nd Airborne Division are trained to be dropped from the air on enemy soil and seize airfields and other territory. They can be deployed anywhere in the world within 24 hours.

US: Considering diplomacy – but fighting on

Donald Trump is continuing the war on Iran for now, despite signals of talks, AFP reports.

“While President Trump and his negotiators explore the new opportunity for diplomacy, Operation Epic Fury continues tirelessly to achieve the military objectives set by the Supreme Commander and the Pentagon,” his press secretary Karoline Leavitt wrote in a comment.

According to information to the Wall Street Journal and Reuters, the US is to send 3,000 paratroopers from the elite 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East.

Earlier today, an Iranian source told CNN that Iran is willing to listen to US proposals and is open to never acquiring nuclear weapons, but in return they demand that all sanctions be lifted.