In Focus delivers deeper coverage of the political, cultural, and ideological issues shaping America. Published daily by senior writers and experts, these in-depth pieces go beyond the headlines to give readers the full picture. You can find our full list of In Focus pieces here.There are multiple, conflicting reports about a possibly imminent “deal” the Trump administration may ink with Iran’s regime. If true — more on that to come — some of the reported details are baffling and alarming.
“U.S. and Iranian negotiators [are] close to extending [an existing] ceasefire by 60 days under deal to include gradual reopening of Hormuz, talks on enriched uranium stockpile, eased restrictions on Iran ports, sanctions relief, and phased unfreezing of Tehran’s overseas assets,” wrote Mark Dubowitz, CEO of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. “If this is true — and it’s a big if that President Trump would accept it — then the administration has surrendered at the negotiating table what America and Israel won on the military and economic battlefields.”
“Wait and see” is wise counsel, but that course of action doesn’t preclude analyzing some of the serious concerns that have arisen.
As the broad strokes of this possible agreement seeped into public view, the regime began publicly mocking Trump and denying any notion that it had made meaningful concessions to the United States. Inauspicious, if typical. Some voices in the U.S., including the failed brain trust behind the disastrous Obama nuclear compact with Iran, have offered tepid and backhanded compliments of the deal. Another inauspicious sign.