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IRAN: FT-Trump To Give Witkoff Iran Brief

IRAN
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The FT reports that US President Donald Trump is set to give his Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff the brief of dealing with American concerns regarding Iran, "suggesting the US president is willing to test diplomacy before ramping up pressure on Tehran... Witkoff, a real estate investor who played a pivotal role in securing the Gaza ceasefire, is expected to spearhead efforts on Iran’s nuclear programme as part of a broader Trump remit to “stop the wars” in the region,"

  • The report claims that while the Trump transition team had some measures planned that would see the 'maximum pressure' campaign on Iran seen in Trump's first term return, there has been something of a shift indicating that a path towards a diplomatic resolution is possible.
  • During his confirmation hearing, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he would back “any arrangement that allows us to have safety and stability in the region but one in which we’re clear-eyed”.
  • Speaking at the WEF this week, Iranian Vice-President for Strategic Affairs Mohammad Javad Zarif said he hoped that Trump would be “more serious, more focused, more realistic” in his dealings with Iran.
  • FT: "Witkoff’s potential stewardship of Iran issues has alarmed some Iran hawks in Congress and elsewhere in Washington, who worry he will be too quick to drop pressure on Iran in seeking a possible deal. “He’s already lifting pressure on Hamas, Hizbollah and Iran, and in the process abandoning American hostages and endangering Israel,” said a senior Republican Congressional staffer."
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The FT reports that US President Donald Trump is set to give his Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff the brief of dealing with American concerns regarding Iran, "suggesting the US president is willing to test diplomacy before ramping up pressure on Tehran... Witkoff, a real estate investor who played a pivotal role in securing the Gaza ceasefire, is expected to spearhead efforts on Iran’s nuclear programme as part of a broader Trump remit to “stop the wars” in the region,"

  • The report claims that while the Trump transition team had some measures planned that would see the 'maximum pressure' campaign on Iran seen in Trump's first term return, there has been something of a shift indicating that a path towards a diplomatic resolution is possible.
  • During his confirmation hearing, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he would back “any arrangement that allows us to have safety and stability in the region but one in which we’re clear-eyed”.
  • Speaking at the WEF this week, Iranian Vice-President for Strategic Affairs Mohammad Javad Zarif said he hoped that Trump would be “more serious, more focused, more realistic” in his dealings with Iran.
  • FT: "Witkoff’s potential stewardship of Iran issues has alarmed some Iran hawks in Congress and elsewhere in Washington, who worry he will be too quick to drop pressure on Iran in seeking a possible deal. “He’s already lifting pressure on Hamas, Hizbollah and Iran, and in the process abandoning American hostages and endangering Israel,” said a senior Republican Congressional staffer."