West Asia Crisis — Discussion, Developments, and Bharat’s Strategy

[ritesh]

India must cut its addiction to gold - they simply cannot afford it - put a 100% import duty if needed with super strict enforcement!! That alone can save India CAD.

Who is buying at 150k per 10gm?
Even silver prices has gone through the roof.

[Cyrano]

India must cut its addiction to gold - they simply cannot afford it - put a 100% import duty if needed with super strict enforcement!! That alone can save India CAD.

Please explain why gold is so bad? It's better than burning money ie forex on phoren trips, shopping for bideshi maal (most of which is made in Asia) or burning bideshi imported fuel for avoidable trips n travels.

To borrow from a Telugu saying "doesn't matter which stone it is if it's for breaking one's teeth"...!

[A_Gupta]

The Times of Israel reports

Netanyahu says he secretly visited UAE during Iran war, hails ‘historic breakthrough’
Source says PM’s meeting with Emirati president took place on March 26 in a city close to the Oman border, though Abu Dhabi denies premier made covert trip: ‘Entirely unfounded’

https://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu ... akthrough/

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday that he made a secretive visit to the United Arab Emirates and met with its leader, President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, during the US-Israeli war with Iran earlier this year.

The meeting resulted in a “historic breakthrough” in relations between Israel and Abu Dhabi, the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement. The UAE however denied that Netanyahu visited, calling the statement from his office “entirely unfounded.”

The announcement underscored the increased cooperation between the two countries during the war, after reports on Wednesday said that the heads of Israel’s two main intelligence agencies had also made secret trips to the Gulf state to help it shore up its defensive and offensive capabilities in the face of Iranian missile and drone attacks.

“The UAE reaffirms that its relations with Israel are public and conducted within the framework of the well-known and officially declared Abraham Accords, and are not based on non-transparent or unofficial arrangements,” the Emirati foreign ministry later said in response. “Accordingly, any claims regarding unannounced visits or undisclosed arrangements are entirely unfounded unless officially announced by the relevant authorities in the UAE.”

“The UAE calls on media outlets to exercise accuracy and professionalism, and to refrain from circulating unverified information or promoting misleading political narratives,” it added.

Iran meanwhile threatened the UAE as it said it knew of Netanyahu’s ostensible visit to Abu Dhabi.

“Netanyahu has now publicly revealed what Iran’s security services long ago conveyed to our leadership,” wrote Abbas Araghchi on X, without explaining why Iran didn’t go public weeks ago with the intelligence he claimed it had.

“Enmity with the Great People of Iran is a foolish gamble,” continued Araghchi. “Collusion with Israel in doing so: unforgivable.”

“Those colluding with Israel to sow division will be held to account.”

[A_Gupta]

Question: why the reveal at this moment?

[Manish_P]

Question: why the reveal at this moment?

Connected to the Trump-XI summit ?

[A_Gupta]

Question: why the reveal at this moment?

Connected to the Trump-XI summit ?

What impact does it have? I could not figure out how this works to US or Israeli advantage.

[Amber G.]

'Don't Have Control Over Our Enriched Uranium'

Iran MinisterKazem Gharibabadi, Deputy Foreign Minister of Iran, added that Iran had been ready to discuss all aspects of the nuclear issue but that the US had refused genuine negotiations and instead demanded its own terms.
.. Tehran has stated that it does not have "physical control of its uranium, which is enriched to 60 per cent". Kazem Gharibabadi, Deputy Foreign Minister of Iran, added that Iran had been ready to discuss all aspects of the nuclear issue but that the United States had refused genuine negotiations and instead demanded its own terms. He insisted that it was Washington, not Iran, which sought the current ceasefire in the Middle East conflict.

According to Gharibabadi, the recent talks had focused on three main areas -- Iran's commitment to non-development of nuclear weapons, the handling of its existing stockpile, and the question of enrichment.

"Iran was ready to discuss all issues, but this needs negotiation. The US refuses negotiations. US only want their terms," Gharibabadi said.

Within those discussions, the sides had addressed the possible transfer of Iranian enriched uranium, the dilution of its enrichment levels, and the conversion of material into fuel rods. Specifically, the US demanded that uranium enriched to 60 per cent be transferred to the United States and nowhere else. Washington also called for Iran to suspend enrichment activities for 20 years, a demand Tehran rejected outright.

"We cannot deprive our nation," the minister said. Gharibabadi is a key part of Iran's negotiation team which engaged in talks with the United States, including the recent consultations in Islamabad.

He questioned the logic of transferring material to the US, asking, "Transferring to the United States - why?"

<snip>

[Manish_P]

..
What impact does it have? I could not figure out how this works to US or Israeli advantage.

The Israel-Iran war is a US-China war as well.. Israel can't have Trump-XI working out a ceasefire. So do whatever required to keep one or many of the parties angry and unable to backtrack to peace.

[rajkumar]

Saudi Arabia Seeks Non-Aggression Pact with Iran Modeled After 1975 Helsinki Accords

It appears Saudi Arabia has had enough of Trump’s war.
A non-aggression pact between #Iran and Saudi Arabia?

The Financial Times report on Saudi Arabia’s proposal for a regional “non-aggression pact” between Iran and neighboring states is not merely a temporary diplomatic initiative. Rather, it signals Riyadh’s attempt to…

— Hamidreza Azizi (@HamidRezaAz) May 14, 2026
Non-Aggression Pact Details

The Financial Times report on Saudi Arabia’s proposal for a regional “non-aggression pact” between Iran and neighboring states is not merely a temporary diplomatic initiative. Rather, it signals Riyadh’s attempt to redefine....

https://mishtalk.com/economics/saudi-ar ... i-accords/

[drnayar]

Saudi Arabia Seeks Non-Aggression Pact with Iran Modeled After 1975 Helsinki Accords

It appears Saudi Arabia has had enough of Trump’s war.
A non-aggression pact between #Iran and Saudi Arabia?

The Financial Times report on Saudi Arabia’s proposal for a regional “non-aggression pact” between Iran and neighboring states is not merely a temporary diplomatic initiative. Rather, it signals Riyadh’s attempt to…

— Hamidreza Azizi (@HamidRezaAz) May 14, 2026
Non-Aggression Pact Details

The Financial Times report on Saudi Arabia’s proposal for a regional “non-aggression pact” between Iran and neighboring states is not merely a temporary diplomatic initiative. Rather, it signals Riyadh’s attempt to redefine....

https://mishtalk.com/economics/saudi-ar ... i-accords/

also means SA does not think it can depend on or want uncles protection anymore !

this could redefine middle east politics., Iranians can also benefit significantly

[drnayar]

'Don't Have Control Over Our Enriched Uranium'

Iran MinisterKazem Gharibabadi, Deputy Foreign Minister of Iran, added that Iran had been ready to discuss all aspects of the nuclear issue but that the US had refused genuine negotiations and instead demanded its own terms.
.. Tehran has stated that it does not have "physical control of its uranium, which is enriched to 60 per cent". Kazem Gharibabadi, Deputy Foreign Minister of Iran, added that Iran had been ready to discuss all aspects of the nuclear issue but that the United States had refused genuine negotiations and instead demanded its own terms. He insisted that it was Washington, not Iran, which sought the current ceasefire in the Middle East conflict.

According to Gharibabadi, the recent talks had focused on three main areas -- Iran's commitment to non-development of nuclear weapons, the handling of its existing stockpile, and the question of enrichment.

"Iran was ready to discuss all issues, but this needs negotiation. The US refuses negotiations. US only want their terms," Gharibabadi said.

Within those discussions, the sides had addressed the possible transfer of Iranian enriched uranium, the dilution of its enrichment levels, and the conversion of material into fuel rods. Specifically, the US demanded that uranium enriched to 60 per cent be transferred to the United States and nowhere else. Washington also called for Iran to suspend enrichment activities for 20 years, a demand Tehran rejected outright.

"We cannot deprive our nation," the minister said. Gharibabadi is a key part of Iran's negotiation team which engaged in talks with the United States, including the recent consultations in Islamabad.

He questioned the logic of transferring material to the US, asking, "Transferring to the United States - why?"

<snip>

There are deeper interests at play, and Iran’s “uranium” is just an excuse to prolong conflict and obsfuscate the significant geopolitical shift esp the significant fiscal challenges of the US. India’s dependence on oil is but one piece of the puzzle.

The middle east war is about controlling oil supplies by the US, by force and enforcing primacy of the USD through threat of sanctions . Period

Americas new proposed 1.5 trillion uSD defence / war ministry budget is case in point.

By enforcing threat of economic sanctions and tariffs America will effectively spread out the costs of it's fiscal deficit to the rest of the world

[A_Gupta]

Any analysis of what the just-signed defense agreement between India and the UAE involves?

[g.sarkar]

https://sundayguardianlive.com/world/pm ... ar-192572/
PM Modi UAE Visit Live Updates: PM Modi Condemns Attacks on UAE Facilities During Iran War, Thanks Country For Caring for Indians
PM Modi in UAE: PM Modi begins his five-nation tour with the UAE as both nations deepen strategic ties in defence, investment, energy and regional security amid West Asia tensions.
Sudeep Singh Rawat, May 15, 2026
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a five-nation diplomatic tour, starting Friday with the UAE. During his high-level visit to the United Arab Emirates, India and the UAE announced a series of strategic agreements spanning defence, energy, maritime infrastructure, and investments.
PM Modi’s visit reflects the growing partnership between New Delhi and Abu Dhabi amid evolving geopolitical and economic dynamics in West Asia and beyond.
In a symbolic gesture, UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan personally received Modi at Abu Dhabi airport. Later, PM Modi was accorded a ceremonial guard of honour in Abu Dhabi ahead of delegation-level talks between the two leaders.
......
Gautam
Also:
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-ne ... 40218.html
PM Modi landed, signed key deals, left UAE — all in 2 hours | Full list of pacts
Among the deals signed between India and the UAE during PM Modi's visit is agreement on framework for strategic defence partnership between both countries.
Nikita Sharma, May 15, 2026
.....

[Amber G.]

Sharing: (A current article - what I have talked about here) 'Without firing a missile': Barack Obama defends 2015 Iran deal, says 'We got 97% of their enriched uranium out'

President Barack Obama's recent remarks regarding the 2015 Iran nuclear deal (officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA):
Overview
Landmark 2015 Iran nuclear deal, was a highly successful diplomatic achievement accomplished entirely through peaceful negotiation rather than military conflict.


Obama highlighted that the international coalition managed to dismantle and freeze the core elements of Iran's nuclear weapons program purely through rigorous diplomacy and economic leverage, achieving its goals without resorting to kinetic warfare or firing a single missile.

- He reiterated a major achievement of the agreement, pointing out that under its terms, Iran was successfully forced to relinquish 97% (or up to 98% in official records) of its stockpile of enriched uranium, which drastically minimized their immediate capability to build a nuclear weapon.

The deal implemented what Obama described as the most robust, comprehensive, and intrusive international inspection and verification mechanism ever negotiated, ensuring continuous global oversight over Iran's nuclear facilities.

His defense comes amid a backdrop of ongoing political debates and recent military escalations in the Middle East. It serves as a sharp counter-narrative to critics, including President Donald Trump—who pulled the U.S. out of the agreement in 2018 and has since labeled it a "horrible" and "dangerous" document. Obama argues that walking away from diplomacy effectively shortened Iran's "breakout time" toward achieving weapons-grade enrichment.

[A_Gupta]

Trump now claims that Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz in the past, many times, "they've closed it in the past as a weapon, they're not using it as a weapon against me."

[Vayutuvan]

Sharing: (A current article - what I have talked about here) 'Without firing a missile': Barack Obama defends 2015 Iran deal, says 'We got 97% of their enriched uranium out'

President Barack Obama's recent remarks regarding the 2015 Iran nuclear deal (officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA):
...

Can this 97% number be fact-checked?

[Vayutuvan]

Trump now claims that Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz in the past, many times, "they've closed it in the past as a weapon, they're not using it as a weapon against me."

Has the Strait of Hormuz ever been closed?
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica May 7, 2026

https://www.britannica.com/question/Has ... een-closed

The Strait of Hormuz has never been truly closed, but shipping has been disrupted in the past and during the 2026 Iran war. The most well-known instance before 2026 was the so-called Tanker War in the 1980s, in which Iran and Iraq attacked oil tankers during the Iran-Iraq War. International naval forces, particularly those of the United States and western European states, intervened to guarantee ships safe passage. Because of the width of the strait and the depth of its waters throughout, it had been assumed that it would be difficult for a country to unilaterally choke off the strait for any prolonged period of time. In 2026 credible threat to vessels passing through the strait was enough to prevent most transit during the hostilities between United States, Israel, and Iran.

[A_Gupta]

India scrambles to steady rupee as oil shock bites
https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/2 ... hock-bites

The currency has dropped more than five percent since the crisis erupted in February, extending losses from 2025 and making it Asia's worst-performing major currency in 2026 so far.
….
The depreciation has punctured India's ambition to become the world's third-largest economy.

Modi, who once criticised his predecessors over currency weakness, has seen India's global economic ranking dented because GDP comparisons are measured in dollars.

The country has slipped behind the United Kingdom to the sixth place according to IMF data, largely due to the rupee's fall.

[Amber G.]

There have been several recent, significant incidents involving explosions near nuclear (or suspected nuclear) facilities across which have not been talked about widely.

Here are the details of the most recent and notable event - (From news reports)

Barakah Nuclear Power Plant, UAE
On May 16, 2026, a suspected drone strike occurred near the Barakah nuclear power plant in the Al Dhafra region of the United Arab Emirates. The strike caused a fire in an electric generator situated outside the facility's inner security perimeter.

Authorities reported no injuries, and the fire did not compromise the safety or radiological integrity of the plant.

The Barakah plant is the first commercial nuclear power station in the Arab world. While no group has claimed responsibility, the attack fits a broader pattern of recent drone and missile strikes targeting vital power infrastructure in the UAE.

The Beit Shemesh Explosion (May 2026)\On May 16, 2026, a massive blast occurred near the central Israeli city of Beit Shemesh. Footage circulated widely on social media showing intense flames and a towering, mushroom-like plume of smoke.

The state-owned defense firm Tomer confirmed the explosion was a pre-planned, controlled experiment at one of their testing grounds. Because Tomer specializes in the development of solid-fuel rocket and missile engines, the dramatic visual signature of the blast was indicative of a large-scale static engine test or the controlled detonation of propellant, rather than a hostile strike. (It looked strange that it was not announced before only after a huge mushroom fire)


Before: The Dimona Area Strikes (March 2026)The Incident: On March 21, 2026, a barrage of Iranian ballistic missiles struck the southern Israeli towns of Arad and Dimona.
Dimona is home to the Shimon Peres Negev Nuclear Research Center. From a strategic technology standpoint, this event was significant because it represented the first instance of Iranian ballistic projectiles successfully penetrating the dense, multi-layered air defense and radar tracking networks that safeguard the airspace around the critical nuclear site.

The missiles caused severe destruction in nearby civilian sectors, notably damaging residential buildings in Arad. However, Israeli officials and international monitors confirmed that the nuclear facility itself maintained its structural and radiological integrity, with no abnormal radiation levels detected off-site.

Also for the record:

Natanz and Isfahan Facilities, Iran (March 2026)
The Incident: In late March 2026, reports indicated that the United States struck Iran's Natanz uranium enrichment facility using "bunker buster" bombs. Concurrently, explosions were reported near the Isfahan nuclear facility and a nearby air force base.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed partial damage to the entrance buildings of the underground Natanz Fuel Enrichment Plant. However, technical experts and the UN watchdog confirmed that there were no radioactive leaks or increases in off-site radiation levels.

(MeidasTouch covered these but did not see these covered by other main stream media - checked that there indeed happened)

[Amber G.]

^^^ Above news go India's attention.

India is deeply concerned at the attack targeting the Barakah nuclear facility in the UAE. Such actions are unacceptable and represent a dangerous escalation. We urgently call for restraint and a return to dialogue and diplomacy.

[Amber G.]

Also: United Arab Emirates has condemned in the strongest terms the unprovoked terrorist attack targeting an electricity generator outside the inner perimeter of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in Al Dhafra region, carried out by a drone that entered the country's territory from the wester border direction, without causing any injuries or any impact on radiation safety levels.

[A_Gupta]

The Persian Gulf region is not simply an energy hub. It is one of the world's most concentrated nodes of nitrogen and phosphate fertilizer production, underpinned by cheap and abundant natural gas feedstocks. The numbers are stark:

Fertilizer Type Persian Gulf Share of Global Supply
Urea (nitrogen fertilizer) ~36%
Anhydrous Ammonia ~29%
Diammonium Phosphate (DAP) ~26%
Monoammonium Phosphate (MAP) ~13%
Liquefied Natural Gas (fertilizer feedstock) ~20%
Source: International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)

These figures represent physical product that is no longer moving through global trade channels. Unlike a price spike that can be managed through substitution or efficiency, a physical removal of supply at this scale has no quick remedy. The world cannot conjure nitrogen from alternative sources on a growing-season timeline.

A less-discussed dimension of this disruption is the feedstock problem. Approximately 20% of global LNG exports originate from the Persian Gulf. In import-dependent nations such as India, this LNG is not merely a fuel source; it is the primary raw material for domestic nitrogen fertilizer manufacturing. India's LNG imports have become increasingly strained as the conflict tightens supply, forcing urea production facilities to operate at significantly reduced capacity. The disruption therefore strikes twice: once through the loss of direct fertilizer exports, and again through the destruction of feedstock availability for domestic production elsewhere.

Liebig's Law of the Minimum holds that plant growth is governed not by the total availability of all nutrients, but by whichever essential nutrient is in shortest supply. The practical implication is stark: no amount of additional phosphorus or potassium can compensate for an absence of nitrogen. Growth stops at the limiting factor. This same logic, extended beyond plant biology into supply chain architecture, describes exactly what the Iran war fertilizer shock is doing to global agriculture right now.

Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are the three primary macronutrients required for plant growth. None of them can be sourced from air or water in forms accessible to most crops. Soil reserves are finite. The only meaningful exception is the capacity of leguminous plants such as soybeans to fix atmospheric nitrogen through root-nodule bacteria, a process unavailable to wheat, maize, and rice, which together account for the majority of global caloric production.

This biological reality is what gives Liebig's Law its teeth. When nitrogen supply contracts sharply, farmers growing staple grains face a binary choice: apply less fertilizer and accept lower yields, or abandon planting decisions entirely. Neither outcome is recoverable within a single growing season.

https://discoveryalert.com.au/iran-war- ... ply-chain/

[A_Gupta]

No love for the Iranian regime. Zero, nada, zilch.

But this war which is going to hit India badly is a war of choice, initiated by Israel and the United States, started abruptly in the middle of ongoing negotiations - negotiations were not at an impasse, but the proposal to be discussed and the next meeting date and venue had been scheduled.

US intelligence, as presented by DNI Tulsi Gabbard to the US Congress was that Iran had not resumed any nuclear work after the bombings of June 2025. There was no imminent threat.

With “friends” like this who needs enemies?

These “friends” are causing more damage to India than Pakistan has at its worst. That is the unpleasant truth.

[V_Raman]

What if india sends troops, ships, akash batteries to UAE to defend their installations? do we even have that capability?

[chetak]

What if india sends troops, ships, akash batteries to UAE to defend their installations? do we even have that capability?

V_Raman ji,


what for..............


IG poked her nose into matters that did not concern her and paid the price

RG did like wise and the the BIF bill that was presented and so painfully paid was identical

israel is fighting an existentialist war

amrika messed up big time, again and we know that India is not among their favourites, we never ever were, and nor will we ever be, ditto for the cheen and the eurotrash

how about India simply keeping her head down, and concentrate riding out this geopolitical storm, which is what she is doing anyway

India is on her own, like always, and all the rest of the cheerleaders are in it for the chai and samosas

look at the sobs in nepal and kangladesh. one swine wants hundreds of thousands of tons of fertiliser and the other scum wants unlimited diesel oil, rice and every last drop of water flowing in the teesta and the ganga, along with the strident demand that India not fence her own borders. lanka and maldives are another set of horror stories, and every one of these scum have abused India in the vilest of terms and yet no one mentions the illegal migrations from all these countries

were you, perhaps, expecting anything different from the UAE

[Vayutuvan]

What if india sends troops, ships, akash batteries to UAE to defend their installations? do we even have that capability?

Why should Bharat send troops etc.?

What a fall for BRF that these kinds of nonsensical ideas are allowed to be aired?

[drnayar]

What if india sends troops, ships, akash batteries to UAE to defend their installations? do we even have that capability?

Support UAE we must. Sending troops we will not !

[Vayutuvan]

Since when does BR want india India to send tropes troops to UAE? “that is a low bar for the forum...”

viewtopic.php?p=2675294#p2675294

What the british ambassor said is the fact and needs to be accepted.

[williams]

What if india sends troops, ships, akash batteries to UAE to defend their installations? do we even have that capability?

V_Raman ji,


what for..............


IG poked her nose into matters that did not concern her and paid the price

RG did like wise and the the BIF bill that was presented and so painfully paid was identical

israel is fighting an existentialist war

amrika messed up big time, again and we know that India is not among their favourites, we never ever were, and nor will we ever be, ditto for the cheen and the eurotrash

how about India simply keeping her head down, and concentrate riding out this geopolitical storm, which is what she is doing anyway

India is on her own, like always, and all the rest of the cheerleaders are in it for the chai and samosas

look at the sobs in nepal and kangladesh. one swine wants hundreds of thousands of tons of fertiliser and the other scum wants unlimited diesel oil, rice and every last drop of water flowing in the teesta and the ganga, along with the strident demand that India not fence her own borders. lanka and maldives are another set of horror stories, and every one of these scum have abused India in the vilest of terms and yet no one mentions the illegal migrations from all these countries

were you, perhaps, expecting anything different from the UAE

Exactly, America is messed up. American game is going to be over in a few months. Their behavior so far has revealed that they are not going to help us or do any favors. So this is going to be a long game. We need keep our head high for the coming economic storm. Forge economic partnership where we can and keep the numbers growing. We need to emerge energy, technology and dollar independent. The fundamentals are in place to get there. Until then we need to keep our heads cool. Once we emerge no one will even dare to play games with us. Until then let them implode on their own.

[Jay]

how about India simply keeping her head down, and concentrate riding out this geopolitical storm, which is what she is doing anyway

India is on her own, like always, and all the rest of the cheerleaders are in it for the chai and samosas

Well said.

[A_Gupta]

The Times of Israel quotes the New York Times:

NYT: Israeli-developed plan sought to have Ahmadinejad run Iran after Khamenei killed
Assessing that bombing and expected Kurdish invasion would collapse regime, Israel reportedly used airstrike to free Holocaust-denying ex-president from house arrest, but he soured on plan

https://www.timesofisrael.com/nyt-israe ... ei-killed/

[uddu]

https://x.com/i/status/2057964388443705582
@RT_com
Trump rushes BACK to White House

- Weekend golf plans scrapped
- Top officials cancel holiday plans
- ‘US preparing new strikes against Iran’ — CBS
- Iran’s army READY for ‘enemy foolishness’ — Tasnim

[uddu]

https://x.com/i/status/2058176473761202541
@sidhant
Trump wakes up with a post of picture of US flag on Iran.

[A_Gupta]

Josh Marshall at talkingpointsmemo.com
https://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/th ... -ceasefire

We’re still getting conflicting reports about what is contained in the memorandum of understanding reportedly about to be signed by the United States and Iran. Both sides are describing different details; neither has released any text and neither is a reliable narrator. But the big picture is fairly clear. It’s not a peace agreement, just a longer ceasefire. And the terms just revert everything to the status quo ante before the war with a promise to negotiate over Iran’s nuclear program.

Of course, that is what the two sides were doing before the US and Israel launched the war. Iran is at least informally saying it got even more than this, perhaps with the release of funds to Iran and perhaps even tolls on traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. But let’s assume for the moment that that is not the case. The US is ending the war, at least tentatively, having got nothing behind having degraded Iran’s military and done what appears to be a huge amount of economic damage to Iran’s economy – destroyed factories, etc. None of its stated war aims have been achieved.

White House friendly reporters are putting out the administration’s claim that Iran has made “verbal commitments” to basically shutting down or greatly reining in its nuclear program. In other words, Iran has agreed in advance to be super accommodating about agreeing to shutter its nuclear program in these coming negotiations. But that sounds like happy talk.

Either BS from the White House or BS from Iran to the White House then passed on to the US press. It’s very hard to see how Iran is going to make major concessions on its nuclear program absent some overwhelming threat of force. What did the US get out of this? Even on the White House’s own terms? Close to nothing.