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Welcome to The Logoff: US and Iranian diplomats will meet once more in Pakistan this weekend to debate an finish to the Iran conflict. Right here’s what to know:
What’s the standing of the ceasefire? Nonetheless in impact and prolonged “till such time” as Iran produces a “unified proposal” to finish the conflict, in line with a social media submit by President Donald Trump earlier this week. In different phrases, doubtless indefinitely — or till Trump appears like doing in any other case. (It had been set to run out Tuesday night previous to the extension.)
Who’s negotiating? Not Vice President JD Vance. This time, the US delegation might be led by US particular envoy to the Center East Steve Witkoff and by Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law (who is just not a authorities official, however does have billions of {dollars} of enterprise pursuits with Gulf international locations). Likewise, the Washington Put up stories, Iran won’t be sending its main negotiating associate with the US, Parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.
How’s the Strait of Hormuz wanting? Nonetheless largely closed, because the US continues its blockade of Iranian vessels and ports, and Iran continues to bottle up every other site visitors by way of the important thing waterway. Earlier this week, Iran reportedly fired on a minimum of three vessels attempting to transit the strait, and the US seized an Iranian vessel final weekend.
The continued closure signifies that oil prices stay excessive because the conflict’s affect on the worldwide economic system — together with on the costs and availability of meals, gas, and client items — deepens.
What comes subsequent? We’ll see what comes out of the negotiations, although some shut watchers have prompt that Vance’s absence is probably going not an encouraging signal.
Within the meantime, the US blockade will stay in impact: “Now we have whole management over the Strait of Hormuz,” Trump posted on Thursday. “It’s ‘Sealed up Tight,’ till such time as Iran is ready to make a DEAL!!!”
And with that, it’s time to sign off…
Solitude has numerous advantages, my colleague Allie Volpe stories — however it’s finest in case you do it proper, and don’t overdo it. You possibly can learn her glorious recommendation right here with a present hyperlink (consider it as recommendation on how you can sign off higher).
As all the time, thanks for studying! Have an excellent weekend, and we’ll see you proper again right here on Monday.
