TOP STORIES
Biden Adviser Meets With Qatari Leaders To Discuss Israel-Hamas Negotiations | Associated Press
President Joe Biden’s top Middle East adviser on Tuesday held talks in Doha with senior Qatari leaders on the efforts to complete a cease-fire and hostage deal between Israel and Hamas, as well as on the Qatari prime minister’s meeting this week with Iran’s president, according to a U.S. official. White House senior adviser Brett McGurk’s talks with Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani came after the prime minister’s Monday visit to Tehran to meet with Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian. The talks also come as cease-fire talks aimed at winning at least a pause in the war between Israel and Hamas are shifting to Doha this week after several days of intense negotiations in Cairo. A round of high-level talks ended Sunday without a final agreement. But talks continued at lower levels Monday in an effort to bridge remaining gaps.
White House's Kirby Says US Would Defend Israel In Iranian Attack | Reuters
The United States remains committed to defending Israel in any Iranian attack, and was hopeful about a possible Gaza ceasefire agreement, White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said on Tuesday. Kirby told Israel's Channel 12 that it was tough to predict the chances of an attack, but the White House takes Iranian statements seriously. "We believe that they are still postured and poised to launch an attack should they want to do that, which is why we have that enhanced force posture in the region," he said.
US Believes Iran ‘Postured And Poised’ To Launch Attack On Israel | Al Arabiya
The United States remains committed to defending Israel in the event of an Iranian attack, White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said on Tuesday. Kirby told Israel’s Channel 12 that it was tough to predict the chances of an attack but the White House takes Iranian rhetoric seriously. “We believe that they are still postured and poised to launch an attack should they want to do that, which is why we have that enhanced force posture in the region,” he said.
UANI IN THE NEWS
German Company 3W Linked To Hezbollah Drones Used In Attack On Israel | i24 News
The Lebanese terrorist movement Hezbollah fired a drone at Israel on Sunday that contained technology from the German company 3W-International, according to video footage obtained of the fired aerial device that landed near Kibbutz Dan. "Before Hezbollah’s reprisal against Israel this weekend, 3W was already on notice that its parts have wound up in drones from Iran’s proxy and partner network," Jason Brodsky, the policy director for the US-based think tank United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), told i24NEWS. "Downed Houthi drones have also featured 3W parts. There needs to be better due diligence and export restrictions on these parts coming from Europe. Knowing your customer’s customer is absolutely vital."
Iran Signal Softer Tone On Nuclear Talks, But Doubts Persist | Iran International
Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei told Iran's new government there is "no barrier" to engaging with the "enemy" on the nuclear issue. While Western media framed this as 'opening the door' to talks, some Iran watchers remain skeptical. Khamenei warned that Washington should not be trusted should any talks under President Masoud Pezeshkian resume. The timing and rhetoric could all be part of a deception campaign for sanctions relief, some experts and Iran watchers believe... On X, Jason Brodsky, the policy director of United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) posted that the door was never shut for negotiations on Iran's nuclear ambitions.
…In reality, Mr. Khamenei’s statement and the reaction at Washington meant little, the policy director at United Against Nuclear Iran, Jason Brodsky, tells the Sun. “Whenever the Iranian leadership so much as smiles at the West, there’s a lot of irrational exuberance that develops, and I think we need to be a little more guarded about the statements that come out of Iran.”
Dark Fleet: The Tankers Illegally Carrying Iranian and Russian Oil | SKAI.gr
Daniel Roth, Research Director for United Against Nuclear Iran, speaks with SKAI TV on the “Dark Fleet,” tanker ships illegally carrying Iranian and Russian Oil.
SANCTIONS, BUSINESS RISKS, & OTHER ECONOMIC NEWS
Iran's New President Signals Risky Move To Raise Gasoline Prices | Iran International
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has criticized the lack of logic in importing gasoline at high market prices only to sell it domestically at much lower, heavily subsidized rates. Iran has struggled with a growing gasoline deficit since 2022, importing at least 1.5 billion liters (396 million gallons) of gasoline during the last fiscal year, which ended on March 20, according to an official Oil Ministry document obtained by Iran International. Officials report that the gasoline deficit has worsened this year. Additionally, Iran is grappling with the daily smuggling of 5 million liters (1.32 m gallons) of gasoline to neighboring countries, because of the cheap subsidized price.
PROTESTS & HUMAN RIGHTS
Oil And Gas Workers Join Iran's Intensifying Labor Protests | Iran International
As labor protests in Iran gain momentum, oil and gas workers have joined the movement, underscoring the deepening concerns over economic and working conditions across the country. The staff at the refineries of the South Pars Gas Complex (SPGC) organized a protest gathering on Tuesday, driven by economic grievances and the incomplete payment of wages, as they sought to address and pursue their demands. On Monday, permanent employees of the Pars Oil and Gas Company (POGC), a National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) subsidiary, staged a protest march in Asaluyeh, Bushehr Province, calling attention to the growing turmoil in Iran's key industries. Simultaneously, workers at the Kangan Cement Factory, also in southern Iran, continued their strike, now in its 28th day, demanding accountability from the authorities.
IRANIAN INTERNAL DEVELOPMENTS
Iran's Supreme Leader Calls For Regulation Of Cyberspace | Reuters
Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who has imposed some of the strictest controls on internet access in the world, said on Tuesday that cyberspace needed to be regulated, citing the arrest of messaging app Telegram founder Pavel Durov in France as an example of how other countries also imposed controls. "There need to be laws to regulate cyberspace. Everyone does it. Look at the French, they arrested this man and threatened him with 20 years in prison for breaching their laws," Khamenei said during a meeting with relatively moderate President Masoud Pezeshkian and his cabinet.
MISCELLANEOUS
Iran’s Exiled Queen And Crown Prince To Be Honored By Nixon Foundation | Iran International
Iran’s exiled Queen, Farah Pahlavi, and her son, Prince Reza Pahlavi, will be honored as recipients of the Architect of Peace Award, the Richard Nixon Foundation has announced. The foundation, in a statement on its website, highlighted that both the Queen, who has been in exile since the Islamic Revolution of 1979, and the Crown Prince, stand as "powerful symbols of opposition to the terrorist theocratic regime now ruling Iran."