Trump's team game planning for potential Iran peace talks
- massive reparations from the U.S. and its allies
- the expulsion of American military forces from the region
- transforming the Strait of Hormuz into an Iranian toll booth controlling one-third of the world’s shipborne crude oil.
March 7:
Donald J. Trump
@realDonaldTrump
Iran, which is being beat to HELL, has apologized and surrendered to its Middle East neighbors, and promised that it will not shoot at them anymore. This promise was only made because of the relentless U.S. and Israeli attack. They were looking to take over and rule the Middle East. It is the first time that Iran has ever lost, in thousands of years, to surrounding Middle Eastern Countries. They have said, “Thank you President Trump.” I have said, “You’re welcome!” Iran is no longer the “Bully of the Middle East,” they are, instead, “THE LOSER OF THE MIDDLE EAST,” and will be for many decades until they surrender ["until they surrender"; "has surrendered" in first sentence.] or, more likely, completely collapse! Today Iran will be hit very hard! Under serious consideration for complete destruction and certain death, because of Iran’s bad behavior, are areas and groups of people that were not considered for targeting up until this moment in time. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP
And then, of course, there was the succession to the assassinated Supreme Leader:
March 4:
“One of the things I’m going to be asking for is the ability to work with them on choosing a new leader. I’m not going through this to end up with another Khamenei. ..."
-phone interview with Time
March 9:
Mojtaba Khamenei, son of Ali Khamenei, was announced as the new supreme leader on 9 March.
10:31 am:
The Worst of Times
Uh-oh Anglos: Iran Astonishes with Strike at UK-US Diego Garcia Base
The Iranian attack on the Diego Garcia air base — located about 2,500 miles (4,000 kilometers) from Iran — suggested Tehran has in its stockpile missiles that can go far further than it had previously acknowledged.