INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
TEHRAN As Iranian and U.S
arbitrators concluded the second round of indirect nuclear talks in Rome on Saturday, Washingtons credibility awaits the balance.A waterfall
of inconsistent statements from Trump administration officials, leaks exposing deep ideological rifts, and Tehrans determined position have
policy in disarrayfar from projecting strength and clarity, these disparities recommend a government not sure of its goals, using Iran a
strategic edge at a pivotal moment.Witkoffs combined messagesSteve Witkoff, U.S
President Donald Trumps special envoy to West Asia and the lead U.S
arbitrator during the nuclear talks with Iran, exemplifies the chaos with his public remarks, which have swung like a pendulum.During a Fox
News interview on Tuesday, Witkoff suggested the U.S
may accept minimal uranium enrichment by Iran for civilian functions
The discussion with the Iranians will focus on 2 crucial points: enrichment levels and confirmation
Iran must not enrich beyond 3.67%, he stated, echoing terms of the defunct 2015 nuclear deal.Yet within hours, Witkoff reversed course on
social media, requiring Iran stop and eliminate its nuclear enrichment and weaponization program entirely.The abrupt shift stunned observers
and drew sharp condemnation from Tehran
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei likened the flip-flop to moving the goalposts in football [soccer] an expert foul that
toxins the atmosphere of talks.Analysts recommend Witkoffs whiplash shows a tug-of-war within the administration
His preliminary remarks aligned with Vice President JD Vance and America First promotes advising diplomacy, while the hardened stance echoed
Ultra Zionist neoconservatives such as National Security Adviser Michael Waltz, who have actually long promoted damaging policies concerning
Iran.Thus, Witkoffs flip-flopping can be seen not merely as an individual error, however as a glaring symptom of a broader U.S
policy in disarray.Leaks expose rifts: The waived strike and cabinet discordA current New York Times report even more exposed the
administrations fractures
According to the article, Trump declined a proposed Israeli military strike on Iran's nuclear facilities during a tense Oval Office
conference with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.The plan, slated for May, required U.S.-backed airstrikes utilizing 30,000-pound
bunker-buster bombs to target underground enrichment sites, according to the American newspaper.Trump instead opted to pursue diplomacy,
supposedly informing Netanyahu, Were not backing military action while were at the table.Even though some may view the leak yet another wave
of risks targeted at requiring Iran into capitulation, it can similarly be credited to dissenting factionsexposing a cabinet at war.Waltz
and Secretary of State Marco Rubio supposedly lobbied aggressively for the strike
They encountered Vance and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, who warned versus stimulating a more comprehensive conflict in
West Asia.In a recent public disclosure, Gabbards workplace spotlighted intelligence assessments attesting that Iran has neither developed
nor is actively pursuing an a-bomb
The revelation even more dismantled the stories of warmongers and anti-Iran voices, exposing U.S
intelligence agencies recognition of this reality.Analysts said that a lack of internal unity invariably compromises the U.S
federal governments position
Additionally, the infighting has left U.S
allies uneasy.Israeli regimes officials independently revealed aggravation over Trumps rejection of the strike, while European diplomats
fear the administrations incoherence might scuttle talks entirely.Irans steady handAmid Washingtons tumult, Tehran has actually projected
undeviating resolve.In a recent address to senior Iranian officials, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei,
warned versus both excessively optimism and excessively pessimism regarding settlements with the U.S.He noted that the preliminary decision
to participate in talks were well-executed and that future actions must be taken with precision, bearing in mind that the red lines for both
Iran and the opposing celebrations are clearly defined.Senior Iranian authorities and negotiators, pointing out sovereignty and resistance
to Western pressure, have actually echoed the exact same principals.Thus, solely by remaining the more meaningful player and staying with
its foundational positions, Iran can turn U.S
indecision into diplomatic benefit
This post very first appeared/also appeared in Tehran Times
