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Welcome to The Logoff: The Trump administration is staring down one other battle with Iran.
What’s occurring? The US is within the midst of its largest army buildup within the Center East because the invasion of Iraq in 2003, with one plane provider group already on station and one other, led by the USS Gerald Ford, on the best way. In different phrases, as my colleague Josh Keating reported final week, “It actually appears like we’re about to bomb Iran once more.”
What’s Trump attempting to perform? Trump’s core demand is a brand new nuclear deal to restrict Iran’s uranium enrichment and block its path to a possible nuclear weapon. The US has reportedly additionally tried to incorporate Iran’s ballistic missile program and its assist for proxy forces all through the Center East in negotiations, that are — in concept — ongoing.
What’s the context? What to do about Iran has been a significant query of each of Trump’s presidencies. Throughout his first time period, he suspended a earlier US-Iran nuclear deal negotiated beneath the Obama administration, and later introduced the 2 international locations to the brink of a bigger battle by assassinating a high Iranian normal. Final 12 months, Trump additionally bombed three Iranian nuclear amenities; the White Home claimed on the time that the strikes had “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear program.
Haven’t you written this article earlier than? Roughly. The US naval buildup, and Trump’s threats concerning Iran’s nuclear program, have been ongoing for weeks. Earlier in January, Trump additionally promised to intervene on the facet of anti-regime protesters in Iran, however he by no means adopted by means of.
What’s the massive image? We don’t but know what’s going to occur with Iran. However thus far, the administration is taking quite a lot of steps that make it appear to be Trump is on the brink of launch strikes — akin to evacuating some US diplomats from Lebanon on Monday — and never many which are pointing towards a climb-down.
And with that, it’s time to sign off…
The 2026 Winter Olympics are over, however that doesn’t imply we’re achieved with Olympics-themed Logoffs fairly but. You possibly can nonetheless learn my colleague Alex Abad-Santos on the highlights and lowlights of an amazing Video games right here (it’s a present hyperlink). And should you’re on the lookout for extra winter sports activities, keep tuned — the Paralympics begin subsequent week! Thanks for studying, and have an amazing night.
