News and Analysis 2/3/25

Conflicting reports on prospects for U.S.-Iran war continue:

• Iran’s President Says It Will Negotiate with the US (BBC)
• Iran’s Shamkhani Says ‘No Reason’ to Transfer Enriched Uranium Abroad as Tehran Prepares for Talks with US (Andalou Ajansi)
• Iran Signals Major Nuclear Concessions in Bid to Ease Tensions (i24)
• A U.S. ‘Armada’ near Iran Could Signal Military Action. Here’s What’s in Position (Washington Post)
• Hegseth: US ‘Prepared’ To Take Action Against Iran (RFE / RL)
• Iran’s Network of Proxies ‘Activated’ as Possible War with US Looms (RFE / RL)
• Iran Cites US Carrier ‘Withdrawal’ as Talks Begin amid Deep Disagreements (onet)
• From Gaza to Iran, Israel Readies Space ‘Surprises’ for Next Conflicts- Exclusive (Jerusalem Post)
• Iran Talks Seen as Last Chance to Avoid Collision Course with Trump – but Gaps Remain (Haaretz)

“[C]onspicuously absent is any explanation of what the use of that force is meant to accomplish”:

• The U.S. Military Strategy in Iran Feels Eerily Familiar (LA Times)

“Only 12 Palestinians entered Gaza through Rafah while five patients and their escorts were allowed to leave for Egypt”:

• Trickle of Palestinians Get to Leave, Enter Gaza as Rafah Crossing Reopens (Aljazeera)

“Euphoric scenes are a snub to theocracy’s culture of piety, say analysts, carry message of rebellion”:

• Music and Dancing Signify Defiance at Celebratory Funerals of Iran’s Protesters (The Guardian)

“We must insist that governance be more than performance, that badges and titles do not substitute for accountability, and that the beauty of a staged scene never be allowed to erase the blood on the floor” — Mike Downing, Former LAPD Deputy Chief and Interim Chief :

• Living Within a Lie – Guest Editorial (MPAC)

“Human rights organizations emphasize that differences in methodology, access to information, and verification standards contribute to the gap between official and independent figures”:

• Iran Publishes Names of Protest Victims as Official and Independent Accounts Present Divergent Casualty Figures (NIAC)

“Joke about corpses sparks outrage as cultural and sporting figures boycott events in sign of anger towards regime”:

• Iran Backlash After State Media Mocks Dead Protesters (Financial Times)

“The Indo-Pacific … region is splitting not into “pro-Iran” and “anti-Iran” camps, but into states that prioritize values-based diplomacy and those that prioritize geo-economic pragmatism”:

• Iran Is Now an Indo-Pacific Test Case and Israel Should Pay Attention- Opinion (Jerusalem Post)

“Even if the clerical regime falls, the Revolutionary Guards may remain the de facto power, albeit with a more pragmatic and less ideological political facade”:

• Five Scenario for Post-Khamenei Iran (Arab Weekly)

ImadadDean