President Donald Trump told Fox News on Saturday that he is in no rush to reach a deal with Iran, affirming that the only non-negotiable condition is that Tehran must not possess nuclear weapons. According to the New York Times and Axios, Trump requested modifications to numerous provisions in a preliminary agreement at a White House Situation Room meeting on Friday. Iran's side accused the US of diplomatic betrayal by continuing a naval blockade — and the Iranian military claimed it shot down a US drone in Iranian waters, according to the Fars news agency. In Lebanon, according to the Associated Press and Reuters, the Israeli military has captured Beaufort Castle in southern Lebanon — the deepest military advance in 26 years. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam condemned Israel for implementing a scorched earth policy. The Israeli military confirmed that a 21-year-old soldier was killed in combat.
Trump is simultaneously negotiating nuclear terms with Tehran while allowing Israel to escalate in Lebanon — these two moves do not contradict each other according to Washington's calculations.
Analysis
Trump is playing a two-handed strategy on the same chessboard: negotiating nuclear terms with Tehran while allowing Israel to escalate militarily in Lebanon — and these two actions are not contradictory according to Washington's calculations.
Trump's demand to modify numerous provisions after envoys had reached a preliminary agreement is a clear signal: he wants a tougher deal than the 2015 JCPOA — which he once tore up. The question is whether Tehran will accept that price, especially as Iran claims to have shot down a US drone and unveiled a new warship right in the middle of negotiations.
Iran is also under internal pressure. General Sayyari warned of a response that is stronger than before — language aimed at a domestic audience, not at the negotiating table. The memorandum mentioned releasing 12 billion dollars in frozen assets, which the White House calls fabricated — but the fact that this information leaked shows both sides are deliberately leaking details to gauge public reaction.
Meanwhile, Israel's push deeper into Lebanon — crossing the Litani River and capturing Beaufort Castle for the first time since 1999 — complicates any potential agreement with Iran, since Hezbollah is an important bargaining chip for Tehran.