The Frontier

Scahill says China played a significant quiet role in negotiations between Iran and the US, a factor he expects will emerge in future reporting.

Scahill dismisses Trump’s claim of Iranian regime change as wishful propaganda, arguing Iran’s institutions endured and its strategy of 'not losing' prevailed.

Hosts note Iranian pop star Ali Gasmari and thousands of citizens formed human shields at power plants and bridges, daring the US to bomb them, which they argue demonstrated unexpected national unity.

Ryan Grim argues the war validated Iranian hardliners who advocate force over diplomacy, undermining domestic reformists who sought engagement with the West.

Greg Karlstrom says the reported ceasefire between the US and Iran is a bare-bones agreement halting fighting for two weeks, with negotiations for a permanent peace set to begin in Pakistan.

Karlstrom states the ceasefire also calls for a limited reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, with details on vessel transit still unclear. Both sides are claiming victory, with Iran portraying the US as having capitulated.

Karlstrom notes Iran’s negotiation demands include US recognition of its right to enrich uranium and a withdrawal of American troops from regional bases - positions the US considers non-starters, making a lasting deal fragile.

Karlstrom argues Iran has strong incentives for a deal to unlock sanctions relief and attract foreign investment, especially after billions in wartime infrastructure damage, while Trump seeks a legacy-defining reshaping of US-Iran relations.

Donald Trump has threatened to decimate all bridges and power plants in Iran, suggesting complete demolition, and later escalated by implying America could destroy Iran in one night.

Greg Karlstrom reports a regional fear of major escalation between the US and Iran, noting that while both sides claim operational successes, neither has achieved their strategic aims in the conflict.

America and Israel have attacked Iran's largest steel mills, natural gas fields, main petrochemical processing plant, and a university, causing profound economic damage that could halt steel production for a year.

Iran's economy, facing high unemployment and inflation near 50% even before the war, will see these consequences ripple through industries like car manufacturing and construction.

Greg Karlstrom predicts escalation as the most likely path, noting Iran's disinterest in a temporary ceasefire, preferring a permanent end to its conflict with the US.

An F-15E strike eagle was shot down over Iran early Friday, marking the first US combat plane lost in the conflict. Two airmen ejected and landed miles apart.

The downed weapons systems officer evaded capture by climbing a 7,000-foot ridge to hide in a crevice. The CIA located him using secret surveillance drones while he later signaled with an encrypted beacon.

Iran offered a bounty up to $60,000 for information leading to the airman's capture, viewing a prisoner as a major propaganda coup to leverage in negotiations.

Iran still launches 15 to 30 ballistic missiles and 50 to 100 one-way attack drones daily, demonstrating resilient military capability despite US claims of air dominance and degraded Iranian forces.

Trump threatened to destroy Iranian civilian infrastructure like bridges and power plants if no deal was reached by Tuesday night, a move legal experts say violates international law.

Iran submitted a new 10-point proposal involving safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz and sanctions relief, but Eric Schmidt assesses genuine negotiations remain distant as both sides harden positions.

The core unresolved issue is Iran's nearly 1,000 pounds of highly enriched uranium buried at Isfahan. The US objective to prevent a nuclear weapon lacks a clear plan.

Carroll criticizes the US-Israeli action in Iran as serving no strategic interest, strengthening Iran geopolitically, and undermining potential internal liberal movements, blaming decision-makers he characterizes as idiots.