US Hoping for a Deal in Islamabad

Ahead of the Islamabad negotiations, Iran has clearly told Pakistani mediators what must happen before any final deal. 

Iran’s conditions: 

• Full control and sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz
• Payment of war reparations 
• Release of all frozen assets 
• Permanent ceasefire across the entire region 

This means one thing Iran is not coming to negotiate terms… it is coming with terms already set.

So now the situation looks like this. Talks have begun in Islamabad, Pakistan – but Iran has fired a warning shot across its opponent's bow.

The message from Iran is unmistakable: no more games, no more separation between Washington and Tel Aviv, and no deal without real concessions.

I am very much skeptical – but we shall see.

[Note: What began on Saturday as indirect "proximity talks" with mediators shuttling between separate rooms, both sides eventually transitioned into face-to-face negotiations, it has been reported]. 

Anfield roared back to life yesterday! Liverpool put an end to their three-game winless run with a convincing 2-0 victory over Fulham at home. 

Teenager Rio Ngumoha opened the scoring in the 36th minute, finishing off a driving run from Florian Wirtz with a composed low strike. 

Four minutes later, Mohamed Salah doubled Liverpool’s lead, clipping home after a neat assist from Cody Gakpo.  

The English champions' win leaves them in fifth, a position which now qualifies for a place in next season's Champions League.