Media buzz vs. real talks
US special envoy Steve Witkoff has said talks with Iran would center around verifying its nuclear program, holding off on demands for full dismantlement and including checks on Iran’s missiles. “The conversation with the Iranians will be much about two critical points,” Witkoff told Fox News on Monday. The first is verification of uranium enrichment, “and ultimately verification on weaponization, that includes missiles, type of missiles that they have stockpiled there.” According to two Iranian analysts, the Islamic Republic will not give in to adding missile-related issues to the agenda.
Iran draws line on missiles
By Hassan Beheshtipour
International affairs expert
Witkoff’s remarks as part of the US media playbook—a tactic aimed at shaping public opinion back home. Just like Donald Trump before him, Witkoff is playing to the gallery, saying whatever suits his purpose, regardless of what is on the table. In diplomacy, there is a branch called “media diplomacy,” which works to set the stage through public messaging.
The talks are still in early stages. Only one meeting has taken place, and the upcoming session in Oman on Saturday will decide the actual agenda. If missiles make it onto the agenda, then analysts can begin to evaluate Iran’s stance. Until then, any talk about missiles is just noise. The real yardstick for negotiation is the written agenda, not what is floated in the media.
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