Macron and Oman's Sultan Speak as US-Iran Diplomacy Window Narrows

🕊️ MUSCAT — Macron calls Oman's sultan hours before Trump's Thursday address. 📌 LOOK CLOSER: Oman is Iran's only functioning back-channel. Macron calling Sultan Haitham now signals Paris probing for a European entry point before Thursday forecloses diplomatic space. With EU energy exposed at $100 Brent and no seat at the table, France needs Oman's ear. The question: is this solo positioning, or coordinated with Gulf or Iranian actors.

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US Sanctions Dubai Crypto Exchange for Aiding Iran's IRGC

💻 SANCTIONS — A Dubai exchange named as IRGC financier pulls UAE into the conflict. 📌 LOOK CLOSER: A Dubai crypto exchange sanctioned for IRGC financing pulls the UAE into the financial war as Abu Dhabi anchors the Hormuz corridor talks. The IRGC routes funds via crypto to bypass sanctions; naming a Gulf

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Pakistan PM Sharif Hails "Historic" Trilateral Pact With Saudi Arabia and Turkey

🤝 ISLAMABAD — Sharif calling it "historic" means this moved from talks to done deal. 📌 LOOK CLOSER: Yesterday it was three states eyeing a joint budget. Today a sitting PM labels it historic on the record — that's a ratification signal, not aspiration. Saudi Arabia is Washington's

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US Iran War Costs Mount Past Six Months, Full Toll Still Unquantified

💸 COSTS — Six months in, and Washington still can't put a number on it. 📌 LOOK CLOSER: Unquantified war costs after 161 days signal deliberate opacity, not accounting lag. Congress needs figures to fund continuation; markets need them to price duration risk. Cruise missile stockpiles near depletion adds a hidden

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Iran: Gulf Security Must Be Regional, No Foreign Intervention

🕊️ TEHRAN — Iran's peace price has always been US forces out of the Gulf. 📌 LOOK CLOSER: Gharibabadi reframes the Oman talks: Iran isn't negotiating passage terms — it's demanding US forces leave the Gulf. Washington can't accept that. The corridor-vs-withdrawal gap is

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US Sanctions Dubai Crypto Exchange for Aiding Iran's IRGC

Pakistan PM Sharif Hails "Historic" Trilateral Pact With Saudi Arabia and Turkey

US Iran War Costs Mount Past Six Months, Full Toll Still Unquantified

Iran: Gulf Security Must Be Regional, No Foreign Intervention