FieldDiamond

Until the text of the US-Iran deal is signed and released, there is going to be a lot of spin on both sides. But here is my initial take. This war was a mistake, and it needs to end. The President thought that the Iranian regime would collapse quickly, but it did not. In fact, it has been strengthened strategically by its survival against a heavy US-Israeli assault and carrying out some effective counterstrikes. Many countries in the region are now courting Iran and looking to deescalate and rebuild ties. A sign of which way the wind is blowing. Getting the Strait of Hormuz open is the most important outcome of this MOU. Of course, the Strait was open before the war. Now we are paying to reopen it with sanctions relief. Iran has taken a theoretical point of leverage and turned it into a very real and powerful one, imposing costs across the global economy and rattling President Trump. As for the nuclear issues, there really is no agreement, other than to negotiate over the HEU stockpile and an enrichment moratorium. Iran knows how to drag out those negotiations, and try to pocket concessions along the way. It is possible that no deal will every be reached, and very likely that if one is reached, it will be worse than what we could have achieved through diplomacy before the war. Iran is not likely to take seriously that the US would return to war, certainly before the US midterms. So that means we will be conducting diplomacy without a credible threat of force. If any agreement ultimately reached actually safely puts Iran's nuclear ambitions out of reach, I'll acknowledge it. It's just too early to make that judgment. Trump is mainly focused on comparing his deal favorably to the JCPOA. But we are a long way from being able to make that comparison, and it may end up no better, or weaker than that deal. But in some ways, Trump's deal and the JCPOA are already similar. Nothing on ballistic missiles, nothing on proxies, nothing on weakening the regime or helping the Iranian people. And plenty of sanctions relief that will strengthen the regime, and be poured into the missile program and proxy network. Honest critics of the JCPOA will not twist themselves into pretzels to defend Trump's approach. Israelis are deeply disappointed in this outcome, but they should not be surprised. After some initial overlap of Trump's and Netanyahu's interests, there was a strong divergence. The United States needed this war to end. Netanyahu wanted to continue. Trump's claim to include Lebanon in the ceasefire and his harsh shutting down Israeli attacks on Hezbollah is also a win for Iran. After the JCPOA was signed, Obama and Netanyahu worked together to strengthen Israel's campaign of strikes in Syria to intercept Iranian weapons shipments to Hezbollah in Lebanon. So let's hope we see the removal of Iran's enriched uranium and a long-term suspension of enrichment, with full verification. But to achieve those goals, Trump's team is going to need to engage in far more sophisticated diplomacy, backed by qualified experts, than they have to date. If it is a phase one splash with no follow-up on implementation of later phases, like in Gaza, we will be much worse off after, and because of, this war.

"Trump and his team, in record time, just lost a war to a militarily mediocre—but nonetheless extremely dangerous—adversary," @RadioFreeTom argues. theatln.tc/S4UnNxgt

🚨 WOW: Trump completely caves to Iran! He admits there is no urgency to extract nuclear material and agrees to lift sanctions. The White House naval blockade was a total failure, forcing the administration to desperately beg Tehran for a humiliating peace deal.

The Tigers are 10-for-65 (.154) in the 6th inning or later with the tying or go-ahead run IN scoring position.

NOW: Iran’s Parliament Speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, is reacting to the Israeli strike in Beirut, suggesting that the proposed deal with the U.S. may not move forward after all. He said that “America either lacks the will to fulfill its commitments or the ability to do so,” adding that “The game of bad cop and good cop is outdated. If you lack the will and ability to fulfill your commitments, speaking of continuing the path is not possible.” Ghalibaf wrote on Twitter Just yesterday, Trump said the Iran deal will be signed today.

🚨 BREAKING: 🇺🇸🇮🇷 Iran has reportedly rejected the current U.S. peace deal proposal. Sources say Tehran is demanding the release of $24 billion in frozen Iranian funds — a condition the Trump administration had previously ruled out. With both sides holding firm, the chances of a deal appear increasingly uncertain.

@BentleyScotty Funny, not funny..🥴

- Ninth inning, two outs, tying run at second, go ahead run at the plate, and your three hole hitter is up! - Unfortunately you are the Detroit Tigers so that’s Matt Vierling

@DanielleKaatz If true…party!

The Tigers today activated RHP Casey Mize off the 15-day injured list. OF Jahmai Jones has been designated for assignment. That’s gotta be the tweet today, right?

@softtail65 Bacon Easy Pieces

Bacon Wars. 🥓 Your turn, Go!

@atrupar Low IQ, like all other black people who dare to oppose?

Hegseth: "Unlike Obama, President Trump is smart about these things"

@RpsAgainstTrump D—p d—d.

Donald Trump turns 80 today. Any birthday wishes?

@IYKbaseball Please..

Matt Vierling

🚨 BOMBSHELL! CNN confirms Trump is the ONLY president in history to hit a negative 50 point approval on inflation. His economic failure is unprecedented! He also suffers a staggering 80 percent disapproval on gas prices. The administration is crushing the working class!

@softtail65 Daddy's Tune/ Jackson Browne Though among the regrets that I can't get by There are just one or two Unkind things I said to you youtu.be/oSLRDEZZjV4?is…

Reminder- NO Politics or Political Remarks on Music Posts. Ty!🤘

@softtail65 Bitter Green/ Gordon Lightfoot youtu.be/51HKFxEwNmk?is…

@softtail65 Love's In Need Of Love Today/ Stevie Wonder Hate's goin' 'round Breaking many hearts Stop it please Before it's gone too far, yeah youtu.be/FGZYWSfiYbM?is…

@softtail65 My Back Pages/Bob Dylan Half-wracked prejudice leaped forth "Rip down all hate,” I screamed youtu.be/rGEIMCWob3U?is…

@softtail65 Daytime Nighttime Suffering/ Paul McCartney & Wings What does she get for all the love she gave you? There on the ladder of regret youtu.be/I2VRU4foWCU?is…

@softtail65 Bitter Fingers/Elton John youtu.be/yWqwHdFrOX4?is…