Bassam Barabandi بسام بربندي

🚨 To Senator Lindsey Graham… A message from the heart of Riyadh Read this carefully, for what you are about to hear is not a flowery diplomatic statement, but the truth from the capital of decision-making that is leading the world towards a just peace: Firstly: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia does not need lessons in ‘boldness’ from anyone. Remember, on 22 May 2026, Riyadh launched its historic ‘International Coalition for a Two-State Solution’ initiative, bringing together 165 nations from across the globe to endorse, recognise and support it. This is our international standing, and this is our boldness, which needs no endorsement from you. Secondly: The entire world holds the Kingdom in the highest regard and esteem. We build our strategic relations with the East and the West, with Beijing, Moscow and Washington, and with the European Union, Britain and other influential international powers, in accordance with our national interests and our firm principles, not according to anyone’s dictates. And if you issue a statement linking the continuation of relations or threatening ‘grave repercussions’, you are thereby – in the most blatant manner – undermining the historic strategic relationship between the Kingdom and the United States. Such crude language is unbecoming of allies, and we address it only to those who are ignorant of the Kingdom’s standing and prestige. Thirdly: Who inspired you to ask us to join the Abraham Accords as if you were doing us a favour or dictating our choices? Let us be clear with you: our position on the Palestinian cause is not a bargaining chip, and neither threats nor enticements will sway it. There will be no peace without the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. This is the position we have declared to the world, and this is the essence of our initiative, which 165 countries have rallied behind. We are on the right side of history, and international legitimacy is on our side. Fourthly: A word of free advice… Before you threaten and make threats, take a good look at the bigger picture. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia draws its strength first from God, then from its wise leaders throughout the centuries, from the founder King Abdulaziz, may God have mercy on him, to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and on to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is leading this historic transformation, alongside its loyal people and all free people of the world. Rest assured that history proves that Riyadh has never bowed down, and will not bow down today. In conclusion: history will remember those who led the world towards a just peace, and it will remember those who gambled on the language of threats and blackmail and lost the bet. Do not misjudge the situation… again.

🚨After receiving a briefing from a Senior TRUMP Administration Official on the status of the Iran negotiations (someone in the know & not just speculating), I can tell you the following: -USA IS NOT GIVING IRANIANS MONEY FOR NOTHING. All speculation and propaganda to the contrary is false. Some hardline elements of Iran’s govt (IRGC) have pushed fake stories & propaganda to try to kill this negotiation. -Iran deal is NOT done (95%, but still haggling over some language). No deal being signed today. May be a few more days before this is done. -Iran will NOT get any money or sanctions relief up front. -Iran must turn over nuclear stockpile to get anything. USA position is that failure to meet deal commitments means Iran gets nothing. -Long term USA objective is preventing Iran from having nuclear weapon. -Initial deal point is to re-establish free flow of commerce by reopening Strait of Hormuz. Deal should have 2 phases: Step 1 - Open Strait of Hormuz. Give world economy breathing room. Iran agrees to give up enriched uranium. Step 2 - Get the nuclear material turned over. Only then can Iran get sanctions relief. Bottom line: goal is to make a deal that lowers costs for Americans, calms world energy markets, and guarantees that Iranians cannot have a nuclear weapon over the long term. We aren’t there yet. Iran takes forever to get you a response on even small things. But we are close although it still could be a few days. “If we get what we are demanding, this is going to be a historic deal,” SAO says. SAO sounds prepared to do no deal at all if all Iran will do is a “bad deal.” SAO admits deal could fall apart yet. But if a deal is reached, SAO expects very senior USA admin officials to take part in a signing ceremony of some sort. Iran has agreed in principle to the framework but there are still a couple points USA isn’t satisfied with. 95% done. But literally changing words sometimes requires days in Iran’s system. Haggling over language. But USA feels like we have a commitment on nuclear stockpile and on opening Strait of Hormuz. If IRAN doesn’t deliver on commitments, they get nothing. “Iran’s ability to project power is a lot more limited than it was two months ago,” SAO says. “Their industrial base for building ballistic missiles has been substantially destroyed.”

President Trump is the ONLY one who could have gotten Iran — the world’s largest state sponsor of terrorism — to the negotiating table. We are greatly encouraged to learn a PEACE DEAL in Iran is underway — and look forward to learning more about the specifics. Under President Trump’s leadership, our nation is stronger, more respected on the global stage, and safer than ever before.

🚨 Breaking: Details of the agreed MOU, based on my sources: - Formal end of the war on all fronts (Lebanon included) - The Strait of Hormuz will fully reopen - Iran will not charge transit fees - The US will not pay any money to Iran - Partial sanctions relief on Iranian oil - 60 days to negotiate nuclear issues and sanctions relief (the two are tied together: more sanctions relief for more nuclear concessions) - Iran declares it will not develop nuclear weapons - Both sides acknowledge understanding the other's demands on nuclear issues ​Trump's rationale is that if an agreement on nuclear issues is not reached, all options will be on the table, and Iran will be significantly weaker economically and militarily than before the war.

BREAKING: US officials say Iran has agreed to give up its highly enriched uranium under the deal which President Trump said will “soon” be announced, per NYT. Iran has yet to make any public statements on the supposed agreement.

Iran says Trump’s claim about the Strait of Hormuz “returning to normal” is false. Even if ship traffic increases again, Iran says it will still fully control the strait — including routes, timing, permits, and passage rules. Iran also says no nuclear commitments were discussed, and claims US officials told them Trump’s posts are mainly for domestic media and politics. Source: Fars

NYT: Trump once treated Netanyahu like a co-pilot against Iran. Now, after the war stalled and cease-fire talks began, Israel has largely been shut out of U.S.-Iran negotiations. Netanyahu had hoped the war would topple Iran’s regime, destroy its nuclear program, and eliminate its missiles. None happened. Instead, Trump shifted toward ending the conflict, sidelining Israel and limiting its influence over any final deal. Israeli officials now rely on regional contacts and intelligence gathering to learn what Washington and Tehran are discussing. For Netanyahu, the fallout is political as well as strategic. He built his image around having unmatched influence with Trump, but Israel now appears dependent on U.S. approval even for military actions.

One of the obvious questions - assuming there is a deal - is what was achieved in this deal that wouldn’t have been achieved had there been no war?

Netanyahu had no choice but to praise Trump's effort. But make no mistake If reported terms of MOU are accurate this is a strategic defeat for Netanyahu's Iran project; and while Trump won't admit it for US as well. And so it goes with poorly conceived wars of choice.

BREAKING: President Trump says an agreement with Iran has been “largely negotiated” and will be announced shortly. Trump says the Strait of Hormuz will be reopened under the agreement.

בישראל עדיין שתיקה כמעט מוחלטת ברקע התקדמות המשא ומתן. על פי גורם מעורה הלחץ בשיאו. על פי הגורם גם צפויה שיחת טלפון בין ראש הממשלה לנשיא טראמפ בהמשך הלילה לבקשת נתניהו. ההסכם המסתמן על פי הגורם הוא בעייתי מאוד לישראל וכולל שחרור כספים מוקפאים ופתיחת מיצרי הורמוז בשלב הראשון ורק אחר כך שיחות בנושא הגרעין.

If it is perceived in the region that a deal with Iran allows the regime to survive and become more powerful over time, we will have poured gasoline on the conflicts in Lebanon and Iraq. A deal that is perceived to allow Iran to survive and possess the ability to control the Strait in the future will put Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Shia militias in Iraq on steroids.