Sunday, July 13, 2025

And we Know and Badlands Media- July 13

 



A Strange, Unsettling Time


The celebrations didn’t last long. President Trump kicked off the festivities at the Iowa State Fair grounds. He was in Iowa to ballyhoo passage of the One, Big Beautiful Bill. The crowd -- as always at Trump rallies -- was enthusiastic. The mammoth measure is the centerpiece of Trump’s second administration. It unlocks the door to a huge boost to the economy and provides a torrent of new monies for tougher border enforcement and mass deportations, among other considerations. Promises made, promises kept.

Rand Paul and congressional bean counters, though, were grumpy about the measure’s costs. Paul still is. He’s scoring the legislation’s particulars statically. Trump is scoring the tax cuts dynamically. Trump is right. Revenues will pour in. The trouble, as the Kentucky senator should know, is always about spending.

Uncle Sam runs annual deficits and has amassed a $37 trillion debt because members of Congress and presidents keep spending like, well, they’re buying votes. We really need a constitutional amendment not just balancing the federal budget but limiting spending as a percentage of GDP (except in times of war and national emergencies).

Oddly, though, at the Iowa rally, the president floated a trial balloon. Maybe amnesty for illegals working in the ag sector and hospitality and leisure worlds needs to be addressed somehow, the president remarked. Trump said that he had been approached by ag secretary Brooke Rollins and his chief of staff Susie Wiles with the idea. Surely, they heard earfuls from Iowa farmers and, likely, reps from the Iowa Farm Bureau.

But in jumped Charlie Kirk to sound an alarm. Kirk is as staunch a Trump man as is around. Kirk heard from a couple of establishment Republicans, he said, who urged him to back an amnesty measure.

From [your]news, July 7:

Kirk described the effort as a betrayal of Trump’s core campaign promise to restore the rule of law and carry out mass deportations. He claimed the push is being orchestrated behind closed doors in Washington and that it is actively unfolding while public attention remains focused on the economy and the administration’s legislative victories.

The amnesty trial balloon dropped faster than a lead balloon. The conservative backlash was quick and intense. A day later, Rollins was trotted out before reporters. She made this door-slamming statement, per Reuters:

"Ultimately, the answer on this [farm labor concerns] is automation, also some reform within the current governing structure. And then also, when you think about, there are 34 million able-bodied adults in our Medicaid program. There are plenty of workers in America," she said at a press conference outside the Department of Agriculture headquarters.

With the midterm elections happening next year, Wiles gets -- as the president does -- that turning out his voter base is mandatory. The U.S. House hangs in the balance. Redistricting in Texas and Ohio should give the GOP a boost, but only marginally. Democrats’ Senate takeover chances hinge, in part, on Kentucky governor Andy Beshear throwing his hat in the ring and former North Carolina governor Roy Cooper running. Both men are eyeing the presidency, however.

In Iowa, a couple of House Republicans are expected to be in tight contests. No doubt, Wiles and Rollins pushed Trump to placate farm interests to protect these incumbents. Whatever the motive, MAGA across the country is in no mood for amnesty, targeted or otherwise. Perhaps prioritizing immigration enforcement in states other than Iowa until after the midterms conclude is politically prudent? Opening the door to amnesty anywhere is a surefire way to depress large segments of Trump’s voter base. The White House was wise to have Rollins “clarify” the issue.

Then there’s the Epstein Files

The White House’s “Nothing to see here, move on” tactic regarding the Jeffrey Epstein case isn’t flying. Conservatives have taken sides. Ben Shapiro opinesthat conservatives who don’t accept the White House’s “case closed” line means that they believe Pam Bondi, Kash Patel, and Dan Bongino are lying.

Tucker Carlson believes that “Pam Bondi’s Justice Department” is covering up. Glenn Beck says that Bondi should resign. Megyn Kelly thinks that Bondi isn’t long for the AG job. And Elon Musk -- currently on the outs with Trump -- says that full disclosure of the Epstein files will be his America Party’s priority.

We know that Epstein ran a sex operation involving underage females. We know that a slew of prominent people traveled on the “Lolita Express,” including trips to his “Orgy Island.” Ghislaine Maxwell, his groupie and recruiter, is cooling her heels in a federal pen for trafficking minors and other related offenses. We know… So, is it an artful dodge by the president and Bondi to declare no there, there?

A ”list” is a handy term. There may not be a tidy list of “clients” that Maxwell typed up and saved on a PC. It may consist of all sorts of records, which pieced together, would constitute a list of very prominent sex perverts -- names that are recognizable to the public. We can bet our houses and kids’ college funds that Trump isn’t on any list. Not only did Trump boot Epstein out of Mar-A-logo, but Democrats would have mined a Trump connection years ago to bring him down.

There’s plenty of speculation about the White House’s motives. Who’s being protected? Are there congressional Republicans and big-dollar GOP donors who are compromised? Remember, winning Congress next year is vital. Are there threats of retaliation by the intelligence agencies? The scuttlebutt has been that Epstein was a CIA asset. What? The CIA indulges in compromising powerful people and hanging blackmail over their heads? Nah. Only J. Edgar Hoover and the FBI would have done that.

What’s true or false? There are too many questions left unanswered. Too many strings left dangling. There may also be more to the Epstein saga that can’t or shouldn’t be revealed at this time. The guesswork won’t stop until more definitive answers are provided.

And, Finally, is the Left Heading Toward an Explosion?

Victor Davis Hanson, posting at X for the Daily Signal (July 9), summarized:

We are entering a terrifying new phase of their radicalism. A Democrat official publicly celebrated the deaths of children in Texas' devastating flash flood because they were white. There have been organized assassination attempts against ICE agents. The [Democrat] party is teetering on the edge of something far more dangerous than political disagreement.

Then this, Hanson’s most shocking claim:

“ We've got even more disturbing reports that Democratic Congress people said, ‘Well, what are we supposed to do? We meet with our constituents and they're telling us that one of us should be shot. I don't mean shot by punishment. They're urging us to use violence and be willing to be shot by others to promote a radical agenda.’”

Finally, this take from Joel Kotkin at UnHerd, July 4:

This cultural division [across the country] is compounded by deepening geographic splits that increasingly resemble the antebellum era before the Civil War. The Democratic Party held seats across the Plains and the South well into the Eighties. Today, it is essentially a Northern party, with its power concentrated in major cities. This has fostered a leadership class typified by firebrands like Jasmine Crockett, Gen-Z favourite Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and New York mayoral contender Zohran Mamdani.

All of the above make for a foggy, unsettling summer. For President Trump and conservatives, it’s about sticking with principles, working to fulfill pledges, and standing together, despite some differences and qualms. Democrats and their hardline leftist constituencies are disempowered, angry, and growing ever more frustrated. Now is no time for conservatives to split into rival camps.



God Saved President Trump for a Reason One Year Ago


One year ago, evil tried to take out President Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania.

As a Navy SEAL Sniper, I made shots from 1,000 yards away in combat zones, so I know there is only one possible way President Trump walked away from that bullet fired on a clear day from less than 400 feet away – that is by the grace of God. Our country and the world were reminded at that moment that when God has a plan for a man’s life, no force of darkness can stop it.

President Trump is a warrior who has taken a stand against the elites, the radical left, and the Deep State. And they hate him for it. As much as they hate Trump, it’s the forgotten man and woman Trump fights for whom they really disdain. It’s God-fearing, freedom-loving, hardworking Americans whom they want to ram their agenda on – thankfully, President Trump is standing in their way.

Donald J. Trump took a bullet for this country. Meanwhile, weak politicians won’t even take a tough vote. It is time for a new generation of conservatives who will fight just as hard as President Trump does to Make America Great Again. I will be that warrior. I have done it before on the battlefield overseas, and I am ready to do it again as Alabama’s next United States Senator.

Running for Senate was never in my plans. I grew up in a humble environment. We did not chase money, nor did we seek influence. We aimed for greater heights, and that was to serve. It’s why I took an oath as a Navy SEAL, as well as a law enforcement officer and founder of a non-profit dedicated to combating human trafficking, to fight for those who could not fight for themselves.

Trust me when I say this isn’t political. I’m not going to Washington, D.C. to rub elbows or climb the ladder. I’m much more comfortable in jeans and boots than a suit and tie, and I feel a whole lot more peace in the church pews with my wife and kids than in the halls of Congress. 

This is about purpose. I’m a born-again believer in Jesus Christ, and right now, Congress could use more Jesus.

My Christian faith will guide me every step of the way as Alabama’s next U.S. Senator. I will stand as the tip of the spear to defend Christian values. I will fight for the Unborn, protect children from radical gender ideology, defend girls’ sports, and ensure our schools are not teaching students to hate America.

As a small business owner, husband, and father of three, I understand how hard it is for working families to make ends meet. Joe Biden and Kamala Harris tanked the economy for regular folks. Crushing taxes. Endless regulations. 87,000 new IRS agents to audit small businesses.

Now, President Trump is righting the ship and ushering in a new Golden Age for America. Jobs, money, and factories are coming back. But the Democrats and many Swampy Republicans are second-guessing the President and undermining his agenda. It’s ridiculous. I’ll get to work right away to help Trump create the greatest economy in history by putting America First.

It’s simple. President Trump needs warriors fighting by his side. Now is not a time for weak politicians who retreat at the first sign of trouble. As a former Navy SEAL, my ethos is simple: I am never out of the fight, and I will not fail. I’m ready to deploy to the Senate to Make America Great Again.



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President Trump Announces 30 Percent Baseline Tariff for European Union and Mexico


President Trump announced on Truth Social a baseline tariff rate of 30% for both the European Union and Mexico.  Other sector specific tariffs still apply.

The EU rate is interesting in that the 30% rate is lower than the Canadian rate of 35%, yet the EU rate exceeds the current ‘chicken tax’ rate historically applied to imported SUVs and Trucks.  Strategically, the 30% tariff rate on Europe is a major incentive for various EU sectors to shift manufacturing into the USA.

Without a formal declaration of the end of the Marshall Plan, the reciprocity rate of 30% for all EU imports also equalizes the transatlantic trade benefit.  It will be interesting to see how the EU responds, given any retaliation could be added to the existing baseline.

Canada is currently trying to organize a trade agreement with the EU, in the hopes of positioning themselves toward the transatlantic group as they were toward the transpacific group (vis-a-vis China).

The Canadian economic model, to position themselves as a gateway into the USA for Chinese component goods, previously served them well as they exploited a NAFTA loophole.  However, the new 35% rate impedes their ability to remain an assembly driven manufacturing model.   Similarly, the 30% USA rate toward the EU impedes the Canadian transatlantic approach.

The USA Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is currently 26 to 28 percent of the entire world’s GDP.  The USA is by far the most dominant consumer market in the world.  President Trump is leveraging access to the U.S. market within the global trade imbalance reset.

Additionally, Mexico also receives the 30% tariff rate applied.  Again, interestingly the Mexico rate is lower than the Canadian rate and reflects two distinctly different levels of economic importance.  Almost all of Mexico’s manufacturing base exists exclusively due to access to the USA market.

Hundreds of billions worth of investment dollars from both the EU and China have poured into Mexico for the single purpose of generating tariff-free goods for sale into the USA.

Neither Mexico nor Canada can respond to the tariffs as applied against the backdrop of their dependency on the USA market.  Both can try to sell their goods and resources to alternate nations, but the costs associated with the transfer of those goods to alternate countries negates the profit incentive to just streamline the internal process and offset the tariffs.

The big question for the EU and Mexico is one we see playing out in Japan, downward wage pressure.

The more a nation tries to offset the tariffs in order to maintain the industry, the less profit margin they have within their operation for wage rates to increase.  This is what the USA went through for four decades as the rustbelt took shape and all the manufacturing jobs were offshored.

The Japanese auto sector is now worried about declining wages, the same basic thing will roll forward into China, Mexico the EU, and to a lesser extent Canada.  Eventually tariff subsidies run into the natural bottom line of the production sector.

The EU is in the worst possible shape to deal with this wage and labor pressure.  Their collective demand toward green energy is extremely expensive and their manufacturing sectors are now facing serious increases in production cost due to the high cost of energy.

The scale of that EU energy problem when combined with the generous worker benefits within the EU creates a reality where they simply cannot take any more upward pressure on production costs, without opening themselves up to cheap Chinese goods.

The EU has massive self-imposed inflation as a result of energy policy.  As China maintains state subsidized production, those Chinese goods eventually get dumped into markets like the EU where the domestic suppliers simply cannot compete on price.  European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has been very vocal about this problem for almost a year.

President Trump is leveraging all of these global dynamics in our favor.  Cheap U.S. energy, cheap and abundant U.S. raw materials, reasonable open-market labor rates (deportation process assisting), in combination with the world’s #1 consumer base, makes the best bet for manufacturing to come to the USA.

All of that domestic USA economic activity drives expansion of the GDP, which pushes more money into the federal budget and offsets the cost of govt spending.  Add to that GDP growth the income from tariffs, and suddenly we start running a surplus to drive down debt and deficits.

Despite all the seemingly noisy distractions on other matters, on the economic front President Trump’s entire MAGAnomic policy agenda is exceptionally well structured and delivering great results.



DOJ Drops Bombshell Report on Federal Prisons—The Details Are Quite Disturbing

Jeff Charles reporting for Townhall 

The federal prison system has been engaging in a disturbing pattern of abuse against inmates, according to a new report from the Justice Department’s Office of the Inspector General (OIG).

The OIG released an explosive report detailing systemic failures in the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) related to its use of restraints on prisoners. The report documented several cases in which prison authorities kept inmates in restraints far beyond what could reasonably be justified.

The report noted that one inmate “suffered injury requiring the amputation of part of the inmate’s limb after being kept in restraints for over 2 days.”

Another inmate “suffered long-term scarring and was provisionally diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome due to ongoing complaints of wrist numbness after being held in four-point restraints for over 3 days.”

Four-point restraints are used to restrain a person by securing both legs and arms to a bed. This method is typically reserved for situations in which a patient is a danger to themselves or others, and other forms of restraint have not worked. 

Unfortunately, these extreme measures are not rare. “BOP records indicate that one inmate was held in ambulatory restraints for over 12 days, removed from restraints for approximately 4 hours, and then placed back into ambulatory restraints for over 30 days.”

The authorities “placed this same inmate back into restraints just about a week later, and this time held him in a combination of ambulatory and four-point restraints for more than 29 additional days.”

Ambulatory restraints allow an individual to walk, but still limit their movement. 

The OIG found “hundreds” of cases where prison personnel placed inmates in some form of restraints for more than 24 hours and “some for over a week or weeks.”

The report explained that prison personnel routinely restrained individuals experiencing mental illness or suicidal ideation while failing to provide psychological care. In one instance, “an inmate was in a restraint chair with restraints on both wrists and both ankles for 18 hours after threatening to swallow a bottle of pain medication. The inmate was not assessed by a psychologist during that time.”

In another scenario, prison officials restrained an inmate for 18 days, including nine days in four-point restraints after he exhibited self-harming behavior. However, “this inmate was not placed on suicide watch and was visited by Psychology Services just once per day during the 18-day period.”

“The OIG finds it troubling that inmates experiencing serious psychological difficulties may be restrained for such extended periods without more frequent mental health intervention, especially given the potential added psychological impact of being in restraints,” the report noted.

The OIG noted an alarming lack of transparency in federal prisons. The BOP does not require video or audio recording of most restraint checks. This makes it nearly impossible to verify allegations of abuse. “The OIG’s abilty to assess the relative truthfulness of inmate accounts versus BOP employee accounts has been hampered by the lack of detailed information in restraint check forms and the absence of a requirement to video and audio record restraint checks.”

The lack of transparency has led to a lack of accountability, according to the OIG. In one case, this had fatal consequences when an inmate died after being restrained for over two days, released for under two hours, and then restrained again. 

“According to the autopsy report for this inmate, the cause of death was ‘Vaso-Occlusive Crisis due to Sickle Cell Disease Complicating Oleoresin Capsicum Use and Prolonged Restraint Following Altercation,’” the report explains. 

“Without video evidence, one cannot rule out the possibility of cover-ups or falsified records,” the report added.

The individual who had one of his limbs amputated was “held in in a combination of ambulatory restraints and a restraint char for over 2 days,” according to the report. Even though his injuries worsened, “the medical checks were completed by different medical staff who did not discuss the progression of the inmate’s injuries between shifts,” the OIG explained.

Even further, there was “no requirement to photograph the injuries, to provide a detailed description to document the progression of injuries, or to provide an explanation for allowing restraints to remain in place when injuries have been observed.”

Many federal prisons provide only limited training for medical staff about identifying early signs of nerve and muscle damage caused by being restrained for longer periods of time. 

The report recommended several reforms to address the myriad of problems in the prison system. These include clearly defining “four-point restraints” and establishing consistent guidelines for restraint types. It also suggests providing training and more oversight from leadership. The OIG further suggests video and audio recording of all two-hour checks.

These issues are not new. The federal government has tolerated these problems for years. It seems these problems only get attention when someone dies or if a whistleblower exposes the corruption. Even then, it appears there is no real will to do something about it. If this doesn’t change, we will see yet another report showing that things have remained the same — just with new victims.



LA Offers Free Cash to Illegal Aliens Afraid to Leave Their Homes Amid ICE Raids

Sarah Arnold reporting for Townhall 

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass (D) is pledging financial support for illegal immigrants as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents continue carrying out raids and enforcing federal immigration laws.

On Friday, Bass signed an executive order to bolster protocols and support immigrant neighborhoods, including offering cash assistance, in response to raids by the Trump administration targeting those living in the United States illegally. Bass explained that the order would ensure that illegal immigrants would receive a “couple hundred” dollars on cash cards, adding that the “money will not come from city coffers but from philanthropic partners.”

According to the Los Angeles Times, undocumented immigrants will receive cash cards distributed by immigrant rights groups, such as the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles. This initiative comes because, as Bass explained, many undocumented immigrants are afraid to leave their homes and aren’t going to work, resulting in lost income. Rather than cooperating with the federal government to address illegal immigration, Bass is providing incentives for them to remain.

“There is a need for me to have an executive directive to help our city understand how to protect itself from our federal government," Bass said. “What we have seen here over the last, now six weeks of raids that pop up, and we never know exactly when and where they're going to happen.”

The order also requires federal agencies to disclose records of the raids, including the names of those detained, the reasons for detention, and the associated costs to taxpayers, all of which will be subject to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. Additionally, the directive will provide city workers with clear instructions on how to respond if immigration officials contact any city department.

This follows the mayor’s announcement that Los Angeles will join a private class-action lawsuit against ICE raids conducted by the Trump administration. The mayor has consistently condemned the raids targeting criminal illegal immigrants and is among several cities suing the administration over what they call “unlawful” actions.



Sunday


 Matthew 7:13-14

13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 

14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.


A commentary/study of the verse by Reverend Ogunlade on godsbles.ing


What is Matthew 7:13-14 about?


This verse from the Bible emphasizes the importance of making choices with wisdom and discernment. It encourages us to choose the path less traveled, symbolized by the narrow gate, which leads to salvation and blessings. The narrow gate represents making difficult decisions, staying true to our beliefs, and following a righteous path, even when it may be challenging or unpopular. On the other hand, the wide path symbolizes the temptations and shortcuts that lead to destruction and spiritual downfall. It highlights the ease of taking the popular or convenient route, which may lead us away from our values and faith.


Context and Structure


First, let’s set the context. These verses are part of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, a foundational teaching in the New Testament. Here, Jesus contrasts two paths—the broad and the narrow. Understanding these paths requires a closer look at the phrases Jesus uses and their implications.


Analysis


“Enter through the narrow gate.”
This phrase emphasizes a conscious decision to choose a path that is less traveled. The narrow gate represents a life committed to Jesus’ teachings, which often requires sacrifice and discipline. Jesus states in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.”” This aligns with the idea that following Him involves entering through a “narrow gate.”


“For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction.”
Here, Jesus warns about the easy path that many choose. This broad road symbolizes a life of self-indulgence and moral compromise. Proverbs 14:12 adds, “There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.” It’s a caution against following popular but spiritually perilous ways.


“But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”
This highlights the exclusivity and difficulty of the righteous path. The emphasis on “few” underlines that true commitment to spiritual principles is rare. This echoes Luke 13:24, “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. These verses ring especially true in our modern context. The allure of the “broad road” is stronger than ever, with societal pressures pushing us towards materialism, instant gratification, and ethical shortcuts. Yet, Jesus’ call to the “narrow road” invites us to a counter-cultural lifestyle grounded in faith, integrity, and love. A young professional facing a moral dilemma at work provides an anecdote to consider. Offered a chance to advance by compromising their values, they remember this teaching. Choosing the narrow path, they refuse the unethical offer, even though it means slower career progression. This decision reflects the essence of Jesus’ message—a commitment to righteousness over convenience.


What path will lead to eternal life?


The path that leads to eternal life is narrow and difficult to find, with few people who choose to walk on it. It requires discipline, dedication, and a willingness to go against the crowd. The way to eternal life involves making choices that are in line with God’s will and following the teachings of Jesus Christ. It is a path that may not always be popular or easy, but it is worth it in the end.


On the contrary, the road that leads to destruction is wide and easy to follow, with many people taking that route. This path involves following worldly desires, selfish pursuits, and turning away from God’s commands. It may seem appealing and convenient at times, but ultimately it leads to spiritual death and separation from God. To find eternal life, one must be willing to make the tough choices and stay true to their faith, even when it goes against the cultural norms.






Putin's Pressure: Russia Urges Iran to Accept 'Zero Enrichment' Nuclear Deal


Joe Cunningham reporting for RedState 

Russian President Vladimir Putin has told both President Trump and Iranian officials that he supports the idea of a nuclear deal in which Iran is unable to enrich uranium, according to sources familiar with diplomatic discussions. This contradicts Russia's public position and could prove pivotal in ongoing U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations.

Before the recent strikes, Iran had accumulated enough highly enriched uranium to potentially build multiple nuclear bombs. While the attacks damaged key facilities, early intelligence suggests much of Iran's uranium stockpile may have been moved to undisclosed locations, and core underground components appear to have survived. 

A nuclear-armed Iran would trigger regional arms races and destabilize global energy markets, while failure to reach a deal increases the risk of broader military conflict in the Middle East.

Putin's Double Game

Putin's behind-the-scenes position contradicts Russia's public stance. While Moscow publicly advocates for Iran's right to enrich, Putin has taken a tougher position in private following the 12-day war between Israel and Iran. Multiple European and Israeli officials confirm that Putin has encouraged Iran to accept "zero enrichment" in several recent conversations.

Putin also expressed that position in calls last week with Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron, suggesting coordinated international pressure on Tehran.

Russia's Nuclear Leverage

Moscow's ability to influence Iran stems from its partnership on nuclear fuel supply. Russia, the world's biggest nuclear power, does not want to see Iran acquire nuclear weapons, but believes it has every right to develop civilian nuclear programs.

The Russians have made clear in public and private that if a deal is reached, they'll remove Iran's highly enriched uranium. Russia would then supply Iran with lower-enriched uranium for civilian nuclear power, maintaining influence while reducing weapons risk.

Iran's Desperation

The recent Israeli and American strikes have fundamentally altered negotiations. Extensive damage has been done to Iran's three major nuclear facilities at Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan, though early U.S. intelligence assessments suggest the core components survived and the program may only be set back by months.

During and after the 12-day war, the Iranians were disappointed that the Russians didn't give them significant support beyond press statements. This isolation is pushing Iran toward compromise.

White House envoy Steve Witkoff is planning to meet Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Oslo next week to restart nuclear talks, marking the potential resumption of diplomacy after the military strikes ended.

The Trump administration's negotiating position has evolved. While officials initially demanded complete dismantlement of Iran's nuclear program, a secret U.S. proposal would allow limited low-level uranium enrichment on Iranian soil for a to-be-determined period, contradicting earlier public statements about zero tolerance for enrichment.

The Stakes

Iran has enriched trace amounts of uranium to nearly weapons-grade levels, and experts estimate the country could produce enough weapons-grade material for multiple nuclear bombs within months if it chose to do so.

"We can't have weaponization," Witkoff recently told CNBC. "That will destabilize the entire region. Everyone will then need a bomb and we just can't have that."

Russia's willingness to help remove Iran's enriched uranium stockpiles while supplying civilian nuclear fuel provides a potential pathway to agreement. The next few weeks of negotiations in Oslo could determine whether diplomacy succeeds or whether the region slides toward broader military conflict with global implications.


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