Holding Iran accountable is a core component of any coherent Iran strategy, writes Samantha Vinograd. To date, the administration has suffered from self-inflicted policy wounds and a lack of a thoughtful strategy to get back to the negotiating table. Whether it's a Trump-Rouhani meeting in New York or private discussions between US and Iranian experts to lay out the parameters for meaningful negotiations, the national security team should not miss the forest for the trees: Iran is a bad actor, but by making a series of policy missteps the administration has aggravated those threats. 
French President Emmanuel Macron speaks with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani at the UN General Assembly
Sport US ramps up Iran pressure as European summit bid flounders
18:40 25 september 2019
18:40 25 september 2019
Source:
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What a successful Trump strategy on Iran must include
Holding Iran accountable is a core component of any coherent Iran strategy, writes Samantha Vinograd. To date, the administration has suffered from self-inflicted policy wounds and a lack of a thoughtful strategy to get back to the negotiating table. Whether it's a Trump-Rouhani meeting in New York or private discussions between US and Iranian experts to lay out the parameters for meaningful negotiations, the national security team should not miss the forest for the trees: Iran is a bad actor, but by making a series of policy missteps the administration has aggravated those threats.
The United States on Wednesday announced new sanctions to stop Iran from selling its oil, casting a cloud over last-minute European efforts to arrange a tension-reducing encounter between the adversaries' presidents.
The Attack on Saudi Arabia Is the Crisis Iran Was Waiting For
Its precision munitions are capable of inflicting massive amounts of damage. French President Emmanuel Macron shuttled between his US and Iranian counterparts over two days at the United Nations, but acknowledged that time was running short.
On US President Donald Trump's last scheduled day at the annual UN summit of world leaders, his administration said it was imposing sanctions on Chinese companies that have purchased Iranian oil.
"We're telling China, and all nations -- know that we will sanction every violation of sanctions of all activity," Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told a pressure group opposed to Iran's clerical regime on the sidelines of the United Nations.
China, which is embroiled in a series of disputes with the United States including a trade war, is believed to be the biggest foreign buyer of Iranian oil.
Iran warns U.S. of ‘broad’ retaliation in case of any attack
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is headed to Saudi Arabia to discuss the brewing crisis. -
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Video segments play during the opening ceremony of the 2019 United Nations Climate Action Summit at U.N. headquarters in New York City, on Sept. 23. The summit is being held in advance of the General Debate of the General Assembly of the United Nations. The World Leaders have been invited to speak at the event, which was organized by the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, for the purpose of proposing plans for addressing global climate change. The General Debate of the 74th session of the UN General Assembly begins on Sept. 24.
Opinions | In his showdown with Iran, Trump blinks
The president's incoherent strategy weakens the United States.
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President Donald Trump and Polish President Andrzej Duda sign a defense agreement prior to a meeting on the sidelines of the assembly, on Sept. 23.
Trump’s National Security Aides to Meet on Possible Iran Options
Senior national security officials from across the government are scheduled to meet Thursday to refine a list of potential targets to strike in Iran, should President Trump order a military retaliation for missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabian oil fields last weekend, officials said. Defense Secretary Mark T. Esper and Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr., the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, are to present the updated options to Mr. Trump at a National Security Council meeting scheduled for Friday, a senior American official said.Sign Up For the Morning Briefing NewsletterIn advance of being presented with the newest set of options, Mr.
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President Donald Trump and Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan hold a meeting on the sidelines of the assembly, on Sept. 23.
Iran accuses foreign forces of raising Gulf 'insecurity'
President Hassan Rouhani on Sunday denounced the presence of foreign forces in the Gulf and said Iran will proffer a peace plan, after arch-foe the United States ordered reinforcements to the tinderbox region. Rouhani also said Iran would present a peace plan to the United Nations in the coming days. "In this sensitive and important historical moment, we announce to our neighbours that we extend the hand of friendship and brotherhood to them," he said.
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U.S. Navy Staff Sergeant Karissa Armijo inspects a vehicle with her K-9 unit dog Benjamin, on Sept. 23.
A Fox News guest called Greta Thunberg ‘mentally ill.’ The network apologized for the ‘disgraceful’ comment.
The 16-year-old climate activist has been open about being diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome, embracing it as her “superpower.” Amid the intense blowback over Knowles’ remarks Monday night after a clip of the show went viral, Fox News apologized to Thunberg. “The comment made by Michael Knowles who was a guest on The Story tonight was disgraceful — we apologize to Greta Thunberg and to our viewers,” a spokesperson for the network told The Washington Post in a statement. Fox News also said it has “no plans” to book Knowles.
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President Donald Trump, Vice President Mike Pence and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo participate in the Climate Change Conference during the Chancellor's speech, on Sept. 23.
US ramps up Iran pressure as European summit bid flounders
The United States on Wednesday announced new sanctions to stop Iran from selling its oil, casting a cloud over last-minute European efforts to arrange a tension-reducing encounter between the adversaries' presidents. French President Emmanuel Macron shuttled between his US and Iranian counterparts over two days at the United Nations, but acknowledged that time was running short.
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The president's incoherent strategy weakens the United States. 
Senior national security officials from across the government are scheduled to meet Thursday to refine a list of potential targets to strike in Iran, should President Trump order a military retaliation for missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabian oil fields last weekend, officials said. Defense Secretary Mark T. Esper and Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr., the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, are to present the updated options to Mr. Trump at a National Security Council meeting scheduled for Friday, a senior American official said.Sign Up For the Morning Briefing NewsletterIn advance of being presented with the newest set of options, Mr. 
President Hassan Rouhani on Sunday denounced the presence of foreign forces in the Gulf and said Iran will proffer a peace plan, after arch-foe the United States ordered reinforcements to the tinderbox region. Rouhani also said Iran would present a peace plan to the United Nations in the coming days. "In this sensitive and important historical moment, we announce to our neighbours that we extend the hand of friendship and brotherhood to them," he said. 
The 16-year-old climate activist has been open about being diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome, embracing it as her “superpower.” Amid the intense blowback over Knowles’ remarks Monday night after a clip of the show went viral, Fox News apologized to Thunberg. “The comment made by Michael Knowles who was a guest on The Story tonight was disgraceful — we apologize to Greta Thunberg and to our viewers,” a spokesperson for the network told The Washington Post in a statement. Fox News also said it has “no plans” to book Knowles. 
The United States on Wednesday announced new sanctions to stop Iran from selling its oil, casting a cloud over last-minute European efforts to arrange a tension-reducing encounter between the adversaries' presidents. French President Emmanuel Macron shuttled between his US and Iranian counterparts over two days at the United Nations, but acknowledged that time was running short. 
Photo gallery by photo services
The Trump administration in May said that the United States would unilaterally force all countries to stop buying Iran's oil, its major export, sending tensions soaring.
The United States blamed Iran for an attack earlier this month on the oil infrastructure of rival Saudi Arabia, which is also waging a devastating offensive in Yemen.
France, Britain and Germany this week said they agreed with the US findings.
"Some have said that they've joined the United States; I think they have joined reality," Pompeo said of the Europeans.
- Seeking to salvage deal -
But the European powers, while criticizing Iran, believe that diplomacy is the best way forward.
The Europeans want Trump to return to a nuclear accord negotiated by former president Barack Obama, under which Iran drastically reduced its nuclear program in return for unmet promises of sanctions relief.
"The conditions have been met for a rapid resumption of negotiations," Macron told reporters late Tuesday.
"It is now up to Iran and the United States to seize the opportunity," he said.
Escorting a smiling Rouhani to a meeting with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Macron said that time was running short.
"If he leaves the country without meeting with President Trump, honestly this is a lost opportunity because he will not come back in a few months," Macron said.
"And President Trump will not go to Tehran, so they have to meet now," he said, as Johnson voiced agreement.
German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas on Wednesday said he had not given up hope.
"The fact that all sides are basically willing to hold talks -- the Iranian side as well as the American side -- is a positive signal," he said.
"Now it's about the conditions," he said. "And this will not be easy."
- Trump under pressure -
After weeks of speculation of a meeting, Trump's attention may be elsewhere on Wednesday.
Leaders of the rival Democratic Party on Tuesday announced that they were opening an impeachment inquiry against him over allegations he pressured Ukraine's president to investigate the son of Joe Biden, the Democratic front-runner seeking to challenge him in next year's election.
Trump, in a grim-faced speech Tuesday at the United Nations, warned that the United States would not ease economic pressure on Iran -- a condition set by Rouhani for any meeting.
Rouhani -- responding to Trump's speech in an interview with Fox News, which the tycoon president is known to watch avidly -- said that the withdrawal from the nuclear accord had badly shaken confidence.
"Mr. Trump exited without a valid justification, and illegally, from an international agreement. So, if the United States of America's government is willing to talk, it must create the needed conditions," Rouhani said.
Despite his strong words, Trump is known for his fondness for made-for-television drama, as witnessed in his three meetings with North Korean strongman Kim Jong Un, and for following last-minute gut instincts.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan both also met with the Iranian and US leaders.
Khan said both Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, whom he met on his way to New York, had asked him to mediate with Iran and "maybe come up with another deal."
Trump, however, said Monday he was "not looking for any mediators," saying of Iran, "they know who to call."
US ramps up Iran pressure as European summit bid flounders .
The United States on Wednesday announced new sanctions to stop Iran from selling its oil, casting a cloud over last-minute European efforts to arrange a tension-reducing encounter between the adversaries' presidents. French President Emmanuel Macron shuttled between his US and Iranian counterparts over two days at the United Nations, but acknowledged that time was running short.
See also:
What a successful Trump strategy on Iran must... 
The Attack on Saudi Arabia Is the Crisis Iran Was Waiting... 
Iran warns U.S. of ‘broad’ retaliation in case of any... 
Opinions | In his showdown with Iran, Trump... 
Trump’s National Security Aides to Meet on Possible Iran Options 
Iran accuses foreign forces of raising Gulf 'insecurity' 
A Fox News guest called Greta Thunberg ‘mentally ill.’ The network apologized... 
US ramps up Iran pressure as European summit bid flounders usr: 4
