Remember the deal that was going to be signed today at noon, Eastern Standard Time?
Well noon has come and gone and, as usual, there is no deal signed. In fact, Iran has launched strikes at Israel.
From an article at israelnatinalnews.com:
Senior Iranian leader blocks agreement
Ahmad Vahidi, commander of the IRGC and a highly influential figure within the regime, led the decision to launch missiles at Israel and became a major obstacle to reaching an agreement with President Trump.
Iran’s decision to launch ballistic missiles at Israel after months of ceasefire was not only a military message but also an attempt to demonstrate the new balance of power in Tehran.
According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, the driving force behind the decision was Revolutionary Guards commander Ahmad Vahidi, who has emerged in recent months as a key figure within the Iranian regime.
Vahidi prevailed over more moderate voices in Tehran who opposed the strike out of concern that it could damage contacts with the United States and jeopardize the possibility of an agreement. He persuaded Iran’s Supreme National Security Council to support the missile launch, which led to the first exchange of fire between Iran and Israel since the ceasefire in April.
According to the report, Vahidi has also adopted a hardline position in talks with Washington, demanding the restoration of Iran’s military deterrence capabilities, protection for Hezbollah, and the preservation of Tehran’s missile stockpiles and frozen financial assets. His influence grew after he replaced Mohammad Pakpour, who was injured in a military strike. Vahidi now commands approximately 200,000 fighters, making him the head of the regime’s most powerful armed force.
Is this because Israel, under constant fire from hezbollah, the Iran-trained, Iran-financed terrorist group operating out of southern Lebanon, actually had the gall to fire back yesterday? Was that too much for Iran’s current strong-man-in-charge to bear? The article doesn’t say.
But if the demands enumerated in this article are what vahidi expects for a deal to take place, it’s an excellent bet there is not going to be one any time soon…unless Israel or the USA eliminates vahidi (maybe with a bunch of his likeminded pals), as they have done to so many other Iranian “leaders” over the past few months.
We can hope, can’t we?
