IRAN'S GHALIBAF: 'TWO OF THE MEASURES MUTUALLY AGREED UPON BETWEEN THE PARTIES HAVE YET TO BE IMPLEMENTED: A CEASEFIRE IN LEBANON AND THE RELEASE OF IRAN’S BLOCKED ASSETS PRIOR TO THE COMMENCEMENT OF NEGOTIATIONS. THESE TWO MATTERS MUST BE FULFILLED BEFORE NEGOTIATIONS BEGIN.'

- Iranian channels are referring to the $7 Billion dollars worth of frozen Iranian funds held by South Korea in Qatari banks.

- Iran's delegation will take part in the talks Saturday despite Iran statements about Lebanon

TRUMP: THE IRANIANS DON’T SEEM TO REALIZE THEY HAVE NO CARDS, OTHER THAN A SHORT TERM EXTORTION OF THE WORLD BY USING INTERNATIONAL WATERWAYS. THE ONLY REASON THEY ARE ALIVE TODAY IS TO NEGOTIATE!

Channel 12 reports, citing sources, that Trump is pressuring Netanyahu to announce a ceasefire in Lebanon on Tuesday

There may be an American announcement as early as tomorrow on the opening of talks between Israel and Lebanon and a ceasefire based on the November 24th agreement. - Israel Hayom.

TRUMP ON IRAN CHARGING TOLLS: WON'T LET THAT HAPPEN

Iran has been unable to open the Strait of Hormuz to more shipping traffic because it cannot locate all of the mines it laid in the waterway and lacks the capability to remove them, according to U.S. officials

ARTEMIS 2 SPLASHDOWN IN 30 MINUTES

https://www.youtube.com/live/nfhDuOHMp0A

(wow)

Godspeed Artemis 2

NASA'S ARTEMIS 2 CREW CAPSULE LANDS SAFELY BACK ON EARTH

Senior Iranian source to Reuters: U.S. has agreed to release Iran’s frozen assets 'held in Qatar and other foreign banks'

A source in Pakistan's Foreign Ministry told the Qatari newspaper "Al-Araby Al-Jadeed" that a Chinese delegation will arrive in Islamabad today to assist Pakistan during the negotiations between the United States and Iran. According to the report, China may offer guarantees if the two sides reach an agreement

U.S. has not agreed to release any Iranian frozen assets, source says: CBS

(though imo it doesn't matter if iran is already convinced, right (whatever is their domestic signal maybe to get into talks), CBS is also like fox news little bit you know domestic posturing, idk) (maybe I'm too +ve on this)

Talks started in Pakistan via intermediaries according to sources

Update: confirmed by FOX & CBS

Negotiations between Iran and the American side have begun in Islamabad: Iran State Media

In the negotiations, Iran and the U.S. are considering a permanent ceasefire according to a pakistani reporter

(pakistan have their own bias in this so take with 🧂)

US AND IRAN BEGIN HIGHEST-LEVEL TALKS IN FIVE DECADES: FT

2020 TRUMP: Iran never won a war, but never lost a negotiation!

US FORCES STARTED MINE CLEARANCE MISSION IN HORMUZ: CENTCOM

Today, we began the process of establishing a new passage and we will share this safe pathway with the maritime industry soon to encourage the free flow of commerce,” said Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of CENTCOM.

Additional U.S. forces, including underwater drones, will join the clearance effort in the coming days.

(this hinges on Iran obviously)

(Fyi: sea mines were never the primary focus (they can lay more if anything), it was Iranian attacks and insurance concerns. Therefore, unless this is coordinated with Iran, it won't work. Iran has stated that they cannot clear mines so perhaps privately they are working with the US , and negotiations are progressing or maybe as FT said 👇 we are still not locked on SoH clearance so, watch out)

Negotiators hit stalemate over Strait of Hormuz

One of the people said Iran insisted it retained control over the waterway and could charge vessels a toll. Iranian negotiators are refusing options for “joint control”, the person said, despite a high-level meeting between US vice-president JD Vance and Iranian wartime leader Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.

Negotiators are having a working dinner, one of the people said, which will be followed by technical discussions on Saturday night: FT

Security source confirms: IDF instructed to reduce strikes in Lebanon as a confidence-building step ahead of talks between the sides: Kann