WANA (Feb 28) – U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has instructed American ambassadors in the Middle East to refrain from making public statements that could escalate tensions or undermine President Donald Trump’s efforts to “pressure Iran” into abandoning its capacity to produce nuclear weapons.

 

According to reports, U.S. heads of mission in the region have been directed to avoid public comments, media interviews, or social media activity that could inflame regional public opinion, negatively affect sensitive political matters, or complicate U.S. diplomatic relations.

 

Within the U.S. administration, the directive has reportedly been interpreted as an indirect rebuke of Mike Huckabee, the U.S. ambassador to Israel.

 

Huckabee recently stated in a podcast hosted by Tucker Carlson that, based on the Bible, Israel holds rightful ownership over large parts of the Middle East.

 

The guidance was issued as the third round of negotiations between the United States and Iran took place Thursday in Geneva.

 

Separately, Rubio announced on Friday that the United States has formally designated Iran as a “state sponsor of wrongful and unjust detentions.”

 

The new legal designation follows an executive order signed by President Trump in September of last year. Friday’s move marks the first implementation of that executive order.

 

Some analysts have described the designation as a new step in what they characterize as an “Iranophobia” campaign, arguing that it introduces a newly coined legal label aimed at increasing pressure on Tehran.

 

Omani FM Signals Major Progress in Washington–Tehran Talks

WANA (Feb 27) – The Foreign Minister of Oman announced progress in negotiations between Washington and Tehran following a meeting with the U.S. Vice President, raising the possibility of reaching an agreement in the coming days.   Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi held talks with JD Vance, during which he presented details of the ongoing […]

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