As most Americans are enjoying a quiet, post-fireworks, post-Independence Day Sunday, there remain plenty of problems to be solved. Not least among these is Iran, who, even after the near-total destruction of its military and the pruning-by-explosives of much of its civil leadership, is still making belligerent noises.
In the latest development, there are reports that the United States and Iran may again meet in Pakistan for another round of talks, as early as July 11th.
The next round of U.S.-Iran negotiations is expected to take place in Pakistan on July 11, according to a report Saturday by Al Arabiya, as the two sides continue efforts to reach a broader agreement following last month's interim accord.
The report came as Iran began a six-day state funeral Saturday for former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a Feb. 28 U.S.-Israeli airstrike. The funeral is scheduled to conclude with Khamenei's burial on July 9.
The talks will include, among other things, Iran's nuclear program.
Al Arabiya reported the talks are expected to focus on U.S. sanctions, Iran's frozen financial assets, and Tehran's nuclear program. The outlet said Iran has not yet determined who will lead its delegation, with that decision expected after the funeral ceremonies conclude.
The nuclear program has been President Trump's hard line in the sand; the entire thing, starting with last year's Operation Midnight Hammer and continued through this year's Operation Epic Fury, has been to deny Iran a nuclear weapon.
Of course, there has been some recent activity in the Zagros Mountains that is, to say the least, suspicious.
Read More: What Is Iran Building Now in the Zagros Mountains?
New: Iran Hardliners Now Calling for Trump, Netanyahu Hits As Peace Talks Teeter
Neither Washington nor Tehran has officially confirmed the reported July 11 meeting. Pakistan, alongside Qatar, has played an increasingly prominent role in facilitating indirect contacts between the two countries as negotiators seek to turn the temporary agreement into a permanent accord.
So, we're still in wait-and-see mode. No surprise there.
Here's the thing: Any American negotiator, any American involved, from President Trump on down, had better keep one thing in mind, and it's something I've been saying and writing for years: Iran can't be trusted. Not under the current regime. If they make a deal, they won't keep it. If they make a promise, they'll break it. If they agree to cease trying to make a nuclear weapon, they will just move their efforts to some other, more remote hole in the ground. And if they manage to assemble a working nuke, they'll use it. The only thing that we can trust about Iran is that Iran can't be trusted. They will lie, in any negotiation, in any deal, because that's what they do. They lie when it's in their interests to tell the truth; they lie when only the truth could save them from disaster. And nuclear program or not, they seem determined to anger all of their neighboring countries by continuing to toss drones and missiles at them.
These are indeed interesting times. Stay tuned.
Editor's Note: For decades, former presidents have been all talk and no action. Now, Donald Trump is eliminating the threat from Iran once and for all.
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