Alex Ward

National security reporter at @wsj. Author, THE INTERNATIONALISTS. Alum, @politico. Signal: AlexWardWSJ.83

[Alex Ward @alexbward]

The Iran War cycle:

“Deal” —> Collapse —> Threat —> Back off —> “Deal”

[Christopher Miller @ChristopherJM]

Indeed. No breakthroughs expected. But it’s viewed positively in Kyiv and especially by Zelenskyy and his camp that Witkoff and Kushner finally came to Ukraine themselves after so many visits to Moscow. Still, a comprehensive ceasefire, let alone a lasting peace, remains far off.

[Alex Ward @alexbward]

The modern equivalent of the square DVD logo bouncing perfectly into the corner

[Sportsnet @Sportsnet]

THEY GOT THE HOT DOG IN THE BUN 🌭

[The Kyiv Independent @KyivIndependent]

⚡️Update: 'The war will continue' — US peace push fails to achieve deal after Witkoff, Kushner's first visit to Kyiv.

"We expect the war will continue," Zelensky said after the talks, adding that Ukraine is counting on U.S. energy and air defense support this winter.
https://t.co/3Z0G9YgAzq

[Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський @ZelenskyyUa]

Next round of talks: Ukraine, the United States, and the E3 countries – France, Germany, and the United Kingdom.

🇺🇦 🇺🇸 🇬🇧 🇫🇷 🇩🇪

[Alex Ward @alexbward]

Officials from France, UK and Germany also in Kyiv for peace talks as Witkoff and Kushner arrive.

First American officials in Kyiv for peace talks since Keith Kellogg’s visits.

[Kyrylo Budanov @Kyrylo_Budanov]

Glad to welcome the U.S. delegation led by Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Kyiv.
A busy day and important negotiations lie ahead.
Representatives of our European partners – France, the United Kingdom, and Germany – are also in Kyiv.
Together, we are all working to achieve a just and lasting peace for Ukraine.

[Alex Ward @alexbward]

“U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces struck three Iranian crude oil carriers, Sept. 5, after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched ballistic missiles toward two U.S. Navy warships patrolling regional waters.”

[U.S. Central Command @CENTCOM]

https://t.co/Xo0Vj0t2AJ

[Matthew Chance @mchancecnn]

Kushner and Witkoff arrive in Moscow in renewed peace bid, are met by Kremlin envoy Kiril Dmitriev.. watch #CNN

[Abigail Hauslohner @ahauslohner]

A bit of a shift today in Trump's Hormuz rhetoric.
Previously (e.g. July), it was: if Iran doesn't make a deal to open the Strait of Hormuz "the major bridges will all be gone and the power plants in one day."
Then (August) it was: "Now we totally control... We own the Hormuz Strait."
Weds (Sept 2), it was still: "We now control the Hormuz Strait, and we have many boats going through that every day, every night, many, many boats loaded up with oil."
Now Friday (Sept 3), he seems less convinced of ownership because he's threatening to make Hormuz irrelevant if Iran doesn't make concessions, telling reporters that alternate oil export are routes being built: "If Iran isn't smart, it's “is going to end up with a Hormuz strait that is not very necessary any more”.

[Alex Ward @alexbward]

Highlights from Trump speaking with reporters:

- Says US may strike Iran’s Pickaxe mountain soon

- Confirms he’ll host a state dinner for Xi

- Called the Iran war “small potatoes” (18 troops killed)

- Witkoff and Kushner taking peace proposals to Moscow and Kyiv

[Alex Ward @alexbward]

@ErinBanco @felschwartz Operación pequeña

[Alex Ward @alexbward]

Trump calls the Iran conflict a "war" a day after Vance said he wouldn't call it a "war."

[Alex Ward @alexbward]

The Iran war is

(•_•)
( •_•)>⌐■-■
(⌐■_■)

Tehran the administration apart

[Alex Ward @alexbward]

Trump calls the Iran conflict a "war" a day after Vance said he wouldn't call it a "war."

[Axios @axios]

Trump envoys Witkoff and Kushner to travel to Moscow and Kyiv this weekend https://t.co/DA1S7m2jeO

[Jim Sciutto @jimsciutto]

Victory is now defined as the U.S. returning traffic through the Strait to near-pre-war levels at the cost of numerous munitions and a complex and continuing U.S. air and sea operation.

[Alex Ward @alexbward]

President Trump will hit a campaign trail focused on the economy after urging voters to pay more for the Iran war.

Trump is telling voters a paying more at the pump "is worth the price of ridding Iran of its nuclear program."

[Alex Ward @alexbward]

President Trump will hit a campaign trail focused on the economy after urging voters to pay more for the Iran war.

Trump is telling voters a paying more at the pump "is worth the price of ridding Iran of its nuclear program."

[Alex Ward @alexbward]

I tell @VictorBlackwell that Trump's objective in the Iran war was to dismantle Iran's nuclear program. That hasn't happened yet, even as Trump looks to declare victory and walk away.

"They've changed the narrative as to what victory looks like."

[Idrees Ali @idreesali114]

US VP Vance's press conference was remarkable in many ways. He essentially said the United States hasn't won a war in some time (accurate) and that when the Iran war ends is essentially in Tehran's hands (also accurate).

[Alex Ward @alexbward]

Some might say that leaves the door open to a war that lasts…forever

[Josh Rogin @joshrogin]

Vance on Iran: “I wouldn’t call it a war.”

“If you’re asking me when will this end… I don’t know the answer to that question.”