Mostafa Salem

Reporter @CNN on Middle East security and political affairs

[Mostafa Salem @MostafaSalemCNN]

As negotiations between the US and Iran enter a critical stage, a small but influential Iranian hardline faction has intensified efforts to sabotage a potential deal with Washington, fuelling President Donald Trump’s claims of divisions within the Islamic Republic.

Iran’s new leaders have projected unity in the face of the gravest existential threat the regime has faced, yet the ultra-hardline group has ramped up efforts across the media, in parliament and on the streets to advocate against an agreement with the US, arguing that only by defeating Washington can Iran secure a favorable deal.

[Mostafa Salem @MostafaSalemCNN]

One of the largest escalations in the 56-day ceasefire: 13 ballistic missiles and 17 drones were fired at Kuwait, injuring more than 60 people.

An Indian national was killed and extensive damage was reported at a terminal in Kuwait’s international airport.

When the UAE’s nuclear power plant was attacked by drones last month in what was an unprecedented escalation, talks were not derailed. Similarly, this latest escalation has yet to show any signs of derailing talks (although unclear what status they're currently in)

[KUWAIT ARMY - الجيش الكويتي @KuwaitArmyGHQ]

بيان رقم (64)

صادر عن المتحدث الرسمي لوزارة الدفاع
العقيد الركن سعود عبدالعزيز العطوان

رصدت وتعاملت القوات المسلحة منذ فجر اليوم مع عدد (13) صاروخاً باليستياً معادياً داخل المجال الجوي الكويتي، وتم اعتراضها فوق عدد من المناطق السكنية، مما أسفر عن سقوط بعض الشظايا.

كما رصدت القوات المسلحة وتعاملت مع عدد (17) طائرة مسيّرة معادية.

وقد نتج عن هذا العدوان الإيراني الآثم استهداف المنشآت المدنية والحيوية، ومنها مطار الكويت الدولي، ما أسفر عن وفاة مقيم من الجنسية الهندية وإصابة عدد من الأشخاص، بالإضافة إلى أضرار مادية جسيمة.

ونتقدم بخالص التعازي والمواساة إلى أسرة المتوفى وذويه، ونتمنى الشفاء العاجل لجميع المصابين.

ونهيب بالإخوة المواطنين والمقيمين عدم الإقتراب و التصوير و نشر و تداول أي صور أومقاطع فيديو للمواقع المتضررة أو مواقع سقوط الشظايا ومخلفات عمليات الاعتراض عبر وسائل التواصل الاجتماعي، حرصاً على الأمن والسلامة العامة.

كما نؤكد أهمية التقيد بتعليمات الأمن والسلامة الصادرة عن الجهات المختصة، واستقاء المعلومات من المصادر الرسمية المعتمدة.

وتؤكد القوات المسلحة استمرارها في أداء مهامها بكامل الجاهزية والإستعداد، وبالتنسيق مع الجهات المعنية في الدولة، لاتخاذ كافة الإجراءات اللازمة للحفاظ على أمن البلاد وسلامة المواطنين والمقيمين.

#الجيش_الكويتي

[Mostafa Salem @MostafaSalemCNN]

Oman Maritime Security Center warns ships and fishermen of an object suspected to be a sea mine in the Strait of Hormuz.

[مركز الأمن البحري| MARITIME SECURITY CENTRE @OMAN_MSC]

#تنبيه

نظرا لرصد جسم طاف يُشتبه بأنَّه لغم بحري غرب منطقة المرور الساحلي بمضيق هرمز ضمن البحر الإقليمي العماني، يهيب مركز الأمن البحري بجميع مرتادي البحر والصيادين والسفن توخي أقصى درجات الحيطة والحذر أثناء الإبحار، والابتعاد عن أي أجسام مشبوهة والابلاغ عنها فورًا للجهات المختصة.

[Mostafa Salem @MostafaSalemCNN]

More here: https://t.co/FFSrSmp2up

[Mostafa Salem @MostafaSalemCNN]

A diplomatic source tells me "intense talks" on the details of an agreement to end the conflict have been ongoing in Qatar since this morning and are still continuing. Negotiations have been taking place between Qatari mediators and the Iranian delegation in coordination with the US, the source said.

[Mostafa Salem @MostafaSalemCNN]

Among the topics expected to be discussed are Iran’s frozen funds, which are addressed in the memorandum of understanding currently being negotiated between Washington and Tehran and would form part of any final agreement, the diplomat added.

[Mostafa Salem @MostafaSalemCNN]

Iranian negotiators in Doha: The focus of the Iranian delegation’s visit is to discuss issues related to the Strait of Hormuz and highly enriched uranium, the source said. Iran’s Central Bank Governor Abdolnaser Hemmati is also part of the delegation, the diplomat said.

[Mostafa Salem @MostafaSalemCNN]

New: Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Doha earlier today for talks on ongoing efforts to end the conflict, according to a diplomatic source briefed on the visit.

[Mostafa Salem @MostafaSalemCNN]

More here: https://t.co/byeZkfrC3n

[Mostafa Salem @MostafaSalemCNN]

Iran doesn't want to describe the fees imposed on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz as a "toll," instead, its seeking to charge ships fees for “services” that will be provided, including for navigation and environmental protection, as per the Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson.

[Mostafa Salem @MostafaSalemCNN]

The UAE denies that Israeli PM Netanyahu visited the country.

[Afra Al Hameli @AfraMalHameli]

UAE Denies Reports Regarding Visit by Israeli Prime Minister or Receiving Any Israeli Military Delegation

The United Arab Emirates denies reports circulating regarding an alleged visit by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the UAE, or receiving any Israeli military delegation in the country.

The UAE reaffirms that its relations with Israel are public and conducted within the framework of the well-known and officially declared Abraham Accords, and are not based on non-transparent or unofficial arrangements. Accordingly, any claims regarding unannounced visits or undisclosed arrangements are entirely unfounded unless officially announced by the relevant authorities in the UAE.

The UAE calls on media outlets to exercise accuracy and professionalism, and to refrain from circulating unverified information or promoting misleading political narratives.

[Mostafa Salem @MostafaSalemCNN]

Read more on what Trump called Iran's "Garbage" proposal: https://t.co/Wge1aPmCu8

[Mostafa Salem @MostafaSalemCNN]

The US waited 10 days for Iran’s response to its framework for ending the war. When Tehran’s demands arrived, the Iranians signaled that the Islamic Republic remains intent on extracting victory despite President Donald Trump’s push for regime surrender.

The deadlock stems from differing priorities, with Trump seeking what one analyst said was a “quick and easy” triumph that includes immediate concessions on Iran’s nuclear program, while Tehran is determined to delay those demands and snag its own concessions first.

“There’s a clash of perception,” said @SanamVakil , “We’re in a standoff because President Trump doesn’t understand why these guys are not making a deal to save themselves.”

“They will not give him concessions at the start of the agreement because they don’t trust him,” Vakil said, adding that the Iranians have been “personally burnt by him.”

[Sophia Saifi @SophiaSaifi]

My colleague @MostafaSalemCNN has been doing some excellent reporting on the nuance around the ongoing negotiations

[Gregory Brew @gbrew24]

The Paydari Front finally makes it into Western media.

Good breakdown of Iran's ultra-hardliner faction from @CNN. https://t.co/hFDdzo0b2y

[Zachary Cohen @ZcohenCNN]

New: US intel assesses that Iran’s new Supreme Leader is playing a key role in shaping the country's war/negotiation strategy alongside other senior officials, sources tell me, @NatashaBertrand & @jimsciutto.

Uncertainty around Khamenei’s status also leaves open the possibility of a scenario one source characterized as: “Wizard of Oz, meets Weekend at Bernie’s.”

https://t.co/eQwpr3rO4X

[Mohammad Ali Shabani @mashabani]

Told @CNN:

Fringe radicals in Iran are triggering cross-factional pushback. Even Kayhan, a hardliner bastion, has lashed out at their effort to stir division.

The underlying contention is not over whether to do a deal with Trump, but the tactics and who gets to make the deal.

[Mohammad Ali Shabani @mashabani]

This characterization of internal dynamics in Iran is inaccurate. Fringe radicals are making noise, but there's cross-factional unity on dialogue.

Key stumbling block is gap between Iranian and US positions, Trump's tendency to change goalposts, and the US repeatedly launching attacks in the middle of negotiations.

This is all creating a general sense in Tehran of a lasting deal with Trump being unlikely. Even if something signed, the US president is not perceived as reliable nor trusted to honor his word.

[CNN @CNN]

As negotiations between the United States and Iran enter a critical stage, a small but influential hardline faction has intensified efforts to sabotage a potential deal with Washington, fueling President Donald Trump's claims of divisions within the Islamic Republic. https://t.co/lNnv6hfe9I

[Mostafa Salem @MostafaSalemCNN]

https://t.co/b0danPBrhy

[Mostafa Salem @MostafaSalemCNN]

As negotiations between the US and Iran enter a critical stage, a small but influential Iranian hardline faction has intensified efforts to sabotage a potential deal with Washington, fuelling President Donald Trump’s claims of divisions within the Islamic Republic.

Iran’s new leaders have projected unity in the face of the gravest existential threat the regime has faced, yet the ultra-hardline group has ramped up efforts across the media, in parliament and on the streets to advocate against an agreement with the US, arguing that only by defeating Washington can Iran secure a favorable deal.

[Mostafa Salem @MostafaSalemCNN]

Known as “Jebhe-ye Paydari” – or the Endurance Front – its members are often described by observers as “Super Revolutionaries” who view themselves as guardians of the values of the 1979 revolution that overthrew the pro-Western Shah before imposing an authoritarian regime rooted in Shia Islamist ideology.

With excellent analysis from @mashabani and @HamidRezaAz on the goals of the group. And great editing by @allawati