Putin Meets Iran Envoy, Discusses Gas Pipeline Amid US-Iran Tensions

Rezaei, a prominent figure in the Iranian regime and former commander of the Revolutionary Guards, delivered a personal message from Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei to Putin. Rezaei stated that Putin "strongly condemned" attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities and pledged to work towards ending the conflict. Beyond security matters, the two leaders discussed establishing gas pipelines connecting Russia and Iran.

However, Rezaei clarified to Al-Mayadeen that Iran has no intention of compromising on the Strait of Hormuz, which will remain closed until Iran's conditions are met. Meanwhile, in Washington, the Republican party's midterm election defeat has caused significant turmoil. Vice President J.D. Vance attributed the loss primarily to the war in Iran, alongside the cost of living crisis and policies concerning Israel.

Former President Trump agreed with this assessment, acknowledging that the war had raised fuel prices but asserting that the campaign was "worth it" to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, stating he would make the same decision again. Despite acknowledging the political cost, White House officials speaking to Reuters warned that a U.S. strike against Iran remains a possibility, and may even be closer now. They indicated that Trump was recently briefed on military options by CENTCOM.

"The President has nothing to lose politically now," one senior American official told The New York Times, with another adding, "Don't listen to public statements, he plans to bomb Iran and waited until after the elections." While U.S. intelligence estimates that such strikes would not topple the regime or significantly alter Iran's negotiating stance, Israeli officials are taking the threats seriously. Sources in Israel emphasize that the IDF is fully preparing for a resumption of hostilities, noting that Trump is unpredictable and might attack now to project strength.