For whose interests is Witkoff working? Does he have any idea of the beliefs or goals of the people with whom he is dealing in Iran? Can you imagine Hitler and Himmler sending a message to Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1944, asking him to postpone the D-Day invasion? Can you imagine FDR complying? It is wholly unclear what is going on here, and a U.S. war against Iran or ground troops in that country would be to no one’s advantage, but Trump did promise help to the Iranian protesters, and instead, he seems to have backed down at the behest of those who are persecuting those protesters.
“Israel officials frustrated with Witkoff’s Iran diplomacy push,” by Danny Zaken, Israel Hayom, January 26, 2026:
In one season of the American television series Homeland, the protagonists, Carrie and Saul, attempt to convince the newly elected president that Israel is deceiving the administration by claiming Iran is violating the nuclear agreement. Under this fictional theory, elements within the administration, particularly in the State Department, treat intelligence coming from Israel with excessive suspicion.
At the highest levels in Israel, there are officials who argue that this mindset has, to some extent, been adopted by President Trump’s envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
A senior Israeli official confirmed that Witkoff is serving as the intermediary with Iran. “Witkoff brought Trump a WhatsApp message from Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, along with a written assurance from President Masoud Pezeshkian, in order to persuade him to postpone the strike,” the official said.
This may not have been the sole reason for the delay, as preparations for a major operation were not fully complete two weeks ago, but it did influence the president’s mood. “Even now, as intelligence and testimonies from Iranians reach Israel and intelligence agencies in other countries in the region, as well as the US itself, Witkoff continues to push for a diplomatic route to resolve the Iran problem,” the senior Israeli official said, expressing clear frustration….
࿗Infidel࿘ says
The islamic republicans want Trump to postpone the strike? In other words, when exactly do the islamic republicans want it done?
I’ve stopped trying to guess what is on Trump’s mind
GE says
Me too, Infidel
James Lincoln says
Infidel,
As far as I can ascertain, US carrier battle groups are on station according to CENTCOM – and can immediately attack Iran as soon as the orders are given.
This is a one-time opportunity.
OLD GUY says
I think Trump does not want to start a war as the Democrats would have a heyday in the media if he did.
Kosh's Shadow says
Witqataroff should be charged with being an unregistered foreign agent of Qatar
somehistory says
They are not ‘suing for peace.’ They are stalling for time. And the witless koff is so very obliging….like j kerry was when he was supposed to be working for the U.S. while actually working on behalf of iran.
gravenimage says
Spot on, Somehistory.
cornelius says
Maybe I’m not very imaginative, but I’m wondering what effect a strike on Iran would have now that the protests have been quelled? Will doing so facilitate the downfall of the regime? Highly unlikely. But given the antipathy towards Trump felt by so many in America and around the world, such a course might just garner sympathy for Iran and add to the growing conviction that Trump is reckless and dangerous.
I despise the Islamic Republic and will celebrate as enthusiastically when it falls as I did when the East European Communist dictatorships collapsed in 1989. But I return to the immediate question: How is a military strike on Iran going to facilitate the downfall of the regime?….(if it actually happens, I’ll plead ignorance and jump for joy).
I recognize that Trump is a problem-solver and certainly not one for the faint-hearted, but I get the distinct impression that even sympathetic Americans are beginning to suffer from Trump fatigue. Though I support most of his policies, I can’t stand to listen to his spiel for more than 45 seconds. As for Iran, he should never have threatened it when he was in no position to back those threats up.
IMHO, we need to wind things down a bit, emphasize the remarkable successes of his first year – an unprecedented drop in crime and an historic low in border crossings, not to mention over 2 million self-deportations. If we have a clear-cut plan of ridding the planet of the Islamic Republic, I’m all ears. But for now, it just seems like too little, too late.
࿗Infidel࿘ says
The protests haven’t been “quelled” per se: the protesters have simply paused until something else changes. But Khamenei going underground does signify that all’s not well w/ the regime. The viewership of their broadcast TV has fallen to 12%, while they’re slow in getting their normal internet services up, given the number of dependencies their network has: it’s not a mesh like a lot of other countries’
I think it’ll be like Baghdad in 2003: the day after Saddam’s overthrow, there was a day of quiet, and then everybody flooded the streets. It would be similar, except that this time, there is a transition plan in place by Iranians, coordinated w/ Reza Pahlavi. Hopefully that is successful in restoring a semblance of normalcy in Iran, so that other things can proceed
I do agree w/ you that Trump should never have threatened Iran, but just given Israel the go-ahead to support the Iranians in toppling the regime. It would have been done by now. Except that he’s never one to pass up the opportunity for sabre-rattling, even if he doesn’t mean it. However, it’s not gonna be just US who’ll determine the fate of the islamic regime
Hank says
“transition plan in place by Iranians, coordinated w/ Reza Pahlavi”
I think that is the key if they are ever to get rid of the jihadist takeover of Iran and hopefully Islam itself (the origin of the evil). I understand Israels great frustration with all the delay.
Reza Pahlavi should be giving direction, instructions and coordinates by now, instead of a delay, as he is in close contact with the people demonstrating on the ground. No need for boots on the ground as the people are paying with their lives and seriously wanting to get rid of the Islamic takeover and oppression of Iran since 1979.
“Few men have virtue to withstand the highest bidder” -George Washington
Westman says
Bad timing.
The shadow government wants continuous enemies to justify the war machine and its funding. It’s just planned obsolescence in another form. The idea is continual threats, short of war, is best for the wallets of arms manufacturers and politicians. Hot war means American deaths, protests, college grads discovering maps, and questions about weapons that don’t meet their specifications.
Karen Dowden says
Witkoff is totally out of his league. It is laughable. I do not understand how he is still in the position. How can Trump still have him there? However the entire administration does not understand Islam and will continue making bad decisions as regards Islamic situations unless or until they get a boy /bodies in there who know and can guide them accordingly. Very sad!
jerry glenn says
USA surges in the international Islamopandering derby.
gravenimage says
‘Witkoff brought Trump a message from Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi to persuade him to postpone the strike’
For whose interests is Witkoff working?
……………………………………….
Damn good question…