Iran and the US are talking low-key


The US has reportedly been conducting secret talks with Iran to restrict the country’s nuclear program and free detained US citizens.

The talks, aimed at a “political ceasefire”, are a last-ditch attempt at nuclear diplomacy after formal negotiations collapsed last year.

If agreed, Iran will:

  • not enrich uranium beyond 60% purity (90% is weapons-grade)
  • not sell ballistic missiles to Russia, and
  • return to cooperation with the international nuclear watchdog.

In exchange, the US is basically promising not to ramp up pressure on Iran any further.

Intrigue’s take: This all effectively amounts to a nuclear pinky promise. So then what’s the big deal?

  1. The US and Iran are still talking, despite decades without formal ties, and after countless failed talks, and
  2. Iran’s rapid nuclear development could still be halted, after years of spooking its neighbours and the broader international community.

Also worth noting:

Latest Author Articles
Water is the new oil

When it comes to liquids and geopolitics, oil is like Alec Baldwin getting all the glory for 30 Rock, while poor lil’ brother Stephen (water) cranks out under-loved hits like Bio-Dome. So let’s right that wrong via three intriguing water tales you should know:  With rainfall 85% below average and key reservoirs now circling the […]

21 November, 2025
Ukraine’s fighting a war on two fronts

We’ve kept you in the loop as Ukraine still barely holds on to key towns like Pokrovsk, despite Putin burning staggering numbers of casualties there. But Ukraine’s Zelensky is also grappling with two threats a little closer to home. One is the White House’s periodic flirting with the idea of imposing a direct Kremlin deal […]

20 November, 2025
The UN backs Trump’s Gaza plan – will it work?

After weeks of haggling, the UN Security Council (UNSC) has approved the US-led plan for post-war Gaza, with 13 in favour, two abstentions (Russia/China), and none against. In short, Resolution 2803 (2025) endorses:  The Security Council authorised it all at least through the end of 2027, with the US now hustling to get the ISF […]

19 November, 2025
The week’s five wildest spy stories

It’s Friday and we burnt all our brainpower on the week’s briefings, so you don’t get a witty intro. But you do get a wrap of the most intriguing intelligence stories, starting with… What do you buy the woman who’s already got it all: a medical degree, seven kids, competitive horse-riding cred, years as defence minister […]

14 November, 2025