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
The Russian asset debate dividing Europe

On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me… $245B in frozen Russian assets.  It’s an unauthorised carol remix, but it cuts to the heart of a debate now splitting Europe. So here’s what you need to know.  Stay on top of your world from inside your inbox. Subscribe for free today […]

19 December, 2025
A spy chief’s dark outlook

Speeches are usually meant to congratulate, celebrate, or commemorate. Unless you’re the boss of Britain’s famed MI6 intelligence agency, Blaise Metreweli, who used her highly-anticipated speech on Monday to issue a pretty grim wake-up call. Here’s what she had to say… Stay on top of your world from inside your inbox. Subscribe for free today […]

17 December, 2025
Why a Belarusian dictator is involved in negotiations for Maduro’s departure

Two crucial but seemingly unconnected things happened this week: Now let’s connect some dots: Dot 1 – Tuesday 10 December: the US attorney-general publishes a video of US troops descending from a chopper onto an oil tanker, with a caption that they “executed a seizure warrant for a crude oil tanker used to transport sanctioned […]

12 December, 2025
Why this streaming mega-merger is everyone’s business

Just days after Netflix announced its $83B offer for Hollywood’s legendary Warner Bros studio, rival Paramount has now entered the fray with its own hostile $108B bid.  And we haven’t seen a better love triangle since Edward and Jacob battled it out for Bella’s heart in the Twilight saga.  But the world is now watching […]

10 December, 2025