Rezaee in another interview for state TV today. A few takeaways: -acknowledges that Araghchi communicated with the US via intermediaries at UNGA, indicated that it was deemed appropriate that Araghchi should communicate Iran's terms for reopening the strait. -Reiterates that there are seven conditions (doesn't say explicitly what they are); there will be no negotiations and no reopening of the strait until these conditions are met. -dismisses Trump's UN speech as the words "of a defeated criminal," says that Iran is prepared for US escalation and mentions Kolang/Pickaxe Mt as a potential target (other military officials have done the same in recent days). -urges regional states not to comply with US pressure to cancel Iranian flights, warns of retaliation if they do. -trumpets the capture of a US undersea drone, says the technology is being reverse-engineered and will be sold to foreign customers.

Trump made some comments yesterday suggesting Iran was "desperate" for a deal. Likely his typical exaggeration...but notable that Rezaee essentially confirmed that Iran has communicated terms to the US (and has not, it would seem, given up on negotiations).

Rezaee to Al Jazeera: We have sent our conditions for a deal to the US via Qatar. We await a reply. We are prepared for a "decisive war." We remain committed to the martyred Leader's fatwa re: nuclear weapons. But our position could change.

"In some private conversation with advisers, Trump has signaled that he understands his decisions on the war have contributed to the especially poor political environment his party faces."

With benefit of hindsight, it does appear as though Iran was pushing its luck back in July, when it resumed attacks on shipping in the southern route. The Iranian calculation was that it was necessary to maintain effective control over Hormuz flows. The result: the MOU is dead, the blockade is back in place, and the US is succeeding (to a partial, but notable extent) at reopening the strait without another deal. Perhaps the status quo swings back in Iran's favor, but right now this looks like a miscalculation to me.

Trump doesn't want to go back to the MOU. The Iranians won't end their attacks on shipping without the MOU, plus a deal that acknowledges their control over the strait. Both sides are digging in. The mediators are making an effort, but so far, there's been little progress.

This piece implies the US govt is pursuing ownership of Venezuelan oil reserves. Such a thing is without precedent, the closest thing would be BP (back when it was majority owned by the UK govt) claiming ownership of Iraqi and Iranian oil reserves pre-WWII.

It's been an eerily quiet week. No resumption of US strikes on Iran. Iran and the Houthis are continuing to attack shipping, disrupting regional crude flows. But it's making fewer headlines. No public progress in diplomacy (though I'm told mediators continue to be active).