Lebanon, Hormuz, nuclear enrichment, Iran's regional allies, and sanctions relief make the U.S.-Iran talks look iffi:

• The Five Big Sticking Points in US-Iran Talks (BBC)
• World Leaders Push to Save Iran Talks Amid Israel’s Attacks in Lebanon (NY Times)
• JD Vance Dispatched to Negotiate Iran Peace with Few Cards to Play (The Guardian)

"The initial round of talks [between Israel and Lebanon] will be largely preparatory, meaning a final settlement to end the war in Lebanon is not expected imminently":

• Israel and Lebanon Plan Talks in Washington as War Threatens U.S.-Iran Deal (NY Times)

"Advocates for the detained Americans — there are believed to be at least six in Iranian custody ... [hope that] they will be freed as a goodwill gesture from Tehran":

• U.S. Negotiators to Ask Iran to Release Detained Americans (Washington Post)

Prices are "up 0.9% compared with last month and 3.3% over the year, according to new data released on Friday":

• US Inflation Soars in March as War on Iran Drives Economy into Uncertainty (The Guardian)

Israeli war crimes continue:

• At Least Seven Palestinians Killed in Israeli Attacks on Gaza (Aljazeera)

"The Witkoff connection is ... another example of how the Trump crew is mixing business—their personal financial business—with US foreign policy":

• The Bizarre Connection Between Iran Negotiations and Trump’s Crypto Firm (Mother Jones)

"Hegseth’s distinct combination of piety and bloodlust was most prominently on display at the 25 March worship service at the Pentagon, the first since the war in Iran began, when he prayed for 'overwhelming violence of action against those who deserve no mercy'":

• Pete Hegseth’s Holy War: the Militant Christian Theology Animating the US Attack on Iran (The Guardian)

---

Email any questions or comments to mfi@minaret.org.