US-Iran Meeting Talks Fell Through Before Trump's Planned Strikes

Potential US-Iran Talks in Istanbul

• 💡 Axios reporting indicates that Turkish President Erdogan proposed direct talks between the US and Iran in Istanbul.
• 🤝 Donald Trump agreed to the meeting and was prepared to send representatives, including JD Vance and special envoy Steve Wickoff, even suggesting he might attend himself.
• ❌ The meeting ultimately fell through because the Iranians could not get sign-off from their Supreme Leader, who is reportedly in hiding and avoiding electronic devices.

Iranian Leadership and Communication

• 👤 The Iranian President and Foreign Minister were willing to attend the Istanbul meeting, but it required approval from the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
• 🔒 Khamenei's alleged hiding and avoidance of electronic devices due to assassination fears limited communication to a close advisor.

European Involvement and Negotiations

• 🇬🇧 British officials met with Marco Rubio to discuss interaction strategies before a meeting in Geneva.
• 🇪🇺 During discussions in Geneva between Europeans and Iranians, it became clear to the Americans that the Iranians were not negotiating in good faith.
• ⚠️ The Iranian red line was that they would only talk to the US after the US had instructed Israel to cease air strikes, a condition Donald Trump publicly rejected.