Backchannel: Inside The New Iran Crisis
While headlines focused on President Donald Trump warning Iran that the clock is ticking, a regional scramble is now underway behind the scenes. President Trump stopped an imminent resumption of the war on Iran on Tuesday following a request by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar to give last-ditch peace efforts a chance.
Backchannel: Inside The New Iran Crisis
The Quiet Scramble Around Iran: Trump's Warning, Gulf Anxiety, And The New Middle East Taking Shape.
Welcome to BACKCHANNEL, a newsletter by American Jewish Congress.
While headlines focused on President Donald Trump warning Iran that the "clock is ticking," a regional scramble is now underway behind the scenes.
President Trump stopped an imminent resumption of the war on Iran on Tuesday following a request by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) and Qatar to give last-ditch peace efforts a chance.
Meanwhile, Iranian state TV is offering live classes on how to use personal firearms, hoping citizens will step up to defend the regime in case of war, while the Pakistani interior minister returned to Tehran after spending much of the weekend and early this week there—reportedly without a formal Iranian invitation—hoping to persuade the regime to accept American demands.
Iran's Latest Offer
Iran's latest proposal, according to leaks aired by Saudi outlet Al Arabiya citing Iranian official sources, appears designed to secure sanctions relief, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and lock in a long ceasefire now, while pushing any real negotiations over missiles, proxy militias, and the nuclear program into the future.
Iran State TV Teaches Combat To Citizens
Iranian state TV has begun airing civilian combat tutorials, including weapons training using what appears to be East German-made MPi-KMS rifles.
A Glimpse Into Saudi Thinking
One of the clearest windows into current Saudi thinking came not from officials, but from Faisal J. Abbas, editor-in-chief of Arab News. Riyadh's immediate priority is reopening the Strait of Hormuz and preventing regional economic disruption. Only afterward would broader discussions resume on Iran's missile program, proxy militias, and long-term regional security arrangements.
Iran's Regional Pressure Network Remains Active
Even as diplomacy continues, the region is being reminded why Gulf states remain deeply skeptical of Iran's intentions. Over the weekend, Iranian-aligned militias attacked the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia; Iraqi militias threatened Kuwait; Iranian state-affiliated media figures openly discussed calls for violence against President Trump. For Gulf Arab states, this is not an abstract debate. It is a security reality they have lived through directly.