We had the Iranian response to the American 14-point proposal yesterday. That was judged unacceptable by Mr. Trump ,and he said so in no uncertain blunt terms. The pundit analysis that followed contained the messaging streams in play.

The one this morning is that the Iranian response had contained a provision for a 30-day period of negotiations about the status of the enriched uranium and the future of the weapons program.

As you know, this is a reprise of what the Iranians have been doing for several decades and the success of wich has brought us to this sad passage in world events. State of play this morning? Both sides are back in their corners, looking at their gloves.

The Americans have an overwhelming military advantage. It is also quite expensive, and maintained far away on the surface of the world ocean. The Iranians have the advantage in location and time, since the US mid-term elections with a backdrop of war abroad means another clock is ticking. The Americans will have to act to cement a victory or accept the fact that the Iranians are not going away.

So, that means something will happen this week or next to remind us of the urgency in the negotiations. The Iranian are playing for time.

So are we.

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