the orange man continues to play checkers as the persians are moving their chess pieces. cheeto gives them the 'ole ultimato'; 

 

The US is back to setting deadlines, coupled with new military threats, apparently. Judging by this week, which marked a dangerous return to guns-a-blazing in the Persian Gulf, it seems Trump is ready to back these warnings with new bombing raids. The only question will be the extent to which the Islamic Republic escalates in return. So far it has shown willingness to ‘answer’ US attacks with its own missile and drone launches, against US and allied bases and facilities among the Arab Gulf states.

Axios newly reports (…just after market-closing on Friday, it should be noted), that if Tehran doesn’t declare the complete opening of the Strait of Hormuz and safe passage to all ships by close of Saturday, then the… or else!

“The Trump administration is demanding that Iran publicly acknowledge that the Strait of Hormuz is open and pledge to stop firing on commercial ships,” the report says. The US has also renewed calls for Iran to immediately hand over its “nuclear dust” – amid the warnings. Axios reports the message was conveyed “directly” and “through regional mediators” – citing three officials............more.........