Diva Diplomatic

Sun, 15 Mar 2026 23:32:07 +0000

Day 16 of the US-Israel war on Iran.

The US president says he is not content with a deal proposed by the Iranians to stop the war. However, the Iranian Foreign Minister states that there are no on-going talks and definitely no discussions regarding a ceasefire. The nightmare continues.

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Sat, 14 Mar 2026 22:18:09 +0000

Day 15 of the US-Israel war on Iran.

In yet another about turn, after declaring that the US had “obliterated” the Iranian military, the US president has appealed to allies to provide war ships to defend commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. NB there are no US warships in the Strait..

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Fri, 13 Mar 2026 17:23:08 +0000

Day 14 of the US-Israel war on Iran.

Media reports stated earlier in the war that Ukraine was assisting the US in dealing with drone attacks. So to hear that the US is temporarily allowing countries to buy Russian oil is a kick in the teeth. Whatever way you look at it, this is a hot mess.

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Thu, 12 Mar 2026 22:38:53 +0000

Day 13 of the US-Israel war on Iran.

Although we did not see him, & we did not hear his voice, the new Iranian leader’s words about the Strait of Hormuz were defiant: Iran will continue to target the shipping lane where 20% of the world’s oil passes through. Over to you, 47 & Bibi…

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Wed, 11 Mar 2026 21:00:50 +0000

Iran has claimed responsibility for attacking vessels in the Strait of Hormuz on day 12 of the US-Israel war on Iran. The US president’s proposal of providing additional insurance for shipping will all be for nought if crews refuse to work in a conflict zone though.

The war continues.

070/365

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 16:50:15 +0000

The usual pattern of confusion and ambiguity continues: the US president and his Secretary of Defence state that the war is “ahead of schedule” and that it might end soon; but also that it might carry on. It would seem that stock markets & oil prices will determine what happens next.

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Mon, 09 Mar 2026 17:19:37 +0000

On 7 March, from Air Force One, the US president stated that Iran was responsible for bombing a school in Tehran on the first day of the war. However, it appears that a Tomahawk missile caused the death of over 160 people. The Iranians & the Israelis do not have Tomahawk missiles…

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Sun, 08 Mar 2026 14:05:56 +0000

At one point last week, the US president urged the Kurds to get involved in the US and Israel’s war with Iran. YIKES! However by 7 March, he had rowed back from his deeply problematic suggestion. Yet again, tRump spouts off without thinking, without considering the consequences.

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Sat, 07 Mar 2026 21:43:14 +0000

Not really sure why the US president is railing against the British Prime Minister - again! - because as far as I am aware, the UK government is maintaining its stance that it will only engage in defensive action in the Middle East.

Most Britons support Starmer’s approach.

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Fri, 06 Mar 2026 21:05:01 +0000

So the president of the United States no longer wants a negotiated end to this illegal war; only an unconditional surrender from Iran will suffice. Meanwhile there are reports that over a thousand Iranian civilians have been killed. And this is only day seven…

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Thu, 05 Mar 2026 22:13:40 +0000

Wait - WHAT?! tRump says he wants to be personally involved in selecting the next leader in Iran. Just copy and paste from the actions in Venezuela then… It would be amusing if it wasn’t so awful for absolutely everyone.

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Wed, 04 Mar 2026 19:18:43 +0000

Ambiguity and confusion continue regarding the war with Iran. The British Prime Minister reiterates that he has concerns about the legality of the war and the viability of a “day after” plan.

Kudos also to the PM of Spain for his confidence in dealing with the Orange Monster.

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Tue, 03 Mar 2026 17:24:36 +0000

According to the US president, the UK - US relationship is “in peril” because the British Prime Minister did not immediately agree that UK bases could be used to launch strikes on Iran.

It is not a special relationship, it has always been toxic.

Spain is in the president’s crosshairs too.

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Mon, 02 Mar 2026 23:50:50 +0000

Despite what was said yesterday, that the war with Iran was all about regime change, today the US administration is stating that “Iran posed an imminent threat” to the US. We can only speculate what they will say tomorrow, Inshallah…

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Sun, 01 Mar 2026 22:01:14 +0000

So it seems that the US and Israel have regime change as their top priority in the war with Iran. From air bombardment alone…

Off ramps are already being discussed; but a lack of trust among the parties will make a diplomatic solution almost impossible to achieve.

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Sat, 28 Feb 2026 20:23:39 +0000

So here we are. Again.

US and Israel launched attacks on Iran, but there has not been any compelling arguments regarding why this is happening NOW. Iran has retaliated with strikes in the region. At this time, it is not yet confirmed if the Iranian leader has been killed.

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Fri, 27 Feb 2026 21:39:25 +0000

It does not bode well that diplomatic missions are drawing down some staff in embassies in Tehran and Tel Aviv. Travel advice for ex pats and visitors has also been strengthened.

Diplomatic careers can be tough on families in turbulent times and in hostile environments.

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Thu, 26 Feb 2026 22:43:45 +0000

Diplomats in Geneva are stating that the Iran talks in Geneva were a “reprieve” and that the next round will be as soon as next week. This is positive news. The military build up in the region continues. That’s the not so positive news. Extended deployments are not good for morale either.

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Wed, 25 Feb 2026 19:36:51 +0000

The State of the Union address on 24 February included lines that Iran was building missiles that would “soon reach the United States”. Really not sure whether this is accurate or not, but this sets the tone for the next round of negotiations in Geneva on 26 February.

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Tue, 24 Feb 2026 21:08:44 +0000

Russia’s war with Ukraine enters its fifth year today. We all remember when, on the campaign trail, tRump said he would end this conflict within 24 hours as president. The only winner will be Putin if US pressure on Ukraine to capitulate prevails. The art of the deal? GTFO

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Mon, 23 Feb 2026 23:55:40 +0000

Evacuating non-essential staff from the US Embassy in Beirut is a worrying development. While core functions of a diplomatic mission will continue, business as usual won’t be possible.

Evacuations can be deeply unsettling for diplomats as they won’t know if they will be able to return.

054/365

Sun, 22 Feb 2026 23:46:08 +0000

With the upcoming State of the Union address this week, it will be interesting to see if there will be breakthroughs in the Middle East and in Ukraine; or if there will be more attacks and increased tension in these theatres.

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Sat, 21 Feb 2026 20:09:47 +0000

The US’ trading partners expected POTUS to continue with tariffs as a diplomatic weapon. Diplomats around the world will be shaking their heads, waiting for instructions.

Like the military build up in the Middle East, this “flexing of muscles” by the US is dangerous for all concerned.

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Fri, 20 Feb 2026 22:36:56 +0000

No surprise at all that POTUS responded in this way to SCOTUS’ ruling on the administration’s sweeping global tariffs. Throwing tariffs around as a diplomatic tool has been as subtle as a punch in the face.

Trading partners & diplomats will need to deal with his doubling down. Tiring

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Thu, 19 Feb 2026 20:33:07 +0000

Diplomats in various locations around the world are surely suffering from whiplash - again - as the US president takes to social media to criticise the UK’s lease deal with Mauritius over the Chagos Islands.

We have been here before; no doubt the president will change his views. Again.

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