Michael D. Shear in NYT: ‘The world is on edge. One minute, President Trump says the war in Iran is nearly over. The next he says it will continue for weeks. (…) A huge bombardment, he says, might begin in five days, or 10 days, or on Tuesday at precisely 8 p.m. Eastern.
If the president means what he says, the world could be about 24 hours from a devastating escalation in the war.’

And: ‘In Japan, which is deeply reliant on oil imports from the Middle East, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said on Monday that she would seek direct talks with the Iranian government as soon as Wednesday.’

Pakistan proposed a 45-day ceasefire and a reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

According to newspaper reports, both Iran and the US believe they are winning the war.

Winning, also, is in the eye of the beholder.

(a sf 2098)