Jan. 13 – Nuclear talks between Iran and three European countries

Iran will hold another round of nuclear discussions on?Monday?with France, Germany and the United Kingdom.

What’s happened so far? The talks between the three countries, which were signatories to the Iran nuclear deal, and Tehran come just days before the inauguration of President Donald Trump, the?person responsible for the death?of the nuclear deal back in 2018. Efforts under President Joe Biden to return the United States to the agreement ultimately failed, leaving the status quo of stringent U.S. sanctions on Iran in place, while Tehran?steadily escalates and expands its nuclear program.

The impact? Talks between the three European signatories and Tehran?have been ongoing?as the sides prepare to navigate another Trump presidency, particularly as it pertains to Iran. Trump’s transition team and the Iran hawks he has nominated for key foreign policy positions are now?reportedly mulling direct airstrikes?on Iranian nuclear facilities, seizing upon?Iran’s weakened regional position, expanded nuclear program and the aftermath of a?spate of Israeli airstrikes that appear to have?significantly degraded Iranian air defense networks and missile production. With a United States return to Iran nuclear deal compliance highly unlikely as Tehran expands its stockpile of near-weapons grade enriched uranium, the high tensions that existed throughout the duration of the first Trump presidency appear likely to resume.

This week's Factal Forecast includes more of next week's news, including;

• Jan. 12 – Comoros to hold parliamentary elections
• Jan. 14 – Confirmation hearings begin for Trump defense secretary nominee
• Jan. 16 – Vanuatu snap election
• Jan. 17 – Iranian president visits Moscow

Plus, deep dives into the LA wildfires, Moldova's energy crisis, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau resigning.

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