Pentagon’s “pizza index” soars

According to Securities Times, the situation between the United States and Iran remains tense.

According to the latest news, there has been a surge in activity at pizza parlors around the Pentagon in the United States. Among them, the activity volume at District Pizza Palace, which is 1.0 miles away from the Pentagon, soared to 250%.The current “Pizza Index” (Doughcon) alert level is level 3. Some analysts believe that the booming business of pizza shops near the Pentagon in Washington seems to be related to various military and geopolitical events happening around the world.

Judging from the statements of all parties, it is still difficult to break through the deep differences between Iran and the United States on key issues such as Iran’s nuclear program and U.S. sanctions on Iran, and the “war alarm” in the Middle East has not been lifted. Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi said on the 7th that Iran will not give up uranium enrichment during negotiations with the United States, nor will it negotiate on its own missile issues. On the same day, US negotiators with Iran boarded the USS Lincoln aircraft carrier deployed in the Arabian Sea and talked with the US pilot who had previously shot down an Iranian drone.

Pentagon’s “pizza index” soars

According to news on February 8, according to the Pentagon Pizza Index tracking account Pentagon Pizza Watch, there has been a surge in activity in pizza restaurants around the Pentagon. District Pizza Palace, 1.0 miles away from the Pentagon, saw activity surge to 250%; We, The Pizza at the same distance followed with 149%; Extreme Pizza 0.5 miles away also reached 143%.

The current “Pizza Index” (Doughcon) alert level is level 3.

According to China Daily,The “Pizza Barometer” measures how busy pizza restaurants are around key U.S. government agencies. U.S. government workers often order pizza when they work overtime, and the busyness of pizza restaurants can therefore reflect the overtime situation of government departments.

Before the United States launched military operations against Venezuela, the Pentagon’s “pizza index” surged. ‌

According to Xinhua News Agency, the U.S. Central Command posted on social media on the 7th that U.S. President Trump’s special envoy Witkov, son-in-law Kushner, and Central Command Commander Brad Cooper boarded the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln deployed in the Arabian Sea that day.

Witkopf posted multiple photos on social media of his and Kushner’s visit to the USS Lincoln, saying that during the visit, he expressed his gratitude to US sailors and Marines, observed flight operations, and talked with the US pilot who shot down an Iranian drone.

The US military said that on the 3rd of this month, an F-35C stealth fighter jet taking off from the USS Lincoln aircraft carrier shot down an Iranian drone approaching the aircraft carrier.

The United States has recently continued to put pressure on Iran, deploying many warships including the USS Lincoln in the Middle East, threatening military intervention. CNN reported that Witkov and his party boarded the aircraft carrier, which clearly shows that although the United States and Iran have re-opened negotiations, the Trump administration continues to strengthen military deployment in the Middle East.

Witkov, Kushner and Cooper participated in indirect US-Iran negotiations held in Muscat, the capital of Oman, on the 6th. Trump later said that the United States and Iran would continue negotiations early next week.

Regarding the talks on the 6th, the United States also released certain positive signals, but with a stronger sense of pressure.

Trump said the two sides had “very good talks” and that the United States will negotiate with Iran again next week. But he reiterated that Iran cannot have nuclear weapons and warned that if Iran does not reach a deal, “the consequences will be very serious”.

Trump also signed an executive order threatening to impose additional tariffs on countries that trade with Iran. The U.S. State Department also announced sanctions on a number of entities, individuals and tankers related to Iran’s oil trade.

At the same time, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu will go to the United States in advance to discuss negotiations with Iran, which has also attracted attention from all parties.

The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office announced on the 7th local time that Netanyahu will go to Washington on the 11th to meet with Trump, and the two sides will focus on the Iranian nuclear negotiations.

According to previous news, Netanyahu originally planned to visit Washington from February 18 to 22.

Iran says it won’t give up uranium enrichment, missiles

According to CCTV News, Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi said in an interview during the 17th Al Jazeera Forum in Qatar on February 7 that Iran will not give up uranium enrichment during negotiations with the United States, nor will it negotiate on its own missile issues.

Araghchi stressed that a ban on uranium enrichment is not a negotiable option. Uranium enrichment is Iran’s legitimate right and must continue. Iran is ready to reach a credible agreement on uranium enrichment. He said that Iran’s main position is to oppose the transfer of uranium out of the country, but Iran is prepared to reduce the abundance of uranium. In addition, it is impossible for Iran to negotiate on missile matters now or in the future, which falls within the scope of Iran’s defense.

Araghchi also said that the possibility of war always exists and Iran is ready to prevent it. If the United States launches a military strike against Iran, Iran does not have the ability to attack the United States mainland, so Iran will attack U.S. military bases in the Middle East, which will drag the entire region into war.

Araghchi said that the day before, he had made it clear to U.S. negotiators that the United States had only two options: war or diplomacy, and Iran’s choice was diplomacy. But he also emphasized that Iran is more prepared for both options than before and hopes that the United States will choose diplomatic channels.

Araghchi pointed out that the specific time for the second round of negotiations has not yet been determined, but both sides agreed that it should be held as soon as possible. He believes that the second round of negotiations is expected to be held in the next few days.

According to a report by Iran’s Tasnim News Agency on the 7th, Mousavi, the Chief of General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, said that the Iranian Air Force is currently in the “highest state of combat readiness” and is fully coordinated with other services and is ready to “resolutely and forcefully respond to any form of threat or aggression.”

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