[투나잇이슈] 미·이란 '첫 대면 협상' 가능성…중동사태 분수령 / 연합뉴스TV (YonhapnewsTV)

[Guests: Ban Gil-ju, Professor at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy; Kim Dae-young, Research Fellow at the Korea Institute for National Strategy] Foreign media reports have emerged stating that the United States has set a target to end the war with Iran by April 9. It appears that face-to-face talks between the two countries will be held in Pakistan, a third country, as early as the latter half of this week. We will discuss this in detail with Professor Ban Gil-ju of the Korea National Diplomatic Academy and Research Fellow Kim Dae-young of the Korea Institute for National Strategy. We will discuss this in more detail with the two guests. [Question 1] The situation in the Middle East appears to be entering a negotiation phase. U.S. President Trump stated that if both sides reach an agreement on the abandonment of nuclear weapons and other matters, they both desire a settlement. Although Iran has denied the existence of negotiations, reports have emerged that talks could be held in Pakistan as early as this week. While President Trump demanded "unconditional surrender" at the very beginning of the war, his current pursuit of peace talks is interpreted as a significant retreat from his earlier goal. [Question 2] However, there are various interpretations regarding President Trump's true intentions. Some interpret this as merely a strategy to buy time. The argument is that it is intended to buy time until additional troops can assemble in the Middle East and launch a large-scale operation. What is your opinion on this? [Question 3] Although U.S. President Trump is pushing for negotiations with Iran, analysis suggests that the outcome is uncertain due to the uncertainty regarding the representativeness of the negotiating partner. Given that Iran's Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has not yet made a single public appearance, if the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament negotiates with the U.S., is it possible to achieve results? [Question 4] It is reported that President Trump presented "15 demands," including the abandonment of nuclear weapons, in relation to dialogue with Iran. Furthermore, regarding the Strait of Hormuz issue, his remark that "I and the Ayatollah can jointly control it" is interpreted as an acknowledgment of the Iran led by Mojtaba. [Question 5] While the U.S. military is moving approximately 5,000 Marines toward Iran, it is reported that they are also considering deploying about 3,000 elite airborne troops. The New York Times predicted that these troops would be deployed in an operation to seize Kharg Island, a key base for Iranian oil exports. If the U.S. seizes Kharg Island, it appears it will serve as leverage to pressure Iran into lifting the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. [Question 6] On the other hand, foreign media reports indicate that some Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, are moving toward gradually becoming involved in the war with Iran. Although they kept their distance from the Middle East conflict at the beginning of the war, it appears that Iran's continued attacks and the expansion of its control over the Strait of Hormuz have fueled their decision to respond with a hardline stance. ▣ Subscribe to 'Docu-Digging,' Yonhap News TV's specialized documentary channel    / @docu-digging   ▣ Subscribe to Yonhap News TV YouTube Channel    / @yonhapnewstv23   ▣ The Beginning of Korean News, Yonhap News TV / Yonhap News TV http://www.yonhapnewstv.co.kr/