Articles in this Cluster
21-05-2025
The US has obtained new intelligence suggesting that Israel is preparing to strike Iranian nuclear facilities, despite the Trump administration's ongoing diplomatic efforts with Tehran. US officials caution that it's unclear if Israel has made a final decision, but indicators such as Israeli military movements and intercepted communications have heightened concerns. A potential strike could risk a broader regional conflict and would be a break with President Trump's diplomatic efforts. The Israeli government is under pressure to avoid a US-Iran deal it deems unsatisfactory while not alienating Trump. Israel lacks the capacity to destroy Iran's nuclear program without US assistance, and it's unclear if the US would provide support. The US and Iran are stuck on a demand that Tehran not enrich uranium, with Iran insisting it has a right to do so under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
21-05-2025
US Special Envoy for Hostage Response Adam Boehler dismissed a Washington Post report claiming President Trump threatened to abandon Israel unless the war ended, calling it "fake news." Boehler stated that Trump's support for Israel is "ironclad" and that the President may be speaking strongly to try to end the war. US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee also rejected the claim, saying the reporting is "nonsense." Boehler emphasized the US government's primary focus remains on securing the release of 58 hostages still held by Hamas and discussed a new US-backed aid mechanism potentially replacing the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees.
21-05-2025
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has reiterated Iran's commitment to dialogue and its desire for a civilian nuclear program as the US and Iran continue indirect negotiations on Iran's nuclear program. Pezeshkian stated that Iran is not seeking war and favors negotiation, but will not retreat from its legal rights. The US and Iran have completed four rounds of talks, but technical details such as uranium enrichment and stockpile levels remain unresolved, with Iran insisting on continuing enrichment for civilian purposes and the US calling for all enrichment to end.
21-05-2025
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has rejected US demands to halt uranium enrichment, calling them "utter nonsense." Khamenei stated that Iran will not wait for permission to pursue its nuclear policies and questioned the potential success of future nuclear talks. The comments were made amid reports of upcoming nuclear talks in Rome, although Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said a date had not been finalized due to "illogical" US positions.
21-05-2025
Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon stated that Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza will continue until all 58 hostages are released, despite international criticism from countries such as the UK, France, and Canada. Danon responded to a joint statement from these countries that condemned Israel's military operations and called for an immediate ceasefire, saying that Israel values international law but will not stop fighting until the hostages are returned. He also took issue with a UN official's accusation that Israel was committing genocide in Gaza, demanding a retraction and apology. Danon expressed frustration that the international community has not placed enough pressure on Hamas to release the hostages and supported a US-backed aid mechanism to address Gaza's humanitarian crisis.
21-05-2025
Israel's Foreign Ministry slammed the UK for halting free trade talks and imposing sanctions on the West Bank, accusing the UK of having an "anti-Israel obsession" and harming its own citizens. The UK suspended trade talks due to Israel's handling of the war in Gaza and imposed sanctions over violence by extremist Israeli settlers in the West Bank. Israel's Foreign Ministry claimed that trade talks were already stalled and that the UK's actions would harm both countries. Israel also rejected the UK's demands to allow more aid into Gaza, stating that external pressure would not divert it from defending its security.
21-05-2025
The former head of GCHQ, Sir Jeremy Fleming, has warned that the long-term impact of Israel's military offensive in Gaza will extend beyond the Middle East to "Europe and beyond". He expressed concerns that extremists may use the conflict to radicalise young people, potentially leading to homegrown terror networks in countries like the UK and US. Fleming welcomed the joint statement by the UK, France, and Canada condemning Israel's actions in Gaza, but noted it was "a little bit overdue". He also highlighted the absence of a political process as a major concern, making the situation difficult to resolve.
21-05-2025
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Russia of "trying to buy time" to continue its war in Ukraine, a day after Donald Trump said progress towards a ceasefire had been made in a call with Vladimir Putin. Zelensky stated that Kyiv was ready to negotiate but warned of "tough consequences" if Russia continued to put forward unrealistic conditions. The comments came as the European Union and UK announced new sanctions against Russia, and as heavy fighting continued along the front line, with Ukraine reporting 177 clashes and over 1,000 Russian casualties in 24 hours. Russia has so far rebuffed a joint US-Ukrainian proposal for a 30-day ceasefire and rejected Zelensky's invitation to meet for talks.
21-05-2025
US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a 2-hour phone call, describing it as positive, but no clear results were achieved regarding a ceasefire in Ukraine. Trump stated that Russia and Ukraine would start negotiations towards a ceasefire and an end to the war, but Putin noted that both sides must find mutually acceptable compromises. Previous negotiations in Turkey failed due to "unacceptable" demands from Russia, including the removal of Ukrainian troops from annexed regions and recognition of these regions as Russian. Trump also mentioned that the Vatican might host the negotiations, with Pope Leo XIV expressing willingness to help facilitate dialogue.
21-05-2025
The UK and EU have announced fresh sanctions on Russia as Vladimir Putin refused to agree to a timeline for ceasefire talks with Ukraine. The UK's new sanctions target 100 individuals and entities, including those involved in Russia's weapons supply chains, Kremlin-funded information operations, and "shadow fleet" of oil tankers. The EU has also imposed an 18th package of sanctions against Russia. The new measures come after Russia carried out its largest drone attack on Ukraine, striking 273 drones at Ukrainian cities on Saturday. UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy urged Putin to agree to a full ceasefire, stating that delaying peace efforts will only increase the UK's resolve to help Ukraine defend itself.
21-05-2025
The UK and EU have significantly expanded their trade and defense partnership due to shifting relations with the US under President Donald Trump. The two economic powerhouses agreed to increase defense ties, slash red tape, and grant fishing rights to EU vessels off Britain's coastline. The deal, described as a "reset," was championed by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and EU leader Ursula von der Leyen. Trump's hardline policies, including tariffs and increased NATO defense spending, have pushed Western allies to strengthen relations, with the UK gaining access to an EU defense loan program worth roughly $170 billion.
21-05-2025
The United Kingdom and the European Union have reached a landmark agreement centered on fishing rights and defense cooperation, five years after Brexit. The deal was announced by British Cabinet Office minister Nick Thomas-Symonds during a summit in London, where UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer met with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and other senior EU officials. The agreement is seen as a major milestone in resetting relations between the two parties. The deal addresses long-standing issues such as fishing rights, which was a symbolically important issue for the UK and EU member states like France. The agreement also covers defense cooperation, a youth mobility plan, and aligning standards on the sale of agricultural products, potentially eliminating costly checks on food products exported across the English Channel. The pact comes as the return of President Donald Trump brings a greater sense of urgency for cooperation between the UK and the EU.
21-05-2025
US President Donald Trump has unveiled plans for a "Golden Dome" missile defense system, aimed at countering next-generation aerial threats, including ballistic and cruise missiles. The system will utilize next-generation technologies across land, sea, and space, including space-based sensors and interceptors. An initial $25 billion has been allocated, with estimated total costs ranging from $175 billion to $542 billion over 20 years. The system is inspired by Israel's Iron Dome and is designed to combat a wide range of threats, including hypersonic weapons and fractional orbital bombardment systems. Trump claims the system will have a success rate of nearly 100% and will be operational by the end of his presidency. Canada has expressed interest in participating in the project.
21-05-2025
President Trump announced a $175 billion "Golden Dome" missile defense system, with an initial $25 billion allocated in the upcoming budget package, aiming to protect the US from foreign threats. The system will be built in multiple states, including Alaska, Florida, Georgia, and Indiana, and involve various American defense and technology companies. Trump stated that the project will be fully operational by January 2029 and will be capable of intercepting missiles launched from anywhere in the world, including space. The system is inspired by Israel's Iron Dome and is a response to growing missile threats from countries like China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran, as assessed by the Pentagon's Defense Intelligence Agency.
21-05-2025
US President Donald Trump announced plans to build a "Golden Dome" missile defense system, a multibillion-dollar project to protect the US from foreign attacks, claiming it will be completed within three years. The system, inspired by Israel's Iron Dome, will be space-based and capable of defending against advanced ballistic and hypersonic missiles. The project is estimated to cost $175 billion, with $25 billion allocated from Trump's spending cut and tax bill. High-profile defense contractors, including Elon Musk's SpaceX, are vying for the project. However, experts have expressed skepticism about the timeframe and cost, with some estimating it could take 7-10 years and cost hundreds of billions of dollars.
21-05-2025
President Donald Trump unveiled plans for the "Golden Dome" missile defense shield, a system designed to protect the US from foreign attacks, predicting it would be completed by the end of his term. The project, estimated to cost between $175 billion and $542 billion, aims to intercept ballistic, hypersonic, and cruise missiles. Trump said the system would be capable of intercepting missiles launched from anywhere in the world, even from space. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called the project a "game changer" and a "generational investment in the security of America." However, experts say the project faces significant technical and financial hurdles, citing the vast size of the US and the complexity of defending against intercontinental missiles.
