Articles in this Cluster
28-06-2025
US President Donald Trump has stated that he would "absolutely" consider bombing Iran again if intelligence suggested the country was enriching uranium to concerning levels. The comments came after a recent conflict between Israel and Iran, in which the US struck Iranian nuclear sites with "bunker buster" bombs. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei claimed the strikes achieved nothing, while Trump's administration maintained that the country's nuclear sites were "obliterated". Iran's foreign minister later admitted that serious damage was done to the nuclear sites.
28-06-2025
The Trump administration is exploring a potential $30 billion civilian nuclear deal with Iran, which would involve releasing billions of dollars in frozen Iranian assets and allowing Iran to receive assistance from regional countries to build a civilian nuclear program. This proposal marks a significant reversal in Trump's policy, who withdrew the US from the Obama-era nuclear deal with Iran in 2018. However, Trump later denied knowledge of the proposal, calling it a "HOAX" and expressing frustration with Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's comments on the conflict with Israel. Despite this, Trump claimed that Iran still wanted to meet with him to discuss possible sanctions relief.
28-06-2025
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi acknowledged that the country's nuclear sites suffered "serious damage" from a US airstrike, contradicting Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's claim of minimal impact. The assessment is shared by the US, Iran, and Israel, and supported by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which reported "significant" damage to uranium conversion and enrichment facilities. Araghchi indicated that the strike made negotiations with the US more difficult, though he didn't entirely rule out the possibility of resuming talks.
28-06-2025
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned President Donald Trump to show respect to Tehran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, or face serious consequences, in a post on X. Araghchi stated that if Trump truly wants a deal with Iran, he must put aside his "disrespectful and unacceptable tone" toward Khamenei and stop hurting his followers. The warning came after a recent conflict between Iran and Israel, and U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites. Araghchi rejected Trump's claim that new nuclear talks were imminent, stating that there are no negotiations underway and that Tehran will make decisions based on its national interests.
28-06-2025
A Middle East expert, Jacob Olidort, believes Iran is downplaying the damage to its nuclear sites after a US-led strike, saying the country is trying to "save face." Olidort stated that Iran's assessment of the damage will only reinforce the US and Israel's views that the strikes were successful in setting back Iran's nuclear program. The US and Israel claim the strikes achieved their objectives, with Israel saying it has destroyed Iran's ability to enrich uranium. The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency also described the damage as "very, very, very considerable."
28-06-2025
The exchange between US President Donald Trump and Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has intensified after the US carried out strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities. Khamenei slammed Trump on social media, responding to Trump's earlier demand for Iran's "unconditional surrender." Trump had also claimed that the US had "complete and total control of the skies over Iran" and knew where Khamenei was hiding. The White House defended the strike, saying it was executed perfectly under Trump's leadership. Meanwhile, Iran has reportedly carried out mass arrests and executions, with 705 individuals arrested on "political or security-related charges" and three people executed for allegedly spying on behalf of Israel.
28-06-2025
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's news conference highlighted the divisive nature of the US attack on Iran's Fordow nuclear plant, with disagreement expected over the battle damage assessment. The key questions are whether the attack will deter Iran from pursuing a nuclear weapon or accelerate their efforts, and how long it will take for Iran to return to the nuclear threshold if they continue their pursuit.
28-06-2025
The Senate voted 53-47 against advancing a Democrat-led resolution that aimed to limit President Trump's ability to take military action against Iran without congressional approval, under the War Powers Act of 1973, following US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. The resolution, introduced by Sen. Tim Kaine, would have required congressional approval for further strikes on Iran not in self-defense or due to imminent danger. Some Republicans, including Sen. Rand Paul, voted with Democrats, while others, such as Sen. Bill Cassidy and Sen. Todd Young, who had supported a similar measure in 2020, voted against it, citing the President's authority to defend the nation and its troops.
28-06-2025
The Senate voted 53-47 to block a Democratic resolution that would have required President Trump to obtain congressional approval before taking further military action against Iran, dealing a blow to efforts to rein in his war powers. The measure, sponsored by Senator Tim Kaine, invoked the War Powers Act and would have limited the president's ability to unilaterally order military strikes. The vote reflected a sharp partisan divide, with most Republicans opposing the resolution and most Democrats supporting it. Efforts to limit Trump's war powers are also underway in the House, but they are not expected to come to a vote until mid-July.
28-06-2025
The Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda have signed a peace deal in Washington aimed at ending decades of conflict between the two neighboring countries. The deal, signed by their foreign ministers at the US State Department, demands the "disengagement, disarmament and conditional integration" of armed groups fighting in eastern DR Congo. US President Donald Trump hailed the treaty as a "glorious triumph" and a "tremendous breakthrough", saying it marked a new chapter of hope and opportunity for the region. The conflict has killed thousands and displaced hundreds of thousands, with tensions escalating earlier this year when M23 rebels seized control of large parts of eastern DR Congo. The deal's details are still scant, and previous peace agreements in the region have failed, leaving many questions unanswered about the implementation of the agreement.
28-06-2025
President Trump celebrated the signing of a U.S.-brokered peace agreement between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, marking an effort to end a nearly three-decade conflict in eastern Congo that has led to around 6 million deaths. The agreement was signed in Washington, and Trump said the U.S. will put "a lot of pressure" on the countries to honor it, with "big penalties" for non-compliance, including financial penalties. The deal also allows for U.S. access to the DRC's mineral deposits. Trump took credit for his administration's role in brokering peace agreements in other conflicts, including between India and Pakistan, and India and Iran.
28-06-2025
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda have signed a US-brokered peace deal aimed at ending decades of conflict in eastern DRC. US President Donald Trump claimed to have brokered the agreement, which he said would give the US "a lot of mineral rights from Congo". The deal, signed by the foreign ministers of both countries in Washington, pledges to implement a 2024 agreement that would see Rwandan troops withdraw from eastern DRC within 90 days. However, doubts remain over the deal's success, as the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group was not directly involved and has suggested it won't be bound by the agreement.
