International News
‘Make A Deal Or Face Consequences’ – Trump Warns Iran
U.S. President Donald Trump has warned Iran to reach a fresh agreement with Washington or face serious consequences, including possible military action, as indirect nuclear talks resumed this week.
The White House said Tehran would be “wise” to seal a deal, underscoring rising tensions despite ongoing diplomacy mediated by Oman.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that President Trump remains committed to preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons but is prepared to act if negotiations fail.
Talks Resume After Collapse
The renewed discussions follow months of strained relations between the two countries.
A previous negotiation effort collapsed last June after Israel launched surprise strikes on Iranian targets, sparking a 12-day conflict that briefly drew in the United States.
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Talks have now resumed in Geneva, with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirming that Tehran is drafting a framework to guide future negotiations.
He said both sides have agreed on certain “guiding principles,” though significant differences remain.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance, however, stated that Iran has not yet acknowledged all of Washington’s red lines.
Iran: ‘We Do Not Want War’
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian insisted that Tehran is not seeking conflict but rejected what he described as pressure tactics.
“We do not want war,” Pezeshkian said, adding that Iran would not bow to demands that undermine its sovereignty.
Meanwhile, Araghchi held discussions with Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), as part of efforts to address concerns surrounding Iran’s nuclear programme.
Tehran has recently reduced cooperation with the UN watchdog and restricted access to certain sites damaged in earlier strikes, accusing the agency of bias.
Military Build-Up Raises Stakes
Despite diplomatic efforts, Washington has increased its military presence in the Middle East. A second U.S. aircraft carrier has been deployed to the region, joining the USS Abraham Lincoln, which is positioned several hundred kilometres from Iran’s coastline.
The move is widely seen as a show of force aimed at deterring escalation.
In response, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has launched military exercises in the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic global oil transit route.
Authorities temporarily closed sections of the waterway during the drills, heightening concerns about possible disruptions to global energy supplies.
Sanctions, Nuclear Limits at Core of Talks
The Oman-mediated discussions are focused on curbing Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for potential sanctions relief.
While Tehran insists talks should centre solely on nuclear issues, Washington has previously pushed to expand discussions to include Iran’s ballistic missile programme and regional activities.
With both sides maintaining firm positions, the path forward remains uncertain.
However, diplomatic channels remain open as leaders weigh the risks of further escalation against the prospects of a negotiated settlement.
Federal agents raided the Washington, D.C., home of Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar early Monday morning as part of an ongoing federal criminal investigation, the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) has confirmed.
Homeland Security Investigations agents arrived at the Minnesota congresswoman’s residence at about 6:00 a.m. Eastern Time, according to a report by Fox News.
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The report said both the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the DOJ are involved in the investigation.
A DOJ spokesperson confirmed the operation, stating: “Today in the Washington, D.C. area, Homeland Security Investigations executed a judicially authorized search warrant secured by the Department of Justice.”
The spokesperson added: “This enforcement action is part of an ongoing federal criminal investigation.”
Details later……….
Heavy rains have triggered severe flooding across parts of Bangkok, Thailand, forcing nearly 4,900 residents to evacuate to shelters as floodwaters swept through roads and residential areas.
The flooding has disrupted movement across parts of the Thai capital, with motorists and pedestrians forced to navigate submerged roads and seek alternative routes.
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According to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, about 52,000 households have been affected by the flooding, prompting authorities to declare a flood disaster and intensify emergency response efforts.
Emergency teams have been deployed to assist affected communities and move residents from vulnerable areas to safer locations as water levels rise.
Bangkok is accustomed to seasonal heavy rainfall, but intense downpours can overwhelm drainage systems, particularly in low-lying areas, resulting in widespread flooding and disruption.
Authorities are continuing to monitor affected locations while coordinating evacuations and other emergency measures.
For thousands of residents, the immediate priority remains securing safe shelter and protecting homes and livelihoods as authorities work to manage the situation and restore normal activities once the floodwaters recede.
US President Donald Trump has explained his decision to reject Iran’s latest proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, saying Tehran was seeking an agreement because it was losing revenue.
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said Iran wanted to immediately reopen the strategically important waterway but argued that the proposal was not acceptable to his administration.
“They want to make a deal, and I think that’s fine. I like making a deal, too, but that deal would not be acceptable,” Trump said.
SEE ALSO: How the Strait of Hormuz Attack Could Trigger a Fresh Global Oil Shock
According to the US president, Iran’s push to reopen the strait was driven by the economic pressure it was facing.
“What they want to do is immediately open the Hormuz Strait. Do you know why? Because they are dying,” Trump said.
“You know why they’re dying? Because they have no money coming in, because they get their money from the Hormuz Strait.”
Trump also claimed that the US had established an unprecedented naval blockade against Iran, describing it as “a wall of steel.”
“So they outsmarted themselves. We put up the greatest blockade ever in military history. It’s a wall of steel,” he said.
“And guess what? They don’t have any money now because they wanted to close the strait.”
The Strait of Hormuz is a major global energy shipping route, and disruption to traffic through the waterway has significant implications for international oil markets and countries that depend on energy imports.
Trump’s remarks came amid continued tensions between Washington and Tehran over the reopening of the strategic waterway and negotiations involving Iran.
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