Iran Watch

Trump trade war, Middle East tensions overshadow BRICS summit – National– globalnews.ca

pgnewser July 9, 2025 0

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Brazil is playing host to a summit of the BRICS bloc of developing economies Sunday and Monday during which pressing topics like Israel’s attack on Iran, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and trade tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump are expected to be handled with caution.

Analysts and diplomats have said the lack of cohesion in an enlarged BRICS, which doubled in size last year, may affect its ability to become another pole in world affairs. They also see the summit’s moderate agenda as an attempt by member countries to stay off Trump’s radar.

Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has some of his priorities, such as debates on artificial intelligence and climate change, front and centre for the talks with key leaders not in attendance.

Lula said in his speech on Sunday that “we are witnessing the unparalled collapse of multilateralism” and that the meeting is taking place “in the most adverse global scenario” of the four times Brazil has hosted it. He called for the group to promote peace and mediate conflicts.

Brazil hosts BRICS summit, eager to avoid provoking Trump’s ire– abcnews.go.com

pgnewser July 9, 2025 0

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RIO DE JANEIRO — Brazil will play host to a summit of the BRICS bloc of developing economies Sunday and Monday during which pressing topics like Israel’s attack on Iran, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and trade tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump are expected to be handled with caution.

Analysts and diplomats said the lack of cohesion in an enlarged BRICS, which doubled in size last year, may affect its ability to become another pole in world affairs. They also see the summit’s moderate agenda as an attempt by member countries to stay off Trump’s radar.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will have some of his priorities, such as debates on artificial intelligence and climate change, front and center for the talks with key leaders not in attendance.

China’s President Xi Jinping won’t attend a BRICS summit for the first time since he became his country’s leader in 2012. Russian President Vladimir Putin, who will make an appearance via videoconference, continues to mostly avoid traveling abroad due to an international arrest warrant issued after Russia invaded Ukraine.

The restraint expected in Rio de Janeiro marks a departure from last year’s summit hosted by Russia in Kazan, when the Kremlin sought to develop alternatives to U.S.-dominated payment systems which would allow it to dodge Western sanctions imposed after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Trump threatens additional tariffs on nations ‘aligning’ with ‘anti-American’ BRICS– thehill.com

pgnewser July 9, 2025 0

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President Trump threatened to impose an additional 10 percent tariff on countries “aligning” themselves with the BRICS bloc of developing nations.

“Any Country aligning themselves with the Anti-American policies of BRICS, will be charged an ADDITIONAL 10% Tariff. There will be no exceptions to this policy. Thank you for your attention to this matter!” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post Sunday evening.

The threat comes after members of the BRICS group issued a declaration on Sunday condemning the U.S. increase in tariffs, as well as the strikes on Iran — all without mentioning Trump by name.

The group’s statement raised “serious concerns” tariffs, saying they are “inconsistent with WTO (World Trade Organization) rules” and threaten to “reduce global trade, disrupt global supply chains, and introduce uncertainty.”

Trump says countries aligning with BRICS bloc will face extra 10% tariff– www.cnbc.com

pgnewser July 9, 2025 0

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U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened an additional 10% tariff on countries that orient themselves along the “Anti-American policies of BRICS.”

Trump’s announcement, which did not elaborate on any specific policy of BRICS, came as the group’s meeting is underway in Rio de Janeiro.

The bloc’s leaders appeared to take aim at Trump’s sweeping tariff policies in a joint statement on Sunday, warning against “unjustified unilateral protectionist measures, including the indiscriminate increase of reciprocal tariffs.”

Without calling out the U.S., the leaders voiced “serious concerns about the rise of unilateral tariff and non-tariff measures which distort trade and are inconsistent with WTO rules,” warning that the “proliferation of trade-restrictive actions” threaten to disrupt the global economy and worsen the existing economic disparities.

“Any Country aligning themselves with the Anti-American policies of BRICS, will be charged an ADDITIONAL 10% Tariff. There will be no exceptions to this policy,” Trump said in a post Sunday evening stateside on Truth Social.

Homan warns of possible Iranian sleeper cells who entered US under Biden– www.washingtonexaminer.com

pgnewser June 25, 2025 0

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Border czar Tom Homan revealed Sunday that 1,272 Iranian nationals were released during the Biden administration, who were among the “over 10 million people” who crossed into the United States illegally.

Homan’s warning comes after President Donald Trump announced on Saturday night that the U.S. struck Iran, in which “a full payload” of bombs was dropped on three nuclear sites in the country. The border czar was asked about the possibility of sleeper cells occupied by Iranians in the U.S., to which he reiterated his national security concerns posed by the last administration’s handling of the border and how it greatly contrasts with Trump’s security of it.

“So we’re not releasing people in this country, special interest aliens aren’t crossing this border undetected,” Homan stated on Fox News’s Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo. “But under Joe Biden, we had over 10 million people cross that border. But my biggest concern, from day one, beyond the fentanyl, beyond the sex trafficking of women and children, were the two million known gotaways. Over two million people crossed that border, we don’t know who they are, where they came from, because they got away because border patrol is so overwhelmed with the humanitarian crisis that Biden created that 2 million people crossed the border and got away.”

Homan went on to state that Trump’s intelligence community has been working “since day one” to figure out where the illegal gotaways are within the U.S. He also expressed gratitude that new leadership at the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security are in place, namedropping FBI Director Kash Patel and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem.

Carney calls for de-escalation, ‘diplomatic solution’ after U.S. strikes on Iran – National– globalnews.ca

pgnewser June 25, 2025 0

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In the aftermath of the U.S. airstrikes on Iran Saturday, Prime Minister Mark Carney has called for a de-escalation of hostilities in the Middle East and for parties to “return immediately to the negotiating table.”

“Iran’s nuclear programme is a grave threat to international security, and Canada has been consistently clear that Iran can never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon,” he wrote in a statement shared to X Sunday morning. “While U.S. military action taken last night was designed to alleviate that threat, the situation in the Middle East remains highly volatile. Stability in the region is a priority.

“As G7 leaders agreed in Kananaskis, the resolution of the Iranian crisis should lead to a broader de-escalation of hostilities in the Middle East, including a ceasefire in Gaza,” he continued, adding, “Canada calls on parties to return immediately to the negotiating table and reach a diplomatic solution to end this crisis.”

BREAKING: Trump at G7 says Iran now wants to talk—’they should have done that before’ | The Post Millennial– thepostmillennial.com

pgnewser June 16, 2025 0

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“They have to make a deal, and it’s painful for both parties, but I’d say Iran is not winning this war, and they should talk, and they should talk immediately, before it’s too late,” the president added.

US President Donald Trump said Monday that Iran has interest in de-escalating its current conflict with Israel and called on Tehran to begin discussions immediately, warning that it needs to happen “before it’s too late.”

Speaking to reporters at the start of a G7 meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Monday, Trump confirmed he had received indications that Iranian officials are seeking to ease tensions.

“Yes… They’d like to talk,” Trump said when asked if he had heard that Iran was looking to reduce hostilities. “But they should have done that before. I had 60 days, and they had 60 days. On the 61st day, I said, we don’t have a deal.”

State Department Authorizes Middle East Evacuations As Iran Speculation Swirls– dailycaller.com

pgnewser June 11, 2025 0

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The State Department has authorized a partial evacuation of the U.S. embassy in Baghdad, Iraq while allowing military dependents to leave various locations around the Middle East, U.S. and Iraqi sources told Reuters on Wednesday.

The officials told Reuters the move was made due to “heightened security risks,” but did not specify which threats prompted the decision. Tensions between Iran and Israel have put the region on high alert as Israel has said its forces would strike Iran if ongoing nuclear talks do not bear fruit.

“The State Department regularly reviews American personnel abroad and this decision was made as a result of a recent review,” White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly told Reuters.

A big banner depicting Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is placed next to a ballistic missile in Baharestan Square in Tehran, Iran, on September 26, 2024 on the sideline of an exhibition which marks the 44th anniversary of the start of Iran-Iraq war. (Photo by HOSSEIN BERIS/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)

Iranian Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh also said Wednesday that Iran could retaliate against U.S. bases in the Middle East if nuclear talks fail and the U.S. gets involved in a conflict with Tehran.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has authorized the voluntary departures of military dependents from U.S. bases in the Middle East, with the base in Bahrain housing the majority of the affected persons, according to The Associated Press. The U.S. has a military presence in Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, in addition to Iraq.

“President Trump is committed to keeping Americans safe, both at home and abroad,” a State Department spokesperson told the Daily Caller News Foundation. “In keeping with that commitment, we are constantly assessing the appropriate personnel posture at all our embassies. Based on our latest analysis, we decided to reduce the footprint of our Mission in Iraq.”

U.S. Prepping for an Earth-Shattering Kaboom in the Middle East? – PJ Media– pjmedia.com

pgnewser June 11, 2025 0

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Here we go again: “Heightened security risks” in the Middle East have Iraq embassy staff and dependents preparing to evacuate the country, according to State Department officials. A Pentagon official said that SecDef Pete Hegseth also “authorized the voluntary departure of military dependents from locations across the Middle East.”

Reuters’s sources “did not specify which security risks had prompted the decision and reports of the potential evacuation pushed up oil prices by more than 4%.”

“The State Department regularly reviews American personnel abroad and this decision was made as a result of a recent review,” is all that White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly had to say about it today. But sources told the UK Independent that the State Department also authorized “the departure of nonessential personnel and family members from Bahrain and Kuwait.”

“Authorized” in this case means that State or Defense will provide and pay for transportation, if requested. It isn’t like an embassy spouse isn’t allowed to travel without permission.

‘Go after them and their families’: Islamist terror leader calls for assassination of Donald Trump, JD Vance in 30-minute rant; watch video– timesofindia.indiatimes.com

pgnewser June 11, 2025 0

‘Go after them and their families’: Islamist terror leader calls for assassination of Donald Trump, JD Vance in 30-minute rant; watch video– timesofindia.indiatimes.com
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An Islamist terror group leader has released a disturbing video calling for the assassination of US President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and several top advisers. He said their strong support for Israel was the reason behind the threat, according to the New York Post.

The Yemen-based figure is Sa’ad bin Atef al-Awlaki, who is the leader of al-Qa’ida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP).In a disturbing 34‑minute video titled ‘Inciting the Believers’, released on Sunday, the terror leader urged American Muslims to “take revenge” and strike at those he called “infidel Americans”.

He named Trump, Vance, as well as figures like Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and billionaire Elon Musk. “Go after them and their families and all those who have any ties or are close to the politicians of the White House,” al‑Awlaki said.He further said, “There are no red lines after what has been happening to our people in Gaza,” and endorsed recent antisemitic attacks and prior assassination attempts on Trump, according to security sources.

The video also includes a broader incitement of violence against Jewish people in the US. “Do not leave a single safe place for Jews — just as they have not left any homes, shelters, or respite for the Palestinians,” al‑Awlaki said.

“Even hospitals are being bombed … Take revenge.”

Middle East heats up as Iranian defense minister threatens US bases– www.washingtonexaminer.com

pgnewser June 11, 2025 0

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The United States is evacuating diplomatic personnel from Iraq and military family members from the Middle East following threats from Iran‘s defense minister that Tehran would target U.S. bases if negotiations broke down.

“If a conflict is imposed on us … all U.S. bases are within reach,” Iranian Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh warned on Wednesday, just days before the latest U.S.-Iranian nuclear negotiations.

Later in the day, the State Department confirmed its decision to reduce its footprint in Iraq, and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth authorized the voluntary departure of military families across the Middle East on Wednesday, a U.S. defense official told the Washington Examiner.

“The safety and security of our service members and their families remains our highest priority, and U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) is monitoring the developing tension in the Middle East,” the official said. “CENTCOM is working in close coordination with our Department of State counterparts, as well as our allies and partners in the region to maintain a constant state of readiness to support any number of missions around the world at any time.”

Trump Holds Phone Call With Netanyahu to Discuss Iran’s Jihad Nukes– gellerreport.com

pgnewser June 10, 2025 0

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As discussed, the U.S-Iran nukes negotiations are futile. Iran will never give up enrichment through diplomatic means. How long will President Trump allow Iran to continue to lie, deceive, and stall before he walks away? Let Israel destroy Iran’s nuke sites.

Netanyahu set to hold Iran security meeting after call with Trump– www.euronews.com

pgnewser June 10, 2025 0

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will hold a security meeting on Wednesday following his phone call with US President Donald Trump.

Israeli media says the call between Trump and Netanyahu lasted around 40 minutes, with the pair discussing a wide range of topics, from the war on Gaza to developments in the Iran nuclear deal.

Asked about his call with Netanyahu, Trump didn’t offer much detail, but insisted that the call with the Israeli premier went well.

“Very well. Yeah, we discussed a lot of things, and it went very well. Very smooth. We’ll see what happens. You know, we’re trying to do something with a country we just spoke about, Iran,” said Trump.

Trump however revealed that negotiations appear to be stagnant due to the Iranians being “good negotiators”. He also again warned that a violent US approach to Tehran is not off the table.

“Sometimes they can be too tough. That’s the problem. So, we are trying to make a deal so that there’s no destruction and death. And we’ve told them that, and I’ve told them that, and I hope that’s the way it works out. But it might not work out that way.”

Iran Rejects Temporary Freeze on Enrichment, Says It’s Not Worried About Sanctions– gellerreport.com

pgnewser May 28, 2025 0

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It seems quite clear that Iran’s leaders do not believe that President Trump will ever order a military strike on their nuke sites. While we don’t know all of the details of the U.S-Iran nuke negotiations, some of what is being reported is quite concerning. We are going to have to wait and see what happens. If Iran is allowed to enrich uranium, it will be able to build several nuclear bombs. Which it would surely attempt to do when President Trump is out of office. If not sooner.

Will Iran kill nuclear negotiations with terrorist attacks in the West?– www.washingtonexaminer.com

pgnewser May 22, 2025 0

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President Donald Trump, who seeks to prevent the Islamic Republic of Iran from developing a nuclear weapon, wants to secure a new nuclear agreement with that country. Trump’s motive is honorable. Difficult diplomacy is preferable to military strikes on Iran. But numerous complications stand in the president’s way, and perhaps none of these complications is more significant than the growing threat of Iranian terrorist attacks.

Yes, formalizing a viable Iran nuclear agreement represents a big challenge in and of itself. For one, Iran has engaged in more than two decades of deceptive conduct via its covert research of nuclear warheads. Any deal would thus need to ensure prompt inspection access to any sites suspected of being used to conduct illicit nuclear weapons research. The 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action had woefully inadequate safeguards in this regard.

Another difficulty arises in the Trump administration’s new insistence that Iran suspend all nuclear enrichment, even at very low purity levels, in return for any deal. This demand conflicts with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s belief that his Islamic Republic should be allowed to engage in some enrichment as a matter of honor. Khamenei might well regard the risks of U.S. military action as less concerning than the loss of prestige and regime confidence that would go with suspending all enrichment activities. Allowing Iran to maintain its nuclear facilities, albeit in a nonoperational status, might allow the regime to save face. But probably not.

Highly Enriched Uranium Stand-Off May Scuttle New Iran Deal– freebeacon.com

pgnewser May 22, 2025 0

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The latest back-and-forth on a nuclear deal between the United States and Iran hinges on enrichment, and the question may put nails in the coffin of any new agreement.

White House envoy Steve Witkoff said Sunday, after weeks of mixed messages, that no future accord can allow Iran the right to enrich uranium.

“We have one very, very clear red line, and that is enrichment,” Witkoff told ABC’s This Week anchor Jonathan Karl. “We cannot allow even 1 percent of an enrichment capability.”

Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Tuesday denounced Witkoff’s remarks, describing calls for the Islamic Republic to give up enrichment entirely as “nonsense.”