LiveNewsWatch

Category: US News

  • Trump Signed an Order that Threatens Tariffs on Countries that Trade with Iran

    Trump Signed an Order that Threatens Tariffs on Countries that Trade with Iran

    US President Donald Trump might impose new tariffs on countries that trade with Iran. He signed an executive order on Friday.

    The order does not state the exact tariff rate but uses 25% as an example. It will apply to goods imported into the US from any country that buys, imports, or acquires goods or services from Iran.

    Trump has not commented directly on the order, but he emphasized again that there should be “no nuclear weapons” for Iran during a speech on Air Force One on Friday night. This order comes as US and Iranian officials hold talks in Oman after several weeks of threats from both sides.

    Earlier this year, Trump threatened a 25% tariff on countries doing business with Iran in a post on Truth Social. On January 12, he stated, “Effective immediately, any country doing business with the Islamic Republic of Iran will pay a tariff of 25% on any and all business being done with the United States of America.” No further details were given on how the tariffs would work.

    The White House said this executive order reaffirms the “ongoing national emergency with respect to Iran” and noted that the president may change it if conditions change. The statement said, “The President is holding Iran accountable for its pursuit of nuclear capabilities, support for terrorism, ballistic missile development, and regional destabilization that endanger American security, allies, and interests.”

    There has been no immediate response from Iran.

    Iran Wants to Make a Deal Badly – Trump

    The U.S.-Iran talks in Oman began on Friday. This is the first meeting since last June when the U.S. bombed Iran’s main nuclear facilities.

    Iran’s team was led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. The U.S. was represented by special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who is President Trump’s son-in-law.

    President Trump told reporters on Air Force One that the talks went “very well.” He added that Iran “really wants to make a deal.” Trump warned that if Iran does not agree to a deal, there could be serious consequences. He mentioned there will be another meeting early next week.

    Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi, who helped to mediate the talks, said they were useful for clarifying both sides’ views and identifying areas for progress.

    In a statement on X, Araghchi called the talks “a good start” and noted that there was a “positive atmosphere.” He said the negotiators have returned to their capitals for more discussions.

    Tensions between the U.S. and Iran have raised fears of conflict. Recently, Trump said that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei should be “very worried.” He indicated that he might take military action if Iran does not reach a deal on its nuclear program.

    Iran insists that its nuclear program is peaceful and denies claims from the U.S. and its allies that it wants to develop nuclear weapons.

    In response to Iran’s violent crackdown on anti-government protests, the U.S. has increased its military presence in the region. Trump described this as a “massive armada.”

    Human rights groups report that thousands were killed during the crackdown, but the full number is unclear because the Iranian government imposed internet restrictions after January 8th.

  • Trump Took Down Racist Clip Portraying Obamas as Apes

    Trump Took Down Racist Clip Portraying Obamas as Apes

    US President Donald Trump has removed a social media video that included a racist clip depicting Barack and Michelle Obama as apes. The clip, set to the song “The Lion Sleeps Tonight,” appeared at the end of a 62-second video he shared, which included claims about voter fraud in the 2020 presidential election.

    Speaking to reporters on Friday, Trump stated, “I didn’t make a mistake.” He added that he had only seen the beginning of the video before it was posted by a staff member and was unaware that it contained the depiction of the Obamas.

    Backlash from Republican Senators

    Republican Senator Tim Scott, who is Black, called for the president to remove the post, describing it as “the most racist thing I’ve seen out of this White House.” Initially, the White House defended the clip as an “internet meme video” and urged critics to “stop the fake outrage.”

    After strong criticism, including from some Republican senators, Trump’s post was taken down from his Truth Social account. A White House official said a staff member mistakenly made the post.

    The clip resembles racist images that compare Black people to monkeys. It seems to have come from a post by conservative meme creator Xerias on X in October.

    The video shows several prominent Democrats as animals, including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Zohran Mamdani, and Hillary Clinton. Joe Biden is also shown as an ape eating a banana.

    The Obamas have not commented on the video.

    This video was one of many uploaded to Trump’s Truth Social account overnight.

    While on Air Force One, the president said, “I look at a lot of thousands of things.” He mentioned that after watching only part of the video, he let his team review it. He liked the video’s message about voter fraud, but he acknowledged that if his staff had seen the entire video, “probably they would have had the sense to take it down.” He added, “We took it down as soon as we found out about it.”

    Criticism Across the Board

    Some members of Trump’s own party criticized a recent social media post. Senator Tim Scott, a Republican from South Carolina and an ally of Trump, said he hoped the post was fake because it was “the most racist thing I’ve seen out of this White House.” He added, “The President should remove it.”

    New York Representative Mike Lawler, another Republican, called the post “wrong and incredibly offensive, whether intentional or a mistake” and said it “should be deleted immediately with an apology.”

    The criticism did not stop even after the post was taken down. Senator John Curtis from Utah tweeted that the video was “blatantly racist and inexcusable.” He stated, “It should never have been posted or left published for so long.”

    According to CBS, the BBC’s US partner, Florida Representative Byron Donalds, a Trump supporter who is running for governor, called the White House after the video was posted. He learned that a staffer was responsible and had “let the president down.”

    The BBC has asked the White House how many people have access to the president’s account and what the approval process is for posts.

    Earlier that day, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described the clip as “an internet meme video depicting President Trump as the King of the Jungle and Democrats as characters from The Lion King.” She urged critics to “please stop the fake outrage and report on something today that actually matters to the American public.”

    Trump is a Malignant Bottom Feeder – Jeffries

    House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries accused Trump of racism after Trump shared an AI-generated image of him with a mustache and sombrero. Jeffries called Trump a “vile, unhinged, and malignant bottom feeder.” He urged all Republicans to condemn Trump’s bigotry.

    The video in question includes false claims about a voting conspiracy in Michigan from the 2020 presidential election. These claims were proven wrong during Dominion Voting Systems’ successful lawsuits against some media companies.

    Trump has a long history of attacking Obama. Before his first term as president, Trump made false claims that Obama was born in Kenya and was therefore ineligible to be president. He later admitted that Obama was born in the U.S.

  • GOPs Denounce a Racist Video Shared by Trump Calling Obama an Ape

    GOPs Denounce a Racist Video Shared by Trump Calling Obama an Ape

    U.S. President Donald Trump has caused anger again by sharing a video that shows former President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle Obama, as apes.

    He posted the video on his Truth Social account as part of a series of late-night messages. The video was removed by midday on Friday, but not before it received strong criticism from both parties for being racist.

    Tim Scott, the only Black Republican senator, said on X that he hoped the video was fake because it was “the most racist thing I’ve seen out of this White House.” He added that the president should take it down.

    Another Republican, Representative Mike Lawler, also asked Trump to delete the post, calling it “incredibly offensive, whether intentional or a mistake.”

    Democrats used this incident to highlight Trump’s past insensitive comments and urged Republicans to speak out against it.

    Obama and Michelle Obama are Patriotic Americans

    “President Obama and Michelle Obama are smart, caring, and patriotic Americans. They show the best of our country,” said Hakeem Jeffries, the leading Democrat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

    “Donald Trump is a terrible and unstable person. Why do GOP leaders like John Thune keep supporting this sick individual?”

    The White House first called a controversial post an “internet meme.” Later, they said a White House staffer shared it by mistake, not the president.

    Trump denied any responsibility when he spoke to reporters on Air Force One. He said he only watched the beginning of a short video that included false claims about his 2020 election loss.

    “No, I didn’t make a mistake,” Trump said, ignoring calls for an apology. “I look at thousands of things. I only saw the start of it. It was fine.”

    Stoking Outrage

    Trump has had a long-standing conflict with the Obamas, who are the first Black couple to serve as President and First Lady of the United States.

    Trump first entered national politics during Barack Obama’s 2012 re-election campaign. He promoted false claims that Obama was not born in the United States.

    Trump is a frequent user of social media. He co-founded Truth Social in February 2022 after being temporarily banned from other major platforms. On Truth Social, he shares memes and videos created using artificial intelligence that support his public image and political goals.

    Recently, Trump posted a video online at 11:44 PM Eastern Time (04:44 GMT). This video includes a disrespectful image of the Obamas, which appears about 59 seconds into the one-minute and two-second clip. This image is part of a documentary-style segment that makes false claims about the 2020 presidential election, suggesting it was affected by fraud and problems with electronic voting machines. Trump has repeatedly denied losing to Democrat Joe Biden in that election.

    The video, which has a watermark from a site called Patriot News Outlet, combines the altered image of the Obamas with the 1961 song “The Lion Sleeps Tonight.”

    Critics often say that Trump tries to create outrage to distract from important domestic issues, including the recent release of millions of documents about Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender and financier, which also mention Trump.

    Midterms Ahead

    Some Republicans, like Lawler from New York, are facing tough re-election campaigns as the November midterm elections approach. Trump has warned that if Republicans lose control of Congress, he might face new impeachment proceedings.

    After Trump reposted a video on his Truth Social account, the White House initially dismissed the backlash as exaggerated. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt told several U.S. news outlets that the image of the Obamas came from an “internet meme video” that shows Trump as the King of the Jungle and Democrats as characters from the movie “The Lion King.”

    “Please stop the fake outrage and report on something that actually matters to the American public,” she said to ABC News.

    After the post was deleted, Leavitt continued to downplay the complaints and the calls for Trump to apologize. In an interview with Fox News, she said Trump had already spoken about the incident with some members of Congress.

    “He spoke with lawmakers today, including Senator Tim Scott, out of respect for them. The post was removed, but leave it to the leftist media to talk about this all day,” she told Fox News host Laura Ingraham.

    “He did take down the post, and again, this is just a distraction for the fake news media,” Leavitt added, quickly shifting the focus to Trump’s accomplishments.

    However, Leavitt’s comments did not stop the bipartisan call for Trump to apologize for the video. Republican Senator Pete Ricketts of Nebraska also asked for the post to be taken down. “Even if this is a Lion King meme, a sensible person recognizes the racist context behind it,” Ricketts wrote on X.

     

  • Trump Ties His Failed Nobel Peace Prize Bid to His Greenland Quest

    Trump Ties His Failed Nobel Peace Prize Bid to His Greenland Quest

    US President Donald Trump told Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre that he no longer feels the need to focus on peace. He feels this way because the Norwegian Nobel Committee did not give him the Nobel Peace Prize.

    In a surprising text message to Støre, which PBS first reported and an official from the Prime Minister’s office confirmed, Trump linked his threats to take control of Greenland to not receiving the Nobel Peace Prize, something he has wanted for a long time.

    “Since your country chose not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize for stopping eight wars, I no longer feel obligated to think only about peace. While peace will always be important, I can now consider what is best for the United States,” Trump wrote.

    Støre said he received this message after he and Finnish President Alexander Stubb texted Trump. In their message, the Nordic leaders expressed their opposition to Trump’s planned tariff increases against Norway, Finland, and some other countries.

    Støre explained to President Trump that the Nobel Prize is awarded by an independent committee, not the Norwegian government.

    Trump’s message came after he threatened to add a 10 percent tariff on goods from several European countries because they oppose his plan to acquire Greenland. Greenland is part of Denmark and a fellow NATO member. His threats have raised concerns within NATO about a possible conflict between members.

    “Denmark cannot protect that land from Russia or China. Why do they have a ‘right of ownership’? There are no written documents. It’s only that a boat landed there hundreds of years ago, and we also had boats landing there,” Trump said in his message.

    Greenland’s Brief History

    Greenland is a large island in the Arctic. In 1953, it became part of Denmark during global efforts to decolonize after World War II. Greenland has its own government, but Denmark still handles its defense, security, and money.

    In a note to Støre, Trump said, “I have done more for NATO than anyone else since it started, and now NATO should do something for the United States. The world is not secure unless we have complete and total control of Greenland.”

    The United States has been a key part of Euro-Atlantic security for many years and has spent much more on defense than any other NATO member. However, many NATO allies have joined the US in recent wars. After the 2001 invasion of Afghanistan, 43 Danish soldiers died while fighting there.

    Denmark is a Close Ally to the UK and the US

    At a news conference in London, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that Denmark is a close ally of the United Kingdom and the United States. He praised Denmark as a proud NATO member that has stood with us, even at a great human cost.

    Trump’s comments came after Nordic leaders Støre and Stubb reached out to him about the extra tariffs he had threatened over Greenland. They wrote, “We believe we should all work to reduce tensions and de-escalate. There is so much happening around us that we need to stand together,” according to an official from Støre’s office.

    The Nobel Committee announced that María Corina Machado, the leader of Venezuela’s democratic opposition, will receive the 2025 Peace Prize. Last week, she gave her medal to Trump during their meeting in Washington. Trump called it “a wonderful gesture of mutual respect.”

    However, the Nobel Committee later clarified that while the physical medal can change hands, the honor itself cannot be passed on.

  • Trump has Suspended Immigrant Visas for 75 Countries

    Trump has Suspended Immigrant Visas for 75 Countries

    The U.S. government will stop processing immigrant visas for applicants from 75 countries starting January 21. This change affects people wanting to move to the U.S. permanently. It does not impact visitors or those with short-term visas.

    This decision comes five months before the U.S. hosts the FIFA World Cup with Canada and Mexico. It also follows a series of crackdowns on immigrants, refugees, foreign students, and visa applicants, raising concerns about how the U.S. views visitors.

    What announcement has been made by the U.S. administration?

    The State Department has told U.S. consulates to stop processing immigrant visa applications from certain countries. This decision comes after an order to increase checks on potential immigrants who might financially burden the U.S.

    “The Trump administration is ending the misuse of America’s immigration system by those who take advantage of American resources,” the department said.

    Processing of immigrant visas from these 75 countries will be paused while the State Department reviews its procedures to prevent foreign nationals from relying on welfare and public benefits.

    How does it work?

    According to the State Department, people from the affected countries can still apply for immigrant visas. However, no visas will be approved or issued while the pause is in place. The U.S. government has not said when this suspension might end.

    Dual nationals can apply using a valid passport from a country not included in the suspension. This pause does not affect non-immigrant visas, such as temporary, tourist, or business visas.

    Other Immigration Restrictions Under the Trump Administration

    Recently, the Trump administration has tightened immigration rules for people from countries with weak vetting processes. The State Department has set new limits on migration from these nations.

    In January 2025, the White House stated that the U.S. could not accept large numbers of migrants, especially refugees. They said this could strain public resources, create security issues, and make it harder for newcomers to adjust.

    In June, the administration imposed a full travel ban on people from 12 countries: Afghanistan, Chad, the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Myanmar, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.

    By October, the White House announced the lowest refugee admissions limit in U.S. history: just 7,500 refugees for the 2026 fiscal year. Most of this cap is for white Afrikaners from South Africa. Trump has spread false claims about a genocide against white South Africans, despite data showing that violence affects people of all races in that country.

    At the same time, the Trump administration has cut foreign aid programs that help refugees living abroad.

    The administration has also worked to limit skilled immigration. They claim this protects jobs for U.S. citizens. In September, they raised the application fee for H-1B visas, which companies use to hire foreign workers, to $100,000.

    After an Afghan national linked to the shooting of two National Guard members in Washington, D.C., the government added more travel restrictions. They expanded the ban to include six more countries: Palestine, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, and Syria.

    Immigration officials have also paused asylum cases and stopped processing citizenship and green card applications for people from the countries affected by the bans.

    Is the Trump administration deporting people at record rates?

    By early December, Trump’s Department of Homeland Security said it had deported over 605,000 people, while about 1.9 million people had left the country on their own.

    As a result, the United States saw more people leaving than entering in 2025. This was the first time in 50 years that net negative immigration happened, according to the Brookings Institution. Their researchers estimated that the net loss of immigrants that year was between 10,000 and 295,000 people.

  • Trump Cancels Iran Meetings, Urges Protesters to Seize Institutions

    Trump Cancels Iran Meetings, Urges Protesters to Seize Institutions

    US President Donald Trump has canceled all meetings with Iranian officials. He urged protesters in Iran to “take over your institutions” after a government crackdown.

    On Tuesday, Trump posted on social media that “help is on the way” but did not elaborate. He has been considering military action against Iran recently.

    “Iranian Patriots, KEEP PROTESTING-TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS! Save the names of the killers and abusers. They will pay a big price,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

    “I have canceled all meetings with Iranian officials until the senseless killing of protesters stops. HELP IS ON ITS WAY. MIGA!!! [MAGA].”

    Trump has threatened military strikes against Iran to pressure the country to meet US demands. He suggested that a harsh response from Iranian authorities to the protests could lead to US military action. On Monday, he announced a 25% tariff on any country doing business with Iran.

    Analysts have warned that US strikes could break international law and lead to unexpected problems, especially with the large protests happening in Iran.

    Human rights groups outside Iran say hundreds of protesters have died, while state media report that over 100 security personnel have also died.

    Trump Announced to Invade Iran

    Trump has suggested that the US may intervene in Iran. His national security team will meet today to discuss options.

    Thousands of people are feared dead after a strong crackdown on weeks of protests against the government in Iran. Many Iranians are reporting high levels of death and destruction when they manage to call family abroad.

    An Iranian security official told Reuters that the death toll could be around 2,000 people, which includes security personnel.

    One protester, Erfan Soltani, is set to be executed tomorrow. A human rights group mentioned that they have never seen a case move so quickly.

    Although some people in Iran can now make calls outside the country, an ongoing internet blackout makes it hard to confirm information from inside.

    Top Iranian Official Attributes Iranian Deaths to Trump

    Iran’s security forces have increased their crackdown in recent days. The Human Rights Activists News Agency, based in the US, reports that at least 1,847 protesters have been killed since the demonstrations began on December 28. They warn that the actual death toll could be much higher.

    In response to former President Trump’s comments on X (formerly Twitter), Ali Larijani, Secretary of the National Security Council and adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said, “We announce the names of the main murderers of the Iranian people: 1- Trump 2- Netanyahu.”

    This is not the first time Larijani has responded to Trump on social media.

    Earlier, on January 2, Trump wrote on Truth Social: “If Iran shoots and violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue.”

    Larijani replied, “Trump should know that US interference in this internal matter would mean destabilizing the entire region and harming America’s interests.”

  • US Classified Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan as ‘Terrorists’

    US Classified Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan as ‘Terrorists’

    The United States has labeled Muslim Brotherhood organizations in Egypt, Lebanon, and Jordan as “terrorist” groups. This announcement comes from President Donald Trump’s administration as it increases efforts to target groups that oppose Israel globally.

    This decision was made on Tuesday, following an executive order from Trump issued weeks earlier to start the process of blacklisting these groups.

    The US Department of the Treasury identified the organizations in Jordan and Egypt as “specially designated global terrorists.” Meanwhile, the State Department classified the Lebanese group as a “foreign terrorist organization” (FTO).

    The Trump administration mentioned that these groups allegedly support Hamas and act against Israeli interests in the Middle East as reasons for the designations.

    The US Treasury stated, “Chapters of the Muslim Brotherhood claim to be legitimate civic organizations, but they openly support terrorist groups like Hamas behind the scenes.”

    On Tuesday, Egypt’s Foreign Ministry welcomed the US decision to label the Egyptian branch of the Muslim Brotherhood as global “terrorists.” They called it a significant step. The ministry explained that the decision shows the risks this group poses and its extremist ideology, which threatens regional and international security.

    They also said this move matches Egypt’s long-standing view of the group, which it considers a “terrorist” organization due to its violence and incitement.

    These US designations make it illegal to provide support to these groups and impose economic sanctions to disrupt their funding. The FTO label also bans members of these groups from entering the US.

    The Muslim Brotherhood

    The Muslim Brotherhood was founded in 1928 by Egyptian scholar Hassan al-Banna. It has branches across the Middle East, including political parties and social groups.

    The group claims it is committed to peaceful political participation. In Lebanon, the Muslim Brotherhood chapter is called al-Jamaa al-Islamiya, and it has representatives in the Lebanese Parliament.

    In Jordan, the group won 31 seats in the House of Representatives in the 2024 elections through its political arm, the Islamic Action Front. However, last year, the Jordanian government banned the group, accusing it of being involved in a sabotage plot.

    In Egypt, the Muslim Brotherhood won the only democratically held presidential election in 2012. But after President Mohamed Morsi was overthrown in a military coup in 2013, he died in prison in 2019. Since then, Egypt has banned the Muslim Brotherhood and cracked down on its leaders and members, forcing the group underground and into exile.

    Muslim Brotherhood organizations have criticized Israel’s actions in Gaza, calling them genocide. Al-Jamaa al-Islamiya showed support for Hezbollah as part of a solidarity effort for Gaza, which led to a war in September 2024.

    After a decree by Trump in November, Lebanese Parliament member Imad al-Hout stated that al-Jamaa al-Islamiya is a licensed political organization in Lebanon and has no foreign ties. He said that the assessment of any Lebanese political group should be based on Lebanese laws, not external viewpoints tied to American interests that support Israel and do not reflect the situation in Lebanon.

    The Group Rejected Trump’s Order

    The Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood rejected Trump’s order to blacklist them, noting that previous US administrations did not take this step.

    “The facts have not changed. What has changed is the foreign pressure on the United States, especially from the UAE and Israel, to adopt policies that serve outside interests instead of the American people,” the group stated in November.

    “These outside interests contradict the ‘America First’ principle that President Trump often mentions and show the negative influence of foreign lobbying groups on U.S. national security decisions.”

    Effects in the US

    In the US and other Western countries, right-wing activists have tried to harm the reputation of Muslim immigrant communities and critics of Israel by linking them to the Muslim Brotherhood.

    Some of Trump’s supporters in Congress have pushed for blacklisting the group for years.

    After Trump’s order labeled the Muslim Brotherhood’s branches in Lebanon, Egypt, and Jordan as “terrorist” groups, the Republican governors of Texas and Florida acted against the leading Muslim civil rights group in the US.

    Both states classified the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and the Muslim Brotherhood as “terrorist” groups.

    CAIR, which denies any connection to the Muslim Brotherhood, has filed a lawsuit in response.

  • Trump Considers Possible Military Action Against Iran

    Trump Considers Possible Military Action Against Iran

    President Donald Trump is looking at different military options in response to the protests in Iran that have turned deadly. Some U.S. officials told CNN that he is thinking about responding to recent threats to attack the Iranian government if it harms civilians.

    Trump has been briefed recently on various plans for intervention as the violence in Iran has led to many deaths and arrests. Some options focus on targeting the security forces in Tehran that are suppressing the protests.

    On Sunday, Trump stated that Iran contacted him to negotiate. He said, “The leaders of Iran want to negotiate. I think they’re tired of being beaten up by the United States.”

    Trump is mainly concerned about the violence against protesters. He noted, “Some people seem to be killed who shouldn’t be. These leaders are violent, if you want to call them that. We are taking this very seriously.” He added, “The military is looking at it, and we are considering strong options. We will make a decision.”

    However, some officials are worried that military strikes could have negative consequences and hurt the protests. They believe that strikes could rally the Iranian people behind their government or lead Iran to retaliate with military action.

    Options to Target the Iranian Regime

    Trump is looking at several ways to help protesters in Iran without using military force.

    The U.S. is considering cyber operations to target the Iranian military and government. This could disrupt their ability to manage protests. Trump is also thinking about new sanctions on important officials and key parts of Iran’s economy, like energy and banking.

    In addition, the administration may provide technology, such as Starlink, to help improve internet access in Iran. This would help protesters get around information blackouts. Trump mentioned he might call Elon Musk, the owner of Starlink, after returning to Washington from Florida. President Joe Biden had previously offered similar internet support during protests in 2022.

    Different government agencies are working on these options for the president. Formal briefings are planned soon, including one on Tuesday when Trump will meet with senior national security officials to discuss what to do next.

    Tehran has warned that if the U.S. takes military action against Iran, it will target U.S. military and commercial bases. Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, the parliamentary speaker, said, “If the U.S. attacks Iran or the occupied territories, we will consider U.S. military and shipping centers legitimate targets. We will not just wait and react after an attack.”

    When asked how the U.S. would respond if Iran attacked American military bases, Trump said, “We will hit them at levels that they’ve never been hit before.”

    The president has not made a final decision about intervention yet, but he is seriously considering options as the death toll in Iran rises. However, the choices under consideration do not include sending ground troops to Iran, according to a senior official at the White House.

    Consequences of Anti-regime Protests

    Trump Considers Possible Military Action Against Iran

    Over the past 15 days, at least 10,675 people have been arrested in Iran during anti-government protests. This number includes 169 children, according to Skylar Thompson, the deputy director of Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA).

    HRA also reports that at least 490 protesters have been killed during this time. CNN cannot verify these numbers independently.

    U.S. President Trump commented on the situation on social media, saying, “Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before. The USA stands ready to help!!!”

    On Friday, Trump told reporters that if the Iranian government uses deadly violence against protesters, the U.S. will “get involved.” He emphasized that this would not necessarily mean sending troops, but that the U.S. would respond strongly.

    Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke on Saturday about the protests. They also discussed the situations in Syria and Gaza.

    The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Sunday that they are watching the developments in Iran as the country enters its third week of protests.

  • Venezuelan Opposition Leader Machado to Meet Trump on Thursday

    Venezuelan Opposition Leader Machado to Meet Trump on Thursday

    Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, who won the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, will meet President Donald Trump on Thursday. A senior White House official shared this news with CNN.

    Machado’s visit comes after Trump declined to support her following U.S. military strikes in Caracas and the capture of Nicolás Maduro, the country’s leader. Maduro’s vice president, Delcy Rodríguez, has now taken over as acting president.

    After the operation on January 3, Trump said it would be difficult for Machado to lead Venezuela because she does not have the support or respect of the people.

    Despite this, Machado has something Trump desires – a Nobel Prize. She has said she would offer her prize to Trump, who expressed that it would be an “honor” to receive it. However, the Norwegian Nobel Institute stated that the prize cannot be transferred.

    When asked on Friday if accepting Machado’s prize would change his view of her role in Venezuela, Trump did not respond directly.

    “I need to talk to her. She might be involved in some way. I think it’s great that she wants to come in. That’s what I understand the reason is,” Trump told CNN’s Kaitlan Collins during a meeting with oil executives at the White House.

    “I can’t think of anyone in history who deserves the Nobel Prize more than me. I don’t want to brag, but nobody else has settled wars,” Trump stated.

    On Sunday, Trump said he is open to meeting with Rodriguez “at some point.” He mentioned, “We’re working really well with the leadership, and we’ll see how it all unfolds,” while speaking to reporters on Air Force One.

    Trump Canceled Second Wave of Attacks on Venezuela

    Last week, Trump posted on Truth Social that he was canceling a second wave of attacks on Venezuela. He made this decision because Venezuela cooperated with the U.S. in the release of political prisoners.

    In a meeting with oil executives on Friday, he called Venezuela an ally “right now” and said he does not think another attack is needed. Trump has claimed that the U.S. would “run” Venezuela, suggesting this could last for years. In a recent interview with The New York Times, he said, “Only time will tell.”

    However, his plan for a large new drilling campaign, part of his vision to rebuild the country and use its resources, has met with hesitation. After the lengthy White House meeting, Trump and his aides did not secure any major commitments from companies to invest billions. The CEO of ExxonMobil called Venezuela “uninvestible.”

  • US State Department Delegation Visits Venezuela for First Time since Maduro’s Capture

    US State Department Delegation Visits Venezuela for First Time since Maduro’s Capture

    A team from the US State Department visited Venezuela on Friday for the first time since Nicolas Maduro was ousted. This visit is part of the US effort to reopen its embassy in Caracas and signals the administration’s goal to re-establish a diplomatic presence in Venezuela.

    US diplomatic and security staff from the Venezuela Affairs Unit, based in Colombia, traveled to the Venezuelan capital. They were with acting US Ambassador to Colombia John McNamara to assess the situation for a gradual return to operations.

    In 2019, the US withdrew its diplomats and closed the embassy in Caracas. Since then, the Venezuela Affairs Unit has been working with US diplomats in Bogotá.

    A senior State Department official said on Monday that they are preparing to reopen the embassy in Venezuela if the president decides to proceed.

    Discussions are ongoing about meetings between US diplomats and Venezuelan political leaders, but these meetings are not likely to happen during this trip, according to a senior US official.

    The Venezuelan foreign ministry announced on Friday that it is starting an “exploratory diplomatic process” with the US. This process aims to re-establish diplomatic missions in both countries and discuss the implications of what they call the “aggression and kidnapping” of Maduro and his wife.

    They confirmed that the US delegation came to Venezuela to assess technical and logistical needs, and stated that a group of Venezuelan diplomats would travel to the US to complete necessary tasks.

    Will US Oil Companies Reopen Operations in Venezuela?

    Former diplomats say that the lack of a US presence in Venezuela will make it difficult to rebuild the country and ensure accountability. Trump wants US oil companies to return to Venezuela to help with rebuilding efforts. He mentioned earlier this week that the US was “asked” to reopen its embassy but did not give more details.

    Secretary of State Marco Rubio told important lawmakers during a briefing on Monday that the State Department is looking into reopening the US embassy. He said officials need to check the building to see if it is in good enough shape to reopen, according to a source familiar with the briefing. He added that they plan to send people in the coming days.

    Another source mentioned that there are discussions about sending a team of experts to inspect the building’s condition. They need to find out what repairs are necessary before reopening the embassy.

    The embassy has been closed since the Maduro government cut diplomatic ties with the first Trump administration after it recognized opposition leader Juan Guaidó. At the same time, Maduro closed Venezuelan diplomatic offices and withdrew personnel from the US.

    One source said that it might take a long time for the embassy to fully reopen. However, a small team could be set up quickly. Some diplomats have already offered to work in Caracas.

    A former senior US official mentioned that reopening the embassy “could be very fast.” However, the State Department needs to be sure that the security conditions are safe for US personnel.

    “The key issue is whether we have the right security conditions and confidence that our people won’t be injured or kidnapped by the regime. That is the difficult part,” the official told CNN.