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Middle East U.S.A

Trump’s Illogical Iran Announcement

Trump says that direct talks with Iran will be held at almost the highest level and hopes that they will be successful and an agreement may be reached, because it is better for Iran.

Direct talks at almost the highest level, means at least a Rubio-Araghchi meeting, at the level of foreign ministers,

However, there is one fact to consider here, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has issued a fatwa, which prohibits direct negotiations between Iran and the US,

It is within the framework of this fatwa that Khamenei himself and senior Iranian military and political officials ruled out direct negotiations with the US,

So Trump’s statement that he will have direct talks with Iran on Saturday is a bit of a surprise.

Official statements from Tehran have not yet been issued. There are concerns that Trump’s statement was a disingenuous step to try to gain political legitimacy for strikes on Iran.

Middle East U.S.A

BREAKING: Restoration of Bagram Base

Afghan Media House: the US has regained control of Bagram Air Base – the base is located in north of Kabul, in the eastern part of the country. According to the Afghan Khaama Press, this step was taken at the request of the Taliban government. According to the agency, several C-17 Globemaster military transport aircraft landed in Bagram last week, which are loaded with military equipment and high-ranking intelligence officials, including CIA Deputy Director Michael Ellis.

Although neither the US nor the Taliban have officially confirmed the return of the military, flight monitoring systems recorded several American C-17s landing at Bagram base last week.

According to some sources, Afghanistan, and in particular the Bagram base, still retains strategic importance for the US, particularly in respect of the geopolitical contexts of Iranian and Chinese militaries. An official announcement about the restoration of the control over Bagram may be made as early as this week.

Middle East U.S.A

Netanyahu Summoned to the White House

Israeli media reports indicate that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was unexpectedly summoned to the White House by former U.S. President Donald Trump for urgent discussions. The request, which came as a surprise to Netanyahu, initially led him to propose a meeting after the start of the Passover holiday. The White House reportedly declined to delay the talks, prompting Netanyahu to travel to Washington immediately.

One of the primary issues expected to dominate the discussions between Netanyahu and Trump is Iran’s nuclear program. Both leaders have historically taken a hardline stance against Iran’s nuclear ambitions, and this meeting suggests an increased urgency in addressing the issue. The renewed focus on Iran’s nuclear activities could signal new diplomatic or strategic initiatives aimed at curbing Tehran’s influence in the region.

Beyond Iran, the meeting is likely to cover broader regional security concerns, including Israel’s relations with neighboring states, its ongoing conflict with Palestinian factions, and potential shifts in U.S. foreign policy toward the Middle East. Netanyahu’s rushed trip indicates that the discussions may carry significant geopolitical weight, potentially influencing future U.S.-Israel cooperation on military and intelligence matters.

Iran Middle East U.S.A

Iran on Combat Alert Amid US Talks Standoff

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has put Iran’s armed forces on combat alert, a senior Iranian official told Reuters on condition of anonymity.

He said that in response to US demands and threats of bombing if it refuses direct talks over its nuclear program, Iran is warning neighbouring countries that host US military bases of dire consequences if they get involved.

Although Iran has rejected US President Donald Trump’s demand for direct talks, it wants to continue indirect talks through Oman, the official said.

“The indirect talks offer a chance to gauge Washington’s seriousness about a political solution with Iran,” the official said.

He said Iran had sent messages to Iraq, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Turkey and Bahrain that any support for a US attack on Iran, including the use of their airspace or territory by US military personnel, would be considered a hostile act.

“Such an action will have severe consequences for them,” the official said.

France Middle East

Macron holds emergency meeting on Iran’s nuclear program

French President Emmanuel Macron has convened an emergency meeting of the Council of Ministers, with the central agenda focusing on the escalating tensions surrounding Iran’s nuclear program. This urgent deliberation underscores the growing geopolitical strain in the Middle East, where concerns over Tehran’s nuclear ambitions have once again reached a critical juncture.

Notably, France’s military posture in the region remains significant. The French Navy’s flagship, the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier, is currently deployed in the Middle East as part of a strike group, positioning Paris as a key player in the unfolding crisis. While the precise nature of its role in any forthcoming large-scale military operations remains undisclosed, strategic assessments suggest that the carrier group could be involved in both defensive and offensive operations.

Historical precedents indicate that France has actively participated in regional defense measures. Last year, during a period of heightened hostilities, the French Navy and Air Force played a crucial role in neutralizing Iranian missile threats, particularly in coordination with Israel’s air defense systems. Given this backdrop, it is likely that the Charles de Gaulle strike group will once again be tasked with intercepting potential Iranian retaliatory strikes, ensuring the protection of allied assets in the region.

This latest development further highlights France’s strategic commitment to maintaining regional stability while reaffirming its position as a pivotal actor in European security policy. As Macron’s government navigates the complexities of diplomatic engagement and military preparedness, the coming days may prove crucial in determining France’s broader role in shaping the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East.

Middle East

Israel bombs central Syria

Last night, the Israeli Air Force carried out large-scale air strikes on the T4 air base in Hama province in central Syria, which levelled the air base’s infrastructure.

A few days ago, according to reports in Turkish media, the Turkish army was planning to enter the said base and deploy air defence equipment there, but Israeli actions did not delay and destroyed the air base.

According to Syrian media, the strikes killed members of the Syrian army, civilians and 3 Turkish engineers who were at the air base and preparing the base for the deployment of Turkish forces.

The Syrian Foreign Ministry has already condemned the Israeli strikes and accused them of violating the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

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