Trump’s unprovoked attack on Iran has no legal mandate and no clear objective

Trump’s unprovoked attack on Iran has no legal mandate and no clear objective

US president violates UN charter just days into the Board of Peace era, and chooses to take the biggest gamble of his administration US-Israeli attack on Iran – live updates US and Israel strikes on Iran: what we know so far The first war of Donald Trump’s Board of Peace era has begun – an unprovoked attempt at regime change in collaboration with Israel, with no legal foundation, launched in the midst of diplomatic efforts to avert conflict, and with minimal consultation with Congress or the American public. Trump’s recorded eight-minute address, delivered in his trademark red baseball cap after the first bombs had fallen, made clear that this would be no limited strike aimed at cajoling Tehran into concessions at the negotiating table. He warned that if Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) did not surrender they would be killed, and the country’s armed forces, its missile and navy would be smashed. Continue reading...

'End the blockade against Venezuela now!' - Rodriguez urges Trump to lift sanctions amid $900m oil investment push

'End the blockade against Venezuela now!' - Rodriguez urges Trump to lift sanctions amid $900m oil investment push

"Venezuelan acting president Delcy Rodriguez demanded an end to the economic blockade imposed by the US against her country on Friday during her meeting with leading figures from the country's oil sector in Caracas. "In 2025, taken together, they had an investment of practically more than 900 million dollars, in a context, I repeat, of a blocked economy. And here there was both national and international investment," Rodriguez said. "The investment that has been made in Venezuela in the hydrocarbons industry must be respected." Rodriguez thanked US President Donald Trump for "his expressions of respect toward my person and toward the Government of Venezuela," but reiterated Caracas’s demand. "We told him, look, Mr President, end the blockade against Venezuela now, no more sanctions against Venezuela," she said. "The business sector has also been a victim of the blockade," she added. Rodriguez also outlined Caracas's intention to pursue a bilateral energy agenda with the United States that she characterised as respectful, cooperative and grounded in effective collaboration. The demand follows Trump's announcement during Tuesday's State of the Union address that Washington has received 80 million barrels of oil from Venezuela. The US has recognised an interim government led by Rodriguez and has eased numerous sanctions, permitting American oil firms, including Chevron and ExxonMobil, to resume operations in the country."

School strike - 'At least 40' killed as Iranian media reports attack on girls' elementary in Hormozgan

School strike - 'At least 40' killed as Iranian media reports attack on girls' elementary in Hormozgan

"Iranian media reported an attack on a school in Hormozgan on Saturday, as the US and Israel launched strikes on the country. Footage shows aftermath with scorched buildings. The IRNA news agency claimed 'at least 40' had been killed. This could not be independently verified. Donald Trump confirmed 'major combat operations' in Iran in a video posted on his Truth Social: "To the members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard, the armed forces and all of the police, I say tonight that you must lay down your weapons and have complete immunity - or in the alternative, face certain death." Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said it was a joint operation to "remove the existential threat posed by the terrorist regime in Iran". He later called on the Iranian people to 'take their fate into their own hands'. The Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps then reported the 'first wave' of 'widespread missile and drone and attacks' against Israel was underway. Iran's Foreign Ministry stated: "History bears witness that Iranians have never bowed their heads in submission to foreign aggression". It comes following three rounds of talks between the Iranian and American sides, one in Muscat and two in Geneva in recent weeks. "