Iran denies any talks with US after Trump claims ‘productive’ discussions | US-Israel war on Iran News

0

Iran parliament speaker says US president using idea of talks to ‘escape quagmire in which US and Israel are trapped’.

Senior Iranian officials have denied that Iran held talks with the United States, just hours after US President Donald Trump claimed “very good and productive conversations” had taken place towards ending the war.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said in a social media post on Monday that “no negotiations have been held with the US”.

Recommended Stories

list of 3 itemsend of list

“Fakenews [sic] is used to manipulate the financial and oil markets and escape the quagmire in which the US and Israel are trapped,” Ghalibaf wrote on X.

That echoed earlier remarks from Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei, who also denied that any discussions with the US had taken place.

In comments shared by Iran’s official IRNA news agency, Baghaei said that “messages have been received from some friendly countries regarding the US’s request for negotiations to end the war”.

The denials come as the US-Israeli war on Iran has entered its fourth week, with the Israeli military saying on Monday that it had launched a fresh wave of attacks on the Iranian capital, Tehran.

Iran also has continued to fire missiles and drones across the wider Middle East and essentially shut the Strait of Hormuz, a critical Gulf waterway through which about one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas supplies transit.

That has sent global energy prices soaring and raised concerns about the war’s escalating toll on people around the world.

On Saturday, Trump had threatened to “obliterate” Iran’s power plants if the country did not open the Strait of Hormuz to all vessels within 48 hours.

But in an all-caps Truth Social post on Monday morning, the US president said he had instructed the US Department of Defense “to postpone any and all military strikes against Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure for a five day period” amid the purported talks with Iran.

He said the postponement was subject to “the success of the ongoing meetings and discussions”.

Separately, Trump also told reporters that the talks took place on Sunday. He said the US had been speaking with “a top person” in Iran, without specifying who exactly that person was.

“They want very much to make a deal. We’d like to make a deal, too,” Trump said. “We’re doing a five-day period, we’ll see how that goes. And if it goes well, we’re going to end up settling this. Otherwise, we’ll just keep bombing our little hearts out.”

Reporting from Tehran, Al Jazeera’s Ali Hashem noted that while Iran has denied that any talks have taken place, regional actors have been pushing for de-escalation.

“There are some messages that are being conveyed by regional players,” Hashem said.

“Everyone right now is trying to bring both sides back to a level where there is a possibility to start a kind of framework [for talks]. But how will this be reflected on the ground, how will this be demonstrated? This is the big question.”

Hassan Ahmadian, a professor at the University of Tehran, said Trump could be using the prospect of talks as a way to backtrack from his 48-hour ultimatum to strike Iran’s energy infrastructure, which would have further escalated the war.

“It seems that there are mediation efforts that started regionally, by Pakistan, Egypt and Turkiye, trying to find a way out of this standoff,” Ahmadian told Al Jazeera.

“But [Trump] going this heavy on this mediation effort speaks volumes to him trying to climb down … [from] the deadline he issued and the Iranian threat of retaliation that would have been really significant, according to the Iranians,” he said.

“He wanted to climb down, and this mediation effort, I think, was his way to [do it].”



Source link

‘Reacher’ star Alan Ritchson caught on video in alleged fight with neighbor

0

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

“Reacher” star Alan Ritchson was allegedly caught on video in a physical altercation with his Tennessee neighbor, as conflicting accounts emerged over what led to the fight.

Ritchson can allegedly be seen throwing punches at his Tennessee neighbor as his kids watch from the street in video obtained by TMZ. The actor’s neighbor and alleged victim, Ronnie Taylor, claimed the drama began Saturday, according to the outlet.

According to Taylor, Ritchson was seen riding his green Kawasaki bike through the neighborhood Saturday at an excessive rate of speed. The actor returned Sunday around noon, this time with his two kids in tow on their own motorbikes. Taylor confronted Ritchson, leading to a physical altercation.

‘REACHER’ STAR ALAN RITCHSON COMPARES MODELING INDUSTRY TO ‘LEGALIZED SEX TRAFFICKING’: ‘IT LEFT SOME SCARS’

Alan Ritchson standing on a red carpet at the War Machine premiere in Melbourne.

Alan Ritchson allegedly got into a violent altercation with his Tennessee neighbor. (Kierra Thorn / Getty Images)

WATCH: ‘REACHER’ STAR ALAN RITCHSON ALLEGEDLY GETS IN PHYSICAL ALTERCATION WITH NEIGHBOR

“Can you f—ing stop this, please?” Taylor claimed he asked Ritchson before things got heated.

Sources close to Ritchson told TMZ that the actor did not instigate the fight. While riding motorbikes around the neighborhood, Taylor allegedly ran into the street in a “really aggressive” manner to stop Ritchson.

Alan Ritchson standing on a red carpet at the "Ordinary Angels" New York Premiere.

Alan Ritchson and his neighbor reportedly argued over the actor’s alleged excessive rate of speed in the neighborhood. (Jamie McCarthy / WireImage)

LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

A photo of Alan Ritchson

Alan Ritchson was allegedly seen throwing punches in a video obtained by TMZ. Sources close to Ritchson told the outlet that the actor did not instigate the fight.  (Frazer Harrison/GA/The Hollywood Reporter via Getty Images)

The insiders claimed Taylor pushed Ritchson off the motorbike twice before the brawl ensued. According to the outlet’s sources, Taylor allegedly “initiated and instigated” the entire confrontation.

Fox News Digital has reached out to a representative for Ritchson and the Brentwood Police Department for more information.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER

Sydelle Noel and Alan Ritchson filming scenes on the set of the TV series "Reacher."

Actors Sydelle Noel and Alan Ritchson are seen filming scenes of the Amazon Prime Video TV series “Reacher” season 4 on June 18, 2025, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Gilbert Carrasquillo / GC Images)

Well before he found success as an actor on various TV shows and films, Ritchson got his start in modeling, something he said left him with “scars” due to the “horrific environments” he faced. 

After Ritchson was allegedly sexually assaulted by a “very famous photographer,” he abruptly quit modeling and never returned.

Years later, Ritchson established himself as a successful actor. He’s known for roles in “Blue Mountain State,” “Smallville,” “Titans,” “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” “Reacher” and “War Machine.”

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP



Source link

Access Denied

0

Access Denied You don’t have permission to access “http://hindi.news18.com/cricket/punjab-kings-head-coach-ricky-ponting-energizes-the-team-advised-players-to-be-prepared-physically-technically-mentally-to-win-ipl-10301649.html” on this server.

Reference #18.4a200117.1774292254.bcf17fc

https://errors.edgesuite.net/18.4a200117.1774292254.bcf17fc

FBI: Iranian hackers targeting opponents with Telegram malware

0

Iranian government-connected groups are deploying malware via the Telegram messaging app, taking aim at dissidents and other opponents of Tehran around the world, the FBI said in an alert Friday.

The FBI said attackers linked to the Ministry of Intelligence and Security are behind the campaign, which stretches back to 2023. The bureau is escalating the alert now, though, because of the conflict between Iran and a U.S.-Israel alliance, it states.

“The observed victim profile included Iranian dissidents, journalists opposed to Iran, members of organizations with beliefs counter to Government of Iran narratives, and other individuals Iran perceives as a threat to the Iranian government, However, the malware could be used to target any individual of interest to Iran.” the alert reads. “This malware resulted in intelligence collection, data leaks, and reputational harm against the targeted parties.” 

Handala — an Iranian pro-Palestinian group that claimed credit for the hack on medical device maker Stryker this month — used information it gathered from hacking dissidents to carry out a hack-and-leak campaign in 2025, the FBI assesses. (Stryker sent a notice to the Securities and Exchange Commission Monday that provides an update on the incident.)

While U.S. officials say they haven’t seen any major increase in cyberattacks out of Iran since the conflict began, experts have noted it could be weeks before patterns emerge.

Telegram is a popular communications channel in Iran. Iranian hackers frequent Telegram to discuss planned attacks. On the other hand, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has also issued warnings to its populace that they could face prosecution if they’re members of Telegram-based opposition channels, IranWire reported last week.

The FBI said from the malware samples it examined, the scheme begins with hackers masquerading as apps like Pictory, KeePass and Telegram. The hackers configure command and control using a Telegram bot.

To gain initial access, the hackers seek to manipulate victims by posing as someone they know or as tech support for a social media platform. They then trick the victims into accepting a file transfer, which then launches the malware.

“Based on multiple observations, stage 1 of the malware appeared to be tailored to the victim’s pattern of life to increase likelihood of victim downloading the malware, which indicates the Iranian cyber actors likely performed target reconnaissance prior to engaging with the victim,” the FBI said.

The FBI alert is the latest in a series of government warnings about attackers using messaging apps to carry out their objectives.

Telegram spokesperson Remi Vaughn said in an emailed response: “Bad actors can and do use any available channel to control malware, including other messengers, email or even direct web connections. While there is nothing unique about the use of Telegram to control software, moderators routinely remove any accounts found to be involved with malware.”

Tim Starks

Written by Tim Starks

Tim Starks is senior reporter at CyberScoop. His previous stops include working at The Washington Post, POLITICO and Congressional Quarterly. An Evansville, Ind. native, he’s covered cybersecurity since 2003. Email Tim here: tim.starks@cyberscoop.com.


Source link

EU calls for clarification after Hungary accused of leaking info to Russia | European Union News

0

Germany calls the allegations ‘very serious’, as Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban orders probe into alleged ‘wiretapping’.

The European Commission has called for clarity from Hungary after a United States media outlet reported that the country’s foreign minister passed on information about negotiations with the European Union to Russia.

The Washington Post reported on Saturday that Hungary’s Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto had regularly called his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, during breaks in EU meetings to provide “direct reports on what was discussed” and possible next steps.

Recommended Stories

list of 3 itemsend of list

Szijjarto has rejected the report as “fake news” and “senseless conspiracy theories”.

European Commission spokeswoman Anitta Hipper said on Monday that a “relationship of trust between member states, and between them and the institution, is fundamental for the work of the EU.”

“We expect the Hungarian government to provide the clarifications,” Hipper added.

The allegations come at a tense moment in relations between Budapest and the EU. Many officials in Brussels remain furious that Hungary continued to block a loan of 90 billion euros ($104bn) to Ukraine at an EU leaders’ gathering last week.

Germany called the allegations against Hungary “very serious”.

“Discussions within the EU, including among EU foreign ministers, are confidential,” a German Foreign Ministry spokesman said.

“We will not tolerate any violation of them,” he added.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said in a post on X on Sunday that the Washington Post report “shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone”.

“That’s one reason why I take the floor only when strictly necessary and say just as much as necessary,” he added.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is one of the few EU leaders to maintain close ties with Moscow amid Russia’s war on Ukraine.

He ordered an investigation on Monday into what he called the wiretapping of his foreign minister.

“There is evidence that Hungary’s foreign minister was wiretapped, and we also have indications of who may be behind it. This must be investigated immediately,” he said, without elaborating.

Orban, who has been in power since 2010, is facing his toughest re-election bid on April 12, as the centre-right opposition Tisza Party leads most polls.



Source link

New York Giants valued at $10.8B amid Tisch family equity transfer request

0

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

As New York Giants co-owner Steve Tisch and his siblings look to transfer an equity stake to a children’s trust, the overall value of the franchise has been revealed.

An NFL memo obtained by ESPN earlier this month found the Tisch family — Steve, Jonathan and Laurie — are seeking a transfer of their collective equity stake in the franchise to their children. The proposed stake was 23.1% of the team. 

The proposed transfer of equity values the team at $10.8 billion, according to Sports Business Journal, which would put a 23.1% stake at roughly $2.5 billion. 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Steve Tisch arrives for meetings in New York City

New York Giants co-owner Steve Tisch arrives for NFL owners meetings in New York City, New York on Oct. 21, 2025.   (Seth Wenig/AP Photo)

For comparison, Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross sold 1% of his team to billionaire entrepreneur Lin Bin with the valuation at a record $12.5 billion. 

Julia Koch, a board member with Koch Industries, also bought a 10% stake in the Giants with a valuation at $10.3 billion in October 2025. 

GIANTS CO-OWNER STEVE TISCH, SIBLINGS LOOK TO TRANSFER EQUITY STAKE TO CHILDREN’S TRUSTS, NFL MEMO SHOWS

It’s also worth noting that the NFL memo stated, “Following the transactions, the Sellers will no longer own any interest in the Club.” 

It is unknown if the transfer requests have anything to do with Steve Tisch’s name appearing in the Epstein files released by the U.S. Justice Department in January. His name appeared more than 400 times in the files, and while he said at the time he knew of Epstein, he denied visiting Epstein’s infamous island. 

Steve Tisch

Steve Tisch executive vice president of the New York Giants looks on before pre-season football game against the Carolina Panthers at MetLife Stadium on Aug. 18, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.  (Rich Schultz/Getty Images)

“We had a brief association where we exchanged emails about adult women, and in addition, we discussed movies, philanthropy and investments,” Steve Tisch said in a statement on Jan. 31. “I did not take him up on any of his invitations and never went to his island. As we all know now, he was a terrible person and someone I deeply regret associating with.”

The U.S. Justice Department released more than 3 million documents related to the Epstein investigation, which included email exchanges from April 2013 and June 2013 between Tisch and Epstein. Some of those exchanges appear to show conversations about women. 

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in February the league would look into Steve Tisch’s association with Epstein. 

“Absolutely we will look at all the facts,” Goodell said at a news conference in San Jose, California, during Super Bowl week. “We’ll look at the context of those and try to understand that. We’ll look at how that falls under the (league personal conduct) policy. I think we’ll take one step at a time. Let’s get the facts first.”

Steve Tisch walks the sideline

New York Giants co-owner Steve Tisch during warms up prior to the National Football League game between the Washington Redskins and the New York Giants on Oct. 28, 2018 at Met Life Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.  (Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

The Tisch family has been involved in Giants ownership since 1991 alongside the Mara family, which founded the franchise in 1925. 

Fox News’ Chantz Martin and the Associated Press contributed to this report.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.



Source link

Sarah Ferguson denies plans for queen’s corgi cloning reality show

0

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Sarah Ferguson’s spokesperson broke their silence on reports that the former Duchess of York planned to star in a reality TV show about cloning Queen Elizabeth II’s corgis.

The 66-year-old and her ex-husband, the former Prince Andrew, took in Muick and Sandy after the monarch died in 2022 at age 96.

“Ms. Ferguson regularly receives varied TV offers and proposals — often for reality shows, which she always declines,” Ferguson’s rep told People magazine on Sunday.

KING CHARLES, KATE MIDDLETON, PRINCE WILLIAM HECKLED BY PROTESTERS DEMANDING ANSWERS ON ANDREW’S EPSTEIN TIES

Sarah Ferguson wearing a green and bright pink dress.

On March 22, 2026, a spokesperson for Sarah Ferguson denied U.K. reports that she was participating in a reality TV series about cloning the late Queen Elizabeth II’s corgis. (Stephane Cardinale – Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)

The spokesperson added that “to be absolutely clear, she declined the proposal” initially reported by U.K. outlets “regarding a reality TV show involving the late queen’s corgis.” People noted that the Daily Mail was the first to report the claim.

“She received the proposal following some initial conversations with Halcyon Media to discuss a potential program on dogs generally,” the rep continued. “But conversations ended following her declining the opportunity suggested.”

Fox News Digital reached out to Ferguson’s spokesperson for comment.

WATCH: FORMER COUNTESS LUANN DE LESSEPS TELLS SARAH FERGUSON HOW TO SURVIVE EPSTEIN SCANDAL

On Saturday, the Daily Mail reported that Ferguson was in talks to participate in a series in which she would sell clones of the late queen’s beloved pets “to other dog lovers around the world.” The outlet claimed she spoke to “a number of TV companies in the U.S.” before meeting with Halcyon Studios in Los Angeles.

Fox News Digital reached out to a spokesperson at Halcyon Studios for comment.

Sarah Ferguson and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor looking concerned outside of church.

Sarah Ferguson and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor attend the funeral of Katharine, Duchess of Kent at Westminster Cathedral on Sept. 16, 2025, in London. The former Duchess of York’s whereabouts are currently unknown. (Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images)

The alleged synopsis for the proposed series, as reported by the Daily Mail, read: “With the help of a team of scientists and investors, Fergie sets up a company called The Queen’s Corgis, which aims to clone the Queen’s corgis and sell them to other dog lovers around the world. But as she dives deeper into the world of genetics and cloning, Fergie realizes that her business venture is not without controversy…”

“As the series unfolds, viewers will be taken on a journey through the fascinating world of genetics and cloning, as well as the inner workings of the royal family,” the reported synopsis continued. “They will witness the highs and lows of Fergie’s business venture, and see how her determination and resilience are put to the test.

Young Queen Elizabeth carrying a corgi.

A young Princess Elizabeth holding a corgi. (Lisa Sheridan/Studio Lisa/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

“But ultimately, they will be left with a sense of hope and wonder, as they witness the incredible bond between humans and animals, and the enduring legacy of the Queen’s beloved corgis.”

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER

Queen Elizabeth II smiling in a blue dress next to a corgi.

In this undated photo, Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II smiles radiantly during a picture-taking session in the salon at Sandringham House. Her pet dog looks up at her. (Getty Images)

Corgis were the queen’s constant companions since she was a child. Her love for the breed began in 1933 when her father, King George VI, brought home a Pembroke Welsh corgi they named Dookie. In her lifetime, the queen owned nearly 30 of them, and they became part of her public persona. Princess Diana once called them a “moving carpet,” always by the monarch’s side.

Muick and Sandy were the only two to outlive the queen and were present at her funeral.

Sandy and Muick at Queen Elizabeth II's funeral.

The queen’s corgis, Muick and Sandy, are walked inside Windsor Castle on Sept. 19, 2022, ahead of her funeral service. (Glyn Kirk/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

On Feb. 9, the Daily Mail published photos that were said to be of Muick and Sandy on a walk with Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor at the royal family’s Sandringham estate. That month, the ex-prince vacated his 30-room mansion and is currently staying at Wood Farm, his temporary home. 

A sign for Marsh Farm in Sandringham.

This photo shows an entrance to Marsh Farm, the expected future residence of Britain’s former Prince Andrew, just down the road from the royal family’s Sandringham estate in Norfolk, eastern England on Feb. 5, 2026. (Henry Nicholls/AFP via Getty Images)

Andrew is expected to move to Marsh Farm, another residence on the same property, that is currently undergoing renovations.

On Feb. 19 — Andrew’s birthday — the 66-year-old was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office during an inquiry linked to his ties with late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. He is accused of sharing confidential trade information with the American financier. The queen’s son has denied any wrongdoing and has not been charged.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor in the back of a car after release

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, younger brother of Britain’s King Charles, formerly known as Prince Andrew, leaves Aylsham Police Station in a vehicle, on the day he was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office on Feb. 19, 2026. (Reuters/Phil Noble TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)

In October, Andrew announced he was giving up his royal titles, and the palace confirmed later that month that King Charles had “initiated a formal process to remove the style, titles and honours of Prince Andrew.”

LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

Ferguson, who has been the subject of scrutiny following revelations about her own ties to Epstein, has not been seen in public since December 2025. Her whereabouts are unknown, People reported.

Sarah Ferguson holding her historical novel.

Sarah Ferguson poses with her book “A Most Intriguing Lady” at The 92nd Street Y New York on March 6, 2023, in New York City.  (Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)

In 2023, Ferguson described the late queen as her “total idol” to Fox News Digital. At the time, she had written a historical novel, “A Most Intriguing Lady.”

“I adored our walks with the dogs,” Ferguson said at the time. “On our strolls, we would talk about the gardens and what’s blooming. She just had the best imagination every time I would tell her about my newest children’s book. She would jump right into the story.

“She was such a guiding force in my life, more of a mother to me than my own mother was, actually. And I will always live by her remarkable example.”

A close-up of Queen Elizabeth wearing a green suit with a matching hat.

Queen Elizabeth II, England’s longest-reigning monarch, died in 2022 at age 96. (Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

Following the queen’s death, a palace spokesperson confirmed Sandy and Muick (pronounced “Mick”), would live with Ferguson and her ex-husband. The beloved pooches were gifted to the queen by the pair, along with their daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.

“The corgis are doing wonderfully,” said Ferguson. “They are very, very good and kind folks. They have been settling in quite well and are getting along with my five Norfolk terriers. We have seven dogs in the home now, and the corgis are the gifts that keep on giving.”

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Sarah Ferguson sitting down with Queen Elizabeth II.

Sarah Ferguson and Queen Elizabeth II in London, circa 1990. (Georges De Keerle/Getty Images)

“I am very honored to get to watch over them,” she said. “Every day, I break the same little cookies her majesty used to break for them and feed them to each. They are very patient to be given their snacks. But I know that when they hear that sound of the cookies breaking, they think of her majesty and feel at home.”



Source link

Access Denied

0

Access Denied You don’t have permission to access “http://hindi.news18.com/cricket/hardik-pandya-is-a-devotee-of-hanuman-listen-hanuman-chalisa-even-in-his-luxurious-ferrari-know-the-reason-10301647.html” on this server.

Reference #18.49200117.1774294596.9b94dc2

https://errors.edgesuite.net/18.49200117.1774294596.9b94dc2

Trump can declare victory in Iran – and he should | US-Israel war on Iran

0

Since Donald Trump entered the political fray, critics have opined that if he ever faced a direct confrontation with Iran as United States president, the result would be chaos, endless war, and global instability. They have been proven wrong once again.

Today, the world is witnessing the swift decisive assertion of US power that is leading to a clear military victory over a terrorist state that has long threatened US as well as global peace and security.

For too long, US foreign policy was dominated by hesitation disguised as sophistication. US presidents, Democrat and Republican, advocated for “containment”, “strategic patience”, and “measured responses”, while adversaries grew bolder and more brazen. Iran expanded its influence across the Middle East, funded proxy militias, threatened global energy supplies, and openly challenged Washington’s credibility by attacking US interests, personnel and assets.

Trump rejected the conventional Washington approach even before assuming public office. He never believed that endless negotiations or carefully worded diplomatic statements would deter a regime that only yields to power. His critics called it recklessness. What it actually was, was clarity.

Instead of drifting into another conventional decade-long war, Trump chose a simple formula: hit hard, hit fast, and make it clear that the US will not capitulate to threats.

Today, most of the foreign policy establishment still defines “victory” the way it did in the 20th century: overthrow the regime, occupy the country, and rebuild its government in our liking. That post-World War II and Cold War model worked in Europe, Asia and Latin America. It did not in the Middle East. Iraq and Afghanistan proved that nation-building can be a futile endeavour.

Trump understands something Washington does not want to admit: the exercise of American power should not be to build democratic societies. It should be to eliminate threats.

From the outset, the Trump administration made clear that it was launching the attacks to control the outcome.

If Iran’s military leadership has been weakened, if its ability to threaten US forces and allies has been reduced, and if its nuclear ambitions have been significantly set back, then the mission has already succeeded, and it is time to end the war.

When Trump declares victory, he will not do it quietly. He will say it directly: America struck, America won, and America did so without engaging in another endless war.

Timing has always been one of Trump’s political talents. He understands momentum better than any of his predecessors of the past few decades did. If the military objectives have already been largely achieved, waiting months to say so would only weaken the message.

Declaring victory at the moment of peak strength sends a powerful signal — not just to Iran, but to the entire world.  It ratifies that the US has red lines again. It makes clear that threats will be met with force, not speeches. And most importantly, it declares that the US is once again confident enough to act decisively.

Critics on the American left will predictably label any Trump victory “premature” and his methods “illegal” and reckless. But their genuine discomfort with his success has more to do with the use of American firepower to achieve objectives that they believe can or should only be had through diplomacy and multilateral rather than unilateral actions.

Trump’s “America First” foreign policy builds on US President Ronald Reagan’s peace through strength mantra by being willing to pre-emptively exercise American might to demonstrate American resolve and deter adversaries. It has proven effective before, and it is proven effective again today.

It destroys the critics’ primary thesis — that American strength must always be restrained, that military power should be used cautiously, and that multilateral strategies are a prerequisite.

Trump’s Iran victory speech will not be lofty and replete with platitudes. It will be direct, simple, and unabashedly America First.

He will explain that the US acted because it had to do so. He will declare that the imminent threat of a nuclear Iran has been eliminated. He will say American lives were saved. And he will end by stating that the world is safer because of this sacrifice by the American people.

Through Trump’s America First foreign policy, the US will act decisively and unilaterally. It will not apologise for defending its interests. And it will prove that acting boldly can change the course of events in a matter of weeks, not years.

After decades of vacillation, Trump’s message to the world is simple: America’s back and American interests come first.

America did not need another endless war. It needed a president willing to act.

And that is exactly what it got.

The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera’s editorial stance.



Source link

Florida habitual offender caught on camera driving backwards on highway

0

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

A “habitual” offender was caught on-camera driving backwards on a busy Florida roadway, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Department said.

The department said “multiple callers” reported that a driver in a silver sedan was driving backwards along SR 100, a busy highway serving northeast Florida, on March 13.

Video shows the silver vehicle maneuvering backwards around the median highway split on a busy road.

A car drives down a freeway in reverse.

William Murphy III told deputies he thought reversing to AutoZone was his best option after a supposed mechanical failure. (Flagler County Sheriff’s Department)

FLORIDA WOMAN SEEN ON VIDEO ALLEGEDLY ATTACKING PREGNANT DRIVER, ELDERLY BYSTANDER AND BITING POLICE OFFICER

The sheriff’s office said its Time Crime Center tracked the vehicle to a Panda Express parking lot, and deputies stopped the vehicle near SR 100 and Airport Road after it had turned around and was facing in the correct direction.

The driver, identified as William Murphy III, 47, of Palm Coast, said the car had a mechanical issue, and he “thought the best option” was to drive it backward to AutoZone, officials said.

“Except his mechanical issues evaporated when deputies got behind him … or was it in front of him?” the sheriff’s office said.

William Murphy III speaks with officer

Florida man William Murphy III, a habitual offender with 10-plus prior convictions, claimed a mechanical issue forced him to drive backwards on SR 100 before his arrest. (Flagler County Sheriff’s Department)

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

In police worn body camera video, Murphy is heard attempting to explain away his reverse driving.

“I didn’t think that I was that bad … you know what I’m saying … I wasn’t even swerving or anything like that or driving fast,” Murphy told the deputy.

“You were driving backward on the road!” the deputy is heard replying.

GOT A TIP?

William Murphy III in silver sedan

Flagler County deputies arrested Palm Coast man William Murphy III for habitual driving while license suspended after he was caught on camera driving backwards on SR 100. (Flagler County Sheriff’s Department)

CLICK HERE FOR MORE US NEWS

Deputies arrested Murphy for habitual driving while license suspended or revoked, saying he had 10-plus prior convictions.

FOLLOW US ON X

Murphy was transported to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility and later released on $1,000 bond.

GET BREAKING NEWS BY EMAIL



Source link