Israel strikes Syria army HQ after warning Damascus to leave Druze alone
Israel strikes Syria army HQ after warning Damascus to leave Druze alone
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CNA
19 minutes ago
- CNA
US President Trump 'caught off guard' by Israeli strikes in Syria
WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump was "caught off guard" by Israeli strikes in Syria last week, White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said on Monday (Jul 21), adding that he discussed the issue with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Israel had launched strikes on the capital Damascus and the southern Druze-majority city of Sweida, saying it aimed to put pressure on the Syrian government to withdraw its troops from the region amid ongoing clashes there. Trump "was caught off guard by the bombing in Syria and also the bombing of a Catholic church in Gaza", Leavitt told reporters at a press briefing. "In both accounts, the president quickly called the prime minister to rectify those situations," she continued. Netanyahu had visited the White House earlier this month, his third trip since Trump returned to power on Jan 20. "The president enjoys a good working relationship with Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, and stays in, you know, frequent communication with him," Leavitt said.
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
US President Trump ‘caught off guard' by Israel's strikes in Syria
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Syrian government security forces during their deployment in Busra al-Harir in Syria's southern Daraa province, on July 21. WASHINGTON - US President Donald Trump was 'caught off guard' by Israeli strikes in Syria last week , White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said on July 21, adding that he discussed the issue with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Israel had launched strikes on the Syrian capital Damascus and the southern Druze-majority city of Sweida, saying it aimed to put pressure on the Syrian government to withdraw its troops from the region amid ongoing clashes there. Mr Trump 'was caught off guard by the bombing in Syria and also the bombing of a Catholic church in Gaza ,' Ms Leavitt told reporters at a press briefing. 'In both accounts, the president quickly called the prime minister to rectify those situations,' she continued. Mr Netanyahu had visited the White House earlier this month, his third trip since Mr Trump returned to power on Jan 20. 'The president enjoys a good working relationship with Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, and stays in, you know, frequent communication with him,' Ms Leavitt said. 'When it came to Syria, we saw a de-escalation there.' Israel and Syria entered a US-brokered ceasefire o n July 18. On the same day, PM Netanyahu called Pope Leo to express regret at the strike on the Catholic church in Gaza, blaming a 'stray missile'. In May, Mr Trump met Syria's Islamist president Ahmad al-Sharaa in Saudi Arabia shortly after lifting many longstanding US sanctions against Damascus. Mr Trump later praised the Syrian leader, who led a major armed group that was once aligned with Al Qaeda and toppled the Syrian government in December. The United States removed a bounty on Mr Sharaa's head after he came to power. AFP
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
Iranian foreign minister says Iran cannot give up on nuclear enrichment
Iran's Foreign Affairs Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, attends the opening meeting of BRICS Summit, at the Museum of Modern Art (MAM) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil July 6, 2025. REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes/File Photo WASHINGTON - Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told Fox News that Tehran cannot not give up on its uranium enrichment program which was severely damaged during the Israel-Iran war last month. WHY IT'S IMPORTANT Prior to the war, Tehran and Washington held five rounds of nuclear talks mediated by Oman but could not agree on the extent to which Iran should be allowed to enrich uranium. Israel and the United States say Iran was close to enriching to levels that would allow it to quickly produce a nuclear weapon, while Tehran says its enrichment program is for civilian purposes only. KEY QUOTES "It is stopped because, yes, damages are serious and severe. But obviously we cannot give up of enrichment because it is an achievement of our own scientists. And now, more than that, it is a question of national pride," the foreign minister told the Fox News show "Special Report with Bret Baier" in a clip aired on Monday. The foreign minister said the damage to the nuclear facilities in Iran after U.S. and Israeli strikes was serious and was being evaluated further. "Well, our facilities have been damaged, seriously damaged, the extent of which is now under evaluation by our atomic energy organization. But as far as I know, they are seriously damaged." Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Subsidies and grants for some 20,000 people miscalculated due to processing issue: MOH Asia At least 19 killed as Bangladesh air force plane crashes at college campus Singapore ST Explains: What does it mean for etomidate to be listed under the Misuse of Drugs Act? Business Why Singapore and its businesses stand to lose with US tariffs on the region Singapore NTU to have compulsory cadaver dissection classes for medical students from 2026 World US authorities probing passenger jet's close call with B-52 bomber over North Dakota Singapore Jail for man who conspired with another to bribe MOH agency employee with $18k Paris trip Singapore New research institute will grow S'pore's talent in nuclear energy, safety CONTEXT U.S. ally Israel attacked Iran on June 13 and the Middle Eastern rivals then engaged in an air war for 12 days in which Washington also bombed Iran's nuclear facilities. A ceasefire was reached in late June. Iran is a party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, while Israel is not. The U.N. nuclear watchdog says it has "no credible indication" of an active, coordinated weapons program in Iran. Tehran maintains its nuclear program is solely meant for civilian purposes. Israel is the only Middle Eastern country believed to have nuclear weapons and said its war against Iran aimed to prevent Tehran from developing its own nuclear weapons. REUTERS
