logo
Mixed views of US bombing of Iranian nuclear sites

Mixed views of US bombing of Iranian nuclear sites

IOL News4 hours ago

One moment, Donald Trump was saying that he needed 2 more weeks to think about the next step, then, suddenly, 6 B-2 bomber jets are flying into Iran and dropping bunker-busting bombs- obliterating Iran's proudly protected Nuclear sites, deep underneath the hardened, mountainous facility.
The World at large is a much safer place than it was 2 days ago, but Trump's critics are quick to jump to conclusions that there must be some political motivation for this attack on Iran's nuclear sites in Fordow, Natanz and Esfahan.
Depending on where you stand with Donald Trump as a mere person, or what your ideological or religious views are, the way that you reason and the conclusions that you will reach will be directly linked to your belief systems.
I do not believe that when a regime warns of your annihilation and keeps enriching uranium to weapons grade, I must be so naive to think that they have just been saying this for fun, for several decades now. Iran's ties with North Korea and Russia, as well as China, are enough to make the hairs stand up on the back of your neck.
Some would say that the US should've never joined this war on terror, others would say that Trump betrayed his voters, while some would call Netanyahu a murderer and all kinds of ugly names, when in fact, both Trump and Netanyahu have proven to be men of truth, men of honour and above all, men of extreme strength.
I cannot think of anything stronger and more admirable than 2 godly men who stand up in power, for the Free World, doing what no other nation has ever managed to do- striking Iran in its backyard, so quickly, that even the Ayatolla had no idea what had just happened.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Middle East tensions could see an increase in SA fuel prices
Middle East tensions could see an increase in SA fuel prices

IOL News

time30 minutes ago

  • IOL News

Middle East tensions could see an increase in SA fuel prices

South African motorists may have to dig deeper into their pockets in July, as another potential fuel price hike looms. Image: Newspress South African motorists may have to dig deeper into their pockets in July, as another potential fuel price hike looms. According to mid-June data from the Central Energy Fund (CEF), Petrol 95 is under-recovering by about 47 cents per litre, and Petrol 93 by around 43 cents. Diesel prices are showing larger under-recoveries of approximately 69 and 71 cents per litre for the two types respectively. Illuminating paraffin is also under-recovering by roughly 57 cents per litre. An under-recovery occurs when fuel levies do not fully cover the rising global oil prices and currency fluctuations, resulting in higher pump prices to compensate for the shortfall. These are only projections based on mid-month data and not final figures. The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy will confirm the official prices just before they take effect in July. The situation is a result of a sharp jump in Brent crude prices because of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East between Israel and Iran. The conflict began last week when Israel launched strikes against Iran, targeting its nuclear and military facilities. These strikes resulted in the deaths of the head of Iran's Revolutionary Guards and several top nuclear scientists. The situation was made worse when the US joined the war by launching an attack on Iranian nuclear sites with US President Donald Trump saying they had "totally obliterated" Iran's main nuclear sites. "Tonight, I can report to the world that the strikes were a spectacular military success," Trump said. According to Oxford Economics since the war began Brent crude oil prices spiked by over 10%. Oxford Economics is a "leading global economic advisory firm, providing data-driven insights and forecasts". "The Brent crude oil price spiked by over 10% as the conflict started and remains elevated in the $70-$78 per barrel range at the time of writing, well above pre-escalation levels. "The most severe scenario is a closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Around one-third of all seaborne oil passes through this chokepoint, and a shutdown would freeze oil exports from Kuwait and Qatar, and restrict exports from Iraq, the UAE, Oman, and Saudi Arabia". [email protected] IOL Business Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel

Navigating diplomacy: South Africa's response to Iran-Israel tensions
Navigating diplomacy: South Africa's response to Iran-Israel tensions

IOL News

time42 minutes ago

  • IOL News

Navigating diplomacy: South Africa's response to Iran-Israel tensions

President Ramaphosa is grappling with a diplomatic solution to the Iran-Israel war. Image: Jairus Mmutle/ GCIS As the world grapples with the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has issued a cautious statement calling for dialogue and peaceful resolution. The statement, released on Sunday, reflects the country's delicate diplomatic position, given its warm relations with Iran and its history of criticising Israel's actions in Gaza. Ramaphosa's statement expressed "anxiety" over the US involvement in the conflict, urging President Donald Trump to use his influence to prevail on the parties to pursue a dialogue path. "It was South Africa's sincerest hope that President Donald Trump would use his influence and that of the US government to prevail on the parties to pursue a dialogue path in resolving their issues of dispute," the statement read. 'President Cyril Ramaphosa and the South African government have noted with a great deal of anxiety the entry by the United States of America into the Israel-Iran war. 'It was South Africa's sincerest hope that President Donald Trump would use his influence and that of the US government to prevail on the parties to pursue a dialogue path in resolving their issues of dispute. 'South Africa calls on the United States, Israel, and Iran to give the United Nations the opportunity and space to lead on the peaceful resolution of the matters of dispute, including the inspection and verification of Iran's status of uranium enrichment, as well as its broader nuclear capacity,' the statement reads. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ramaphosa also called on the United States, Israel, and Iran to give the United Nations the opportunity and space to lead on the peaceful resolution of the matters in dispute. South Africa's response to the conflict is complicated by its relations with Iran and Israel. As a fellow BRICS member, South Africa has warm diplomatic relations with Iran. However, the country has also been a staunch critic of Israel's conduct in Gaza, culminating in a landmark International Court of Justice case accusing Israel of genocide. Pretoria has publicly cut diplomatic ties with Israel, formally downgrading the embassy. The international community has reacted to the conflict with varying degrees of condemnation and support. Political analyst Dr John Molepo said the government has sought to portray itself as a champion of the Global South, a defender of international law, and a broker of multipolar diplomacy. 'Ramaphosa's measured response reflects the complexities of this balancing act, as the country seeks to maintain its relationships with both Iran and the US while upholding its commitment to peaceful resolution and international law,' Molepo said.

Xi Jinping looks to Africa
Xi Jinping looks to Africa

The Star

timean hour ago

  • The Star

Xi Jinping looks to Africa

During his first term as US president, Donald Trump is remembered for having described African countries in a very derogatory manner. During his current second term in the White House, Trump's legacy has been underscored by much more quagmire – further disregard for global trade treaties and diplomatic relations. Trump has not only squeezed poor and developing nations, through ending American donor funding of good causes in the sphere of health and research, he has punished Africa with stringent trade tariffs – an act of desperation to earn respect. Amid all the Trump madness, Africa is rejoicing at a positive outcome of another quiet revolution is taking place – led by China in its quest to reposition Africa's economy. Chinese President Xi Jinping has recently announced a zero-tariff regime to benefit all 53 African countries that have diplomatic relations with the world's second largest economy – a development sending a sobering message to Trump on how best to treat Africa. Presidents Xi and his Republic of Congo counterpart Denis Sassou Nguesso, respectively sent congratulatory letters to the Ministerial Meeting of Coordinators on the Implementation of the Follow-up Actions of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) - extending warm congratulations to the convening of the meeting. Xi pointed out that since its establishment 25 years ago, the FOCAC has strongly driven the flourishing development of China-Africa cooperation – becoming a model for solidarity and cooperation in the Global South. Xi recalled that in September last year, at the FOCAC Beijing Summit, he and African leaders unanimously agreed to jointly advance modernisation that is just and equitable, open, a win-win and an eco-friendly development. Underpinning Xi's message is putting people first - featuring diversity and inclusiveness. This, said Xi, was based on peace and security - taking 10 partnership actions, steering China-Africa relations into a new stage of building an all-weather China-Africa community, with a shared future for the new era. The concerted efforts of both sides, with the implementation of the outcomes of the Summit, having already yielded several encouraging results. Much more is awaited. The two sides have also reached a consensus on organising the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges in 2026, with Xi having expressed the belief that this would inject new vitality into China-Africa friendly cooperation. In his congratulatory letter, Sassou Nguesso said that since the convening of the FOCAC Beijing Summit, Africa-China strategic and practical cooperation, has yielded fruitful results. The Ministerial Meeting of Coordinators has coincided with the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the FOCAC. Sassou Nguesso pledged to make all-out efforts and work unwaveringly with Xi to make greater progress in building an Africa-China community, with a shared future – enhancing the well-being of people on both sides. As the African co-chair of the FOCAC, the Republic of the Congo has pledged to work with China and other Global South countries, strengthening: cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative. Jointly building a multipolar world - free from unilateralism and protectionism. Ushering a new era of universally beneficial and inclusive globalization. 'We agree that the rise and growth of the Global South, represents the trend of the times and the future of development. China and Africa are both important members of and staunch forces in the Global South. We call on all countries, especially countries in the Global South, to work together to build a community with a shared future for mankind, promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and implement the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative. We commend the initiative of jointly building an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era for its positive significance in safeguarding solidarity and cooperation of the Global South and defending multilateralism,' read part of the China-Africa Changsha Declaration on Upholding Solidarity and Cooperation of the Global South. Added the declaration: We agree that the frequent occurrence of unilateralism, protectionism and economic, bullying has created severe difficulties for the economic and social development and the improvement of livelihood in African countries and other developing countries. This is a pressing challenge that members of the Global South including China and African countries must address.' Nguesso said. This is commendable indeed – a lesson for Trump and his allies, on building lasting cooperation, healthy trade relations and forging world peace.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store