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The Hill
a day ago
- Politics
- The Hill
Iran's nuclear phoenix is rising
Like a mythical Phoenix rising from its own ashes, a very real and deadly nuclear weapons program is in danger of resurrecting itself in Iran. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and his hardliners remain undeterred after Israel and the U.S. targeted key nuclear facilities in Fordow, Isfahan and Natanz in June. Abbas Araghchi, Iran's foreign minister, admitted this when he told Bret Baier on Fox News that Tehran 'cannot give up our enrichment.' Araghchi also admitted that Iran's facilities 'have been damaged, seriously damaged, the extent of which is now under evaluation.' President Trump seized on Araghchi's talking point. He quickly fired off a Truth Social post declaring, 'Fake News CNN should immediately fire their phony 'reporter' and apologize to me and the great pilots who 'OBLITERATED' Iran's nuclear sites.' 'Obliterated' is a strong word, especially since Iran's nuclear weapons program is significantly larger than just three enrichment sites — and Trump's own intelligence community professes uncertainty about how much of Iran's program remains. Likewise, any admission from Araghchi should be treated with skepticism. Although it could be truthful, it also could be intentional deception. After all, Araghchi is the man who repeatedly claimed that Iran's nuclear program was peaceful. Earlier in May, while speaking in Qatar, Araghchi claimed that Tehran was not seeking nukes or other weapons of mass destruction. That briefs well, until you consider that at a maximum, no more than 5 percent highly enriched uranium is needed for nuclear fuel power rods, hospital experiments and radiation equipment. Prior to the Israeli and U.S. strikes, Iran had enriched at least 880 pounds of highly enriched uranium to 60 percent according to the International Atomic Energy Agency. Relatively speaking, even if it would take some time for Iran to enrich that stockpile to weapons-grade highly enriched uranium (90 percent ) — the amount needed for a modern nuclear missile strike — it could use the 60 percent stockpile it already has to construct Hiroshima-like nuclear bombs. Iran Watch estimates that Khamenei has enough to build 'one or more' of the gun-type bomb known as 'Little Boy,' the type of used in Hiroshima. It would only take 132 pounds of uranium enriched to 80 percent. Simply put, Iran likely still has several nuclear options. It is just a question of which route Khamenei opts to take first — the Little Boy route, or the more complex implosion route that would require enriching uranium to 90 percent? Or is it enough for Iran simply to declare itself a nuclear power? The answer likely comes down to two key areas. How much fissile material does Iran still have after the airstrikes, and what is Tehran's remaining centrifuge capacity to continue enriching uranium? Notably, while much of the media's attention has been on Khamenei's stores of 60 percent highly enriched uranium, we cannot overlook Iran's 20 percent and 5 percent stockpiles. Prior to the June strikes, Tehran had 606 pounds of the former and 12,150 pounds of the latter. Iran Watch ominously warns that '20 percent enriched uranium is approximately 90% of the way to weapon-grade and Iran's stockpile would be sufficient to fuel at least two implosion weapons.' Plus, if further enriched, eventually Khamenei's 5% stockpile could be used to 'fuel at least 10 implosion weapons.' Determining exactly where these stockpiles are located in Iran is job one for U.S. and Israeli intelligence. Are they buried deep inside the rubble of Isfahan, Fordo and Natanz? Or were they moved prior to the strikes? Vice President JD Vance argued in late June that their location is a moot point —that the only question is whether 'Iran enriched the uranium to weapons-grade level, and can they convert that fuel into a nuclear weapon?' But this is not the case. Yes, Iran's remaining centrifuge capacity is also key, but so too is understanding how much fissile material remains and how long it will take Teheran to retrieve it and begin enriching anew. Uranium highly enriched to 60 percent is in a gaseous state and can be stored in cylinders approximately the same size of a scuba tank. Moving or hiding some of them could have been as easy as putting them in the back of a small car or SUV. Iran is not going to give up its nuclear weapons program. Ever since the strikes, it has remained defiant toward Washington. Therefore, the Trump administration must, at a minimum, assume some or all of Iran's enriched stockpiles are either retrievable from the rubble or accessible in an unknown location. Prior to the strikes, Iran Watch reported that Fordow mountain fortress had 2,700 operating gas centrifuges used to enrich uranium. Natanz had 17,000 deep underground and an above-ground facility containing 1,700 gas centrifuges. The latter above ground facility at Natanz, according to International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi, was destroyed by Israel on June 13. The jury is still out, however, as to how many of Iran's underground gas centrifuges remain. Much of Iran's nuclear weapons program was built covertly. It is highly likely that Iran has multiple undeclared centrifuge sites. If so, Iran producing one or two Little Boy-type nukes could be achieved at a minimum — and if needed, Tehran certainly has the technological know-how to build new centrifuges. The nuclear ashes of this phoenix are very real. Mythology is not required in order for Iran to resurrect its nuclear weapons program. Russian nuclear scientists pulled from the facilities prior to the airstrikes will likely return to enable Iran. Other aspects of Iran's nuclear program were targeted as well by Israel. Certainly, Tehran's nuclear ambitions have been set back. For instance, at Isfahan, Iran's facility that converts enriched uranium gas — a key weaponization component — to metal was partially destroyed by Israel. Nonetheless, it can be easily rebuilt. As Iran Watch notes, 'only dual-use industrial equipment' is needed to rebuild this part of Iran's nuclear phoenix. Other aspects of Iran's nuclear program were targeted as well by Israel. Israel eliminated at least 14 Iranian nuclear scientists. Additional Israeli strikes hit the Kermanshah ballistic missile facility, the Khondab nuclear reactor (which could be used to produce plutonium), and critical supporting military bases and research facilities all over Iran. Yet the head of this Phoenix remains Khamenei. Absent regime change, the Islamic Republic of Iran will aggressively continue to pursue nuclear weapons. Trump did the right thing in striking Iran. Now he must help Israel finish the job and put an end to the Khamenei regime. As we argued previously, Washington cannot negotiate with evil. It must be defeated.
The Herald
3 days ago
- The Herald
Acting electricity boss turns to police after death threats
News Fake WhatsApp campaign has damaged my professional reputation, says Biyela Premium By Andisa Bonani - 23 July 2025 After receiving death threats, Nelson Mandela Bay's acting electricity boss, Tholi Biyela, has turned to the police, fearing for his life. Messages allegedly authored by Biyela, containing threats against city officials, have been widely circulated on social media platforms, including WhatsApp...
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Trump scores $36MILLION in 'big win' settlement with CBS 60 Minutes over edited Kamala Harris interview
President Donald Trump announced Tuesday he had reached a settlement with CBS and Paramount triggered by a 60 Minutes interview with Vice President Kamala Harris. 'We have just achieved a BIG AND IMPORTANT WIN in our Historic Lawsuit against 60 Minutes, CBS, and Paramount,' Trump wrote on Truth Social. 'Just like ABC and George Slopadopoulos, CBS and its Corporate Owners knew that they defrauded the American People, and were desperate to settle.' Trump said that Paramount/CBS/60 Minutes paid $16 million in the settlement and anticipated an additional $20 million from the new owners of CBS in advertising, PSAs or similar programming. 'This is another in a long line of VICTORIES over the Fake News Media, who we are holding to account for their widespread fraud and deceit,' Trump wrote. 'The Wall Street Journal, The Failing New York Times, The Washington Post, MSDNC, CNN, and all other Mainstream Media Liars, are ON NOTICE that the days of them being allowed to deceive the American People are OVER. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!'
Al Arabiya
4 days ago
- Business
- Al Arabiya
Trump seeks $10 billion from Wall Street Journal in lawsuit over Epstein report
US President Donald Trump sued The Wall Street Journal and its owners, including Rupert Murdoch, for at least $10 billion on Friday, over the newspaper's report that his name was on a 2003 birthday greeting for Jeffrey Epstein that included a sexually suggestive drawing and a reference to secrets they shared. The lawsuit filed in Miami federal court names Murdoch, Dow Jones, News Corp and its Chief Executive Robert Thomson, and two Wall Street Journal reporters as defendants, saying they defamed Trump and caused him to suffer 'overwhelming' financial and reputational harm. Epstein, the disgraced financier and sex offender, died by suicide in a New York jail cell in 2019. His case has generated conspiracy theories that became popular among Trump's base of supporters who believed the government was covering up Epstein's ties to the rich and powerful. Trump has said he parted ways with Epstein before the financier's legal troubles became public in 2006. The president has vehemently denied the Journal report, which Reuters has not verified, and had warned Murdoch that he planned to sue. Dow Jones, the parent of the newspaper, is a division of News Corp. 'We have just filed a POWERHOUSE Lawsuit against everyone involved in publishing the false, malicious, defamatory, FAKE NEWS 'article' in the useless 'rag' that is, The Wall Street Journal,' Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. 'I hope Rupert and his 'friends' are looking forward to the many hours of depositions and testimonies they will have to provide in this case,' Trump added. A spokesperson for Dow Jones said in a statement: 'We have full confidence in the rigor and accuracy of our reporting, and will vigorously defend against any lawsuit.' The lawsuit called Trump's alleged birthday greeting 'fake,' and said the Journal published its article to harm Trump's reputation. 'Tellingly, the article does not explain whether defendants have obtained a copy of the letter, have seen it, have had it described to them, or any other circumstances that would otherwise lend credibility to the article,' the lawsuit said. To prevail on his defamation claims, Trump must show the defendants acted with 'actual malice,' meaning they knew the article was false or acted with reckless disregard for its truth. A $10 billion award would far exceed the largest defamation judgments and settlements in recent history. These include a $1.5 billion judgment against conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, and Fox News' settlement with Dominion Voting Systems for $787.5 million. 'Ten billion dollars is a ridiculously high number,' said Jesse Gessin, a lawyer with experience in defamation and First Amendment litigation. 'It would be the largest defamation verdict in US history.' White House roiled The Epstein affair has increasingly disquieted the White House, after the Justice Department this month concluded that there was no evidence to support long-held conspiracy theories about his clients and death. Some of Trump's most loyal followers became furious after his administration reversed course on its promise to release files on Epstein. A Justice Department memo released on July 7 concluded that Epstein killed himself and said there was 'no incriminating client list' or evidence that Epstein blackmailed prominent people. With pressure to release the Epstein files building, Trump on Thursday said he directed Attorney General Pam Bondi to ask a court to release grand jury testimony about Epstein. The US government on Friday filed a motion in Manhattan federal court to unseal grand jury transcripts in the cases of Epstein and former associate Ghislaine Maxwell. She was convicted in 2021 of five federal charges related to her role in Epstein's sexual abuse of underage girls. Maxwell is appealing her conviction and 20-year prison sentence to the US Supreme Court. 'Public officials, lawmakers, pundits, and ordinary citizens remain deeply interested and concerned about the Epstein matter,' Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said in the filing. 'After all, Jeffrey Epstein is the most infamous pedophile in American history.' Blanche said prosecutors would work to redact all victim-identifying information before making anything public. The release of the grand jury documents may fall short of what many of Trump's supporters have sought, including case files held by the administration, and a judge may reject the administration's request to make the transcripts public. Bawdy letter The Journal said the letter bearing Trump's name was part of a leather-bound birthday book for Epstein that included messages from other high-profile people. It also said the letter contained several lines of typewritten text framed by the outline of a naked woman, which appeared to be hand-drawn with a heavy marker. The newspaper said the letter concluded 'Happy Birthday – and may every day be another wonderful secret,' and featured the signature 'Donald.' Allegations that Epstein sexually abused girls became public in 2006, after the birthday book was allegedly produced, and he was arrested that year before accepting a plea deal. Epstein died just over a month after he was arrested for a second time and charged with sex-trafficking conspiracy. Trump was photographed with Epstein multiple times in social situations in the 1990s and early 2000s, and had been a neighbor of Epstein's in Florida. He was quoted in 2002 in New York magazine as saying, 'I've known Jeff for 15 years. Terrific guy. He's a lot of fun to be with. It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side.' In 2019, Trump told reporters that he and Epstein had a 'falling out' before the financier was first arrested. Trump said he 'knew him like everybody in Palm Beach knew him' but that 'I had a falling out with him. I haven't spoken to him in 15 years. I was not a fan of his, that I can tell you.'
Economic Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Economic Times
Jeffrey Epstein files release: U.S. President Donald Trump named by accuser
Agencies In a lengthy post, Trump claimed "all these people want to talk about, with strong prodding by the Fake News and the success starved Dems, is the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax." It was the summer of 1996 when Maria Farmer went to law enforcement to complain about Jeffrey Epstein. At the time, she said, she had been sexually assaulted by Epstein and his longtime partner, Ghislaine Maxwell. Farmer, then in her mid-20s, had also learned about a troubling encounter that her younger sister -- then a teenager -- had endured at Epstein's ranch in New Mexico. And she described facing threats from Epstein. Farmer said that when she discussed her concerns with the New York Police Department, then with the FBI, she also urged them to take a broader look at the people in Epstein's orbit, including Donald Trump, then still two decades from being elected president. She repeated that message, she said, when the FBI interviewed her again about Epstein in 2006. Her account is among the clearest indications yet of how Trump might have come to be named in the unreleased investigative files in the Epstein case, a matter that has generated another political uproar in recent weeks. Donald Trump, Bill Clinton In interviews over the past week about what she told the authorities, she said she had no evidence of criminal wrongdoing by Epstein's associates. But she said she was alarmed by what she saw as Epstein's pattern of pursuing girls and young women while building friendships with prominent people, including Trump and President Bill like the ones that targeted Epstein often explore a wide range of tips, evidence, recollections and relationships, little of which ends up being used in court records or as the basis for criminal prosecution. Epstein's voluminous investigative file contains many records that have not been made public, but that became the focus of claims, long stoked by Trump's allies, that authorities might have covered up the involvement of other rich and powerful men. Now, after his attorney general and FBI director abruptly abandoned their earlier promises to reveal everything about the Epstein files and said, in effect, that there was nothing to see, Trump's ties to Epstein are under renewed scrutiny, leading to questions about what so-far-undisclosed appearances he might have in the investigative record. Farmer said she has long wondered how law enforcement agencies handled her complaints in 1996 and she said she has been wondering in particular whether federal authorities did anything with her concerns about Trump. She said that she raised his name both times, not only because he seemed so close to Epstein but because of an encounter, which she has previously described publicly, that she said she had with Trump in Epstein's New York Chit to Donald TrumpThe story of Farmer's efforts to call law enforcement attention to Epstein and his circle shows how the case files could contain material that is embarrassing or politically problematic to Trump, even if it is largely extraneous to Epstein's crimes and was never fully investigated or it underscores the complexities of opening up to scrutiny all the leads that investigators pursued, the evidence they gathered and the interviews they conducted, little of which ever went before a judge or enforcement agencies have not accused Trump of any wrongdoing related to Epstein, and he has never been identified as a target of any associated investigation. Trump last week called for relevant grand jury testimony in the prosecution of Epstein to be publicly released, and has repeatedly dismissed any notion that he has something to hide. Even if that testimony is released, it is unlikely to shed much light on the relationship between the two men, which did not figure prominently in Epstein's criminal cases. Q1. What are Epstein files?A1. Jeffrey Epstein's crimes are listed in Epstein files. Q2. Who is President of USA? A2. President of USA is Donald Trump.
