Latest news with #U.S.NationalSecurityCouncil
India.com
24-05-2025
- Politics
- India.com
Donald Trump betrays one more ally of US in Asia, India's friend is in danger, China to become...?
New Delhi: It seems that Donald Trump's administration has changed America's foreign policy. Japan, Britain, Canada, Australia, France, Ukraine, and India, every country that previous American administrations have worked hard to make an ally, Donald Trump has strained the relations. In his nearly four months of administration, Donald Trump has not touched America's enemies, but he has not missed an opportunity to trouble friends. Now, The Washington Post has claimed that the Trump administration has decided to withdraw thousands of its soldiers from South Korea. Trump's decision could open the door to North Korean aggression against South Korea. According to the report by The Washington Post, U.S. officials have indicated that the Trump administration is considering bringing back thousands of its troops stationed in South Korea, raising deep concerns among America's allies in Asia. The Washington Post stated that the Pentagon is considering recalling around 4,500 troops. Officials stated that the Pentagon's proposal has not yet reached the President's desk, but discussions are ongoing intensely. Meanwhile, a Pentagon spokesperson did not dismiss this report and stated that 'there is currently no announcement to be made on this policy.' While the spokesperson for the U.S. National Security Council, Pete Nguyen, did not address the issue of troop withdrawal, he mentioned that Donald Trump is committed to the 'complete denuclearization' of North Korea. The South Korean Ministry of Defense has refused to comment. Donald Trump has been considering changing the presence of American troops in South Korea since his first term, where about 28,500 American soldiers are deployed. Last month, top commanders overseeing the U.S. military in Asia warned about the reduction of troops from America to South Korea. The soldiers stated that this reduction would jeopardize their capacity against North Korea and also affect their capability in potential conflicts against China and Russia in Northeast Asia. According to the post, U.S. Army Commander in Korea, General Javier Brunson, said in the American Parliament that 'reducing the number of soldiers will make the situation quite difficult.' According to a report by Reuters, South Korea's Defense Ministry has stated that there have been no discussions about the withdrawal of troops with the United States at this time. They have expressed a commitment to maintaining a strong joint defense posture with the U.S., which serves as a deterrent against North Korea. However, the withdrawal of troops could have serious implications for South Korea's security, raising concerns among investors and potentially leading to economic instability. Furthermore, this move could increase China's influence and prompt South Korea to consider alternative security options. There is a strong sentiment among the American public to strengthen security ties with South Korea. Recent surveys indicate that most Americans support the long-term maintenance of U.S. military bases in South Korea and view the withdrawal of troops as a threat to regional security. In addition, the withdrawal of the South Korean army could create a state of concern among America's allies in the Indo-Pacific. South Korea, along with Japan and the Philippines, relies on close coordination with the U.S. military to defend itself and to demonstrate its power in this increasingly contested region. Furthermore, Taiwan may also find itself in danger. Trump's decision could be interpreted by the allies in a negative light and raise serious trust issues between Washington and its allies. It is very much possible that if Pentagon reduces its military presence in the region, then China could invade Taiwan.
India.com
21-05-2025
- Politics
- India.com
Israel preparing strike on Iran's nuclear facilities? US intel indicates possible attack on…
Home News Israel preparing strike on Iran's nuclear facilities? US intel indicates possible attack on… Israel preparing strike on Iran's nuclear facilities? US intel indicates possible attack on… The Israeli government and its embassy in Washington, along with the U.S. National Security Council, have so far not commented on the matter, as reported by Reuters. Amid heavy bombing in Gaza, Israel PM Netanyahu makes big decision, set to affect Hamas and Palestinians due to.... The United States has recently gathered new intelligence indicating that Israel might be getting ready to launch an attack on Iran's nuclear sites, according to a CNN report that cites several US officials who are familiar with the matter. At this point, it's still unclear whether Israeli leaders have made a final call on the issue. Within the US government itself, there seems to be disagreement about whether Israel will actually go through with such a strike. One individual with knowledge of the intelligence told CNN that the chances of an Israeli attack on Iran's nuclear facilities have noticeably increased in recent months. According to this source, the likelihood of such an action would rise even further if the US were to strike a deal with Iran that allowed the country to keep some of its uranium stockpile. The Israeli government and its embassy in Washington, along with the U.S. National Security Council, have so far not commented on the matter, as reported by Reuters. CNN also mentioned that its report is based on a combination of things, including statements from top Israeli officials (both public and private), intercepted communications, and visible signs of military movement all of which could be clues that a military operation is being considered. This development comes while efforts are still underway, including by former President Donald Trump's administration, to try and reach a diplomatic agreement with Iran over its nuclear program. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei criticised US demands On Tuesday, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei sharply criticized the United States for what he described as unreasonable demands in nuclear negotiations. He particularly took issue with the US insisting that Iran completely stop enriching uranium, calling the demand 'excessive and outrageous,' according to Iranian state media. Khamenei also voiced doubt about the chances of successfully reaching a new nuclear agreement, suggesting he's not optimistic about the direction the talks are heading. Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump has taken a tough stance of his own. He has openly said that if diplomatic efforts with Iran don't lead to results, he's prepared to explore military options. At the same time, he's not willing to let negotiations drag on indefinitely. Back in March, Trump reportedly sent a letter directly to Khamenei, giving Iran a 60-day window to make meaningful progress in the talks. According to a source who spoke with CNN, that deadline has already passed. It's now been more than two months since the letter was sent and over five weeks since the first round of discussions began with little to show for it so far. For breaking news and live news updates, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Read more on Latest World News on More Stories
Yomiuri Shimbun
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Iran to Send Russia Launchers for Short-Range Missiles, Sources Say
Reuters file photo A view shows remains of MLRS and artillery shells, cruise and ballistic missiles used by Russian troops for military strikes on the city and collected by sappers in Kharkiv, Ukraine, November 29, 2022. WASHINGTON/LONDON May 9 (Reuters) – Iran is preparing to deliver in the near future launchers for short-range ballistic missiles that the U.S. said Tehran sent to Russia last year for use against Ukraine, according to two Western security officials and a regional official. The delivery of the Fath-360 launchers – if it occurs – would help support Russia's grinding assault on its neighbor and reaffirm the deepening security ties between Moscow and Tehran. With a 75-mile (120-km) range, the Fath-360 would give Moscow's forces a new weapon to fire at Ukrainian frontline troops, nearby military targets, and population centers close to the border with Russia, analysts said. The U.S. last September said that Iran delivered the missiles to Russia on nine Russian-flagged ships – which it sanctioned – and three sources told Reuters at that time that the launchers were not included. The Western security officials and the regional official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the delivery of the Fath-360 launchers was imminent. They declined to provide further details of the pending transfer, including why they thought the launchers were not delivered with the missiles. Russia's defense ministry and Iran's mission to the United Nations did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The U.S. National Security Council referred inquiries to the State Department, which did not respond immediately. The CIA declined comment. Russia and Iran have previously denied that Tehran had shipped the missiles or any other arms to aid the full-scale invasion of Ukraine that Moscow launched in February 2022. U.S., Ukrainian and European officials say Iran has provided Russia thousands of drones and artillery shells. In an apparent reference to the Fath-360s, U.S. Army General Christopher Cavoli, the commander of U.S. Central Command, last month told U.S. lawmakers that Iran had donated to Russia more than 400 short-range ballistic missiles. There have been no public reports of Iran transferring any other kinds of short-range ballistic missiles to Moscow or of Russian forces using the Fath-360. POSSIBLE COMPLICATION FOR PEACE TALKS Russia's deployment of the missiles could complicate U.S. President Donald Trump's efforts to arrange a ceasefire and peace talks between Ukraine and Russia and to strike a separate deal with Iran to curb its nuclear program. The regional official said that the indirect U.S.-Iran nuclear talks mediated by Oman are among 'several reasons' for the delayed delivery of the launchers. The talks have encountered turbulence, although Iran on Friday said it agreed to hold a fourth round in Oman on Sunday. Jack Watling, a senior research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute think tank, said that Iranian officials would consider the issue of sending arms to Russia as separate from the nuclear talks. 'That the Iranians are negotiating on nuclear issues with the U.S. will not be seen as connected to what they might do in collaboration with the Russians,' he said. Analysts said there could have been another complication: Iran had to modify European-made commercial trucks on which to mount the launchers for its own Fath-360 arsenal, and it may have had to do the same for Russia given its massive losses of vehicles in Ukraine. With the launchers, Russia will be able to increase pressure on Ukraine, said the experts. 'It would be much easier (for Russian forces) to launch a strike much faster … against high-value targets,' said Fabian Hinz, a research fellow with the International Institute for Strategic Studies. 'They (Fath-360s) don't need a lot of launch preparations. Their flight time is incredibly short.' Deploying the Fath-360 could allow Russia to reserve its more advanced missiles, like the Iskander, for longer-range strikes at critical infrastructure, including the power grid, straining Ukraine's precious missile defenses, the analysts said. The Fath-360 'is designed to be handled and operated by people with relatively little training,' said Ralph Savelsberg, an associate professor at the Netherlands Defense Academy. 'Why would they (Russia) buy inferior Iranian missiles? The only reason I could think of is that they cannot produce a sufficient number of their own missiles,' he said. 'They're not super accurate and they don't carry a very large payload. But it just adds to Ukraine's headaches.'
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Exclusive-Iran to send Russia launchers for short-range missiles, sources say
By Jonathan Landay and Jonathan Saul WASHINGTON/LONDON (Reuters) - Iran is preparing to deliver in the near future launchers for short-range ballistic missiles that the U.S. said Tehran sent to Russia last year for use against Ukraine, according to two Western security officials and a regional official. The delivery of the Fath-360 launchers - if it occurs - would help support Russia's grinding assault on its neighbor and reaffirm the deepening security ties between Moscow and Tehran. With a 75-mile (120-km) range, the Fath-360 would give Moscow's forces a new weapon to fire at Ukrainian frontline troops, nearby military targets, and population centers close to the border with Russia, analysts said. The U.S. last September said that Iran delivered the missiles to Russia on nine Russian-flagged ships - which it sanctioned - and three sources told Reuters at that time that the launchers were not included. The Western security officials and the regional official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the delivery of the Fath-360 launchers was imminent. They declined to provide further details of the pending transfer, including why they thought the launchers were not delivered with the missiles. Russia's defense ministry and Iran's mission to the United Nations did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The U.S. National Security Council referred inquiries to the State Department, which did not respond immediately. The CIA declined comment. Russia and Iran have previously denied that Tehran had shipped the missiles or any other arms to aid the full-scale invasion of Ukraine that Moscow launched in February 2022. U.S., Ukrainian and European officials say Iran has provided Russia thousands of drones and artillery shells. In an apparent reference to the Fath-360s, U.S. Army General Christopher Cavoli, the commander of U.S. Central Command, last month told U.S. lawmakers that Iran had donated to Russia more than 400 short-range ballistic missiles. There have been no public reports of Iran transferring any other kinds of short-range ballistic missiles to Moscow or of Russian forces using the Fath-360. POSSIBLE COMPLICATION FOR PEACE TALKS Russia's deployment of the missiles could complicate U.S. President Donald Trump's efforts to arrange a ceasefire and peace talks between Ukraine and Russia and to strike a separate deal with Iran to curb its nuclear program. The regional official said that the indirect U.S.-Iran nuclear talks mediated by Oman are among "several reasons" for the delayed delivery of the launchers. The talks have encountered turbulence, although Iran on Friday said it agreed to hold a fourth round in Oman on Sunday. Jack Watling, a senior research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute think tank, said that Iranian officials would consider the issue of sending arms to Russia as separate from the nuclear talks. "That the Iranians are negotiating on nuclear issues with the U.S. will not be seen as connected to what they might do in collaboration with the Russians," he said. Analysts said there could have been another complication: Iran had to modify European-made commercial trucks on which to mount the launchers for its own Fath-360 arsenal, and it may have had to do the same for Russia given its massive losses of vehicles in Ukraine. With the launchers, Russia will be able to increase pressure on Ukraine, said the experts. "It would be much easier (for Russian forces) to launch a strike much faster ... against high-value targets," said Fabian Hinz, a research fellow with the International Institute for Strategic Studies. "They (Fath-360s) don't need a lot of launch preparations. Their flight time is incredibly short." Deploying the Fath-360 could allow Russia to reserve its more advanced missiles, like the Iskander, for longer-range strikes at critical infrastructure, including the power grid, straining Ukraine's precious missile defenses, the analysts said. The Fath-360 "is designed to be handled and operated by people with relatively little training," said Ralph Savelsberg, an associate professor at the Netherlands Defense Academy. "Why would they (Russia) buy inferior Iranian missiles? The only reason I could think of is that they cannot produce a sufficient number of their own missiles," he said. "They're not super accurate and they don't carry a very large payload. But it just adds to Ukraine's headaches."
L'Orient-Le Jour
08-05-2025
- Politics
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Under Trump, Saudi civil nuclear talks delinked from Israel recognition, sources say
The United States is no longer demanding Saudi Arabia normalize ties with Israel as a condition for progress on civil nuclear cooperation talks, two sources with knowledge of the matter told Reuters ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump's visit next week. Dropping the demand that Saudi Arabia establish diplomatic relations with Israel would be a major concession by Washington. Under former President Joe Biden, nuclear talks were an element of a wider U.S.-Saudi deal tied to normalization and to Riyadh's goal of a defense treaty with Washington. The kingdom has repeatedly said it would not recognize Israel without a Palestinian state, frustrating Biden administration attempts to expand the Abraham Accords signed during Trump's first term. Under those accords the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Morocco normalized relations with Israel. Progress towards Saudi recognition of Israel has been halted by fury in Arab countries over the war raging in Gaza. The nuclear talks had also stumbled over Washington's non-proliferation concerns. In a possible sign of a new approach, U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said that Saudi Arabia and the United States were on a "pathway" to a civil nuclear agreement when he visited the kingdom in April. "When we have something to announce, you will hear it from the President. Any reports on this are speculative,' U.S. National Security Council spokesman James Hewitt told Reuters in response to a request for comment. Saudi Arabia's government media office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Even without the normalisation requirement for civil nuclear talks to progress, and despite unpacking the issue from a wider defence treaty, a deal is not yet in close reach, one of the sources said. One sticking point is Section 123 of the U.S. Atomic Energy Act that allows cooperation with other countries developing civil nuclear capabilities but specifies nonproliferation criteria, including limiting uranium enrichment. Saudi Arabia's energy minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, has said that the kingdom would seek to enrich uranium and sell the product. One of the sources said the kingdom was still not willing to sign a so-called 123 agreement, which would prevent enrichment or reprocessing of plutonium made in reactors – two routes that have the potential to culminate in nuclear weapons. Secretary Wright previously told Reuters that a 123 agreement would be a prerequisite to any deal. However, there are several ways to structure a deal to achieve both countries' objectives, Wright has said. One solution being discussed is a "black box" arrangement where only U.S. personnel would have access to a uranium enrichment facility on Saudi soil, the same source said. Sell more oil Riyadh wants to build nuclear generation capacity as it seeks to diversify its economy away from oil. Nuclear power could also help free up more crude barrels for export. Arms control advocates have previously expressed concern about a Saudi nuclear program because de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has said the kingdom would seek to quickly develop nuclear weapons should its regional rival Iran do so. The U.S. and Iran are currently holding talks over Tehran's nuclear program, which Washington and Western allies say is geared towards producing weapons. Iran insists it is purely for civil purposes. U.S. Vice President JD Vance on Wednesday described the talks with Iran as "so far, so good" and said there was a deal to be made that would reintegrate Iran into the global economy while preventing it from getting a nuclear weapon. Saudi Arabia and the United States are set to discuss a number of blockbuster economic deals during Trump's visit next week, with the U.S. poised to offer Saudi Arabia an arms package worth well over $100 billion, sources have told Reuters. Trump has said Riyadh should "round up" a planned investment package in the U.S. to $1 trillion from an initial $600 billion. The trip is Trump's second visit abroad, after a short trip to Rome for the pope's funeral, since he returned to office in January. In his first term a lavish trip to Saudi Arabia marked his first overseas stop. Trump fostered close ties with Gulf states, including Saudi Arabi,a during his first term. The country invested $2 billion in a firm formed by Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law and former aide, after Trump left office, and there are plans to build two Trump towers in Jeddah and Riyadh.
