International
Biden emphasizes that US support for Israel against Iran is “steal”
US President Joe Biden stressed after meeting with his National Security team that the United States’ commitment to Israel against Iran is “stiron.”
The president accompanied his message in X with a photo of the meeting in the crisis room of the White House, known as the ‘Situation Room’, in which he is next to the Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, and the Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin, among others.
Both Biden and Blinken, who appear from the front, are seen with a serious countenance, in a suit but without a tie.
The National Security team, an emergency meeting this Saturday afternoon, also included the director of the CIA, Bill Burns; the White House National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan, and the head of the Joint Chief of Staff, Charles Brown, among others, as previously reported by the White House.
Biden had planned to spend the weekend at his beach residence in Delaware but returned unexpectedly just before the Iranian attack on Israel was confirmed.
That offensive comes in retaliation against Israel for the attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus that killed seven members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, in addition to destroying the building attached to the Tehran embassy, which was the residence of the Iranian ambassador.
US President Joe Biden assured the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, of his support against Iran. He assured that US forces have helped to stop that attack and advanced that he will summon his G7 counterparts to coordinate a diplomatic response.
“I have told him that Israel has demonstrated a remarkable ability to defend itself against and even defeat unprecedented attacks – sending a key message to its enemies that they cannot effectively threaten Israel’s security,” he said in a statement released by the White House.
The presidential statement assures that the United States helped Israel tonight to “smoill almost all incoming drones and missiles” launched by Iran or its allied militias in the region, which the Israeli Ministry of Defense quantified at just over 200.
Since the US Presidency, US support had been reaffirmed in recent days and this same Saturday, but this phone call offered the Democratic president the opportunity to communicate it directly to Netanyahu on the same day that Iran fulfilled its threat.
Biden pointed out that under his instructions, and to support the defense of Israel, last week the US Army moved planes and defense destroyers against ballistic missiles to the region.
The president condemned the Iranian attack “as firmly as possible.” He recalled that it originated, not only in Iran, but also in Yemen, Syria and Iraq, where Allied militias in Tehran operate.
This Sunday, according to Biden, the United States will summon the rest of the G7 leaders “to coordinate a united diplomatic response to Iran’s brazen attack.”
Biden added that although the United States has not recorded attacks against its forces or facilities this Saturday, it will remain vigilant about it and will not hesitate to “take the necessary steps” to protect its people.
The Pentagon reported that its forces in the Middle East remain in an alert position to protect its soldiers and allies after intercepting “dozens of missiles and drones aimed at Israel” launched by Iran and its allied militias.
“US forces in the Middle East on April 13 intercepted dozens of missiles and drones aimed at Israel launched from Iran, Iraq, Syria and Yemen. Our forces remain deployed to protect US troops and our allies in the region, provide support to Israeli defense and promote regional stability,” U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said in a statement.
The head of the Pentagon condemned “the unprecedented and irresponsible attacks” of Iran and its allies, and asked them to stop any plan for new attacks and reduce the escalation of tension with Israel.
“We are not looking for the conflict with Iran, but we will not hesitate to act to protect our forces and in support of the defense of Israel,” Austin said.
Former US President and electoral pre-candidate Donald Trump (2017-2021) showed the country’s support for Israel. He considered that Iran’s attack would not have occurred if he had been in the White House.
“UNITED STATES SUPPORTS ISRAEL!” he said on his social network, Truth Social.
The former Republican president added in another message on that same account that “the attack should never have been allowed to take place.” He emphasized that that “NEWR” is what would have happened if he were president.
International
Wildfires in France Burn Nearly Three Times More Land Than in 2025, Interior Minister Says
More than 50,000 hectares of land have been destroyed by wildfires across France since the beginning of the year, nearly three times the area affected during the same period in 2025, French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said Friday in an interview with AFP.
Emergency crews are currently battling several major fires, including one near the popular Cap Ferret peninsula, where flames have already consumed more than 10,000 hectares, making it the largest wildfire of the season so far, according to the minister.
“Currently, we have 32 fires underway, which obviously do not all have the same level of importance,” Nuñez said.
“We have exceeded the threshold of 50,000 hectares burned since January 1 of this year. It is practically three times more than during the same period last year,” he added.
Despite the extensive resources deployed and the long hours worked by emergency teams — estimated to be two and a half times higher than last year — Nuñez said authorities remain “calm” and “determined” to contain the situation.
The minister acknowledged that the main concern is the fatigue affecting firefighters and emergency personnel who have been working under demanding conditions.
“The concern, if there has to be one, obviously lies in the state of exhaustion of the men and women who are committed. We have to hold on throughout the entire season,” Nuñez said.
France’s late spring and early summer have been marked by repeated periods of extreme heat, conditions linked by scientists to climate change and considered a major factor contributing to the increase in wildfire activity across the country.
International
Israel Says Saudi Recognition Would Mark ‘Historic Breakthrough’ for Middle East Peace
The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that Saudi Arabia’s recognition of Israel would represent a “historic breakthrough” toward achieving peace in the Middle East.
The statement came after the United States and Saudi Arabia announced an agreement on Wednesday to establish a civil nuclear program in the kingdom. U.S. President Donald Trump said the initiative would be linked to Riyadh’s decision to normalize diplomatic relations with Israel.
“Saudi Arabia joining the Abraham Accords would represent a historic breakthrough toward peace in the Middle East,” Netanyahu’s office said following Trump’s announcement.
The statement added that recent developments, including joint military actions by the United States and Israel against Iran, as well as Israel’s efforts against what it described as Iran’s “terror axis,” have created new opportunities to expand regional diplomatic ties.
“The joint U.S.-Israeli military action against the genocidal regime in Tehran and Israel’s defeat of Iran’s terror axis have created the possibility of expanding the circle of peace,” the statement said.
A potential normalization agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia would represent a major diplomatic shift in the region, as Riyadh has long been viewed as one of the key countries whose formal recognition could significantly reshape Middle Eastern relations.
International
Nicolás Maduro’s Son Calls U.S. Trial Against His Father and Cilia Flores “Unjust”
Venezuelan lawmaker Nicolás Maduro Guerra on Wednesday described as “unjust” the legal proceedings in the United States against his father, ousted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, and his wife, Cilia Flores, following their capture in Caracas on January 3 by U.S. forces.
“Faced with the unjust trial taking place today, the people raised their voices with a single demand: We demand the immediate release of President Nicolás Maduro and the First Lady,” Maduro Guerra wrote on his Instagram account.
The lawmaker attended a rally in Caracas where supporters of the ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV)gathered to show support for the former president, who faces charges in the United States including conspiracy to commit narco-terrorism and cocaine importation. Flores is accused of crimes related to drug trafficking and weapons possession.
The event was also attended by PSUV Vice President for Mobilizations and Events Nahum Fernández and Caracas Mayor Carmen Meléndez, according to photos shared by Maduro’s son.
The third hearing in the case against Maduro and Flores concluded Wednesday at a federal court in New York after lasting only about 18 minutes. During the hearing, the judge preliminarily set June 2027 as the expected start date for the trial.
One of the main arguments from the defense will focus on immunity. Maduro’s lead attorney, Barry Pollack, who has also represented WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, said the defense plans to request immunity for both defendants, arguing that Maduro was serving as head of state and Flores as first lady at the time of their detention.
Both Maduro and Flores pleaded not guilty during their first court appearance in New York on January 5.
Meanwhile, Venezuela’s interim president Delcy Rodríguez, who assumed power after Maduro’s capture, has not yet commented on Wednesday’s hearing in the United States.
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