International
Iran warns of “serious consequences” to Israel if it attacks Lebanon
The president of Iran, Masoud Pezeshkian, warned on Monday, during a conversation with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron, that there will be “serious consequences” if Israel makes the “big mistake” of attacking Lebanon.
“If the Zionist regime (Israel) attacks Lebanon, it will make a big mistake that will have serious consequences for it,” Pezeshkian told Macron, the Tasnim agency reported.
The Iranian president’s warning comes amid speculation about the Israeli response to the attack attributed to his ally Hizbulah that caused the death of 12 children in the Drusian town of Majdal Shams, located in the Golan Heights occupied by Israel.
Pezeshkian also expressed “his great concern” about the escalation of tensions on the southern borders of Lebanon with the Jewish State, whom he accused of committing “terrible crimes.”
“For more than 75 years of the occupation of Palestine, there is no crime that the Zionists have not committed,” said the president, who will be sworn in tomorrow before Parliament after it was ratified yesterday in the post by the supreme leader of Iran, Ali Khameni.
Hours earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned on Monday that Israel’s response to the attack “will come, and it will be tough.”
Last night, the country’s security cabinet, which brings together the military and intelligence leadership along with ministers of important portfolios, authorized Netanyahu to decide on a response against Hizbulah.
Iran already warned Israel yesterday not to carry out “new adventures” in Lebanon since this could “lead to increased instability, insecurity and war in the region.”
Iranian diplomacy did not respond, however, to Israel’s accusations that the attack is its responsibility since it is Hizbulah’s main ally.
Iran leads the so-called ‘Ace of Resistance’, an informal anti-Israeli alliance formed in addition to Hezbollah by the Palestinians of Hamas or the Houthis of Yemen, among others.
International
Trump floats Vance-Rubio potential Republican ticket for 2028 election
U.S. President Donald Trump suggested on Monday that Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubiocould potentially form a Republican presidential ticket for the 2028 elections.
Speaking during a dinner with law enforcement officials as part of National Police Week, Trump publicly praised both officials and said they could make “an ideal team” for the next presidential race.
“Who likes JD Vance? Who likes Marco Rubio?” Trump asked attendees before adding that the pair “sound like a good combination.”
The president highlighted his vice president’s performance in office, stating that their current partnership has been highly effective. “JD is perfect, that has been a perfect formula,” Trump told reporters later.
He further suggested that a Vance-Rubio pairing could represent a strong presidential and vice-presidential ticket, although he stopped short of offering any formal endorsement.
“I think it sounds like a presidential candidate and a vice-presidential candidate,” he said, while clarifying that his remarks should not be interpreted as an official backing of any future campaign.
So far, neither Vance nor Rubio has publicly confirmed any intention to run in the 2028 presidential election.
Rubio previously sought the Republican nomination in 2016 but withdrew after losing the primary race to Trump. Later, in a December 2025 interview with Vanity Fair, he said he would be among the first to support Vance if he decided to run for the White House.
Vance, meanwhile, has recently dismissed speculation of any political rivalry with Rubio amid growing discussion about potential future GOP leadership.
International
Russia Accuses Ukraine of Violating Victory Day Truce
Russia accused Ukraine on Saturday of violating a Victory Day truce that was reportedly agreed with mediation from the United States, claiming that Ukrainian forces carried out attacks on Russian territory as well as on the annexed Crimean peninsula.
Despite the declared ceasefire, the Russian Ministry of Defense said in a statement that Ukrainian forces attacked Russian military positions using attack drones and artillery.
According to the ministry, Ukrainian forces made twelve attempts to advance toward Russian-held positions across several sectors of the front line.
It also alleged that Ukrainian strikes targeted civilian infrastructure in Crimea, several border regions, the Caucasus, and other areas including Moscow and Perm in the Ural region.
The Defense Ministry estimated around 8,900 violations of the ceasefire in total, including more than 7,000 drone attacks and over 1,000 strikes involving tanks, artillery, multiple rocket launch systems, and mortars since the truce came into effect at midnight.
Russia said its forces responded “symmetrically” to what it described as violations by Ukrainian troops.
Earlier, the Kremlin denied claims that Ukraine attempted to sabotage a military parade in Red Square marking the 81st anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.
“No attempts were made. Everything went well,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told local media.
International
Trump Says U.S.-Iran Talks Progressing, Signals Possible Deal on Strait of Hormuz
U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday that Washington is holding “very good” talks with Iran and stated that there is a strong possibility of reaching an agreement to end the conflict and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
“We’ve had very good conversations over the last 44 hours, and it’s very possible that we’ll reach an agreement,” Trump said during an event held in the Oval Office at the White House.
The president’s remarks came just hours after he announced a temporary suspension of the military operation aimed at escorting vessels stranded in the Persian Gulf due to Iran’s blockade of the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
Trump explained that the pause in operations is intended to facilitate diplomatic negotiations between both sides and prevent further military escalation in the region.
“We’re in good shape, and right now things are going well. Now we have to achieve what we need to achieve. If we don’t, we’ll have to go much further,” the Republican president warned.
In a post published on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump reiterated that if Iran accepts Washington’s proposed conditions, military operations and the naval blockade affecting the Islamic republic would come to an end.
However, he also issued a new warning to the Iranian government, stating that the United States would respond with attacks “of greater intensity” if Tehran rejects the agreement promoted by the White House.
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Trump floats Vance-Rubio potential Republican ticket for 2028 election
Russia Accuses Ukraine of Violating Victory Day Truce
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