International

Netanyahu says that the attack on Iran affected its ability to develop missiles

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that the attack launched against Iran in the early hours of Saturday affected its defensive capabilities and its ability to develop missiles.

The attack was “precise and powerful, fulfilling all its objectives,” said the president in what are his first public statements about the event, during a ceremony by the Israeli soldiers killed in the war in Gaza and collected by the Israeli press.

Saturday’s attack, in response to the launch of some 180 missiles by Iran in early October, caused the death of four soldiers and damage to some radars.

First time Israel recognizes an attack on Iran

It is the first time that Israel publicly admits to having attacked Iran, although there was already a reprisal, never officially recognized, after the first Iranian attack on the country in April.

“The regime must understand something very simple. Whoever hurts us, we will hurt him,” the president said, using one of his most repeated phrases in his messages to Iran.

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Before his statements, Israeli President Isaac Herzog (who already congratulated the air force last night for the attack), said that the “critical” task has not yet been achieved: rescue the Israeli hostages in the Gaza Strip.

“The elimination of the arch-terrorist (Yahya) Sinwar (leader of Hamas) and other enemies, and the impressive battle of the Army and security forces have created an opportunity that we cannot miss,” he said.

Netanyahu also spoke about the hostages in Gaza, assuring that bringing them back is a “sacred” mission, while Defense Minister Yoav Gallant made it clear that to achieve it will have to make “painful concessions.”

The minister, who has had some public encounters with Netanyahu about the management of the war, said that Hamas “has stopped operating” as a militia, while the Shiihite group Hezbula does not stop receiving blows, after the elimination of its leadership in a series of Israeli bombings against Lebanon in recent weeks.

The groups “are no longer an effective tool in the hands of Iran,” he said, adding that not all objectives can be achieved on the basis of military force, and that rescuing the kidnapped is Israel’s “responsibility”.

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Later, during a similar ceremony in honor of the civilians killed in the October 7 Hamas attacks and in the following war year, a group of protesters interrupted Netanyahu’s speech shouting “shame” and remembering his murdered loved ones.

Israel negotiates in Qatar the release of Hamas hostages

The head of the Mossad, David Barnea, arrived in Qatar this Sunday to participate in new negotiations on the exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners imprisoned in Israel and the possibilities of achieving a ceasefire in Gaza, sources close to the talks informed EFE.

Barnea “is in Qatar with the aim of holding new talks on the agreement of prisoners and hostages with Hamas” after the murder of the top leader of the Palestinian Islamist group, Yahya Sinwar, more than a week ago in southern Gaza, sources said on condition of anonymity.

They also pointed out that the head of the Mossad will meet in Doha with the heads of intelligence of the United States, William Burns, and Egypt, Hassan Rashad, as well as with the Prime Minister of Qatar, Mohamed bin Abderrahmán.

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International

UK braces for potential CO₂ shortage amid Middle East tensions

The government of United Kingdom is preparing contingency measures amid fears of a potential shortage of carbon dioxide (CO₂), which could impact the agri-food industry if the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, The Times reported on Thursday.

According to the newspaper, officials assessed this scenario during a recent crisis meeting aimed at evaluating the consequences of a prolonged conflict, triggered on February 28 by joint attacks from United States and Israel against Iran.

Under this scenario, CO₂ supplies—primarily a byproduct of fertilizer production using natural gas—could fall by up to 18%, affecting multiple sectors including agriculture and food production.

The gas is widely used in the slaughter of pigs and poultry, as well as in extending the shelf life of packaged foods. Breweries could also face disruptions due to reduced availability.

“I don’t want to comment on a leak, but now that the information is out there, I hope people feel reassured knowing we are working on it,” said Peter Kyle, Secretary of State for Business and Trade, in remarks to Sky News.

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While a drop in CO₂ supply is not expected to cause major shortages in supermarkets, it could limit product variety, The Times noted, citing access to internal government documents.

To mitigate the impact, authorities are considering prioritizing CO₂ supply for critical sectors such as healthcare and civil nuclear energy, where it is used in cooling systems for blood reserves, organs, vaccines, and electricity generation. The government may also request domestic producers to increase output.

Central America

El Salvador and Paraguay approve 2026–2028 cooperation program

The governments of El Salvador and Paraguay approved the 2026–2028 Cooperation Program, which includes six joint development projects, according to Salvadoran Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Adriana Mira.

Mira stated that El Salvador will act as the “main provider of cooperation,” contributing five initiatives focused on road infrastructure, tourism, and local development. She also noted that one of the projects will be led by the Paraguayan side, although no further details were disclosed.

The agreement was reached during the Second Meeting of the Joint Commission on Technical and Scientific Cooperation between both countries.

According to Paraguay’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the First Meeting of the Political Consultation and Bilateral Coordination Mechanism was also held, with the participation of Vice Minister Víctor Verdún.

In an official statement, the Paraguayan government reported that both delegations agreed to identify mechanisms to promote competitiveness, economic growth, and market access. They also committed to signing agreements related to air transport cooperation.

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International

Macron meets Machado, stresses need for democratic transition in Venezuela

Emmanuel Macron met on Monday at the Élysée Palace with Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, where they discussed the importance of advancing a democratic transition in Venezuela.

In a message shared on social media, Macron highlighted Machado’s commitment to freedom and stressed the need to achieve a transition that is peaceful and respects the will of the Venezuelan people.

“I received María Corina Machado, Nobel Peace Prize laureate. Together, we discussed her commitment to freedom and the importance of achieving a democratic, peaceful transition in Venezuela that respects the will of its people,” he wrote.

For her part, Machado expressed her “deep gratitude” to Macron and to France for their support of democracy and freedom in Venezuela.

“We have gone through a long and painful journey, and we are now very close to freedom. Venezuela will become a nation of free and equal men and women—prosperous, safe, and united,” she said.