Donald Trump, the President of the United States, posted an extensive message on the social network Truth Social, commenting on the Israeli attack on the South Pars gas field in Iran that occurred on Wednesday evening.
Iran responded to this strike with an attack on the Ras Laffan industrial area in Qatar, which houses the world's largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) processing plant.
In his statement, Trump expressed dissatisfaction, claiming that the U.S. "had no information" about Israel's attack and threatening retaliatory actions in the event of a new strike by Iran on Qatar.
"Israel, driven by anger over events in the Middle East, struck," Trump notes.
He added: "The U.S. was unaware of this attack, and Qatar had nothing to do with it and was not aware of its readiness."
According to Trump, Iran was not informed that its retaliatory actions against Ras Laffan were "unjustified and unfair."
Trump emphasizes—in capital letters—that Israel will not attack the Iranian South Pars field, "unless Iran makes a reckless attack" on another peaceful country, namely Qatar.
If Iran strikes Qatar again, Trump threatens that the U.S. "will massively destroy the entire South Pars gas field with a force that Iran has never seen." He also noted that he does not intend to sanction "such a degree of violence due to long-term consequences" for Iran, "but if the Qatari LNG plant is attacked again, I will do it without hesitation."
The FBI has launched an investigation into Joe Kent, a former counter-terrorism unit staff member.
According to CBS, Joe Kent, the former director of the U.S. National Counterterrorism Center, is under investigation by the FBI.
The investigation is related to a leak of classified information and began before his dismissal this week amid the conflict in Iran, CBS reports.
Kent had previously discussed with conservative commentator Tucker Carlson that the U.S.-Israeli operation to eliminate Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei "was the last step we should have taken."
At the time of publication, CBS had not received a response from the FBI to a request for comments.
The Pentagon is requesting over $200 billion from the White House to fund the war in Iran, a senior administration official told the Washington Post.
The document states that this amount will significantly exceed the costs of the Trump administration's campaign, planning an "urgent" increase in the production of critically important weapons.
Over the past two weeks, the Pentagon has submitted several different funding requests, and, as the Post suggests, the latest request could provoke significant political disagreements in Congress.
The Japan-U.S. alliance under test: Trump's meeting with the Prime Minister of Japan.
Jack Barton
Reporting from Seoul, South Korea.
This meeting will be an important test for relations, as it is the first with a key ally since the conflict began.
Initial questions regarding tariffs and trade are expected to lose relevance, and Trump will again pressure Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to send military ships to the Strait of Hormuz.
Japan, which receives about 90% of its energy resources from this region, has a powerful navy as a U.S. ally.
Its navy includes nearly 49 frigates and destroyers equipped with Aegis systems and modern missiles, significantly surpassing the fleets of the United Kingdom and France.
Takaichi does not require parliamentary approval to send ships, but over 80% of Japanese voters oppose this, which could negatively impact her ratings, especially among supporters. Additionally, the pacifist constitution limits the capabilities of Japan's navy, which has only been used to combat piracy.
Given Japan's good relations with Iran, some experts suggest that it may attempt to negotiate a safe passage for its cargoes in exchange for refraining from participating in a joint campaign with the U.S.
Analysts also believe that South Korea may consider a similar option. While it has not given a clear refusal to Trump's request to send military ships, most politicians in the ruling party view it as a violation of legislative norms.
Sirens sound across Israel.
According to Israeli media reports, sirens were activated in various parts of the country after the Israeli army detected rockets fired from Iran.
This marks the sixth rocket strike carried out by Iran since midnight.
The next threat of war with Iran: food and water — The Atlantic.
A prolonged blockade of the Strait of Hormuz could lead to a humanitarian disaster.
The rulers of the Arabian Peninsula countries have previously bet on using oil revenues to create prosperous societies, attracting specialists from around the world.
Those who have visited Dubai or Doha can appreciate the success of this strategy: over the past 30 years, the region's population has more than doubled, reaching about 60 million people, with forecasts for further growth.
However, the war with Iran has revealed the vulnerability of this model.
The desert lands rich in oil offer virtually no opportunities for agricultural development, making these states almost entirely dependent on food imports.
Most of these supplies pass through the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway that is effectively blocked for commercial shipping due to threats from Iran and its allies.
Kuwait reports attempts to intercept missiles and drones.
The Kuwaiti army reported that its air defense systems successfully countered missile and drone attacks, about an hour after the National Guard shot down several drones.
The army urges citizens to adhere to "security measures" and clarifies that all audible explosions are the result of interceptions.
The U.S. Federal Reserve predicts inflation growth due to economic uncertainty.
The U.S. Federal Reserve has updated its inflation forecast, keeping interest rates unchanged, citing an "uncertain" economic outlook caused by the war with Iran.
Fed Chair Jerome Powell noted that citizens "will have to wait and see" how the U.S. and Israel's war against Iran will impact the country's economy.
"We are just beginning this process, and we do not know how extensive it is and how long it will last," he added.
"It may impact the U.S. economy, or it may not."
South Korea concerned about loss of export petrochemicals.
Jack Barton
Reporting from Seoul, South Korea.
Local authorities are seriously concerned about Israel's attack on the South Pars gas field in Iran, which heightens anxiety following retaliatory actions against Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE, affecting key energy infrastructure that South Korea relies on not only for energy but also for petrochemical products, helium needed for semiconductors, and other goods that the country exports.
Emergency meetings have become routine; at the latest meeting, the government reiterated the importance of expanding the list of energy importers and discussed the possibility of introducing price caps on oil coming from local refineries.
This is the first instance of price caps on petroleum products at refineries since the Asian financial crisis of 1997… The market is indeed experiencing serious upheavals.
The government is considering additional measures, including rationing supplies for transportation, but the UAE has already organized several shipments bypassing the Strait of Hormuz: one shipment has reached [South Korea], and another is on the way.
A total of about 24 million barrels of oil and a shipment of naphtha, critical for plastic production, are en route, but reserves are limited.
The Lebanese Ministry of Health reported the number of casualties from Israeli attacks on several areas of the country over the past two days.
The number of casualties is as follows:
- Three people, including two children, were killed in Deir Zahani, 15 were injured.
- Two people were killed in Sidon, five were injured.
- Six people were killed in Kharu, 10 were injured.
- Seven people were killed in Jebchit, including four Syrian citizens, two were injured.
- Four people were killed in Baalbek, seven were injured.
- Nine people were killed in Sahmara, 23 were injured.
- Three people were killed in Jmeme, four were injured.
- Eleven people were killed in Beirut, 45 were injured, including 14 children.
Iranian Foreign Minister Araqchi held phone talks with colleagues from other countries.
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi held separate phone conversations with his counterparts from Turkey, Egypt, and Pakistan.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry's statement emphasizes that Araqchi discussed "the military aggression of the U.S. and Israel against Iran and its consequences" and the need for "coordination of actions among the countries in the region in response to these threats."
Araqchi also spoke with Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard, who had previously expressed "concern" over the execution of a Swedish citizen suspected of espionage for Israel.
Araqchi called Stenergard's support for this individual "regrettable."
QatarEnergy reports "significant fires" following Iranian attacks.
QatarEnergy reports "significant fires" that have occurred at several of its facilities as a result of recent Iranian attacks on the industrial city of Ras Laffan.
According to QatarEnergy, these attacks occurred "in addition to a previous strike on Ras Laffan on Wednesday," which "caused significant damage to the Pearl GTL (gas-to-liquids) plant."
As a result of the new attacks, "significant additional damage" was inflicted, and emergency response teams were immediately deployed, with no casualties reported, QatarEnergy added.
Qatar states that Iran has crossed a "red line" and calls for de-escalation.
The Qatari Foreign Ministry issued a statement following the Iranian attacks on the gas facility in Ras Laffan.
"Iranian attacks on countries in the region have crossed all boundaries, as their victims are civilians and civilian infrastructure," the statement claims.
"The Ministry emphasizes the need to stop the consequences of these unjustified actions and to work towards de-escalation to restore security and stability in the region."
Saudi Arabia reserves the right to "military action" after Iranian attacks.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud stated that Riyadh reserves the right to take military action against Iran if necessary, following attacks on two oil refineries in the country's capital.
Speaking to reporters after a meeting of foreign ministers in Riyadh, he noted that Iran must "reconsider its mistakes," emphasizing that such actions will not benefit Tehran.
Prince Faisal added that Iran "is not seeking dialogue with its neighbors," but instead "is trying to exert pressure on them," adding that this approach will not succeed and will "backfire on Tehran politically and morally."
Overview of recent events
- Qatar ordered Iranian military attaches and security service personnel to leave the country following the Iranian missile strike on the main gas storage facility in Ras Laffan.
- The United Arab Emirates closed the Habshan gas terminals in Abu Dhabi after the Iranian strike, and Saudi Arabia confirmed that two of its oil refineries were also attacked.
- These events occurred after Israel attacked the Iranian navy in northern Bandar Anzali and the South Pars gas field, while Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian warned of "uncontrollable consequences" that could "affect the entire world."
- As a result of Iran's retaliatory attacks on Israel in Tel Aviv and the occupied West Bank, four people were killed.
- Israeli forces continue to bombard Beirut and southern Lebanon, with the death toll from the attacks rising to at least 968 people.
- Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz reported that the Iranian Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib was killed in the strike.
- U.S. National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard told the Senate Intelligence Committee that the Iranian government "has largely maintained its integrity, but has significantly degraded."
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