Trump is open to regime change in Iran, after his administration said that wasn't the goal
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration on Sunday sent a series of conflicting messages to Iran — with U.S. officials initially indicating a willingness to resume negotiations after a surprise attack on three of the country's nuclear sites and President Donald Trump talking up the possibility of regime change.
'It's not politically correct to use the term, 'Regime Change,' but if the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn't there be a Regime change???' Trump posted on social media. 'MIGA!!!'
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Vancouver Sun
an hour ago
- Vancouver Sun
World braces for Iran's response after U.S. strikes signal new era
(Bloomberg) — The unprecedented US airstrikes on Iran have set traders and governments worldwide on edge, as the Islamic Republic warns of retaliation and Israel shows no sign of letting up in its assault. President Donald Trump's decision to deploy bunker-busting bombs, Washington's first direct military action against Iran after decades of hostility, has pushed the Middle East into uncharted territory and raised geopolitical risk in a world economy already facing severe uncertainty over his trade war. Oil rose almost 6% when markets opened Monday morning in Asia, with analysts warning $100 a barrel is in sight depending on Iran's further response to the conflict, which began June 13 with a surprise attack by Israel. The US dollar pushed higher, stock futures fell and Bitcoin slid below $100,000 for the first time since early May. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. The extensive US operation — which targeted nuclear sites at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan — included 125 aircraft, strikes by Tomahawk missiles launched from a submarine and the use of 14 Massive Ordnance Penetrator bombs, the first time such bunker busters were used in combat. At the United Nations on Sunday, Iranian Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani told an emergency Security Council meeting that the 'timing nature and scale' of Tehran's response 'will be decided by its armed forces.' Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi earlier said the country reserves all options to respond. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which answers to the Iran's supreme leader, signaled US military bases in the region could be targeted. Trump has vowed to meet any retaliation with force 'far greater' than the US strikes on the nuclear sites. He also floated the possibility of regime change in Iran, although US and Israeli officials Sunday stressed that isn't their aim. Police in New York, Washington and Los Angeles increased patrols at religious institutions, diplomatic facilities and public spaces. Officials cited no immediate credible threats but highlighted the need for vigilance. The Department of Homeland Security said the Israel-Iran war has placed the US in a 'heightened threat environment' through Sept. 22. It's still unclear how successful the US strikes were in eliminating Iran's most heavily protected enrichment site at Fordow. The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, which officially has the task of monitoring Iran's program, told the UN Security Council on Sunday that no one yet knows the condition of the facility, nor the location of Iran's more than 400 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60%. Any move by Tehran to harass traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a major artery for global crude and natural gas, has raised the specter of a spike in energy prices at a fragile moment for the global economy. The World Bank, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and the International Monetary Fund have all downgraded their growth forecasts in recent months. 'An expanding conflict adds to the risk of higher oil prices and an upward impulse to inflation,' Bloomberg Economics analysts including Ziad Daoud wrote in a report. Naval forces in the region warned that ships, especially US-linked vessels, could be at heightened risk. Greece, home to more oil-tanker capacity than any other nation, cautioned its ship owners to think again if they're considering entering the Persian Gulf. Two supertankers both capable of hauling about 2 million barrels of crude U-turned in the Strait of Hormuz, entering the waterway then abruptly changing course on Sunday. British Airways and Singapore Airlines canceled flights to the Persian Gulf, increasing aviation disruptions in the region. While the US action was condemned by the likes of Russia and China, even allies such as UK and France distanced themselves from Trump's decision. Iran, meanwhile, finds itself isolated. Tehran's top allies — Russia and China — are offering only rhetorical support, while the militia groups Tehran has armed and funded for years are refusing or unable to enter the fight. Iran's Araghchi said he plans to travel to Moscow, although Russian officials have made it clear that a cooperation treaty the two countries signed in January doesn't include mutual-defense obligations. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged in a news conference to continue Israel's military campaign in Iran as well as in the Gaza Strip. The Israel Defense Forces said Sunday it hit a surface-to-air missile launcher in Tehran, while in western Iran, Israeli jets struck infrastructure for storage and missile launches as well as satellites and military radar sites.
Japan Forward
2 hours ago
- Japan Forward
Irresponsible for Diet to End Session Without Tackling Iran Crisis
The ruling and opposition parties are already prioritizing campaigning for the July House of Councillors elections. It seems that they will end the regular Diet session without properly debating the crisis in Iran and the Middle East. Yet, that region has a profound impact on Japan. As scheduled, the current session of the Diet ended on June 22. Yoshihiko Noda, leader of the Constitutional Democratic Party (CDP), announced on June 19 that he would not submit a resolution of no confidence in the Cabinet at this time. The interest of the ruling and opposition parties has now clearly shifted to the July Upper House election. But is that the right thing to do? Israel and Iran are now locked in fierce combat. Moreover, the United States has just bombed three nuclear sites in Iran. Yet, the Diet has not been conducting intensive deliberations on this situation in any of its relevant committees, including the budget, foreign affairs, and defense-related committees. Shouldn't our elected representatives engage in necessary discussions for the sake of the nation and its people, even if it means slightly extending the Diet session? Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi (©Reuters via Kyodo) Japan is dependent on the Middle East for 90% of its petroleum. The impact of the conflict on national security, energy security, and the economy will be enormous. Meanwhile, US forces are currently being deployed near the Middle East. Closer to home, there is a risk that China could exploit any gaps in defense preparedness to intensify its military pressure in Northeast Asia. Noda said that "there should be no political vacuum" due to the Japan-US tariff negotiations and the situation in the Middle East. Therefore, it seems that they recognize tariffs as such a critical issue. So, why don't the opposition parties call for an extension of the Diet session to discuss that and other international crises? The same holds true for Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. Is he unwilling to answer questions from representatives of the people and openly exchange opinions with them? In fact, the Prime Minister has not even delivered a report to the Diet on the G7 Summit. Nor has he taken questions from Diet members regarding the same. Is the government, as well as the ruling and opposition parties, oblivious to the international situation? Their attitude is very disappointing. The current Diet session has also left many other issues unresolved. One is ensuring that the Imperial family has a sufficient number of members to provide for stable succession to the throne. Yet, the Speaker and Vice-Speakers of the Lower and Upper Houses of the Diet have postponed this discussion. It is imperative to reach a consensus within the legislative branch based on the paramount principle of male-line succession. The Emperor and Empress, Princess Aiko, and Crown Prince and Princess Akishino at the Imperial Palace on June 10. (Pool photo) Regarding constitutional reform, it was encouraging that five political parties — including the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Komeito, Ishin no Kai, and the Democratic Party for the People — presented a draft constitutional reform outline to the Lower House executive committee of the Commission on the Constitution. This plan would allow for the extension of terms for Diet members in emergencies. Nonetheless, it is problematic that the CDP rejected the LDP's proposal to set up a drafting committee for constitutional amendments. There was lively debate within the Diet about measures to combat rising prices. But it was intolerable that each political party rushed to gain popularity with the electorate in anticipation of the upcoming House of Councillors election by offering handouts or a cut in the consumption tax. On the defense of Japan, there was far from sufficient discussion on how China should be perceived or how to improve deterrence. That gap was allowed, despite Chinese fighter jets' dangerous maneuvers toward a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force patrol aircraft. A Chinese J-15 fighter jet makes an abnormal approach to a Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force P3C patrol aircraft over the Pacific Ocean on June 8. (Photo courtesy of the Ministry of Defense) Finally, although the pension reform law was passed, it was disappointing that there was no in-depth discussion on raising the basic pension. This was another disappointment from the just-ended Diet session. (Read the editorial in Japanese .) Author: Editorial Board, The Sankei Shimbun
Canada News.Net
2 hours ago
- Canada News.Net
Canada warns of retaliation without Trump agreement
OTTAWA, Canada: Canada may boost its counter-tariffs on steel and aluminum imported from the U.S. if a comprehensive trade agreement with President Donald Trump is not finalized within the next 30 days, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced this week. Earlier this month, Trump raised import duties on these metals from 25 percent to 50 percent, prompting the industry to call for Canada to respond officially. This decision could negatively impact Canada, the largest supplier of steel and aluminum to the U.S. Carney stated that he had reached a mutual agreement with Trump to aim for a new economic and security deal by July 21. He emphasized that, based on the progress achieved in the trade negotiations, Canada would modify its existing counter-tariffs on U.S. steel and aluminum products by that date. While Carney did not immediately respond to Trump's recent tariff increase, he expressed the desire to see advancements in talks focused on establishing a stronger economic and security alliance. Earlier this year, on March 13, Canada enacted 25 percent retaliatory tariffs on steel products worth C$12.6 billion and aluminum products worth C$3 billion. Furthermore, Canada is introducing new procurement policies that allow Canadian producers and trading partners with tariff-free access to compete for federal contracts involving steel and aluminum. Carney also indicated that Canada intends to create new tariff-rate quotas equal to 100 percent of 2024 levels for steel imported from nations without free trade agreements, aiming to stabilize the domestic market and prevent detrimental trade shifts. Approximately 90 percent of Canada's steel and aluminum exports go to the U.S., while Canada consumes about 20 percent of U.S. steel exports and 50 percent of U.S. aluminum exports, according to the Royal Bank of Canada, underscoring the importance of this trade relationship. Under Carney's leadership, Canada is advancing numerous infrastructure projects, including those related to defense and housing, which will significantly increase the demand for steel and aluminum. "We are committed to supporting the industry by prioritizing Canadian steel and aluminum in federal projects," Carney stated during a press conference.
