President Donald Trump has intensified his threats against Tehran, stating Iran has “not yet paid a big enough price” for its actions over the past 47 years. He announced he would review a new peace proposal from Iran but expressed skepticism about its acceptability. Trump also indicated the “possibility” of ordering more strikes against Iran if it “misbehaves.” Furthermore, he threatened to withdraw over 5,000 US troops from Germany due to ongoing disagreements with Chancellor Friedrich Merz regarding the US-Israeli war against Iran. These statements follow a warning from a senior Iranian official about the “likely” renewal of the war if the current ceasefire collapses. Donald Tusk also stated that NATO is ‘disintegrating’, and Trump called the U.S. blockade ‘very friendly’.
In related developments, Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon killed three people, including a motorcycle rider and two others in the Tyre district, as reported by Lebanon’s National News Agency.
An analysis by The Independent’s world affairs editor Sam Kiley suggests that internal frictions within NATO, highlighted by disagreements between Trump and German Chancellor Merz, and Spain’s distancing from Washington, are weakening the alliance. This fragility benefits adversaries like Russia and China, posing an emergency for Western powers.
The Marshall Islands-flagged tanker Sarv Shakti, carrying 46,313 metric tonnes of LPG for India, successfully transited the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday. It is expected to reach Visakhapatnam by May 13.
The US plans to withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany amidst the Trump-Merz dispute. Significant US troop presences remain in Germany (36,436), Italy (12,662), Britain (10,156), and Spain (3,814), with smaller contingents in Poland, Romania, and Hungary.
A Washington Post/ABC News/Ipsos poll indicates that nearly half of Americans are reducing daily expenses due to rising gas prices, attributed to President Trump’s ongoing war in Iran. 44% are driving less, 42% are cutting household expenses, and 34% have changed travel plans, as average gas prices reached $4.43 per gallon.
Iran executed Mehrab Abdollahzadeh, convicted for involvement in the 2022 killing of security officer Abbas Fatemiyeh during protests following Mahsa Amini’s death. While state media reported a confession, rights groups allege torture for forced confessions.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to visit the Vatican and Italy for meetings, following President Trump’s public criticism of Pope Leo. Rubio, a Catholic, is expected to meet with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, as Pope Leo has recently become an outspoken critic of the US-Israeli war on Iran and Trump’s immigration policies.
Israel has finalized a multi-billion shekel deal to acquire two new combat squadrons of F-35 and F-15Ia aircraft from Lockheed Martin and Boeing.
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