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President Donald Trump said Thursday that his newly established Board of Peace will cooperate closely with the United Nations on Gaza’s future, while also ensuring that the global body “runs properly.”

Speaking at the first gathering of the Board of Peace at the Donald J. Trump U.S. Institute of Peace, the president said the U.N. holds “tremendous potential” but argued that it has “not lived up to that potential.”

Trump presented the Board of Peace as a proactive alternative to what he characterized as decades of ineffective international discussions.

“We’re going to be working with the United Nations very closely,” Trump said in opening remarks broadcast live on Newsmax. He added that the Board of Peace will “almost be looking over the United Nations and making sure it runs properly,” while the United States continues to assist the U.N. “moneywise” and seeks to bolster its facilities and operational capacity.

According to Trump, the board is intended to serve as a practical, results-focused body designed to help establish a long-term framework for Gaza following the ceasefire reached last fall.

The inaugural meeting was held even as significant challenges remain unresolved, including the question of Hamas disarmament, the withdrawal of Israeli forces, the coordination of humanitarian aid, and the creation and management of a reconstruction fund expected to require tens of billions of dollars.

Despite these outstanding issues, Trump signaled confidence that progress is being made. He declared that the war in Gaza “is over” and cited what he described as an expanding roster of countries committing financial resources, personnel, and training to support an international stabilization mission. He also cautioned that any refusal by Hamas to disarm would be “harshly met.”

During the event, Trump also commended members of his diplomatic team for what he described as major achievements.

“I want to thank Steve and Jared for an amazing job,” he said, referring to special envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner, whom he credited with playing a key role in securing the Abraham Accords during his first term.

The president then suggested an expanded role for Kushner, stating that Kushner “will also now be an envoy for peace.”

That statement was later clarified. I24 News correspondent Mordechai Wagenheim reported on X that a State Department official said Kushner “will not become ‘an envoy for peace’ in an official sense,” despite Trump’s remarks.

The broader effort has attracted both attention and skepticism internationally, in part because it intersects with the United Nations’ traditional position as the primary forum for global diplomacy.

Several American allies have chosen not to participate, while others have joined only as observers, prompting questions about the initiative’s legitimacy and long-term viability.

Still, Trump’s message at Thursday’s session was clear: the United States intends to take the lead, demand accountability, and press institutions such as the United Nations to produce tangible outcomes. The president emphasized that the ultimate objective should be lasting peace rather than prolonged bureaucracy within the international system.

By Natalie B. Compton

The last time I renewed my passport, about a decade ago, I spent the day fighting for parking and waiting in lines as I bounced between a Walgreens (for photos) and a dreary government building in Los Angeles. The time before that had also been a chore; I remember sitting in a Fresno, California, post office with my mom, poring over our paper documents to make sure we filled out everything perfectly.

But since those applications, the State Department has brought the process up to speed for the digital age.

In 2021, President Joe Biden signed an executive order to allow Americans to renew their passports online, eliminating the need for physical documents and paper checks to be sent through the mail. Over the next few years, the government experimented with a pilot program before officially launching online renewals in 2024. More than 6 million Americans have used the option, and last year more than 43 percent of all renewal applications were made online.

Last month, it was finally time for me to try the new system myself. It took six minutes to fill out the renewal form online, and 17 days later my fresh booklet showed up in my mailbox. No expediting fees, no lines. I even took my own photo from the privacy of my living room. Now I can’t stop spreading the good word: Renewing your passport has never been easier – you just have to do it online.

Here’s how.

– – –

Who’s eligible for online renewal?

To use the online renewal system, applicants must be U.S. citizens or nationals at least 25 years old, among other requirements listed on the State Department website, including:

– Applicants must have already had a passport with 10-year validity.

– Applicants must be applying for a regular passport, and they must possess their current passport. (It cannot be lost, stolen, damaged or mutilated.)

– Applicants can’t request a change to their name, gender, date of birth or place of birth.

– Applicants can’t be traveling internationally for at least six weeks from the day they submit their application.

– Applicants must have a U.S. state or territory mailing address.

– Applicants can pay with a credit card or debit card, and must be able to upload a digital passport photo.

– The applicant’s recent passport must have been issued between nine and 15 years before the application date.

– The applicant’s passport must be expiring within 1 year or have expired less than 5 years ago.

If you don’t meet these criteria, you may still be able to renew by mail or in person at a passport agency or center.

Also important: Through the online system, you can renew only the type of passport you already have. For example, you can’t be the holder of a passport book but request a passport card instead. You’ll have to request new document types by mail.

– – –

How much does it cost?

The cost of a passport book is $130. A passport card costs $30. Applicants can also pay for faster mailing of their finished passport (one- to three-day delivery for $22.05).

– – –

What do you need?

To streamline the application process, have your current passport handy as well as a credit or debit card, a digital photo of yourself that meets the State Department requirements, your Social Security number, and information for an emergency contact. And before you get started, double-check you are on the official .gov website – there are impostor websites out there that will charge you extra fees.

– – –

How long does it take?

You can apply only for a routine passport renewal online; there is no expedited service (yet – that could change in the coming months). The processing time estimate is four to six weeks, and the actual application process can be done in about 10 minutes.

I submitted my application for renewal on Jan. 21 and got an email saying I should receive my passport on March 9. It actually came in the mail 17 days later, on Feb. 7. My husband applied the same day I did, and his passport arrived the same day as mine.

You may get yours back even faster. I’ve heard from dozens of travelers who have used online renewal, and most said they got their passports in about two weeks. Many said their wait time was even shorter, sometimes within a week of applying.

– – –

How do you take your photo?

I have a checkered history with ID photos – some flattering, some more mug shot – and was delighted to have the option to take them myself. (Or rather, take 50 myself and pick the best one.) Before you do a DIY photo shoot, take a look at the State Department website for best practices. The main tips include:

– Your photo must be in color and have a white background (such as a white wall).

– Your photo must have been taken within the last six months.

– You can’t wear glasses or hats, but you can wear head coverings for religious or medical purposes.

– You can smile, as long as it looks natural.

– Your photo must be high resolution, not blurry or pixelated.

– Your photo must have a file size between 54 kilobytes and 10 megabytes, and it must be saved as a JPG, JPEG or HEIF file (if you use a mobile device to take your photo, it will automatically save in one of these formats).

– You cannot use any kind of filter or retouching tools to alter your appearance.

The agency also says you should ask someone else to take the photo for you. What this really means is: Don’t take a selfie with your phone’s front-facing camera. Selfies often turn out with the wrong angle and don’t capture the proportions of your face quite right. If you’re using a phone to take the photo, you’ll have to use the back camera, which is more accurate.

I used a tripod and a self-timer to take my own photo after studying the “good” and “bad” examples the State Department provides (and watching a few TikTok videos about posing; pro tip: crane your neck forward and smize!). The agency also offers a tool that evaluates your photo before you submit your application and flags any glaring errors. If your photo is denied by the passport specialist after you apply, you’ll be notified by email and given the opportunity to submit a new photo.

A last word of warning: Don’t go too hard on the glam. You could have a problem at the airport if your post-redeye reality does not resemble the hot doppelgänger in your passport photo. Seriously.

Alternatively, you can visit a professional to take your passport photo (for example, at a camera shop, AAA office, the post office, UPS or FedEx, or drugstores like CVS); just ask them to share a digital file to upload with your application.

(c) 2026, The Washington Post 

Amazon.com Inc. has officially dethroned Walmart Inc. as the biggest global company by revenue, a milestone attesting to the massive scale the e-commerce and cloud-computing giant has achieved since its humble beginnings in 1994 as an online bookseller in Jeff Bezos’ Seattle-area garage.

Walmart, which had been the largest company by revenue for more than a decade, on Thursday reported sales of $713.2 billion for the 12 months ending Jan. 31. Amazon, which operates on a fiscal year ending in December, earlier this month reported 2025 sales of $717 billion.

Bezos carefully studied Walmart founder Sam Walton, embracing many of his business strategies while building his company. Over the past decade, Amazon’s revenue has increased at almost 10 times the pace of Walmart’s, fueled by a shift in consumer spending from stores to websites and its rapidly growing cloud-computing business, Amazon Web Services.

Amazon and Walmart compete head-to-head for shoppers’ dollars. Amazon is the biggest online retailer, with its website and mobile apps attracting 2.7 billion visits each month. Walmart is the biggest physical retailer in the world, with more than 10,000 stores and shopping clubs globally. Both companies generate most of their revenue in the US.

Walmart is having more success developing its e-commerce operation than Amazon is having in creating a physical stores business despite its 2017 acquisition of Whole Foods Market.

But the revenue story is more about Amazon’s dominance in cloud computing, a business Walmart doesn’t compete in. Without AWS, Amazon’s 2025 revenue would have been $588 billion. So its ascendance rests largely on the importance of data centers as critical infrastructure in the age of artificial intelligence.

“This is a hollow victory,” said Kirthi Kalyanam, executive director of the Retail Management Institute at Santa Clara University. “Amazon didn’t beat Walmart in the retail game. It just beat them in revenue by launching a new business Walmart doesn’t operate in.”

Being the biggest company by revenue mostly represents scale and consumer reach, and isn’t necessarily valued by investors. Before Walmart, Exxon Mobil Corp. and General Motors Co. had the distinction, which brings with it greater political scrutiny and customer expectations. Nvidia Corp. is the world’s most valuable company, with a market capitalization of $4.5 trillion, more than double Amazon’s and more than four times larger than Walmart’s.

Bezos, who first overtook Microsoft Corp. co-founder Bill Gates as the world’s wealthiest person in 2017, currently ranks fourth richest, with estimated assets of $228 billion that are largely tied to his Amazon stock holdings, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

(c) 2026, Bloomberg 

The Trump administration is moving forward with plans to construct a large-scale military installation in Gaza designed to accommodate up to 5,000 personnel across more than 350 acres, according to contracting documents from the Board of Peace reviewed by the Guardian.

The proposed facility would serve as an operational headquarters for a planned International Stabilization Force (ISF), a multinational force made up of pledged foreign troops. The ISF falls under the authority of the newly formed Board of Peace, an entity created to oversee governance in Gaza. The Board of Peace is chaired by President Donald Trump and is led in part by his son-in-law, Jared Kushner.

Documents examined by the Guardian outline a phased development plan for the base, which at full scale would span approximately 1,400 meters by 1,100 meters. The compound would be secured by 26 trailer-mounted armored watchtowers and would include a small arms firing range, protective bunkers, equipment storage facilities, and other operational infrastructure. Barbed wire fencing is planned to surround the entire installation.

The selected site lies in a dry, open expanse in southern Gaza characterized by saltbush and white broom vegetation, as well as debris from years of Israeli airstrikes. The Guardian reported reviewing video footage of the area. According to a source familiar with the project, a limited number of international construction firms with experience operating in conflict zones have already toured the proposed location.

Indonesia has reportedly offered to contribute up to 8,000 troops to the stabilization force. The country’s president was scheduled to join three other Southeast Asian leaders at an inaugural Board of Peace meeting in Washington on Thursday.

The United Nations Security Council authorized the Board of Peace to establish the temporary International Stabilization Force. According to the UN mandate, the ISF would be responsible for securing Gaza’s borders, maintaining order, safeguarding civilians, and training and assisting “vetted Palestinian police forces.”

However, key operational questions remain unresolved. It is unclear how the ISF would respond in the event of renewed fighting, Israeli airstrikes, or attacks by Hamas. The force’s potential involvement in disarming Hamas — a condition Israel has set for advancing reconstruction efforts — has also not been defined.

Although more than 20 nations have joined the Board of Peace, many countries have declined to participate. While the body was established with UN backing, its governing charter appears to grant President Trump ongoing leadership and authority.

“The Board of Peace is a kind of legal fiction, nominally with its own international legal personality separate from both the UN and the United States, but in reality it’s just an empty shell for the United States to use as it sees fit,” said Adil Haque, a professor of law at Rutgers University.

Analysts have raised concerns about the transparency of the initiative’s funding and management structure. Several contractors told the Guardian that communications with U.S. officials have frequently taken place via Signal messaging rather than through formal government email systems.

According to an individual familiar with the matter, the military base contracting document was issued by the Board of Peace and drafted with assistance from U.S. procurement officials.

The construction plans specify the creation of multiple reinforced bunkers measuring six meters by four meters and standing 2.5 meters tall, equipped with advanced ventilation systems to provide protection for personnel.

“The Contractor,” says the document, “shall conduct a geophysical survey of the site to identify any subterranean voids, tunnels, or large cavities per phase.” The provision appears to reference the extensive underground tunnel network built by Hamas in Gaza.

Another section outlines a “Human Remains Protocol.” “If suspected human remains or cultural artifacts are discovered, all work in the immediate area must cease immediately, the area must be secured, and the Contracting Officer must be notified immediately for direction,” it says. Gaza’s civil defense agency has estimated that roughly 10,000 Palestinian bodies remain buried beneath rubble across the territory.

Ownership of the land designated for the base has not been clarified, though much of southern Gaza is presently under Israeli control. The United Nations estimates that at least 1.9 million Palestinians have been displaced since the start of the war.

Diana Buttu, a Palestinian-Canadian attorney and former peace negotiator, criticized the initiative, saying the construction of a foreign military installation on Palestinian land without formal authorization constitutes occupation. “Whose permission did they get to build that military base?”

Officials at U.S. Central Command directed all inquiries about the base to the Board of Peace.

A Trump administration official declined to comment on the reported contract details, stating: “As the President has said, no US boots will be on the ground. We’re not going to discuss leaked documents.”

President Trump said Thursday that he expects to determine within the next 10 days whether the United States will launch military action against Iran, following the deployment of a second aircraft carrier strike group to the Middle East.

Speaking at a Board of Peace meeting in Washington, Trump indicated that both diplomatic and military options remain under consideration. “We may have to take it a step further, or we may not. Maybe we’re going to make a deal. You are going to be finding out over the next, probably, 10 days,” he said.

The president pointed to US airstrikes carried out in June against three Iranian nuclear facilities, arguing that the operation reduced tensions in the region. His comments come as some US-aligned Arab governments have expressed concern that another round of strikes could destabilize the area.

“It totally decimated the nuclear potential, and when it did, when it decimated that, all of a sudden we had peace in the Middle East, because there was a black cloud hanging over the Middle East. And if that wasn’t done, that cloud would have been there,” Trump said.

In early January, Trump warned that military action could follow if Iranian authorities violently crushed anti-government demonstrations. The regime subsequently carried out a harsh crackdown that reportedly resulted in thousands of deaths. Since then, discussions led by Trump envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have centered on Iran’s nuclear activities.

The president urged Tehran to accept US terms. “Now is the time for Iran to join us on a path that will complete what we’re doing. And if they join us, that’ll be great. If they don’t join us, that’ll be great too, and it’ll be a very different path,” he said.

“They cannot continue to threaten the stability of the entire region. And they must make a deal or if that doesn’t happen … bad things will happen.”

Last month, Trump ordered the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group into the Arabian Sea, positioning US forces for potential operations. A second aircraft carrier group is now heading to the region, further strengthening the American naval presence.

In addition to naval deployments, the Pentagon has moved fighter aircraft and other military assets to bases in Europe and the Middle East.

Trump recently described the prospect facing Iran as “traumatic” if it refuses to yield to US pressure.

He also met last week at the White House with Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, where the two leaders discussed possible military scenarios. Netanyahu has reportedly advocated targeting Iran’s long-range ballistic missile capabilities.

Trump has publicly supported the idea of regime change in Tehran, even as he has long criticized previous US administrations for interventions that destabilized parts of the Middle East, including Iraq.

While raising the possibility of a new political order in Iran, the president has not identified a preferred successor to the current leadership. He has also dismissed exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi as a realistic alternative.

In an operation launched about a month ago by the Northern Gaza Brigade in northern Gaza, forces dismantled underground Hamas infrastructure east of Beit Hanoun. Among the discoveries was an approximately one-kilometer-long tunnel route containing explosive devices and several hideouts used by Hamas terrorists.

TRUMP: I want to thank Steve and Jared for an amazing job. Marco’s over there watching everybody. He’s fantastic. And JD, what a job they’re all doing. This is the best team ever assembled, and you see that by the results.

TRUMP: Today, it’s a tremendous honor to welcome you all to the United States Institute of Peace for the inaugural meeting of the Board Of Peace… I believe it’s the most consequential board… there’s never been anything close because these are the greatest world leaders.

Prime Minister Netanyahu addressed the situation with Iran in his speech at the conclusion of the combat officers’ course at the Bahad 1 training base: “Even now, the Middle East stands at a crossroads. The extremist elements refuse to give up and are reorganizing. We are not resting on our laurels — we are prepared, […]

Iran has joined forces with Russia for a new round of naval exercises in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman, even as the Trump administration has urged Tehran that it would be “very wise” to reach an agreement with Washington.

The joint maneuvers, which have been conducted annually since 2019, come at a particularly tense moment. This year’s drills coincide with an expanding US military presence in the region and growing speculation that American strikes could be under consideration.

According to RadioFreeEurope, Iranian navy Rear Adm. Hassan Maqsudlu said the exercises are meant to “prevent any unilateral action in the region.”

The maritime show of force follows warnings from the White House that military action remains on the table. Officials have indicated that “there are many reasons one could make for a strike against Iran.”

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt reiterated that diplomacy remains Washington’s preferred path but stressed that Tehran should take the opportunity seriously. “The president has been very clear with respect to Iran or any country around the world, diplomacy is always his first option,” she told reporters Wednesday.

“Iran would be very wise to make a deal with President Trump and with this administration.”

Earlier in the week, Iran temporarily shut portions of the Strait of Hormuz — a narrow waterway through which roughly 20 percent of global seaborne oil shipments pass each year — as part of its military activity in the area.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has also issued pointed remarks directed at Washington, suggesting that Iran possesses the capability to destroy US naval vessels operating nearby. “Of course, a warship is a dangerous piece of military hardware. However, more dangerous than that warship is the weapon that can send that warship to the bottom of the sea,” Khamenei posted on X.

In response to the escalating tensions, the United States has deployed the USS Gerald R. Ford — the largest aircraft carrier in the world — to the Middle East. It will operate alongside the USS Abraham Lincoln and other naval assets already stationed in the region.

President Trump has publicly floated the prospect of regime change in Iran. When asked whether the United States might once again target Iranian nuclear facilities, he responded, “If we do it, that would be the least of the mission.”

According to CNN, US military plans for a potential strike on Iran could be executed as soon as this weekend. It remains uncertain whether Trump has made a final decision, with a source close to him saying he “is spending a lot of time thinking about this.”

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), a close ally of the president, suggested that the visible military buildup signals seriousness. “The decision hadn’t been made, but all these ships are not coming here because it’s nice this time of year,” he told Sky News Arabia.

Meanwhile, diplomatic channels remain open. American and Iranian representatives met Tuesday in Geneva for a second round of negotiations. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described the discussions as showing “good progress,” and US officials also expressed cautious optimism.

Even so, Leavitt acknowledged that the two sides are still “very far apart on some issues” as talks continue over Iran’s nuclear activities.

Senior Iranian officials have indicated publicly that Tehran may be willing to consider adjustments to its nuclear program. However, the Trump administration has signaled that any agreement would also need to address Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities and its backing of armed proxy groups across the Middle East.

Iranian naval officer Mohammad Parsi characterized Russia’s role in the recent exercises as limited. He described Moscow’s participation as “small” and “symbolic,” according to RadioFreeEurope.

“I cannot imagine Russia offering real support in a direct confrontation between Iran and the United States,” Parsi said, suggesting that the Kremlin is using Tehran as “leverage” in its broader dealings with Western nations.

In recent years, Russia has faced mounting challenges, particularly as it remains deeply engaged in its war in Ukraine. Observers have noted Moscow’s limited response when allied governments came under pressure, including during last year’s 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel, the detention of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, and the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria.

Ukraine, despite lacking a conventional navy, has claimed responsibility for crippling at least one-third of Russia’s Black Sea fleet, underscoring the strains on Moscow’s military capacity as it navigates multiple geopolitical flashpoints.

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In the aftermath of the October 7 massacre, during which more than 250 Israelis were abducted, Israel’s security agencies launched a series of operations aimed at obtaining actionable intelligence on the hostages and working toward their rescue, Mako reports.

One former captive who has since been freed recounted to Mako an unusual incident that took place while he was being held underground in Gaza. He said that on one occasion, as he sat inside a tunnel, his captor stepped away to relieve himself. At that moment, a camera suddenly lowered from the ceiling of the tunnel and began recording him.

According to the hostage, once the terrorist returned, the device retracted back into the ceiling, leaving the captor unaware that any surveillance had taken place. Throughout his time in captivity, the hostage did not mention the episode to his captors. Only after he was back in Israel did he learn that the camera had been part of an IDF operation.

Mako reported that this was not an isolated occurrence. Over the course of the war, there were multiple instances in which Israel’s security establishment managed to document hostages being held inside tunnel networks.

Earlier in the week, Mako also revealed that the IDF employed a specialized and classified capability—details of which cannot be disclosed—that enabled Israeli forces to compel terrorists to emerge from a tunnel in Gaza as part of efforts to secure the return of hostages.

Senior security officials observed the mission in real time from Israel, closely tracking its progress. When it became clear that the operation had not succeeded, those involved experienced significant disappointment.

The original strategy had envisioned extracting the hostages and relocating them to a confidential site within Israel for several days, with the goal of potentially repeating a similar maneuver afterward. Following the failed attempt, however, the approach was scrapped and has not been deployed again.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a blunt warning to Iran on Thursday, vowing that any missile attack on Israel would trigger a devastating response, as U.S. and Israeli preparations for a possible military confrontation with Tehran continue to accelerate. Speaking at a graduation ceremony for IDF cadets, Netanyahu said Israel was ready for any […]

President Donald Trump said Thursday that he expects to decide within the next 10 days whether the United States will launch a new military strike against Iran, as tensions over Tehran’s nuclear program and regional ambitions continue to escalate. Speaking at the inaugural meeting of his newly formed Board of Peace, Trump referenced last summer’s […]

In another era, the scene would have been unremarkable. But in President Donald Trump’s Washington, it’s become increasingly rare. Sitting side by side on stage were Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt, a Republican, and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, a Democrat. They traded jokes and compliments instead of insults and accusations, a brief interlude of cordiality in […]

The Yerushalayim Municipality is intensifying its readiness for a range of potential emergency situations, reinforcing long-term security planning with practical measures aimed at protecting residents across the city.

Approximately six weeks ago, as part of a structured, multi-year municipal security framework, city officials carried out an extensive emergency exercise throughout Yerushalayim. The drill was conducted in coordination with the Home Front Command, along with all relevant security and rescue bodies. During the exercise, municipal emergency teams were deployed, systems designed to assist residents were activated, and essential services were tested under simulated crisis conditions.

In continuation of these preparations, the municipality announced that a detailed emergency information booklet will soon be delivered to homes across the city and made available through various digital platforms. The guide provides critical life-saving safety directives, a comprehensive listing of shelters and protected spaces throughout Yerushalayim, guidance on preparing households for emergencies, and additional practical information for residents.

Yerushalayim Mayor Moshe Lion said, “Early preparation, personal responsibility, and adherence to the security authorities’ instructions are key to safeguarding lives and the resilience of the city of Jerusalem. The municipality is constantly working to strengthen municipal readiness and is committed to providing a professional, swift, and responsible response to any scenario. I urge residents to review the booklet upon receiving it, keep it in an accessible place, and follow the instructions when needed.”

The mayor further emphasized that municipal services will remain operational during emergency situations. Residents will continue to have access to assistance and information through all official communication channels, including the 106 municipal hotline, the city’s website, social media platforms, and other authorized messaging systems.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov cautioned that any additional American military action against Iran would trigger serious repercussions, urging all sides to exercise restraint and pursue a diplomatic outcome that would allow Tehran to maintain what he described as a peaceful nuclear program.

Lavrov made the remarks in an interview with Saudi broadcaster Al-Arabiya that was released Wednesday. The comments came one day after U.S. and Iranian representatives engaged in indirect negotiations in Geneva aimed at preventing a further escalation between Washington and Tehran.

“The consequences are not good. There have already been strikes on Iran on nuclear sites under the control of the International Atomic Energy Agency. From what we can judge there were real risks of a nuclear incident,” Lavrov said in the interview, which was posted on his ministry’s website.

“I am carefully watching reactions in the region from Arab countries, Gulf monarchies. No one wants an increase in tension. Everyone understands this is playing with fire.”

Lavrov argued that heightened hostilities could jeopardize diplomatic progress achieved in recent years, including improved ties between Iran and neighboring states, particularly Saudi Arabia.

Meanwhile, a senior U.S. official told Reuters on Wednesday that Iran is anticipated to present a written plan outlining how it intends to resolve the ongoing dispute with the United States following the Geneva discussions.

According to the same official, U.S. national security advisers convened at the White House on Wednesday and were informed that all American military assets assigned to the region are expected to be fully positioned by mid-March.

Washington has been pressing Iran to dismantle its nuclear program. Tehran has firmly rejected those demands and insists it is not seeking to build a nuclear weapon.

Lavrov said governments across the Arab world have been communicating with Washington, “clearly calling for restraint and a search for an agreement that will not infringe on Iran’s lawful rights and … guarantee that Iran has a purely peaceful nuclear enrichment program.”

He added that Moscow continues to maintain consistent and close dialogue with Iranian leadership, saying Russia remains confident that Tehran is committed to resolving the dispute within the framework of international agreements.

Russia, he said, remained in close, regular contact with Iran’s leaders “and we have no reason to doubt that Iran sincerely wants to resolve this problem on the basis of observing the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.”

A heated discussion took place in the Knesset plenum regarding the police violence toward innocent passersby in the wake of the unrest in Bnei Brak on Sunday, after Shas MK Moshe Abutbul submitted a motion to place the issue on the agenda. MK Abutbul slammed the police’s conduct, saying, “Someone conveyed to the police that […]

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