Trump

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Iran has claimed that the military conflict ordered by United States President Donald Trump has demonstrated the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran’s Army Chief, General Amir Hatami, described the major maritime route as a “God-given geopolitical asset” for the Iranian people.

Hatami said the strategic influence of the waterway would not return to what it was before the conflict. He also described its leverage as one of the conditions that could help bring the war to an end while preventing future conflicts against Iran.

“One of the legacies of the U.S. president is the activation of the Strait of Hormuz’s potential,” he stated. “Without this conflict, it would not have been activated.”

The Iranian military chief also vowed that his country would prevent the United States from gaining access to the Strait of Hormuz, the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman.

He said American military bases in the region would no longer be able to function as they did before, as Tehran would not permit the implementation of such plans.

Meanwhile, Iran’s Speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, claimed that his country had emerged victorious both politically and militarily from the conflict, despite the continued presence of the US military.

Ghalibaf said the United States and Israel launched their attacks against Iran with “nine specific, declared objectives,” but failed to accomplish the goals they had set.

“This was a defeat for the U.S. and the Zionist regime,” he said. “In the diplomatic sphere, the agreement is a source of pride and a victory on the diplomatic battlefield.”

By Sabiu Abdullahi

United States President Donald Trump has warned Russia and China against providing military assistance to Iran, saying such a move would not be in the interests of either country.

Trump said Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping had assured him that their governments were neither supplying weapons to Tehran nor taking part in the conflict involving the United States and Israel.

According to the U.S. president, it would be “certainly not in their best interests” for either Russia or China to arm Iran.

His comments followed earlier Western intelligence reports that alleged Russia had supplied Iran with drones, food and medical supplies. China was also reported to have been considering the delivery of air defence systems to Tehran.

In a post on social media, Trump said Xi had given him assurances during their recent meeting in Beijing that China would not provide military equipment to Iran.

He said the Chinese leader told him that Beijing would not sell or transfer weapons to the Islamic Republic under any circumstances.

Trump also said Putin made a similar commitment despite Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine. According to him, the Russian president stated that Moscow would not sell weapons to Iran.

The U.S. leader expressed confidence that neither country was currently providing military support to Tehran. He, however, cautioned that any reversal of that position would have serious consequences.

Trump added that although Russia and China are often linked to discussions about Iran, he did not believe either country was backing Tehran militarily because doing so would not serve their interests.

Meanwhile, reports indicate that Iran has executed more than 100 people over the past month, including three women. The development has drawn fresh concern from human rights organisations, which said repression in the country has intensified.

The reports said Iranian authorities resumed executions several weeks after hostilities with the United States and Israel began in March. The executions were reportedly part of efforts to suppress anti-government protests.

More than 50 people have also reportedly lost their lives over their participation in the demonstrations, which observers described as the largest wave of unrest since Iran’s Islamic leadership assumed power in 1979.

Analysts have warned that the number of executions could increase further following the collapse of efforts to secure a ceasefire.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

United States President Donald Trump has lauded Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as “decisive leadership on behalf of the Nigerian people” in a letter dated July 6, 2026.

President Trump applauded Tinubu’s commitment to addressing challenges facing Nigeria, particularly the violence affecting Christian communities, and pledged continued US support in the fight against terrorism.

“It is a true honour to stand with you in the fight against these terrorists and to make the Federal Republic of Nigeria stronger and more prosperous,” Trump wrote in the letter.

The endorsement comes amid strengthening security ties between the two nations, with cooperation reaching new heights in recent months. The partnership has yielded tangible results, including a coordinated attack on ISIS hideouts in the Lake Chad area on May 16, which resulted in the killing of the group’s top leader, Abubakar Al-Minoki, and several of his lieutenants.

In November last year, both presidents agreed to establish a Joint Working Group co-headed by the National Security Advisers of Nigeria and the United States. The collaboration has since focused on training, intelligence sharing, and joint operations to counter terrorist activities across the region.

“The United States-Nigeria relationship is crucial at a time where conflict has spread across West Africa and around the world,” Trump stated. “We both share a mutual goal of confronting terrorism in all its forms, and our historic US-Nigeria 2026 Defence Cooperation Roadmap has established a robust framework to accomplish this feat.”

Trump confirmed the deployment of US Special Operations Forces to equip Nigerian military personnel with “the skills, tools and intelligence they need to protect your homeland and ensure the safety and security of citizens, particularly those of faith who have been under attack.”

The strengthened bilateral relations were further underscored last week when US Assistant Secretary of State for Africa, Frank Garcia, visited Abuja for meetings with senior government officials. Garcia pledged to enhance cooperation between Washington and Abuja in security and other collaborative areas.

“I look forward to our continued discussions over the course of my Presidency,” Trump concluded in his letter.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

United States President Donald Trump has granted a presidential pardon to former Republican Congressman Stephen Buyer, who was convicted of insider trading and served nearly two years in prison.

The pardon, dated Thursday, was made public by the White House late on Friday.

Buyer, a former representative from Indiana, received a 22-month prison sentence in 2023 after a federal court found him guilty of making illegal stock trades based on confidential information obtained while he worked as a consultant and lobbyist after leaving Congress. The court also ordered him to surrender more than $350,000 in profits linked to the trades and pay a $10,000 fine. He was released from prison in 2025.

The US Supreme Court declined to hear Buyer’s appeal in May, issuing its decision without comment.

In the pardon document, Trump granted “a full, complete, and unconditional pardon” to Buyer. The president pointed to Buyer’s service as a judge advocate general in the US Army and his years in Congress, describing his public record as “distinguished and highly productive”.

Responding to the decision, Buyer said the pardon “corrects a politically motivated prosecution” and that it was “horrific to be imprisoned for a crime that I did not commit”. He has consistently denied any wrongdoing.

Trump had previously signaled support for Buyer’s pardon request. On May 31, he shared two letters on his Truth Social platform that urged him to grant clemency to the former lawmaker, who is also a Gulf War veteran.

Buyer served as a House prosecutor during the impeachment trial of former President Bill Clinton in 1998. He also worked on Trump’s presidential transition team in 2016, where he focused on veterans’ affairs.

One of the letters, signed by more than 40 former Republican members of Congress, argued that Buyer was “targeted by the deep state” because of his role in Clinton’s impeachment proceedings.

“Like you, Mr President, Steve has been the victim of lawfare conducted by the Biden Administration,” the former lawmakers wrote in an April 2025 letter.

A separate letter from five current Republican members of the House of Representatives stated that a pardon would help deliver justice in Buyer’s case. The June 2025 letter was signed by Tom Cole of Oklahoma, Ken Calvert of California, Marlin Stutzman of Indiana, Jack Bergman of Michigan and Pete Sessions of Texas.

Buyer, 67, was convicted over trades connected to the $26.5 billion merger between T-Mobile and Sprint, which was announced in 2018. Prosecutors also linked him to illegal trading involving consulting firm Navigant before its planned acquisition by Guidehouse became public.

Under the US Constitution, the president has broad authority to grant pardons for federal offences. While a pardon does not remove a criminal conviction from a person’s record, it is often viewed as an act of mercy or a remedy for perceived injustice.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Chinese President Xi Jinping has cautioned United States President Donald Trump that any wrong move on the Taiwan issue could damage ties between both countries and possibly trigger conflict.

The warning came on Thursday as the two leaders met in Beijing for a high-profile summit that focused on trade, security and regional tensions.

Trump arrived in China with warm remarks for his host. He described Xi as a “great leader” and “friend”. The American president also invited the Chinese leader to visit the White House in September.

Despite the cordial atmosphere at the start of the meeting, Xi made it clear that Taiwan remains Beijing’s top concern in relations with Washington.

“The Taiwan question is the most important issue in China-US relations,” Xi said, according to remarks released by Chinese state media after the talks began.

“If mishandled, the two nations could collide or even come into conflict, pushing the entire China-US relationship into a highly perilous situation,” he added.

The discussions between both leaders reportedly lasted for two hours and 15 minutes at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Xi also urged both nations to maintain cooperation instead of rivalry. He said China and the United States “should be partners and not rivals”.

Trump, who is facing domestic pressure over the ongoing conflict involving Iran, described the summit as highly significant.

“There are those who say this may be the biggest summit ever,” Trump said during brief remarks after a welcoming ceremony in Beijing.

The ceremony featured an honour guard and children waving flowers and flags to welcome the American delegation.

According to China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Xi told Trump that earlier negotiations between Chinese and American economic officials in South Korea produced “balanced and positive outcomes”.

Al Jazeera correspondent Katrina Yu, who reported from Beijing, said Chinese authorities appeared willing to manage disagreements with Washington on several issues, including trade, Iran and technology.

However, she noted that Taiwan remains a red line for Beijing.

“But there is one issue China and President Xi cannot be flexible on. That is Taiwan,” Yu said.

“And everything that Beijing has offered in the last few hours – niceties, friendliness, reaching out a hand to cooperate more closely – is not free and is conditional on one thing: Washington accepts that there is only one China and that Beijing is very serious about getting Taiwan under its control.”

By Sabiu Abdullahi

President Donald Trump has notified the United States Congress that military hostilities against Iran have come to an end, while also raising the possibility of military action against Cuba.

In a letter sent on Friday, the president said the campaign, which started on February 28, had reached its conclusion after a ceasefire that began on April 7, 2026, remained intact. The development coincides with the 60-day limit set by the War Powers Act for unauthorised military engagements.

“The hostilities that began on February 28, 2026, have terminated,” Trump wrote. He added that the US military would keep a strong presence in the region to counter what he described as an ongoing threat from Iran.

Despite the formal tone of the letter, Trump struck a different note during an event in West Palm Beach, Florida. Speaking to supporters, he suggested that US naval forces deployed in the Persian Gulf could be redirected toward Cuba.

“We’ll do it on the way back from Iran,” Trump told the audience, referring to the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier as monitored in CNN. “We’ll have that come in, stop about 100 yards offshore, and they’ll say, ‘thank you very much, we give up.'”

The remarks have drawn concern from international observers. Many see them as a sign that the administration may still be open to pursuing regime change, especially after the February 28 strikes that reportedly killed senior Iranian officials, including the country’s Supreme Leader.

At the same event, Trump praised the US Navy’s operations in the Strait of Hormuz. He spoke about the seizure of an Iranian cargo vessel and likened the operation to a lucrative venture.

“We took over the cargo, took over the oil. It’s a very profitable business,” he said, after explaining how forces used tugboats and boarded the ship.

Since April 13, the United States has maintained a maritime blockade around Iranian ports. Washington says foreign vessels can pass through, as long as they do not make payments to Iranian authorities. Analysts say the measure has severely affected Iran’s shipping activities.

Although active fighting has stopped, efforts to reach a lasting agreement have not succeeded. Talks held in Islamabad, Pakistan, ended without progress. Trump expressed dissatisfaction with Iran’s latest proposal.

“Frankly, maybe we’re better off not making a deal at all,” he said, indicating that the US could continue its pressure tactics, including the naval blockade.

The operation, known as Operation Epic Fury, has caused widespread damage across the Middle East. Reports indicate that thousands of people have been affected since the initial strikes in February.

Even with the official end of hostilities, tensions remain high. US authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, especially regarding Iranian-aligned groups in the region.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

United States President Donald Trump has criticised key American allies, including the United Kingdom and France, over their refusal to support recent military operations against Iran.

In a series of posts shared on his Truth Social platform on Tuesday, Trump accused the European countries of failing to cooperate during what he described as the “decapitation” of Iran’s leadership. He singled out the UK for maintaining a neutral stance and France for denying airspace access to U.S. military aircraft heading to Israel.

The remarks come amid a worsening global energy situation. Several countries are facing jet fuel shortages as the Strait of Hormuz, a major route for global oil shipments, becomes difficult to access due to the ongoing conflict.

Trump addressed the United Kingdom directly and ruled out further American support. He advised the British government to rely less on U.S. protection and act independently.

“I have a suggestion for you: Number 1, buy from the U.S., we have plenty, and Number 2, build up some delayed courage, go to the Strait, and just TAKE IT,” Trump posted.

He also warned that Washington would withdraw its security support from allies who did not back the operation, stating, “The U.S.A. won’t be there to help you anymore, just like you weren’t there for us.”

The U.S. President also criticised France over its decision to block American transport planes carrying military supplies to Israel. He referred to Iran’s late leadership as the “Butcher of Iran” and insisted that the mission against them succeeded.

“France has been VERY UNHELPFUL… The U.S.A. will REMEMBER!!!” he said, suggesting a possible strain in relations between both countries.

Trump described the military phase as largely complete. He stated that “the hard part is done” and that Iran has been “decimated.” However, international observers have presented a more concerning outlook on the situation.

They reported “A dramatic spike in global jet fuel prices and a near-total halt of tankers through the Persian Gulf.” Reports from the United Nations indicate that about 2,000 civilians in Iran have died, while millions have been displaced.

Observers also pointed to “A complete breakdown in the “Special Relationship” between the U.S. and the UK, as London continues to distance itself from the unilateral military action.”

Trump’s remarks reflect a stronger push for his “America First” policy. His call for allies to “Go get your own oil” signals a shift away from the long-standing U.S. role in securing global energy routes in the Middle East.

Political analysts say the comments could deepen divisions between the United States and its allies. The United Nations and the European Union have already described the strikes on Iranian civilian infrastructure as violations of international law.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

U.S. President Donald J. Trump has firmly denied any American participation in the recent Israeli attack on Iran’s South Pars gas field, the country’s largest gas facility. He also warned that Israel will not conduct further strikes on the site.

In a post on his Truth Social page, Trump said, “Israel, out of anger for what has taken place in the Middle East, has violently lashed out at a major facility known as South Pars Gas Field in Iran,” adding that “a relatively small section of the whole has been hit.”

He emphasized that “the United States knew nothing about this particular attack,” and made clear that “the country of Qatar was in no way, shape, or form, involved with it, nor did it have any idea that it was going to happen.”

Trump accused Iran of responding without full understanding of the situation, stating that Tehran “unjustifiably and unfairly attacked a portion of Qatar’s LNG Gas facility.”

The president further stated, “NO MORE ATTACKS WILL BE MADE BY ISRAEL pertaining to this extremely important and valuable South Pars Field,” unless Iran escalates tensions. He also warned that any future strikes on Qatar’s gas infrastructure could trigger a powerful response from the United States.

“If Qatar’s LNG facilities are hit again,” Trump said, “the United States of America, with or without the help or consent of Israel, will massively blow up the entirety of the South Pars Gas Field at an amount of strength and power that Iran has never seen or witnessed before.”

While highlighting the gravity of such action, he added, “I do not want to authorize this level of violence and destruction because of the long term implications that it will have on the future of Iran, but if Qatar’s LNG is again attacked, I will not hesitate to do so.”

South Pars represents the Iranian portion of the world’s largest natural gas deposit. Iran shares the resource with Qatar, a close U.S. ally that hosts America’s largest military base in the Gulf.

The ongoing conflict has seen Tehran target not only Israel but also U.S. diplomatic and military facilities in the Gulf, while warning neighboring countries against hosting attacks on Iran.

Earlier reports from SaharaReporters indicated that Qatar’s main gas production hub, Ras Laffan Industrial City, was struck by a missile fired from Iran. The attack caused extensive damage and prompted immediate emergency operations.

QatarEnergy confirmed in a statement, “that Ras Laffan Industrial City on Wedy was subject of missile attacks.” The company added, “emergency response teams were deployed immediately to contain the resulting fires, as extensive damage has been caused,” noting that “all personnel have been accounted for and no casualties have been reported at this time.” QatarEnergy also assured that it “will continue to communicate the latest available information.”

The Qatari Ministry of Defense said, “the State of Qatar was subjected today, Wednesday, to an attack involving (5) ballistic missiles launched from the Islamic Republic of Iran.” The ministry explained that “Our Armed Forces, by the grace of God, successfully intercepted (4) of the ballistic missiles, while one missile fell in Ras Laffan Industrial City, causing a fire.”

By Sabiu Abdullahi

President Donald Trump has responded to the resignation of Joseph Kent, Director of the United States National Counterterrorism Center, following controversy linked to U.S. military action against Iran.

Trump spoke on the development during an interview with Fox News, where he shared his views on Kent’s position on national security and the ongoing conflict involving Iran.

He claimed that he had long held concerns about Kent’s approach. “I always thought he was weak on security. Very weak on security. I didn’t know him well. But I thought he seemed like a pretty nice guy. But when I read his statement, I realised that it’s a good thing he’s out because he said Iran was not a threat,” Trump said in a video released by Fox News on Tuesday.

Kent stepped down earlier the same day. His resignation followed criticism of the war in Iran and questions about the reasons behind the military engagement.

In a letter addressed to the president, Kent stated that his decision came after careful consideration. “After much reflection, I have decided to resign from my position as Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, effective today,” he wrote.

He explained that he could not align himself with the administration’s current foreign policy, especially its military actions. “I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran. Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby,” he stated.

Kent added that his views were based on principles he believed had guided previous policies. “I support the values and the foreign policies that you campaigned on in 2016, 2020, 2024, which you enacted in your first term. Until June of 2025, you understood that the wars in the Middle East were a trap that robbed America of the precious lives of our patriots and depleted the wealth and prosperity of our nation,” he said.

He also criticised what he described as the role of external influence and media narratives. Kent said “high-ranking Israeli officials and influential members of the American media” promoted misinformation that “wholly undermined your America First platform and sowed pro-war sentiments” encouraging military action.

The former counterterrorism chief warned that U.S. leaders may have been misled about the level of threat posed by Iran. “This echo chamber was used to deceive you into believing that Iran posed an imminent threat to the United States, and that should you strike now, there was a clear path to a swift victory. This was a lie,” he said.

Reflecting on his personal experience, Kent pointed to the cost of war. “As a veteran who deployed to combat 11 times and as a Gold Star husband who lost my beloved wife Shannon in a war manufactured by Israel, I cannot support sending the next generation off to fight and die in a war that serves no benefit to the American people nor justifies the cost of American lives,” he said.

He concluded his message with a call for a policy rethink. “I pray that you will reflect upon what we are doing in Iran, and who we are doing it for. The time for bold action is now. You can reverse course and chart a new path for our nation, or you can allow us to slip further toward decline and chaos. You hold the cards,” he wrote.

Kent ended his letter on a note of appreciation for his time in office. “It was an honor to serve in your administration and to serve our great nation.”

Pope Leo XIV has urged Christian political leaders who initiate wars to reflect on their actions and seek confession, as part of a moral examination of their conduct.

Speaking on Friday at the Vatican, the pontiff addressed Catholic priests during a conference focused on the practice of confession. He raised concerns about the responsibility of Christian leaders involved in armed conflicts and questioned whether they remain faithful to the teachings of Jesus.

“Do those Christians who bear grave responsibility in armed conflicts have the humility and courage to make a serious examination of conscience and to go to confession?” the pope asked in a speech to priests.

Although the pope did not mention any specific leader or conflict, his comments came amid increasing appeals from the Vatican for an end to the ongoing Iran war. The conflict began on February 28 after joint airstrikes carried out by the United States and Israel.

United States President Donald Trump, who was raised in the Presbyterian Christian tradition, leads the country during the conflict. Some of his senior officials are Catholics. They include Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Christian teaching emphasizes peace and rejects violence. The Catholic Church generally opposes war. However, the Church has long used the “just war” tradition to assess whether a conflict may be morally justified. The framework includes conditions such as defending against an unjust invasion.

Earlier this week, Cardinal Robert McElroy of Washington, D.C., criticized the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran. He said the military action did not meet the Church’s moral standards. According to him, the strikes were “not morally legitimate”.

During his remarks at the Vatican event, Pope Leo also highlighted the importance of confession within Catholic life. In that sacrament, believers admit their sins to a priest and seek forgiveness from God.

The pope said the practice encourages personal moral reflection. He added that it can also strengthen peace and unity within society.

The remarks formed part of a Vatican conference organized to discuss the role of confession in the life of the Church. The event brought together clergy who study and guide the practice of the sacrament.