INTERNACIONAL
Iran nears China anti-ship supersonic missile deal as US carriers mass in region: report
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Iran is nearing a deal with China to acquire supersonic anti-ship cruise missiles, a move that could significantly raise the stakes in the Middle East as U.S. carrier strike groups assemble within striking distance of the Islamic Republic.
Reuters reported Tuesday that Tehran is close to finalizing an agreement for Chinese-made CM-302 missiles, citing six people with knowledge of the negotiations.
The supersonic weapons, which can travel roughly 180 miles and fly low to evade ship defenses, would enhance Iran’s ability to target U.S. naval forces operating in the region.
The deal is near completion, though no delivery date has been agreed, the people said. It is unclear how many missiles are involved, how much Iran has agreed to pay, or whether China will ultimately proceed given heightened regional tensions.
The CM-302 supersonic anti-ship missile weapon system is shown during the Zhuhai Airshow in Zhuhai, China, Nov. 2, 2016. (Dickson Lee/South China Morning Post via Getty Images)
Reuters reported that negotiations accelerated after last year’s 12-day war between Israel and Iran, which left Tehran’s military infrastructure strained and heightened regional tensions.
The reported deal comes as President Donald Trump warns Tehran of consequences if it fails to curb its nuclear program, while the Pentagon has deployed multiple carrier strike groups to the region, including the USS Abraham Lincoln and the USS Gerald R. Ford. The buildup marks one of the largest U.S. naval deployments in the region in recent years.
Trump said on Feb. 19 he was giving Iran 10 days to reach an agreement over its nuclear program or face potential military action.
WITKOFF WARNS IRAN IS ‘A WEEK AWAY’ FROM ‘BOMB-MAKING MATERIAL’ AS TRUMP WEIGHS ACTION
The aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln docks at Souda Bay on the Greek Mediterranean island of Crete, Feb. 24, 2026, following orders by U.S. President Donald Trump to increase the American naval presence in the region. (Costas Metaxakis/AFP via Getty Images)
A White House official told Fox News Digital that the president remains firm that Iran cannot develop nuclear weapons or enrich uranium.
«The President would like to see a deal negotiated, but he has been clear that ‘either we will make a deal or we will have to do something very tough like last time,’» the official said when asked for comment on the reported approaching Iran-China deal.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei last week appeared to threaten U.S. warships directly.
«More dangerous than that warship is the weapon that can send that warship to the bottom of the sea,» Khamenei wrote on Feb. 17 on X.
Military analysts say a Chinese transfer of supersonic anti-ship missiles could complicate U.S. naval operations in the Persian Gulf and surrounding waters.
«It’s a complete game-changer if Iran has supersonic capability to attack ships in the area,» Danny Citrinowicz, a former Israeli intelligence officer and senior Iran researcher at Israel’s Institute for National Security Studies, told Reuters. «These missiles are very difficult to intercept.»
IRAN ANNOUNCES TEST OF NEW NAVAL AIR DEFENSE MISSILE IN STRAIT OF HORMUZ AS US MILITARY BUILDUP CONTINUES
The reported deal comes as President Donald Trump, left, warns Tehran of consequences if it fails to curb its nuclear program. Iranian Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is pictured right. (Chip Somodevilla; Iranian Leader Press Office/Anadolu)
Still, U.S. forces maintain layered defenses against Iranian threats, including Patriot missile batteries, Navy destroyers equipped with Standard Missile interceptors and F-35 stealth fighters, Fox News Digital reported.
Last year, Navy destroyers in the eastern Mediterranean intercepted Iranian ballistic missiles using SM-3 interceptors, while Marine Corps F-35Cs operating from the USS Abraham Lincoln shot down Iranian drones that approached U.S. assets, according to U.S. Central Command.
Iran has also relied on swarming fast boats, ballistic missiles and drones in past confrontations with U.S. forces.
The White House did not directly address the reported missile negotiations when asked by Reuters. China’s foreign ministry told the outlet it was not aware of the talks.
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The potential transfer would mark one of the most advanced Chinese weapons systems supplied to Iran in decades and could test U.S. sanctions authorities if finalized.
As U.S. forces fan out across the region, defense officials have stressed that the buildup is designed to deter Iranian aggression — but warned they are prepared for combat if diplomacy fails.
Reuters contributed to this report.
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INTERNACIONAL
Una turista contó cómo vivió el operativo contra “El Mencho” entre bloqueos, disparos y un “estado de guerra”
Entre disparos y bloqueos de narcotraficantes, decenas de turistas quedaron atrapados el domingo en unas cabañas de Tapalpa, en el estado mexicano de Jalisco, donde fue abatido en un operativo militar Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, alias “El Mencho”.
“Desde que desperté, los helicópteros ya sobrevolaban muy cerca, y fue alrededor de las 7:00 cuando nuestros familiares intentaron contactarnos“, relató a EFE una turista que pidió mantener el anonimato.
Fue entonces que se dio cuenta de que estaba hospedada cerca de la guarida de “El Mencho”, en el complejo turístico Tapalpa Country Club.
Leé también: Escondida en un bosque y protegida por muros de piedra: así es la mansión donde cayó “El Mencho”
En esta zona boscosa, rodeada por centenares de árboles y residencias de lujo, la mujer y su grupo de amigos se encerraron en una habitación al fondo de una cabaña, “la más segura”, porque “no tenía tantos cristales que pudieran ser atravesados por una bala”.
Con la poca señal que llegaba a sus teléfonos celulares, recibieron decenas de mensajes enviados a un chat del condominio, integrado por aproximadamente 60 personas -entre turistas nacionales e internacionales y organizadores-, quienes solicitaban a huéspedes y propietarios “no salir de las cabañas”.
“Estado de guerra”
Afuera de las cabañas se desarrollaba un fuerte operativo del Ejército mexicano para capturar a “El Mencho”, el líder del Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG) y uno de los narcotraficantes más buscados del mundo.
“Al inicio pensábamos que era un operativo normal, pero después empezaron a llegarnos videos de grupos armados pasando entre las cabañas y, minutos más tarde, escuchamos disparos. Una hora de disparos”, recordó.
Dos soldados custodian una zona de Tapalpa, en Jalisco (Foto: Reuters)
El tiroteo terminó al mediodía.
Según se supo después, el líder narco se escondía desde el 21 de febrero en una exclusiva cabaña con su pareja sentimental.
Las conversaciones durante esas horas eran de temor y aislamiento.
Leé también: El narcotráfico dio una brutal muestra de poder de fuego ante el cambio de estrategia del gobierno mexicano
“Estábamos en un estado de guerra del que no podíamos salir”, señaló la turista. Afuera había un bloqueo con un camión que impedía el paso.
“No teníamos más comida” y, sobre todo, “queríamos regresar a casa”, porque “nuestras familias viven en Guadalajara, donde la situación estaba “aún peor”, agregó.
El operativo contra el capo mexicano desató una ola de violencia en todo el país, en la que fallecieron 25 integrantes de la Guardia Nacional y más de 30 miembros del CJNG.
Cómo fue el regreso a casa
Regresar a la ciudad de Guadalajara la tarde del domingo fue una “misión imposible”. Además de los bloqueos ilegales en Tapalpa, se reportaban otros 18 en todo el estado de Jalisco, según las autoridades federales.
“En el chat de los condominios se decía que seguían quemando autos y negocios y que no era seguro regresar. Mientras pasaban las horas, yo enviaba cada treinta minutos un mensaje a mi mamá para decirle que todo estaba bien”, relató.
“El miedo no se me quitaba de la piel”, subrayó.
La noche del domingo estuvo marcada por el “insomnio”, ante la psicosis de que “alguien entrara o las balas volvieran a sonar”.
“Al despertar sabíamos que teníamos que salir de ahí”, indicó al explicar que la estrategia de escape la realizaron entre pequeños grupos de turistas que iban abandonando Tapalpa y, al mismo tiempo, avisando por mensajes de Whatsapp el estado del camino hasta Guadalajara.
Leé también: Con la muerte de “El Mencho”, México aleja el fantasma de la intervención de Trump
Con la llegada del primer grupo a la capital de Jalisco, la testigo logró salir de Tapalpa en un trayecto de dos horas y media, durante el cual contabilizó más de 15 vehículos volcados en la carretera, todos “llenos de ceniza”.
“En cada curva te encontrabas un camión quemado o surcos tapados con tierra para que los autos no se hundieran”, resaltó.
Tres días después, Guadalajara, uno de los principales puntos de operación del Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generación, sigue con el código rojo activado y las actividades en suspenso.
(Con información de EFE)
México
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U.S. and French officials signaled Tuesday they are working to steady relations after a diplomatic flare-up that led France to restrict U.S. Ambassador Charles Kushner’s access to senior government officials.
The U.S. Embassy in France told Fox News Digital that the two sides remain in contact following the dispute, which was triggered by U.S. government social media posts about the killing of a French activist earlier this month.
«Ambassador Kushner and Foreign Minister Barrot, who have met regularly during the Ambassador’s tenure, spoke today in a frank and amicable call, reaffirming their shared commitment to working together, along with all other Ministers and French officials, on the many issues that impact the United States and France, particularly as the two countries celebrate 250 years of rich diplomatic relations,» the statement said.
The outreach suggests both governments are seeking to contain the fallout from a clash that briefly raised questions about diplomatic protocol and political sensitivities between two of NATO’s closest allies.
U.S. and French officials signaled Tuesday they are working to steady relations after a diplomatic flare-up that led France to restrict U.S. Ambassador Charles Kushner’s access to senior government officials. (Ludovic Marin/AFP via Getty Images)
France had moved to limit Kushner’s access to top officials after he did not attend a summons at the French Foreign Ministry over remarks posted by official U.S. government accounts following the death of 23-year-old activist Quentin Deranque, who was killed during clashes between far-left and far-right groups in Lyon earlier this month.
The Associated Press reported that Deranque, described as a far-right activist and a fervent nationalist, was beaten during the confrontation and later died of brain injuries sustained in the attack.
In a Feb. 19 post on X, the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Counterterrorism wrote that reports — corroborated by France’s interior minister — that Deranque was killed by left-wing militants «should concern us all,» adding: «Violent radical leftism is on the rise and its role in Quentin Deranque’s death demonstrates the threat it poses to public safety.» The U.S. Embassy in France later shared the statement on its official account.
France had moved to limit Kushner’s access to top officials after he did not attend a summons at the French Foreign Ministry over remarks posted by official U.S. government accounts following the death of 23-year-old activist Quentin Deranque, who was killed during clashes between far-left and far-right groups in Lyon earlier this month. (Olivier Chassignole/AFP via Getty Images)
TRUMP KEEPS MACRON UNDER SPOTLIGHT AS GREENLAND TALKS GRIND FORWARD FROM DAVOS
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot characterized the remarks as an unwelcome intrusion into France’s domestic political debate and said Kushner’s failure to appear at the Quai d’Orsay «will naturally affect his ability to carry out his mission in our country.» He described the no-show as a «surprise,» saying ambassadors are expected to respect «the most basic practices of diplomacy» when summoned.
«We have no lessons to learn in matters of maintaining order or public order in matters of violence, and we have no lessons to learn at all from the reactionary international, simply,» Barrot said in an interview with public broadcaster France Info.
While Tuesday’s call between Kushner and Barrot indicates both sides are attempting to prevent the disagreement from escalating, the episode unfolded against a broader backdrop of periodic tension in transatlantic relations.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot characterized the remarks as an unwelcome intrusion into France’s domestic political debate and said Kushner’s failure to appear at the Quai d’Orsay «will naturally affect his ability to carry out his mission in our country.» (Thierry Monasse/Getty Images)
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France has at times pushed for greater European «strategic autonomy» in defense and foreign policy — an approach that can diverge from Washington’s priorities, particularly as President Donald Trump has pressed NATO allies to increase defense spending and align more closely with U.S. strategic objectives. Trade has also been a recurring friction point in recent years, with tariff disputes between the United States and the European Union periodically affecting French exports.
Despite those differences, France remains one of Washington’s closest security partners in Europe, cooperating extensively on counterterrorism, intelligence sharing and NATO operations. Diplomatic access to senior officials plays a central role in coordinating those efforts, making even symbolic restrictions notable.
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INTERNACIONAL
South African president thanks Putin after 17 men ‘lured’ to Russian frontlines begin returning home
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South African President Cyril Ramaphosa thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin after 17 men who the government said were «lured» to Russian frontlines in its war against Ukraine began returning home.
In a statement Tuesday, Ramaphosa’s office said the South African government, working closely with Russian authorities, secured the repatriation of the men after receiving distress calls requesting assistance.
The group, ranging in age from 20 to 39, was allegedly recruited into «mercenary activities.»
The circumstances surrounding their recruitment remain under investigation.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa delivers the State of the Nation address in Cape Town, South Africa, on Feb. 12, 2026. (Rodger Bosch/Pool via Reuters)
Ramaphosa expressed gratitude to Putin for responding positively to his request for help during a Feb. 10 phone call between the two leaders.
Four of the men have already returned to South Africa, while 11 are expected to arrive soon.
Two remain in Russia — one receiving treatment at a hospital in Moscow and another being processed before finalizing travel arrangements.
KENYA DEMANDS ANSWERS FROM RUSSIA OVER RECRUITMENT OF CITIZENS TO FIGHT IN UKRAINE WAR
South African police officers and soldiers stand on the tarmac as a Russian Air Force Tupolev Tu-160 strategic bomber lands at Waterkloof Air Force Base in Centurion, South Africa, on Oct. 23, 2019. (Emmanuel Croset/AFP via Getty Images)
South Africa’s embassy in Moscow is continuing to monitor the hospitalized individual until he is cleared to travel, according to Ramaphosa’s office.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said in November that Kyiv estimates at least 1,436 foreign nationals from 36 African countries have been recruited to fight for Russia, warning the true number may be higher.
AMERICANS WARNED OF AL QAEDA-LINKED TERRORIST PRESENCE IN POPULAR VACATION GETAWAY
Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers a speech during a meeting of the Federal Security Service board in Moscow, Russia, on Feb. 24, 2026. (Sputnik/Mikhail Metzel/Pool via Reuters)
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Sybiha said Russia uses a range of tactics to recruit foreigners, including financial incentives, deception and coercion.
«Signing a contract is equivalent to signing a death sentence,» he wrote on X. «Foreign citizens in the Russian army have a sad fate. Most of them are immediately sent to the so-called ‘meat assaults,’ where they are quickly killed.»
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