INTERNACIONAL
Iran’s Khamenei warns of ‘strong blow’ as Trump threatens to drop bombs, Putin silent on US ire
Furious comments issued by President Donald Trump over the weekend prompted a swift and aggressive response from Iran, while Russian President Vladimir Putin remains tight-lipped in the face of the U.S. leader’s ire.
Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, issued a warning on Monday and said it would respond «decisively and immediately» to any threat issued by the U.S. after Trump said there «will be bombing» and likely more tariffs if Tehran does not agree to a nuclear deal with Washington.
«The enmity from the U.S. and Israel has always been there. They threaten to attack us, which we don’t think is very probable, but if they commit any mischief, they will surely receive a strong reciprocal blow,» Khamenei said according to a Reuters report.
TRUMP THREATENS TO BOMB IRAN UNLESS THEY END NUCLEAR WEAPONS PROGRAM AND BEGIN TALKS ON NEW DEAL
President Donald Trump speaks to the press aboard Air Force One before arriving at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Mar. 28, 2025. (BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images)
«And if they are thinking of causing sedition inside the country as in past years, the Iranian people themselves will deal with them,» he added.
Despite Iran’s refusal and warning directed at both the U.S. and Israel, Behnam Ben Taleblu, an Iran expert and senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, said Khamenei’s comments are an attempt to «buy time» while balancing growing external and internal pressures on his regime.
«At once, Khamenei sought to both downplay the chances of President Trump or Israel taking military action while also looking to deter such an eventuality due to the regime’s own policies,» he told Fox News Digital. «This is a tightrope Khamenei will increasingly be forced to walk as he plays for time and engages in nuclear escalation.
«U.S. policy should be to keep Khamenei off balance,» he added.
While Iran takes an offensive stance against Trump and his ambitions to finally bring Tehran to heel on its nuclear expansion, Russia is taking a different approach as it refuses to bow to Trump’s plans to see an end to the war in Ukraine.
TRUMP SAYS HE IS ‘PISSED OFF’ WITH PUTIN OVER LACK OF PEACE PROGRESS: REPORT
Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, meets with Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran, Iran. (Dmitry AZAROV / SPUTNIK / AFP)
Over the weekend, Trump said he was «pissed off» over comments made by Putin on Friday when he suggested the work Washington was doing to negotiate a ceasefire with Russia and Ukraine was moot because he believes the government in Kyiv to be illegitimate and therefore cannot sign any deals.
«If Russia and I are unable to make a deal on stopping the bloodshed in Ukraine, and if I think it was Russia’s fault … I am going to put secondary tariffs on oil, on all oil coming out of Russia,» Trump said, noting that tariffs could be as high as 50%.
The president later said his ire could «dissipate quickly» if Putin «does the right thing,» and once again noted he has «a very good relationship with [Putin].»
However, the Kremlin chief, who reportedly has another call scheduled with Trump this week, has not responded to Trump’s heated comments.
The chief spokesman for Putin, Dmitry Peskov, said on Monday that Russia will continue to work on «restoring» relations with Washington that he said were «damaged by the Biden administration» following Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, and noted that Putin remains in «open contact» with Trump.
However, Putin’s lack of public response and the toned-down statements from the Kremlin are all part of Putin’s broader strategy, former DIA intelligence officer and Russia expert, Rebekah Koffler, told Fox News Digital.
President Donald Trump speaks to reporters aboard Air Force One on his return to Washington, D.C., on Mar. 30, 2025, when he said he was «pissed off» at Russian President Vladimir Putin. (REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
«Putin, like Trump, thrives on confrontation,» Koffler said. «Except his approach is different. The Kremlin deliberately is projecting that Putin is cool, calm, and collected now, which he is.
«The fact that President Trump reportedly got mad and used those words means to Putin that he finally got to him, the way he got to Biden, Obama, and others who called him a killer and other derogatory words,» she continued.
«Putin now feels that not only Russia has an upper hand on the battlefield over Ukraine and in terms of total combat potential over NATO, but he also was able to unbalance Trump,» Koffler explained. «That is the whole point – it’s a judo move.»
INTERNACIONAL
Starmer sends UK strike group to Arctic, cites rising Russia threat as Trump pushes Greenland deal
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the United Kingdom will deploy its aircraft carrier strike group to the North Atlantic and the High North later this year, marking a show of force as security tensions escalate across Europe.
Speaking on Saturday at the annual Munich Security Conference in Germany, Starmer said the mission would be led by HMS Prince of Wales and carried out alongside the U.S., Canada and other NATO allies.
«I can announce today that the U.K. will deploy our carrier strike group to the North Atlantic and the High North this year, led by HMS Prince of Wales, operating alongside the U.S., Canada and other NATO allies, in a powerful show of our commitment to Euro-atlantic security,» Starmer told the high-profile forum aimed at strengthening European defense and diplomatic ties.
NATO LAUNCHES ARCTIC SECURITY PUSH AS TRUMP EYES GREENLAND TAKEOVER
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer takes part in a panel discussion with President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen during the Munich Security Conference in Munich, Germany, Feb. 14, 2026. (Stefan Rousseau/Pool via REUTERS)
The High North — a term referring to the Arctic and surrounding regions — has become increasingly strategic amid growing Russian military activity.
The deployment is intended to bolster security against potential Russian threats, according to BBC News.
The announcement comes as President Donald Trump has repeatedly reiterated interest in the U.S. acquiring Greenland, citing national security concerns in the Arctic regarding Russia and China.
Starmer warned that Moscow’s military buildup could intensify even if a peace agreement is reached in Ukraine, arguing that Russian rearmament would «only accelerate.»
UK PRIME MINISTER OUTRAGED AFTER MANCHESTER UNITED CO-OWNER WARNS COUNTRY IS BEING ‘COLONIZED’ BY MIGRANTS
People with umbrellas walk past a pedestrian bridge with the logo of the Munich Security Conference in Munich, southern Germany on Feb. 12, 2026. (THOMAS KIENZLE / AFP via Getty Images)
Europe, he said, must be prepared to «deter aggression» and, if necessary, be ready to fight.
«We must build our hard power, because that is the currency of the age,» he said.
The carrier strike group is an international naval task force led by the Royal Navy. It consists of one aircraft carrier, about 40 aircraft, a frigate, a destroyer, a submarine and a supply ship, according to BBC News.
HMS Prince of Wales, a roughly $3.5 billion aircraft carrier, serves as the Royal Navy’s flagship, BBC News reported.
TROOPS FROM EUROPE DEPLOY TO GREENLAND IN RAPID 2-DAY MISSION AS TRUMP EYES US TAKEOVER
Trump has previously threatened tariffs on Britain and other European countries unless an agreement is reached allowing the U.S. to take control of the Danish territory.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer takes part in a panel discussion with President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen during the Munich Security Conference in Munich, Germany, on Feb. 14, 2026. (Stefan Rousseau/Pool via REUTERS)
After meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in late January, Trump announced that he would not impose tariffs that were set to take effect Feb. 1 given they formed the «framework of a future deal with respect to Greenland and, in fact, the entire Arctic Region.»
Trump told reporters outside the White House on Friday that the administration is «negotiating right now for Greenland,» adding that, «We get along very well with Europe.»
The president was also asked about the Munich Security Conference.
«If it wasn’t for me, they’d be paying 2% and not paying,» Trump said of NATO allies. «They’re paying 5% and they’re paying. We have a very good relationship with NATO.»
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
The three-day Munich conference brings together world leaders, defense chiefs and security officials.
Starmer did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
world,world politics,nato,united kingdom,russia
Cambio
Posturas
Futuro
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
The government entered a partial shutdown at midnight Friday after Congress failed to reach a funding deal — and some lawmakers’ decision to attend an international gathering in Europe this weekend is drawing criticism from colleagues on both sides of the aisle.
«It’s absurd, I hope the American people are paying attention,» Rep. Eric Burlison, R-Mo., told Fox News Digital.
The deadline to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) by the end of the week came with a built-in complication: members of both chambers were scheduled to attend the annual Munich Security Conference, with many set to depart by day’s end Thursday.
GOVERNMENT TO SHUT DOWN AT MIDNIGHT AFTER DEMS, WHITE HOUSE FAIL TO STRIKE DHS DEAL
While the DHS shutdown continues, several lawmakers are overseas in Germany. (Viktor Kovalchuk/Global Images Ukraine via Getty)
Without a deal in place, Congress left Washington, D.C., on Thursday after the Senate failed to pass both a full-year funding bill for DHS and a temporary, two-week funding extension.
At midnight Friday — with several lawmakers already in Germany — DHS shut down.
Both Republican leaders warned members to be prepared to return if a deal was reached. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., gave senators 24 hours’ notice to return, while House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., allowed a 48-hour window.
Despite the conference being scheduled months in advance, some lawmakers said leaving Washington — or even the country — during an active funding standoff sent the wrong message.
Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., blamed Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., arguing that Democrats blocked Republican-led efforts to prevent a partial DHS shutdown.
DHS SHUTDOWN EXPLAINED: WHO WORKS WITHOUT PAY, WHAT HAPPENS TO AIRPORTS AND DISASTER RESPONSE
Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., in the Senate Subway during a vote at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, March 14, 2025. (Allison Robbert/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
«Schumer’s what’s deciding this,» Scott told Fox News Digital. «I mean, he’s deciding that he’s more interested in people going to Munich than he is in funding DHS.»
Several lawmakers from both chambers are attending the conference, participating in side discussions and panels during the annual forum, where heads of state and top decision-makers gather to debate international security policy.
Members of the House expressed frustration that senators would leave amid stalled negotiations between Senate Democrats and the White House.
«The Senate started out a week ago saying, ‘I don’t think anybody should leave town,’» Rep. Mark Amodei, R-Nev., told Fox News Digital. «Now they’re doing the Munich thing. At least [the House] sent a bill over…not a great pride moment for the federal government, is it?»
Sens. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., led a bipartisan delegation of 11 senators to the conference.
When asked whether the shutdown would affect his travel plans, Whitehouse said, «I hope not.»
Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., who was scheduled to participate in a panel with Graham titled «The State of Russia,» according to the conference agenda, said lawmakers should have resolved outstanding issues before leaving town.
«I’m not delighted with Republican resistance and unresponsiveness, but it’s on them at this point,» Blumenthal said.
House rules prohibit official congressional delegations, also known as CODELs, during a shutdown. Still, several House members made the trip to Bavaria. At least a handful of House Democrats, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., attended the conference.
DEMS DIG IN, GUARANTEE SHUTDOWN WITH BLOCK OF DHS FUNDING
Rep. Joe Morelle, D-N.Y., interviews witnesses during a House Rules Committee hearing on the impeachment against President Donald Trump, Dec. 17. 2019. (Jason Andrew/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)
House Appropriations Committee Chair Tom Cole, R-Okla., said during a hearing on the impact of a DHS shutdown that it would be «unconscionable if Congress leaves and does not solve the problem.»
«I’m sure Munich is a great place. I’ve been there many times. The beer is outstanding,» Cole said. «But we don’t need to go to a defense conference someplace in Europe when we’re not taking care of the defense of the United States of America.»
Lawmakers are expected to continue negotiations throughout the weekend while many are abroad. Senate Democrats have signaled they may present a counteroffer to the White House but have not finalized a proposal.
If an agreement is reached, it would still take time to draft the legislative text and bring the measure to the Senate floor. Even so, some lawmakers argued that stepping away from negotiations — whether returning home or traveling overseas — was the wrong move.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
«I’ve been pretty outspoken to say we need to stay as long as we have to be here to be able to get things resolved so we don’t ever have a shutdown,» Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., told Fox News Digital.
«That’s the easiest way to resolve it is to say ‘no one walks away from the table,’» he added. «We stay at the table.»
Rep. Joe Morelle, D-N.Y., told Fox News Digital the situation reflects poorly on GOP leadership’s handling of funding priorities, though he acknowledged the significance of the international conference.
«There’s a certain irony that we would not be here to fund essential services of our government, but we have enough time and energy to go to the Munich Security Conference, which admittedly is a very important international gathering,» Morelle said. «But I think it says a lot about the lack of leadership…we can’t do the fundamentals of this job.»
politics,senate,house of representatives politics,government shutdown,homeland security,germany
Starmer sends UK strike group to Arctic, cites rising Russia threat as Trump pushes Greenland deal
Inocencia Fiscal: advierten que el nuevo régimen no es un blanqueo ni garantiza perdón total
Boca Juniors hizo una oferta por un ex delantero de River Plate: los detalles
Senado: Se agudiza la interna peronista y cada vez hay más ruido de ruptura en el kirchnerismo
El gran paso que dio Laurita Fernández con su novio en el Día de los Enamorados: La foto junto a Matías Busquet blanqueando su romance en sus redes
Financiamiento universitario: el Gobierno confía en reunir mayoría en Diputados y apunta a aprobar la ley en marzo
Wanda Nara contó la verdad del escándalo del cumpleaños de la hija de la China Suárez: «Mis hijas no fueron porque ella es…»
A quién afecta la Reforma laboral: estos son los puntos clave del proyecto de Milei
El emotivo homenaje a Luis Brandoni que hizo romper en llanto al espectáculo argentino
Jornada financiera: el dólar cayó a un mínimo en casi tres meses y subieron las acciones argentinas en Wall Street
POLITICA2 días agoA quién afecta la Reforma laboral: estos son los puntos clave del proyecto de Milei
- POLITICA2 días ago
Reforma laboral: la modificación sobre accidentes o enfermedades ajenas al trabajo
- ECONOMIA2 días ago
Cayeron 20% las ventas de automóviles en China y el régimen impone medidas para regular el mercado
