INTERNACIONAL
Iran talks with Europeans set for Friday; White House sees ‘substantial chance’ for renewed negotiations
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
After a week of intense speculation about whether President Donald Trump will launch a strike on Iran in support of Israel’s efforts to eliminate the country’s nuclear weapons program, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced there is a «substantial chance» for renewed negotiations.
This comes as Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is reportedly scheduled to meet with European leaders in Geneva Friday.
Speaking with reporters in the White House press briefing room Thursday, Leavitt confirmed U.S. and Iranian officials have engaged in six rounds of direct and indirect negotiations during the conflict with Israel, which broke out June 13.
TRUMP REAFFIRMS HARD-LINE ON IRAN NUCLEAR DEAL: ‘WILL NOT ALLOW ANY ENRICHMENT OF URANIUM’
Leavitt, however, did not say whether U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, who has been leading the president’s negotiations with Iran, would be present for the meetings in Geneva.
Asked by Senior White House Correspondent Jacqui Heinrich whether the fact that Iranian officials had found a way to get to Geneva meant they could also get to the White House to engage in negotiations, Leavitt responded: «I am not going to get into hypotheticals, but as you heard from the president yesterday, they have expressed interest in doing so.»
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, left, speaks with an unidentified Omani official upon his arrival at Muscat, Oman, April 25, 2025, a day before negotiations with U.S. Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff. (AP)
Addressing the possibility of the U.S. becoming directly involved in the conflict, Leavitt read a message from the president saying, «Based on the fact that there’s a substantial chance of negotiations that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future, I will make my decision whether or not to go within the next two weeks.»
While she said Trump is hoping to find a diplomatic solution to the conflict, she said he has simultaneously been very «direct and clear» that the terms of any deal with the country must include no enrichment of uranium, which would contribute to the Iranian nuclear program the president has long opposed.
A massive plume of smoke rises from an oil refinery in southern Tehran after reports of an overnight Israeli strike targeting the site June 15, 2025. (Atta Kenare/AFP)
She stressed the U.S. faces a serious threat due to Iran’s nuclear program, saying, «Iran has never been closer to obtaining a nuclear weapon.»
«Iran has all that it needs to achieve a nuclear weapon. All they need is a decision from the supreme leader to do that,» said Leavitt. «And it would take a couple of weeks to complete the production of that weapon, which would, of course, pose an existential threat not just to Israel, but to the United States and to the entire world.»
IRAN HAS ALL IT NEEDS TO BUILD NUCLEAR WEAPON, REPORT SAYS
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei addresses the media during elections in Tehran, Iran, May 10, 2024. (Fatemeh Bahrami/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Nonetheless, Leavitt said, «Iran is absolutely not able to achieve a nuclear weapon. The president has been very clear about that. And, by the way, the deal that Special Envoy Witkoff proposed to the Iranians was both realistic and acceptable within its terms, and that’s why the president sent that deal to them.»
Leavitt emphasized Trump’s stance that Iran «can and should make a deal» to end the conflict or «they will face grave consequences.»
«Iran is in a very weak and vulnerable position because of the strikes and the attacks from Israel,» she said. «We sent a deal to them that was practical, that was realistic.»
According to French outlet RFI, the talks Friday with the Iranians will include French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, U.K. Foreign Secretary David Lammy, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul and European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.
‘THE FIVE’ CONSIDERS ‘ALL OPTIONS’ ON TRUMP’S TABLE FOR ISRAEL-IRAN CONFLICT
A map shows where Iran’s most important nuclear sites are situated. (Fox News/FDD)
The outlet reported Barrot saying, «France, Britain and Germany stand ready to bring our competence and experience on this matter» and «we are ready to take part in negotiations aimed at obtaining from Iran a lasting rollback of its nuclear and ballistic missile programs.»
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Lammy Thursday. According to a statement by State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce, the two discussed the Israeli-Iran conflict and «agreed Iran can never develop or acquire a nuclear weapon.
In response to additional questions about potential U.S. negotiations with Iran, a representative for the White House directed Fox News Digital to Leavitt’s comments in the briefing room.
INTERNACIONAL
Top Iranian cybercriminal on FBI most wanted list reportedly killed in US-Israeli strike
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
A top Iranian hacker long wanted by the FBI was killed last week following a joint Israeli strike on Iran, according to an Iranian media outlet.
Mohammad Mehdi Farhadi Ramin, an Iranian man accused of stealing the identities of American citizens and accessing national security data, died in the city of Hamadan, Iran International said, adding that his funeral was held on Monday.
Farhadi had been wanted by U.S. authorities since 2020 for his «alleged involvement in malicious cyber activity» dating back to at least 2013, according to the FBI.
Among his alleged crimes, Farhadi reportedly targeted companies, universities, U.S. defense contractors, and nonprofits to access sensitive data. Authorities say he also stole credit card information and Social Security numbers belonging to U.S. citizens to fund illicit activities, while marketing some of the stolen data on the black market.
HISTORIC US-ISRAEL STRIKES ON IRAN UNDERWAY AS TEHRAN FACES REGIME SURVIVAL TEST
Mehdi Farhadi has been wanted by U.S. authorities since 2020. (FBI)
Ramin was first indicted on Sept. 15, 2020, by a federal grand jury in Newark, New Jersey, for his alleged involvement in a massive, coordinated cyber intrusion campaign on behalf of the Iranian government.
Ramin and a co‑defendant reportedly vandalized websites with ideological messaging meant to project Iranian influence, including images of burning Israeli flags and threats that appeared to «signal the demise» of countries viewed as rivals to Iran, including the U.S., Israel and Saudi Arabia.
AFTER THE STRIKES, HOW WOULD THE US SECURE IRAN’S ENRICHED URANIUM?
An aerial view shows the cityscape of Hamadan, Iran, on Dec. 14, 2025. (Mobina / Middle East Images / AFP via Getty Images)
«They brazenly infiltrated computer systems and targeted intellectual property and often sought to intimidate perceived enemies of Iran, including dissidents fighting for human rights in Iran and around the world,» the Justice Department previously said.
«This conduct threatens our national security, and as a result, these defendants are wanted by the FBI and are considered fugitives from justice.»
An FBI wanted poster alleges that Mehdi Farhadi committed «malicious cyber activity» targeting the U.S. and other countries. (FBI)
Authorities alleged that the suspect also compromised email accounts by creating hidden automated forwarding rules that secretly sent all incoming and outgoing emails directly to him and his co-conspirators.
Top Iranian hacker Mehdi Farhadi was reportedly killed last week in Iran. (FBI)
Officials emphasized that these actions allowed Iran to access a massive volume of stolen information, including hundreds of terabytes of data related to national security, foreign policy, civilian nuclear research, aerospace and unpublished scientific studies.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Fox News Digital reached out to the Pentagon for more information.
iran,conflicts,fbi
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
A senior Trump administration official and former acting U.S. attorney for D.C. is under disciplinary review for his role in President Donald Trump’s anti-diversity, equity, and inclusion initiative — sparking outrage from the Justice Department, which assailed alleged ethics violations against Ed Martin as a «partisan» effort, and one that unfairly targets Trump and his allies.
The disciplinary charge, filed Friday to the D.C. Court of Appeals Board on Professional Responsibility and published Tuesday, centers on a letter sent by Martin to Georgetown Law last February while Martin was serving as interim U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia.
Martin allegedly demanded in the letter that Georgetown Law provide information about its DEI practices and teachings, according to the ethics complaint. It states that without «further explanation,» and without receiving a response from Georgetown Law, Martin then announced he would be imposing sanctions on the school — instructing his staff not to hire any students, fellows, or interns affiliated with the university.
EXCLUSIVE: BONDI TRANSFERS FORMER DEATH ROW INMATES COMMUTED BY BIDEN TO ‘SUPERMAX’ PRISON
A sign at the U.S. Department of Justice is seen on June 14, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
The Justice Department blasted news of the ethics complaint, telling Fox News Digital on Tuesday that the complaint represented yet another «clear indication» of unfair and «partisan» treatment from the D.C. Bar, a body they argued has continued «to target and punish those serving President Trump while refusing to investigate or act against actual ethical violations that were committed by Biden and Obama administration attorneys,» representing what DOJ spokesperson described as «a clear indication of this partisan organization’s agenda.»
The complaint was signed by the disciplinary counsel for the D.C. Bar, Hamilton Fox, whose role allows him to function similarly to a prosecutor for attorney misconduct cases. Fox previously donated thousands to Obama’s first presidential campaign in 2008, according to FEC records reviewed by Fox News Digital.
The complaint accuses Martin of violating the First and Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution by using his role as a government official to demand that the university change its teachings; failing to give the university a time frame to respond; and threatening adverse action against Georgetown Law for teaching a particular viewpoint.
It also accuses Martin of conducting unauthorized, ex parte communications with the chief judge and senior judge for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit after he was asked to respond to a complaint about his remarks to Georgetown Law. «In that letter, he stated that he would not be responding to Disciplinary Counsel’s inquiry, complained about Disciplinary Counsel’s ‘uneven behavior,’ and requested a ‘face-to-face meeting with all of you to discuss this matter and find a way forward,’» the complaint said, noting that Martin had copied White House counsel onto the email.
JUDGES V TRUMP: HERE ARE THE KEY COURT BATTLES HALTING THE WHITE HOUSE AGENDA
Ed Martin speaks during a press conference on May 13, 2025 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Craig Hudson For The Washington Post via Getty Images)
The Justice Department’s second-highest-ranking official, Todd Blanche, sharply criticized the complaint on social media Tuesday, noting: «The DC Bar is such a blatantly Democrat-run political organization.»
«Thank God I’m not a member, and trust me, I never will be,» Blanche said in a post on X.Martin, a former defense attorney who helped represent individuals charged in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol, has made headlines during his short time at DOJ. His path to confirmation to serve as U.S. Attorney for D.C. stalled last year amid concerns from some Senate Republicans, prompting Trump to install Martin last May as the Justice Department’s pardon attorney.
EX-JUDGES BLAST TOP TRUMP DOJ OFFICIAL FOR DECLARING ‘WAR’ ON COURTS
Emil Bove, now a U.S. Judge for the Third Circuit Court of Appeals speaks with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche before his confirmation hearing in 2025. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
Trump also tapped Martin at the time to head up the Justice Department’s so-called «Weaponization Working Group,» or the newly formed internal body within DOJ tasked with probing federal prosecutions viewed by the administration as unfairly partisan.
Martin was removed last month from his role heading up the working group, though no reason for his removal was immediately provided.
The complaint will now be kicked to D.C. Court of Appeals for next steps and review — a notoriously lengthy process that will likely take months, if not longer.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
News of the ethics complaint comes just days after the Justice Department filed a notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal Register that would allow the department to suspend state bar investigations while the DOJ conducts its own review.
donald trump,politics,judiciary,justice department,federal courts,supreme court,dei,pam bondi
INTERNACIONAL
Estados Unidos anunció la destrucción de 16 embarcaciones iraníes utilizadas para minar el Estrecho de Ormuz
El Comando Central de Estados Unidos (CENTCOM) anunció este martes que fuerzas estadounidenses destruyeron 16 buques minadores iraníes cerca del Estrecho de Ormuz, en una operación militar que se produce en medio de informaciones de que Teherán está intentando desplegar explosivos navales en uno de los corredores energéticos más importantes del mundo.
Según informó el propio CENTCOM en una publicación difundida en redes sociales, la acción estuvo dirigida contra varias embarcaciones vinculadas con operaciones navales iraníes en la zona.
“Fuerzas estadounidenses eliminaron múltiples embarcaciones navales iraníes, el 10 de marzo, incluidos 16 buques minadores cerca del estrecho de Ormuz”, indicó el comando militar estadounidense.
El organismo acompañó su comunicado con un video en el que se observan ataques contra varias embarcaciones en el mar, seguidos de explosiones que destruyen los barcos. Las imágenes muestran proyectiles impactando contra los objetivos y columnas de humo elevándose desde los buques alcanzados.
El Estrecho de Ormuz conecta el Golfo Pérsico con el océano Índico y constituye uno de los puntos más sensibles del sistema energético global. Aproximadamente una quinta parte del petróleo que se consume en el planeta circula diariamente por esa estrecha vía marítima, utilizada por grandes productores de crudo de la región para exportar sus recursos a los mercados internacionales.
La posibilidad de que se coloquen minas en el área genera preocupación por el impacto que podría tener en la seguridad de la navegación y en el suministro energético mundial. Incluso interrupciones limitadas del tráfico en ese corredor pueden provocar efectos inmediatos en los precios del petróleo y en las cadenas logísticas internacionales.
Horas antes del anuncio del CENTCOM, el presidente de Estados Unidos, Donald Trump, había informado que el ejército estadounidense había destruido varias embarcaciones relacionadas con estas actividades. En un mensaje difundido en redes sociales, el mandatario aseguró que las fuerzas estadounidenses habían atacado y destruido diez barcos utilizados para colocar minas.
“Me complace informar de que, en las últimas horas, hemos atacado y destruido por completo diez buques o embarcaciones minadores inactivos. ¡Y seguirán otros!”, escribió Trump.
Trump también lanzó una advertencia a Irán sobre las consecuencias de desplegar minas navales en esa ruta estratégica.
“Si por cualquier motivo se colocaran minas y no se retiraran de inmediato, las consecuencias militares para Irán serán de un nivel jamás visto”, afirmó el presidente estadounidense.
En el mismo mensaje, el mandatario añadió que la retirada de cualquier artefacto explosivo que haya podido ser colocado sería interpretada como un gesto positivo.
“Si, por el contrario, retiran lo que hayan podido colocar, será un paso gigantesco en la dirección correcta”, señaló.
Además, Trump indicó que las fuerzas estadounidenses están preparadas para actuar contra cualquier embarcación que participe en operaciones de minado en el estrecho. Según explicó, los buques implicados serían atacados con el mismo tipo de misiles utilizados por Estados Unidos para interceptar embarcaciones del narcotráfico en otras regiones.
“Serán tratados de forma expedita y violenta. ¡CUIDADO!”, advirtió el presidente.
El anuncio sobre la destrucción de los buques minadores se produce en un contexto de guerra regional que ha elevado significativamente las tensiones en Medio Oriente durante las últimas semanas. Desde el inicio de las hostilidades, Irán ha lanzado ataques contra Israel y contra intereses estadounidenses en varios países de la región.
En paralelo, el tráfico marítimo en el Estrecho de Ormuz se ha reducido considerablemente ante el aumento de los riesgos para la navegación, mientras los gobiernos y las compañías navieras siguen de cerca la evolución de la situación en uno de los puntos más estratégicos del comercio global.
(Con información de AFP)
buque,barco,buque de mando,buque a motor,mar,vigilancia,militar,infrarrojo,térmico,nave
Una tienda de juguetes podría habernos hecho un spoiler sobre cual será el próximo Fallout, y no se trata de Fallout 5
Top Iranian cybercriminal on FBI most wanted list reportedly killed in US-Israeli strike
“Ahora es más fácil”: los principales entes de financiamiento externo de EEUU resaltaron el potencial del país en Argentina Week
Entregan en el Congreso un reconocimiento a las esposas de Nahuel Gallo y de Germán Giuliani
Vandalizaron el estudio de un senador libertario durante la movilización por el Día de la Mujer: “Militantes del odio”
DOJ blasts ‘partisan’ DC Bar complaint against senior Trump official
La cruda confesión de Amalia Granata por el trastorno que sufre su hijo Roque: “Le hicimos estudios y salió que tiene TDAH, dislexia y disgrafia”
El mercado le está corriendo el arco a Caputo y el riesgo país no baja: en la City palpitan medidas
Jenny Mavinga angustiada tras una quemadura en Gran Hermano 2026: “¡Ay, me quemó!
Trump anunciará la creación del Escudo de las Américas, una alianza regional que integrará Milei para enfrentar al narcoterrorismo y a China
CHIMENTOS2 días agoLa cruda confesión de Amalia Granata por el trastorno que sufre su hijo Roque: “Le hicimos estudios y salió que tiene TDAH, dislexia y disgrafia”
- ECONOMIA2 días ago
El mercado le está corriendo el arco a Caputo y el riesgo país no baja: en la City palpitan medidas
- CHIMENTOS1 día ago
Jenny Mavinga angustiada tras una quemadura en Gran Hermano 2026: “¡Ay, me quemó!
