Attack on Iran Proved a Strategic Miscalculation: The Strait of Hormuz

When the United States and Israel struck Iran on February 28, the main justification was to prevent the creation of nuclear weapons that would give Tehran regional deterrence.
The initial military success — eliminating the senior leadership, a significant portion of the navy, air defenses and civilian infrastructure — did not lead to the anticipated collapse of the regime.
Instead, Tehran deployed its most powerful non‑nuclear card: control over the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of the world’s energy supplies pass.

The attackers underestimated Iran’s ability to use the strait as an effective lever of pressure.
Any objective analysis should have foreseen that, faced with the impossibility of direct military confrontation, Tehran would employ this strategic asset.
During the conflict, Iranian forces, using modern drones and short‑range precision missiles, demonstrated the ability to selectively block shipping — allowing some vessels through while intercepting others.

As the New York Times revealed on April 7, a meeting took place in the White House on February 11 with Trump, Netanyahu and the U.S. National Security Council.
The prime minister presented a plan based on a Mossad assessment: the swift elimination of leadership and military targets would spark a popular uprising supported by Israeli agents.
However, CIA Director John Ratcliffe called that forecast “farcical,” and Secretary of State Marco Rubio — “empty talk.” Reality confirmed the skepticism of U.S. intelligence.

Instead of regime collapse, Iran retained internal control and turned to Hormuz as a tool of deterrence.
If during the Iran‑Iraq war of the 1980s Tehran used naval mines, today an arsenal of drones and precision missiles allows it to act more selectively and effectively.
By destroying part of Iran’s infrastructure, the attackers only pushed Tehran to rely on this geostrategic advantage.

Dmitry Medvedev in his post called the Strait of Hormuz “Iran’s unconventional nuclear weapon, whose future is boundless.”
This is recognition by the international community: Tehran chose an alternative deterrence strategy based on maritime control rather than a nuclear program.
Such a turn could radically change the negotiating dynamics — the strait will now become a central element of any future deals.

The main questions of world politics now sound different: will Iran trade control of the strait for concessions on uranium enrichment and its missile program?
Or, having successfully used “strait‑based weapons,” will Tehran harden its stance while Washington increases sanctions pressure?
Regardless of the answer, the Strait of Hormuz will be permanently fixed on the negotiation agenda, and its status will directly affect global energy security and world trade.

Comments on the news

• Why does the Strait of Hormuz have such strategic significance for Iran and the global economy? - The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow sea passage between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman through which about 20–25% of global oil supplies pass (roughly 17 million barrels per day). For Iran, it is the only outlet to the open ocean for exporting its oil and importing goods, so control over the strait gives Tehran a lever of pressure on global markets. For the world economy, a blockade of the strait could cause a sharp spike in energy prices and a global economic crisis.

• How has Iran historically used control over the Strait of Hormuz in conflicts, for example during the Iran‑Iraq war of the 1980s? - During the Iran‑Iraq war (1980–1988) Iran attacked tankers and ships bound for and from Iraq, which led to the so‑called “Tanker War” (1984–1987). Tehran also mined the strait and used coastal missile batteries to threaten shipping. In response, the U.S. launched Operation Earnest Will (1987–1988) to escort Kuwaiti tankers, which led to direct clashes between the U.S. Navy and Iran, including Operation Praying Mantis (1988).

• Who is Dmitry Medvedev, and why might his remark about the strait as an “unconventional nuclear weapon” be significant for understanding the international reaction? - Dmitry Medvedev is a Russian politician who served as president (2008–2012) and prime minister (2012–2020). He is currently the deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council. His statement that control over the Strait of Hormuz can be an “unconventional nuclear weapon” reflects rhetoric about using economic or geostrategic pressure as an analogue to nuclear deterrence. This is significant because such remarks from a high‑ranking Russian official may signal Russian support for Iran in a potential conflict and indicate that Moscow views the strait as a bargaining tool in relations with the West, especially against the backdrop of sanctions and the Ukraine crisis.

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Full version: مضيق هرمز هل هو سلاح الردع الجديد؟

Delcy Rodríguez and Gustavo Petro Agree to Fight Mafias at the Border

Venezuelan foreign minister Delcy Rodríguez and Colombian president Gustavo Petro have reached an agreement to jointly combat criminal groups and smuggling networks operating along the shared border between the two countries. During the meeting, Petro emphasized that "the border cannot belong to anyone but the people of Venezuela and Colombia," and Rodríguez, in turn, announced "decisive steps against drug traffickers" that are already being taken. This cooperation, aimed at strengthening stability in the border areas, marks a new phase in bilateral relations, shifting the focus to jointly confronting illegal armed groups that have terrorized local residents for years.

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Full version: Delcy Rodríguez y Gustavo Petro buscan la estabilidad fronteriza acordando enfrentar mafias criminales y de contrabando

Iran's Shadow Fleet: Flags of Convenience in the Strait of Hormuz

In the world's most strategically important oil corridor — the Strait of Hormuz — the problem is not only the intensity of shipping but also the legal nature of the vessels themselves. In conditions of heavy traffic, ships sailing under "flags of convenience," registered in open registries, are actively used here. This practice, common in global shipping, allows operators to effectively evade tracking and sanctions, turning attribution of responsibility for any incident into a complex geopolitical maze.

Legal aspects are increasingly intertwined with geopolitical calculations, turning flags of convenience from a commercial tool for reducing costs into a strategic weapon for masking and bypassing international restrictions. According to a report by Al Jazeera correspondent Manal Boali, a significant portion of this activity is attributable to Iran's so-called "shadow fleet" — tankers operating under fabricated identities. This disguise complicates international response and makes operations to detain or target them practically impossible for both the US and Iran.

"Flags of convenience" means registering vessels under the flags of countries different from the state of the actual owner. This frees them from oversight by the owner's national sovereignty, which makes establishing their true national affiliation extremely difficult. Such a legal fog not only confuses tracking systems but also paralyzes enforcement of international law and security measures during periods of tension. Moreover, registration in countries with low oversight standards undermines enforcement of safety requirements and opens loopholes for evading international sanctions.

The practice of flags of convenience serves several purposes: from evading sanctions and misleading international monitoring systems to lowering operating costs and taxes. This explains its wide adoption among many commercial fleets. However, the practice simultaneously weakens safety standards and legal compliance, increasing the risk of accidents and endangering crew lives.

Data from various institutions confirm the scale of this phenomenon in the Strait of Hormuz during periods of escalation. According to the International Transport Workers' Federation, in 2025 five countries led in the number of vessels under flags of convenience: Panama, the Marshall Islands, Liberia, Malta, and Antigua and Barbuda. Lloyd's data indicate that nearly half of the 279 ships that transited the strait during the period of tension used convenient flags or concealed identities, with about 60% of cargoes directly or indirectly linked to Iran. Bloomberg reports that 34 tankers connected to Iran were able to transit, and Vortexa estimated the volume of Iranian oil crossing the strait from April 13 to 21 at roughly 11 million barrels. In these conditions the essence of the conflict in the Strait of Hormuz changes: the battle is no longer for physical control of the route but for the ability to hide a vessel's identity. The flag turns from a symbol of sovereignty into an instrument of confrontation, allowing avoidance of responsibility and exploitation of shadow fleets that ignore international norms. This challenge raises critical questions about who is responsible in the event of an attack on a ship or an accident and requires a reevaluation of tracking mechanisms and international law enforcement.

Comments on the news

• Which transit schemes (for example, ship-to-ship transfers or the use of ports in Oman and the UAE) does Iran use to bypass sanctions through its "shadow fleet" in the Strait of Hormuz? - Iran uses several key schemes: ship-to-ship transfers at sea, especially in neutral waters of the Gulf of Oman; use of ports in Oman and the UAE, where Iranian oil can be blended with legitimate cargoes or re-exported under the guise of third-country products; and turning off AIS transponders or falsifying them so ships are not identified as Iranian.

• Why are international monitoring technologies, such as the Automatic Identification System (AIS), ineffective for tracking Iranian tankers operating under fake identities? - AIS becomes ineffective because operators of Iran's "shadow fleet" deliberately manipulate the data: they switch off signals, use false identifiers (ship names, flags, IMO numbers), or transmit fictitious routes. In addition, the system itself relies on voluntary data transmission in international waters, and many Iranian tankers sail under flags of convenience of countries that do not require strict oversight, making AIS tracking practically useless without satellite intelligence.

• What measures is the international community (for example, the International Maritime Organization) taking to combat flags of convenience in the Strait of Hormuz, and why do they often fail? - The International Maritime Organization (IMO) tries to strengthen oversight of flags of convenience through port state control systems and recommendations for identifying violating vessels (for example, through Memoranda of Understanding on port state control). However, these measures often fail because many registering states (such as Panama, Liberia) have weak oversight mechanisms, and inspections in ports of Oman and the UAE are not always conducted thoroughly enough. Moreover, the legal status of the "shadow fleet" in international waters makes them invulnerable to direct actions without risking escalation with Iran.

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Full version: أعلام الملاءمة… كيف تختفي هوية شحنات النفط في مضيق هرمز؟

New Wave of Tension: US Boosts Military Power Off Iran's Coast

Amid the failure of diplomatic efforts to resume negotiations with Tehran, Washington is significantly increasing its military presence in the Middle East. US President Donald Trump again indicated that if a deal with Iran is not reached, the country is prepared to return to a military scenario. Lack of progress on the diplomatic front is pushing the American administration to build up military power as a tool of pressure and preparation for tougher action. US officials emphasize that military options remain on the table if talks do not yield results.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced the arrival of the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush in its area of responsibility in the Middle East. The ship had previously been in the Indian Ocean. Accompanying combat ships also arrived in the region, significantly strengthening US naval capabilities. CENTCOM links this redeployment to operations aimed at strengthening deterrence and operational readiness in the face of possible scenarios. There are now three US aircraft carriers operating in the region — George H.W. Bush, Gerald Ford, and Abraham Lincoln — which the media have already dubbed the "steel trio."

In addition to the carriers, the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer, with more than 4,000 additional servicemembers and Marines, is expected to arrive in the coming weeks. American officials note that forces used the ceasefire declared on April 7 to regroup and replenish supplies, and are ready to resume strikes on command. At the same time, the US continues a naval blockade, preventing ships from entering or leaving Iranian ports, increasing economic and military pressure on Tehran. According to Israeli media, Israel has also signaled Washington that it is interested in restarting a war with Iran, indicating possible regional coordination.

In response, Iran activated air defense systems in Tehran after a drone attack, including using Orbiter-type drones. Meanwhile, The Wall Street Journal reports that the war with Iran has depleted huge stocks of US Army munitions. Since the start of the conflict on February 28, the US has launched more than 1,000 long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles and between 1,500 and 2,000 critical air-defense missiles, including THAAD and Patriot systems. Experts estimate that replenishing these stocks could take about six years.

These figures vividly demonstrate the huge logistical burden and financial costs Washington faces if the conflict drags on. The buildup of the military grouping, on the one hand, serves as a tool of deterrence, and on the other — increases the risk of unintended escalation. While diplomatic channels remain blocked and military preparations accelerate, the situation around Iran continues to heat up, leaving ever less room for peaceful resolution.

Comments on the news

• What are Orbiter drones that were used in the attack on Tehran? What role do they play in Iran's air defenses? — The "Orbiter" are Iranian loitering munitions (kamikaze drones) of short range. They are used in Iran's air-defense system as a cheap and mobile means of intercepting low-flying targets (for example, other UAVs or helicopters), supplementing more expensive surface-to-air missiles. Their role is to create a "carpet" defense and cover vulnerable zones at low altitudes.
• How does the naval blockade affect key Iranian ports like Bandar Abbas, and what are the economic consequences for the country? — The naval blockade seriously disrupts operations at Bandar Abbas (the main hub on the Strait of Hormuz). This leads to a sharp drop in oil exports, halting imports of goods (including food and medicines), rising inflation and shortages even with partial overland transit through neighboring countries. In the long term, the blockade accelerates deindustrialization and fuels growth of the black market.

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Full version: "ثلاثية الفولاذ" بمواجهة إيران.. رسالة واشنطن العسكرية المشفرة لطهران

Venezuela's Amnesty Law Ends; New Justice Mechanisms Introduced

Acting President of Venezuela Delcy Rodríguez announced the termination of the Law on Amnesty and Democratic Coexistence, which over two months freed 8,616 people. Cases that did not fall under its scope will now be transferred to the Program of Democratic Coexistence and Peace. Rodríguez noted that the country is launching a Great National Consultation on criminal justice reform so that citizens can directly participate in transforming the judicial system and address historical debts owed to society.

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Full version: Presidenta (E) Rodríguez anunció fin de la Ley de Amnistía y da paso a nuevos mecanismos de justicia

Pentagon Proposes Punishing NATO Allies for Refusing to Support War with Iran

An internal memorandum from the US Department of Defense reveals options for retaliatory measures against NATO members that did not provide support to Washington in a military campaign against Tehran. Among the sanctions being considered are suspending Spain’s membership in the alliance and reconsidering the American position on the Falkland Islands in favor of Argentina. The document reflects growing Pentagon frustration that some allies refused to grant use of their airspace and bases for operations, calling that “the absolute minimum obligations to NATO.”

At the heart of the dispute is the unwillingness of several European countries to comply with US requests for access to air bases and airspace for military aircraft involved in operations against Iran. US officials emphasize that the goal of the proposed measures is not to break the alliance but to compel partners to take a more active role. President Donald Trump has previously criticized allies for refusing to send naval forces to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which was closed due to the conflict.

Washington’s particular displeasure was sparked by Madrid’s decision to close its airspace to American and Israeli aircraft heading to strikes on Iran, and to prohibit their departures from US bases located on Spanish territory — Rota and Morón. Suspending Spain’s NATO membership is being considered as a symbolic but highly painful step that, Pentagon strategists believe, should demonstrate the seriousness of America’s intentions.

As leverage against the United Kingdom, officials are discussing a reassessment of the traditional American support for British claims to the Falkland Islands. This move is directly connected to criticism of Prime Minister Keir Starmer, whom Trump publicly called a “coward” and unfavorably compared to Winston Churchill. Argentina, whose president Javier Milei is considered an ally of Trump, has long disputed sovereignty over the archipelago.

Pentagon spokesperson Kingsley Wilson said the department is preparing “reliable options” for the president so that allies are “not just a force on paper, but fully meet their obligations.” Secretary of Defense Pete Hegset emphasized: “The war with Iran has revealed a lot,” alluding to parts of the alliance being unwilling to act together. While the document does not call for a complete US withdrawal from NATO or the closure of European bases, it marks a serious crisis of trust within the bloc.

Commentary on the news

• What strategic importance does the Strait of Hormuz have for Iran and the global economy? — The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow maritime passage through which about 20% of the world’s oil trade transits. For Iran it is a critical lever of influence: control over the strait allows Tehran to threaten to cut off oil shipments, which would immediately affect global prices and energy security. For the global economy it is the “oil throat,” where any conflict can trigger a worldwide crisis.
• Why did Spain decide to close its airspace to flights connected with military action against Iran despite NATO membership? — Spain seeks to distance itself from direct involvement in the conflict so as not to put its interests at risk (for example, from potential attacks on its military bases or trade routes). This does not contradict NATO membership: Spain is not blocking the alliance, but is refusing to allow its territory to be used for specific operations, citing national sovereignty.
• How does Iran use control over the Strait of Hormuz as leverage in its conflict with the US? — Iran regularly threatens to close the strait in response to sanctions or military escalation, creating market uncertainty. This lever allows Tehran to pressure the US and its allies into negotiations, since any conflict in the strait threatens to paralyze global oil trade. Tactically, Iran uses displays of military force (missiles, mines, fast boats) to underscore its ability to block the passage.

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Full version: Reuters: Pentagon weighing options to punish NATO countries over Iran war

Analysis: The US's Path to Predatory Hegemony Leads to a Dead End

According to an analysis in the Chinese newspaper Renmin Ribao, Washington's slide into predatory hegemony means that, in effect, the United States is choosing a future by stepping backwards — such a strategy may bring momentary gains, but in the long term will only make the country poorer.

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Full version: الجزيرة نت

Venezuela creates commission to assess state assets to boost the economy

Acting President of Venezuela Delcy Rodríguez announced the creation of a Commission for the Evaluation of State Assets, which will carry out a strategic analysis of all the country’s resources. At a meeting with key officials and industry representatives, Rodríguez said the agency will classify assets into four categories: strategic facilities, opportunities for public-private partnerships, non-core state assets, and property to be liquidated. The main goal is to increase the productivity of the national economy and strengthen state control over vital sectors, using a new technical and administrative methodology for managing resources.

This decision followed an important foreign-policy move: last week the International Monetary Fund officially restored ties with Caracas for the first time since 2019, when relations were frozen due to political disagreements. Earlier, Rodríguez held talks with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, requesting access to $5 billion in Special Drawing Rights to restore critical infrastructure, including electricity and water systems. The creation of the commission appears to be preparation for more transparent management of state property amid renewed international cooperation.

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Full version: Presidenta encargada anuncia que se “evaluarán activos públicos para mantenerlos en manos del Estado, ofrecerlos a terceros o liquidarlos”

Sudden resignation of US Navy chief amid Iran escalation

On Wednesday evening the Pentagon announced the immediate resignation of Secretary of the Navy John Felan. No official explanation was given, which has spawned a wave of speculation about the motives and timing of the decision, especially against the backdrop of the US’s harsh maritime blockade of Iran and a large-scale purge in the US senior military leadership. The decision surprised observers, as only a few hours before his dismissal Felan spoke at the "Sea-Air-Space" conference defending a $378 billion naval budget and promoting a strategy to integrate manned and unmanned systems.

The key context of the resignation is the escalation of the maritime conflict: since February 28 the US Navy has imposed an unprecedented blockade on Iranian ports, and the destroyer USS Spruance recently fired on a cargo ship attempting to breach it. This raises the question of whether Felan showed indecision in supporting such a hard line or made a "strategic mistake" in public statements that led to his swift removal.

Another version is linked to his controversial proposal to build some warships at foreign shipyards to address fleet readiness. That idea infuriated supporters of an "America First" strategy, who see it as a blow to plans to revive domestic industry. Analysts believe the dismissal sent a clear message: outsourcing fleet construction is a "red line," and those who advance such ideas cannot remain in office during wartime.

The appointment of Hong Kao, a former special forces member and refugee from Vietnam with combat experience in Iraq and Afghanistan, as acting secretary indicates the Pentagon’s desire for tough leadership with field experience, in contrast to Felan’s investment background. This continues a series of personnel changes initiated by Pentagon chief Pit Hegset, who previously secured the early resignation of the Army chief of staff.

Old reports that Felan traveled with Jeffrey Epstein in 2006 and his social ties to the Trump family add further intrigue. Although these details do not clarify the strategic reasons for the resignation, it may be perceived in the Middle East either as a sign of instability or as a signal to tighten the blockade. The main question remains open: was Felan made a casualty of disagreements over shipbuilding, or is he part of a larger shift toward an even more aggressive phase of confrontation with Iran?

Comments on the news

• Which Iranian ports are key to Iran’s maritime trade and how critical is this blockade for the country? — Key ports: Bandar Abbas (the main hub for oil exports and imports via the Strait of Hormuz), Chabahar (a strategic port on the Gulf of Oman, an alternative route), Bushehr, and Hormozgan. The blockade is critical for Iran because 85–90% of foreign trade and almost all oil exports go by sea. Loss of access to the sea would paralyze the economy, especially oil revenues, which make up about 40% of the budget.
• How does the Iranian leadership usually react to such maritime pressure from the US and what countermeasures might it take? — Iran combines rhetoric ("imperialist aggression") with asymmetric actions: threats to block the Strait of Hormuz (through which 20% of the world’s oil passes), strengthening cooperation with allies (Russia, China), developing bypass routes (for example, the port of Chabahar with Indian investments), as well as cyberattacks and diplomatic protests at the UN. In the past Iran has detained tankers in response.
• What are the capabilities of Iran’s naval forces, can they resist a US blockade? — Iran’s navy is split into two structures: the Islamic Republic of Iran Navy (IRIN) (a number of frigates and submarines) and the IRGC Navy (IRGCN) (hundreds of fast boats, missile installations, mines). They avoid direct confrontation with the US Navy, but can use swarms of small boats, submarines, and minefields to disrupt a blockade in the Strait of Hormuz. In the open sea Iran’s navy is weaker, but in coastal waters their asymmetric capabilities can inflict damage and temporarily destabilize the blockade.

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Full version: زلزال بالبنتاغون.. هل أطاح مضيق هرمز بوزير البحرية الأمريكي؟

Latin-American Alarm: Trump's US Between Military Display and Limits of Power

Venezuelan media and social networks increasingly portray America under Donald Trump as hyper‑militarized yet internally constrained — a country whose moves have direct effects on Latin America and the world. Commentators question Washington’s dependence on NATO, the weakening of financial dominance relative to China, and the real limits of presidential power, while demonstrations of military might are accompanied by fears of regional spillover. Particular attention is paid to the confrontation between the US and Israel with Iran and to expanding ceasefires that reports present more as shaky pauses than genuine peace. At the same time, US migration and deportation policies — including repatriation flights to Cuba — are discussed as concrete examples of US influence on countries in the region. Taken together, the Venezuelan debate mixes distrust of Washington’s motives, concern about possible “collateral” effects on Latin America, and arguments about whether the US is losing global influence or merely restructuring it. This overview was prepared based on materials from YouTube, El País and Factchequeado (Venezuela).

Venezuela between the US, NATO and the Vatican: Caracas’s view of global hegemony

The Venezuelan view of world politics has long been shaped through three key prisms: oil, US military power, and the country’s own experience of sanctions and pressure. Thus what in Europe or the US is presented as analysis of NATO, Trump, or Washington’s conflict with the Vatican is in Caracas perceived as an explanation for why the country ended up under blockade, why it cannot fully sell its oil, and why any escalation in the Middle East or Europe inevitably affects Venezuela’s economy and internal politics.

Against this backdrop, the video “✅ ¿Por qué ESTADOS UNIDOS necesita a la OTAN para sobrevivir?” from the Memorias de Pez channel on YouTube (link to the video), a compilation of El País materials about Trump and US foreign policy (US section of the outlet), and the analysis by the Institute for Digital Democracy of the Americas (DDIA), published via Factchequeado and REDESCover (DDIA piece), fit into a single mosaic. For Venezuela these are not disconnected stories but fragments of one large narrative: how American hegemony — military, economic, symbolic — is organized and sustained, and how it strikes countries like Venezuela.

From Caracas’s perspective, what the Memorias de Pez video says — that the US is not a “selfless defender” of peace and that its geopolitical and economic survival rests on NATO, a network of bases, control of routes, influence over Europe, and deterring rivals — is hardly a revelation. Rather it is seen as a vivid confirmation of how the infrastructure of power works, whose consequences Venezuela feels through sanctions, financial blockade, and diplomatic pressure.

That is why in Venezuela NATO is seen not simply as a “defensive alliance” but as infrastructure of American hegemony, which then translates into sanctions against PDVSA, restrictions on insurance and chartering of vessels carrying Venezuelan oil, closure of access to the dollar system, and a pressuring agenda within the EU and other Atlantic bloc countries. What the video describes as the “undeniable economic hegemony” of the US is decoded in Caracas very concretely: Washington and its partners’ ability to block transactions, cut off financial channels, and dictate terms for trade in energy resources.

Against this background, differences among domestic Venezuelan audiences do not negate the common feeling of dependence on this architecture. The official camp calls NATO “the armed wing of imperialism” and links its expansion to pressure on Russia — a key military and diplomatic ally of Venezuela. For the government, any weakening of Russia due to confrontation with NATO means a narrowing of Caracas’s maneuvering room and a reduction of external support. Thus each flare‑up between NATO and Moscow or Beijing automatically provokes in Venezuela an intensification of rhetoric against the “NATO–US bloc,” demonstrative contacts with Moscow, Beijing, Tehran, and emphasis on joint exercises, defense agreements, and energy cooperation.

Parts of the opposition and liberal circles, by contrast, see NATO and the close US–Europe relationship as a system that provides predictability, rules of the game, and inflows of investment for those integrated into it. In their reading, the video’s thesis that the US “spends too much defending Europe but in return gains strategic advantages” reminds Venezuela of the price of isolation: being outside these circuits — NATO, the EU, Western markets — the country loses access to capital, technologies, and legal standards, and instead faces a sanctions regime and dependence on a limited set of partners.

Venezuelan internationalists and economists add a technical explanation: US dominance of financial architecture and key energy routes — what the video talks about — is precisely what makes secondary sanctions possible, hindering not only direct oil shipments but also insurance, lending, and contract servicing. For them NATO is not an “armed pole by itself” but a contour that helps Washington keep Europe aligned with its strategy, and therefore secure European agreement on sanctions and diplomatic pressure against states labeled problematic.

El País’s compilation on the US and Trump (materials page) complements this picture in the Venezuelan optic, showing how Washington’s foreign policy is intertwined with military force and energy. Pieces about the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz, and the “long road to restoring energy supply” are read in Caracas as a reminder: any turbulence in Hormuz theoretically raises the strategic value of Venezuelan oil, but the sanctions regime prevents that value from turning into real revenue. What European journalism calls a “global energy crisis” is for Venezuela an example of how Washington can simultaneously worry about “global supply” and at the same time consciously block exports from major producers if that suits its foreign‑policy objectives.

This is why stories in which Trump complains about insufficient loyalty from allies attract special interest, such as El País’s piece on his remarks about the Spanish government: “Trump, sobre el Gobierno de España: ‘No han estado ahí para nosotros’.” For a Venezuelan audience the line that Madrid “was not there” in the war against Iran sounds like confirmation of the impulse they already ascribe to Washington: an ally must provide political support, bases, infrastructure — otherwise it is publicly rebuked for disloyalty. In Latin America this easily maps onto US pressure on Caribbean and Latin American states over recognition of Venezuelan leadership or maintenance of sanctions.

El País pieces about the global economy’s fear of oil shortages and “cracks in global dependence on raw materials” are read in Venezuela with near sarcasm. The world fears shortages and high prices while a country with some of the largest reserves lives in economic collapse, much of it intensified by Trump‑era sanctions. For local analysts this is a stark example of how a state’s place in the world system is determined not by resource volumes but by access to the infrastructure of hegemony and admission to Western financial and technological circuits. Hence discussions about dedollarization, diversification of export destinations, seeking “non‑Western” creditors, and attempts to use oil as leverage in negotiations to ease sanctions.

The migration block from the same El País materials — news about deportations, ICE policy, such as the resignation of acting director Todd Lyons — looks in Spain like an internal American agenda. In Venezuela it is a story about the fate of hundreds of thousands of compatriots trying to reach the US via Central America and facing a hardening policy launched under Trump. This produces a double perception: Washington as a source of economic pressure (sanctions, blockade) and as a coveted migration destination where the same people are vulnerable to the deportation machine.

Regionally, Mexico attracts attention. Articles on Claudia Sheinbaum’s cautious line, who must deal with Trump, such as “Sheinbaum busca un golpe de efecto ante un Trump con mil frentes abiertos,” are read in Caracas as a handbook on balancing next to a hegemon: the need to negotiate on migration and trade while trying to preserve some autonomy and to participate in the club of “progressive” governments. In Venezuela some elites compare this to their own situation, but the difference is fundamental: Caracas lacks that degree of economic linkage with the US, so its stance is not complex bargaining but an almost complete turn to Russia, China and Iran and rhetoric of frontal confrontation.

Against this background, the DDIA analysis published by Factchequeado and REDESCover under a headline about narratives around the conflict between the Vatican and the Trump administration (details here) adds an important dimension — the symbolic and informational. Formally it deals with how the Latino audience in the US reacts to the standoff between Pope Leon XIV and the White House, the pope’s criticism of “diplomacy of force” towards Iran, and his refusal to participate in the US’s 250th anniversary celebrations. But for Venezuela this is another stage where moral authority, military hegemony and discourses about war clash.

The image of the pope, who according to DDIA monitoring is unafraid to criticize Trump’s threats to “destroy entire Iranian civilization” and who demonstratively prefers visiting migrants in North Africa to celebrations in Washington, resonates with Venezuela’s anti‑militarist and anti‑interventionist sentiment. In a country where official rhetoric for years has spoken of “hybrid war” and “blockade,” and part of society has experienced real fears of military intervention, any major public actor who publicly counters US militarist discourse is perceived as a potential ally — even if the Vatican is itself critical of the Caracas regime.

Particularly interesting for Venezuelan readers is how DDIA describes the struggle for symbolic leadership in the Christian world. The report shows how right‑wing conservative influencers in Spanish‑language networks try to depict the pope as a “progressive” tied to leftist politicians like David Axelrod while elevating Trump to the status of “true defender of Christianity.” A typical example DDIA cites is influencer Eduardo Menoni’s phrase: “Trump ha hecho más por los cristianos que el papa progre.” For Venezuelan audiences, including migrants familiar with these bloggers’ rhetoric, it is important to see that this line is part of a conscious strategy to reallocate religious loyalty: from the traditional authority of Rome to a charismatic political leader in Washington.

Another episode analyzed by DDIA is the scandal over an AI‑generated image that depicted Trump almost like Christ. In the Spanish‑language sphere this provoked an outcry, including from conservative Catholics such as Mexican actor and activist Eduardo Verástegui. He, remaining politically rightwing, publicly condemned the “blasphemous” image, stressing that there are limits that should not be crossed. For Venezuela, with its deeply rooted popular religiosity, such a reaction is telling: even in circles sympathetic to Trump and to a hard US foreign policy, the sacred remains a red line. This resonates within the Venezuelan spectrum, where both the government and the opposition actively use religious symbolism, but directly equating politicians with the figure of Christ would provoke mass protest.

Through the DDIA lens Venezuelan readers also recognize manipulation methods long used in their own media space. The institute applies Ben Nimmo’s “4D” frame (desprecio, desánimo, distorsionar, distraer — despise, demoralize, distort, distract) to describe how the pope‑Trump conflict is processed: the pope is presented as a weak and illegitimate leader (desprecio), his critique of war is belittled as “politics” (desánimo), the scandalous AI image is retroactively passed off merely as an artistic “portrait” (distorsionar), and discussion of threats to Iran is replaced with talks about the pope’s alleged leftism (distraer). In Venezuela similar schemes are familiar across both pro‑government and opposition propaganda: from accusations of bishops and human‑rights defenders being “agents” to the constant shifting of economic conversation into conspiracy theories.

It is also important that DDIA emphasizes: the battlefield is not only Washington and Rome but Spanish‑language diasporas, including millions of Latin Americans. For Venezuela this is especially sensitive because a significant part of its population now lives abroad and consumes news through the same channels — YouTube, Telegram, WhatsApp, TikTok — where these narratives spread. As a result, world politics — NATO, the war in the Middle East, conflicts between the White House and the Vatican — reaches Venezuelans already highly filtered and polarized, in messages that depict the US alternately as absolute evil and near‑messianic force, and the pope as either the “conscience of the world” or a “leftist agent.”

Bringing together the Memorias de Pez analysis of US dependence on NATO (YouTube video), El País reports on Trump and American policy (materials page) and DDIA’s breakdown of the confrontation between Pope Leon XIV and the Trump administration (DDIA study), the Venezuelan observer gets a coherent picture.

First, NATO functions not only as a military shield but as a framework of US economic and political hegemony that enables projection of force and sanctions far beyond the North Atlantic, all the way to Caracas. Second, presidents like Trump, with their overt demands for allied loyalty and readiness for forceful solutions in the Middle East, confirm for Venezuela a long‑held suspicion: Washington expects submission from the world in exchange for access to markets and security. Third, the battle to interpret these events in Spanish‑language media — from meme images of Trump as “Messiah” to accusations of the pope’s “leftism” — shows that the struggle for the minds of Venezuelans and their diasporas is waged not only in Caracas but also in Miami, Madrid and Washington.

It is in this aggregate that it becomes clear why in Venezuela the US’s dependence on NATO is seen not as a question of “protection” but as a question of hegemony; why sanctions and energy crises in Hormuz are linked in conscience to idle wells in the Orinoco; and why the conflict between the pope and the White House matters not only for Catholics but for understanding what moral and informational barriers might still restrain the use of force in a world where one state still possesses a unique network of bases, alliances and financial levers — and is willing to use them against countries like Venezuela.

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The Future of US–Iran Talks Remains in Doubt

The attention of the international community is focused on Islamabad, where Pakistan is making active efforts to arrange a second round of talks between Washington and Tehran. It was initially planned that US Vice President J.D. Vance and Speaker of the Iranian Parliament Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf would take part in the talks. However, Tehran, through Pakistani intermediaries, informed that it would refuse to send its delegation. US President Donald Trump, in turn, announced an indefinite extension of the ceasefire and postponed his deputy’s visit to Pakistan, casting serious doubt on the fate of the dialogue. In a statement on his platform Truth Social, Trump said he had agreed at Pakistan’s request “to halt our advance on Iran until its leaders and representatives can come up with a unified proposal.”

Diplomatic activity is taking place against rising military tension in the region. Washington has imposed a maritime blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, to which Tehran responded by re-closing this strategically important waterway after just one day of it being open. Naval clashes reached a new level when an Iranian vessel was detained at dawn on Monday. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ismail Bagai warned: “The United States does not learn from its experience, and this will never end well.” Trump, for his part, indicated that ending the ceasefire without an agreement could lead to escalation, saying that “many bombs will start exploding.”

The first possible scenario involves the collapse of the second round of talks, which would mean the failure of the negotiation process even before it resumes. In that case, one or both sides might refuse to return to the negotiating table. Such an outcome could push each country to use alternative means of pressure, including tightening sanctions, diplomatic demarches, or escalatory rhetoric. This would weaken the role of mediators and increase the likelihood of deepening disagreements. Analysts note that such a breakdown would leave the situation unchanged or worsen it, creating the threat of expanded regional clashes.

The second scenario envisages the talks taking place and a temporary agreement or understanding being reached. Pakistan is trying to persuade both sides to agree to multi-day talks that could lead to the signing of a “memorandum of understanding” and an extension of the ceasefire. However, experts warn that such an agreement is unlikely to be final—rather, it would cement the ceasefire and create a common framework for addressing the nuclear issue in exchange for partial easing of sanctions against Tehran. A significant gulf between the parties’ positions remains, especially on uranium enrichment, control of the Strait of Hormuz, and frozen assets, which limits optimism about the possibility of quickly reaching a comprehensive solution.

The third scenario foresees talks taking place without any substantial breakthrough, meaning major disagreements would persist if Washington and Tehran do not make meaningful concessions. Expert Anise Bassiri Tabrizi notes that reaching an agreement would require a radical shift in both sides’ positions, which currently seems unlikely. Trump insists on handing over enriched uranium stockpiles and a complete cessation of all enrichment activities—demands Iran rejects. In response, Ghalibaf warned that Trump “seeks to turn these talks, in his own imagination, into negotiations of surrender or to justify a resumption of military aggression.”

The fourth scenario considers a total failure of the talks and the end of the ceasefire. This outcome would return the region to military escalation with the potential for strikes on critical Iranian infrastructure. Ghalibaf stated: “We have completed preparations to deploy new capabilities on the battlefield,” reflecting Iran’s readiness for military action should diplomacy collapse. Ali Vaez’s analysis shows that the main obstacle remains the question of whether the US is willing to ease pressure enough to give diplomacy credibility, and whether Iran is willing to limit its influence to ensure the continuation of talks. Otherwise, the ceasefire could lead to a large-scale regional escalation.

Commentary on the news

• How does the speaker of parliament (Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf) normally factor into Iran’s foreign policy and negotiations, given that the position is often associated with domestic affairs? - In Iran’s political system the speaker of parliament is formally not responsible for foreign policy, which falls under the Supreme Leader, the Foreign Ministry, and the National Security Council. However, Ghalibaf, as an influential figure with experience in the IRGC and ties to security structures, can make important statements and influence public opinion. His remarks often reflect the position of conservative circles, but they are not Iran’s official negotiating stance.

• Why is Pakistan acting as a mediator between the US and Iran, and what is the historical context of its diplomatic relations with both parties? - Pakistan has unique relations with both countries: with the US as an ally with longstanding military and economic ties, and with Iran as a neighbor with historical, cultural, and religious connections. Islamabad has traditionally maintained neutrality in Middle Eastern conflicts and has channels of communication with both Tehran and Washington. Historically Pakistan has served as a mediator in regional disputes, seeking to reduce tensions on its borders, which aligns with its national security interests.

• What are the historical precedents and strategic calculations behind Iran’s use of control over the Strait of Hormuz as a tool of pressure in international negotiations? - Iran has repeatedly used the threat of closing the Strait of Hormuz (through which about 20% of the world’s oil passes) as a pressure tool since the 1980s. Historical precedents include the “tanker war” during the Iran–Iraq War and threats in response to sanctions in the 2010s. Tehran’s strategic calculation is based on the vulnerability of the world economy to disruptions in oil supplies, which strengthens its negotiating position, especially on nuclear issues and sanctions.

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Full version: الحرب الإيرانية الأمريكية.. 4 سيناريوهات لما سيحدث بمفاوضات باكستان

Interim President of Venezuela Requested $5 Billion from the IMF

The interim president of Venezuela contacted International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva to request access to $5 billion in Special Drawing Rights (SDRs). The funds are planned for restoring infrastructure, improving public utilities, ensuring economic stability, and increasing household incomes. The government has already identified specific projects to use these assets, although many of the country's resources remain blocked abroad due to international sanctions.

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Full version: Presidenta encargada solicita al FMI acceso a 5.000 millones de dólares para servicios e infraestructura

Chaos in Talks with Iran: Trump Loses Control

The British newspaper The Telegraph published a report describing the administration-led peace talks with Iran under President Donald Trump as chaotic and unstable. According to analysts, the American strategy has shifted from a "calculated" military plan to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons to an utter mess dependent on the president's moods. An insider in the administration told the paper: "It seems no one in leadership understands what is happening, what plans exist, or what our end goal is. It's total chaos, and no one is accountable for anything."

The report notes the absence of a clear strategic concept in the White House, where Trump has become isolated from traditional structures that shape policy during conflicts. The president prefers to rely on intuition and a small circle of close aides rather than lengthy National Security Council meetings. He expresses his thoughts through daily social media posts. Every day Trump is shown video clips highlighting the achievements of American forces while omitting military setbacks and difficulties, which creates a rosy picture of the situation on the ground.

Concern is growing within the administration that advisers present the president with a "rosy picture" of the conflict while hiding the real stalemate, White House senior staffer Suzy Wiles told the paper. This manipulation of facts convinced Trump that everything was going according to plan, despite the war not being concluded after 52 days. Analysts believe that the disconnect from battlefield realities only intensifies the chaos and undermines the administration's ability to make measured decisions.

The article also examines the circle of people influencing the president's decisions. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is highlighted as one of the main proponents of continuing the conflict, giving military operations a "religious" cast. According to the analysis, Trump publicly stated that Hegseth "doesn't want the war to end." dissenting voices inside the administration have been muted: J.D. Vance was tasked with conducting peace talks, which distracted him from criticizing the war, and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has kept silent to avoid being fired.

Former national security adviser John Bolton said that "the president now does what he wants," pointing to a weakening of discussion and assessment mechanisms within the administration compared with earlier periods. This impunity in decision-making has driven the White House into a state of panic, as officials realized that Europeans would not intervene to save the situation. As a result, Trump began whispering to close aides that "he no longer wants to deal with this" and is seeking a quick way out, reflecting growing frustration. Although the president announced the extension of a ceasefire thanks to Pakistan's mediation, negotiations remain at an impasse. The report questions the ability of an "unorganized" administration to resolve the crisis, suggesting that internal chaos and impulsive decisions may only exacerbate the conflict.

Comments on the news

• How do Iran's official demands and red lines at the nuclear negotiations read? - Iran officially demands the full lifting of all sanctions, recognition of the right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes (including levels up to 60% or higher) and guarantees of non-interference by the US in its internal affairs. Red lines include refusal of inspections of military nuclear sites (for example, military bases) and the inadmissibility of restrictions on nuclear technology development after the expiration of agreements.
• What role does Pakistan play in mediating between the US and Iran, given its own relations with both countries? - Pakistan acts as an informal mediator, using its close ties with Saudi Arabia (a US ally) and Iran (through the Shiite minority and trade interests). Its role is to relay messages, reduce tensions and promote dialogue, although its own relations with the US are complicated by counterterrorism issues, and with Iran — by Sunni-Shia differences.
• What factors influence decision-making within Iran's leadership in the context of talks with the US? - Major factors include the position of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei (the final word), pressure from conservative factions in the parliament, economic sanctions and social protests, as well as geopolitical considerations (for example, relations with Russia and China). The internal struggle between supporters of pragmatic dialogue (President Pezheshkian) and the hardline camp (the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) also strongly influences decisions.

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Full version: فوضى التفاوض.. كواليس التخبط الأمريكي في مفاوضات إيران

U.S. Military-Information Operation off Iran's Coast

Since mid-April, the United States has significantly increased its naval and air presence near Iran’s coast, deploying a large task force that includes aircraft carriers, guided-missile destroyers, amphibious ships and attack helicopters. This major move, accompanied by thousands of service members, coincided with a period of rising political tension between Washington and Tehran over talks and maritime security in strategic sea corridors.

The group included ships such as the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln, the destroyers Pinckney, Michael Murphy and others. According to military experts like retired Major General Samir Faraj, this show of force should be seen not only as a military action but also as a psychological operation. Its goal is “moral deterrence” by demonstrating the ability to inflict significant damage, as well as sending a dual signal about readiness to tighten a naval blockade and escalate the situation if necessary.

Alongside the military movements, an unprecedented information campaign unfolded on the social network X (formerly Twitter). The official account of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) published tens of thousands of posts between April 17 and 20, garnering millions of views. Notably, the vast majority of the content (about 67%) were reposts rather than original messages, indicating a strategy of amplifying a particular narrative. The key message asserted “complete control” and that “no vessel managed to break through.”

U.S. messages actively promoted the claim that the naval blockade resulted in the “complete halt of economic trade to and from Iran.” However, there is no independent data confirming such categorical statements about economic impact. Experts believe the real aim may be less immediate economic pressure and more the creation of a perception of Iran’s total maritime isolation, which itself exerts psychological pressure and affects the investment climate.

Washington also seeks to give its actions the appearance of international legitimacy, framing the blockade in rhetoric of “freedom of navigation” and “neutral application of rules to all vessels.” This discursive shift is intended to reduce the stigma of direct military escalation and to signal to other countries that they are not specific targets. In practice, this is accompanied by continuous exercises, demonstrations of readiness for amphibious landings and close-quarters combat, underscoring the task force’s constant combat readiness.

Despite the information noise, there is no convincing evidence or independent reports confirming large-scale Iranian attempts to break the blockade or a complete halt of shipping tied to Iran. This calls into question the completeness and objectivity of the picture presented by the American side. Politically, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed hope for a “fair agreement” with Tehran, warning that a refusal to negotiate would lead to “unprecedented problems.” It is reported that the Iranian negotiating team received the supreme leader’s approval to enter talks before the two-week ceasefire expires.

Comments on the news

• What specific strategic sea corridors off Iran’s coast are key for world trade and security? - The most important is the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20–30% of global oil shipments pass. This narrow passage connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and is critical to global energy security. Also significant are sea routes in the Gulf of Oman and approaches to Iranian ports such as Bandar Abbas and Chabahar.

• Who is Major General Samir Faraj and what is his role in the Iranian military-expert community? - Major General Samir Faraj is a senior officer of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). He appears as a military analyst and security expert, frequently commenting on regional military issues and Iran’s strategy. His role includes threat analysis and advising on defense policy.

• What is the Iranian negotiating team, and what is the usual procedure for it to obtain approval from the supreme leader? - The Iranian negotiating team is a special group of diplomats and experts formed to conduct important international negotiations (for example, on the nuclear program). The usual procedure includes: 1) obtaining a mandate from the Supreme National Security Council, 2) coordinating “red lines” with leadership, 3) presenting the negotiation plan to the Supreme Leader through the appropriate channels, 4) receiving final approval before beginning negotiations and providing regular reports during the process.

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Full version: استعراض عسكري أمريكي حول السواحل الإيرانية على"إكس" قبل انتهاء الهدنة

Venezuelan Women Protest Racist Attacks on Acting President

Venezuelan women held a protest in Caracas to express support for Acting President Delcy Rodríguez and to condemn racist insults directed at her by a Venezuelan singer in Madrid on April 18. Participants at the rally unanimously rejected hate speech and racial discrimination, calling the attacks an insult to the dignity of all Venezuelan women, and urged the international community to stop such assaults that threaten national sovereignty and the country's democratic stability.

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Full version: Mujeres venezolanas exigen en Caracas respeto para la presidenta (E) tras agresión racista en Madrid

US-Iran talks on brink over mutual threats

Amid a temporary ceasefire that expires on Wednesday, negotiations between the United States and Iran are shrouded in deep uncertainty. Speaker of the Iranian parliament Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Tehran "will not accept talks under the pressure of threats" and is ready to "reveal new cards on the battlefield," reflecting a hardening of the country's stance. The first round of talks in Islamabad more than a week ago produced no results, heightening fears of a new military confrontation.

For his part, US President Donald Trump ruled out extending the truce if no deal is reached, and threatened strikes on Iran's energy sector and civilian infrastructure. Despite this, Washington said it intends to send a negotiating delegation to Islamabad headed by Vice President J. D. Vance. A White House representative, asserting that the sides are "closer than ever to a good deal," also emphasized that Trump has other options and will not hesitate to use them.

Iran officially denied reports that its delegation had arrived in the Pakistani capital. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that the "provocative and threatening rhetoric of the US" creates a serious obstacle to the diplomatic process, and Tehran will carefully assess the situation before determining its next step. Iran's ambassador to Pakistan noted that a country with a "great civilization" will not negotiate at gunpoint, calling this a fundamental Islamic and religious principle.

Pakistan, the host country, is taking intensive diplomatic and security measures in anticipation of a possible arrival of delegations. Pakistan's foreign minister urged his Iranian counterpart to resume dialogue to strengthen regional peace. At the same time, commenting on the nuclear component of a possible deal, Trump said that Iranian nuclear materials would ultimately be handed over to the US, and described past strikes on Iranian facilities as "Operation 'Midnight Hammer'," referring to a series of air strikes.

Thus, the situation remains extremely tense on the eve of the truce's expiration. Contradictory signals from Washington combine with Tehran's tough, principled position of refusing to negotiate under pressure. The stakes are extremely high: the failure of diplomacy threatens the immediate resumption of military action and a large-scale escalation of the conflict in the region.

Comments on the story

• What is Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf’s political role in the Iranian power system beyond the position of parliament speaker? - In addition to being the speaker of the parliament (Majles), Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf is an influential pragmatic politician within Iran's conservative camp. He is a former commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) during the Iran–Iraq War, a former mayor of Tehran (2005–2017) and a multiple-time presidential candidate. Ghalibaf is considered one of the key "managers" of the system, closely connected to the security forces and business circles, and is often viewed as a potential contender for higher office. His role extends beyond legislative power, including influence over domestic and economic policy.
• Why was Islamabad chosen as the venue for US-Iran talks, given Pakistan’s complicated relations with both countries? - Islamabad could have been chosen as neutral ground for indirect or secret talks, since Pakistan maintains diplomatic relations with both Iran and the US despite periodic tensions. Pakistan has historically acted as a mediator in regional conflicts, has geographical proximity to Iran, and both sides may consider it a relatively safe location for contacts in the absence of direct diplomatic relations between Tehran and Washington.
• What is "Operation 'Midnight Hammer'," to which Trump referred, and what was its context in US-Iran relations? - Operation "Midnight Hammer" (Midnight Hammer) was a cyber operation carried out by the United States against Iran, likely in response to aggressive Iranian actions such as attacks on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz or the downing of a US drone in 2019. The context is an escalation of tensions under the Trump administration after the US withdrawal from the nuclear deal (JCPOA) in 2018. The operation was part of a broader "cyber war," in which the US used cyber tools to disrupt Iranian infrastructure (for example, missile control systems or propaganda networks), seeking to apply pressure without direct military conflict.

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Full version: إيران ترفض المفاوضات تحت التهديد وترمب يستبعد تمديد الهدنة

Iran Responds to US Power with "Swarms of Mosquitoes" Tactic in the Strait of Hormuz

The US Navy holds overwhelming technological superiority in the Persian Gulf, fielding modern destroyers such as the Frank E. Petersen and the Michael Murphy. These ships, over 155 meters long and costing more than $2 billion each, carry roughly 96 guided missiles for engaging air, surface and land targets. However, this powerful air and missile defense system is not invulnerable to all threats, which drives potential adversaries to seek asymmetric responses.

One such response from the Islamic Republic of Iran has been a tactic known as "swarms of mosquitoes." It involves the mass employment of fast attack craft that, like persistent insects, are intended to disorganize and exhaust the defenses of a larger adversary. These craft, including the Zolfikar, Seraj and Tufan models, are based at more than ten coastal bases, as well as in fortified caves and on strategic islands such as Farur in the Strait of Hormuz, enabling covert and sudden attacks.

Each boat is equipped with weapons designed for engagement at various ranges. Their arsenal includes heavy machine guns for close combat, multiple-rocket launch systems, anti-ship missiles with ranges up to 100 kilometers, and light torpedoes. In addition, Iranian forces actively employ strike drones with ranges up to 50 km, as well as capabilities for laying naval mines and using explosive-laden suicide boats.

The tactical aim of the "swarms of mosquitoes" is less about physically destroying costly American destroyers than about disrupting and wearing them down. Simultaneous attacks by many small, fast and diversely armed targets overload the defenses of large ships, which cannot physically cover all vessels in a narrow strait at once. This creates vulnerabilities that Iranian forces seek to exploit.

Operations take place within a so-called "danger zone" about six nautical miles wide, declared by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). In the confined and busy waters of the Strait of Hormuz, even the threat of an attack on a single vessel or its damage can trigger widespread panic and seriously disrupt international shipping. The use of mines, drones and suicide boats makes any potential confrontation extremely difficult to counter and prolongs the economic consequences of any incident, putting pressure on global trade.

Comments on the news

• What role does the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps play within Iran’s armed forces and why does it control key operations in the Strait of Hormuz? - The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is Iran’s elite military force, established after the 1979 revolution and reporting directly to the Supreme Leader. Unlike the regular army (Artesh), the IRGC is responsible for protecting the Islamic system and has its own structure, including naval forces. The IRGC controls operations in the Strait of Hormuz because the strait is of critical strategic importance to Iran, and the IRGC possesses specialized units and tactics for asymmetric warfare in confined maritime spaces.

• Why do Farur Island and other fortified bases in the strait hold such strategic importance for Iran’s “swarms of mosquitoes” doctrine? - Farur Island and similar bases serve as key footholds for implementing the “swarms of mosquitoes” doctrine — an asymmetric strategy based on using numerous small, fast and mobile units (such as fast attack craft and drones). These bases allow Iran to control choke points in the strait, rapidly deploy forces and pose a threat to larger ships of potential adversaries, leveraging surprise and local superiority.

• What is the legal status and practical effect of the “danger zone” declared by the IRGC in the Strait of Hormuz under international maritime law? - Under international maritime law, in particular the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the Strait of Hormuz is an international strait where the right of transit passage applies. Iran’s declaration of a “danger zone” has no legal recognition internationally and is regarded by many countries as a unilateral action. Practical consequences include increased risks to shipping, the potential for incidents, and a need for international vessels to consider Iranian warnings, although formally they are not obliged to comply with such unilateral restrictions in international waters.

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Full version: "أسراب البعوض" الإيراني.. ما هو وكيف يربك المدمرات الأمريكية؟"

Venezuela condemns racist remarks against the vice president

The Embassy of Venezuela in Spain issued an official statement condemning the offensive and racist remarks made by singer Carlos Baute toward the acting president of the country, Delcy Rodríguez. The incident occurred during a public event in Madrid. Venezuelan diplomats called the words an "unacceptable expression of hate speech" and condemned any attempts to use public space to spread such messages. In a statement distributed by Foreign Minister Ivan Gil, it was emphasized that such expressions constitute a direct aggression against the foundations of Venezuelan identity.

Venezuela described itself as a deeply mestizo nation, formed at the intersection of Indigenous, African, and European roots, where diversity is the ethical basis of society. Particular outrage was caused by the fact that the insults, including a racist comparison to a monkey, were directed at a woman politician, which represents a form of political violence based on misogyny and racism. The Embassy apologized to the Spanish people, well acquainted with the horrors of fascism and hate crimes, and reaffirmed Venezuela's commitment to the universal values of equality, respect, and justice, where diversity is viewed as a richness rather than a reason for discrimination.

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Full version: Venezuela rechaza declaraciones racistas de Carlos Baute en contra de la presidenta encargada Delcy Rodríguez

US–Iran talks: last chance before new escalation

Uncertainty shrouds the so‑called "last-chance talks" between the US and Iran scheduled to take place in Islamabad. The situation has been complicated by the US seizure of the Iranian cargo vessel Tosca and the resumption of mutual threats, calling into question whether a second round of talks will even proceed. Iran insists that the lifting of the maritime blockade is a prerequisite for returning to the negotiating table, adding tension and ambiguity to the conflict-resolution process.

Iran enters the talks relying on several key leverage points. Strategically important is control of the Strait of Hormuz, which Tehran could close in response to sanctions, an action that would immediately affect global energy prices. Other significant cards include an advanced nuclear program with large stocks of enriched uranium and demonstrated military resilience, evidenced during the recent conflict. In addition, Iran is pushing to include Lebanon in a ceasefire agreement and to unfreeze its overseas assets.

On its side, the US is betting on military deterrence and economic pressure. The American administration continues to increase its military presence in the region, threatening to resume full-scale combat if talks fail. The maritime blockade of Iranian ports and the pursuit of vessels linked to Iran have become practical instruments of that pressure. Washington is also seeking the support of international allies to strengthen its diplomatic position in pursuit of a settlement.

The escalation has manifested in concrete actions: the Pentagon announced it would pursue any vessels flying the Iranian flag, and the seizure of the Tosca en route to Bandar Abbas became a vivid example of a tightened maritime blockade. However, experts warn that maintaining such a large-scale blockade alone entails enormous operational and political difficulties in the long term. There are concerns that this strategy could lead not to a settlement but to a protracted war of attrition.

The central and most difficult point of disagreement remains Iran’s nuclear program. The US insists on a complete halt to uranium enrichment, dismantling of key facilities, and removal of stocks of highly enriched uranium from the country. Iran firmly rejects these demands, saying it will never hand over its uranium, especially to the US. Iran’s stocks, estimated at roughly 440 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60%, are a red line for Washington and the main point of contention.

The first round of talks in Islamabad ended without any visible results. In light of the recent escalation and fundamental disagreements over the nuclear issue, the prospects for a second round look murky. There are growing fears that if diplomacy fails once more, the current fragile truce will collapse and the region will be on the brink of a new, even more dangerous round of conflict.

Comments on the story

• Why is control of the Strait of Hormuz such a powerful lever for Iran, and how does it affect the global economy beyond oil prices? - The Strait of Hormuz is a critically important global maritime route through which about 30% of the world’s seaborne oil shipments pass. Iran’s control over this narrow passage gives it the ability to threaten to cut off energy flows, which can trigger an immediate shock in global markets. Beyond oil prices, this affects global supply chains, the cost of maritime shipping and insurance, and can spur inflation and economic instability in energy-dependent countries, especially in Asia and Europe.
• What is the historical and political context of Iran’s demand to include Lebanon in a ceasefire agreement, and which groups in Lebanon are linked to Tehran? - The demand reflects Iran’s strategy of protecting its regional allies, viewing them as part of a unified resistance front. Historically, Iran has supported the Lebanese Shiite group Hezbollah since the 1980s, providing it with military, financial, and ideological backing. Hezbollah is the most powerful political-military force in Lebanon and a key partner of Tehran in the so‑called "axis of resistance," which also includes the Syrian government and Palestinian groups. Including Lebanon in the talks is Iran’s way of securing this strategic asset.
• Why was Islamabad chosen for the talks, and what role does Pakistan traditionally play in US–Iran diplomatic relations? - Islamabad often serves as a neutral mediator or venue for dialogue because it maintains working relations with both Washington and Tehran. Pakistan has historical, cultural, and religious ties with Iran, but it is also a long-standing US partner in the region. This dual position allows it to function as a diplomatic channel, especially when direct contacts between the US and Iran are difficult. Pakistan traditionally seeks to reduce regional tensions, as stability directly affects its own security.

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Full version: مباحثات "الفرصة الأخيرة".. ما أوراق القوة التفاوضية لدى طهران وواشنطن؟

US–Iran Nuclear Talks: Fragile Balance, Deep Divisions

The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, according to the Financial Times, is seeking to resume diplomatic dialogue with Iran over its nuclear program after a serious military escalation between the sides. Initial contacts were partially positive, but trust between Washington and Tehran remains extremely fragile. The core of the conflict lies in fundamentally different approaches: the U.S. demands a guaranteed and permanent renunciation by Iran of the ability to develop nuclear weapons, while Iran insists on its sovereign right to develop peaceful nuclear energy under the Nuclear Non‑Proliferation Treaty.

One of the most sensitive issues is Iran’s stockpiles of uranium enriched to levels close to weapons grade. The Trump administration insists on their complete elimination, calling them "nuclear dust." Iran categorically rejects such a step, viewing these stockpiles as an element of strategic deterrence and an important lever of pressure the country previously did not have. Disagreements also concern the fate of key nuclear facilities: the U.S. calls for their full dismantlement, while Iran wants to retain the main infrastructure.

The parties are trying to find technical compromises, such as temporarily freezing enrichment levels or reducing them instead of a total renunciation. However, even in these proposals there is a huge gulf in approaches to timing. Washington demands long‑term restrictions, stretched over decades, to rule out the possibility of a rapid restart of the program. Tehran offers much shorter periods, seeking to preserve scientific and technical sovereignty and capability. These intermediate options may ease tensions but do not resolve the fundamental political dispute.

The situation is complicated by problems with international monitoring, since the IAEA’s inspection capabilities were limited, which led to the loss of some information about the program and reduced verification reliability. In addition, the personal factor plays a significant role: Trump’s impulsive and unpredictable style sharply contrasts with the cautious, measured, and patient approach of Iranian leadership. This difference in negotiation styles creates additional doubts about the possibility of building the mutual trust necessary for a large‑scale deal.

Thus, the negotiation process reflects a fragile balance: both sides recognize the danger of further escalation and the need for dialogue, but their positions remain far apart. Trump seeks to clinch an agreement that can be presented as an achievement surpassing the 2015 deal. Iran tries to secure concrete benefits without making major strategic concessions. In the end, the path remains open between a limited diplomatic breakthrough, the preservation of the current deadlock, and a potential return to confrontation.

Comments on the news

• Which specific nuclear facilities in Iran does the U.S. consider most problematic and why do they demand their dismantlement? - The U.S. is particularly concerned about the underground enrichment site at Fordow, the facility at Natanz, and the heavy‑water reactor at Arak. Fordow raises concerns because of its protected underground location, Natanz as the main uranium enrichment center, and Arak because it can produce plutonium. The U.S. believes these facilities could be used to create nuclear weapons and demands their dismantlement or substantial modification.

• How have restrictions on IAEA inspectors’ work in Iran affected the reliability of information about the country’s nuclear program? - Restrictions on IAEA access imposed by Iran have reduced the ability to independently verify nuclear sites. This created "information gaps" and decreased the international community’s confidence in the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program. The IAEA has repeatedly reported insufficient cooperation from Iran.

• What were the main disagreements over the 2015 deal that led to its revision under the Trump administration? - The Trump administration considered the deal insufficiently effective due to "sunset provisions" (temporary limits), the lack of restrictions on Iran’s missile program, and limited ability to inspect military sites. Critics also pointed to the retention of parts of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and insufficient attention to Iran’s regional policies.

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Full version: فايننشال تايمز: هل يستطيع ترمب أخيرا إبرام اتفاق نووي مع إيران؟

Venezuelan opposition urges US to unblock oil and gold revenues

Bernabé Gutiérrez, secretary general of Venezuela's largest opposition party Democratic Action, called on the country's citizens to unite in demanding that the United States release the funds obtained from the sale of Venezuelan oil and gold so that the money can be transferred to the state treasury to address urgent socio-economic problems. The politician made his statement ahead of a nationwide march under the slogan "For a Venezuela without sanctions and at peace," stressing that, despite many years of negative consequences from the rupture in relations with the US, there remains hope in the country for normalization.

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Full version: Bernabé Gutiérrez: Tenemos que pedir a EEUU que libere el flujo de la venta de petróleo

Iran Accuses Trump of Denying Nuclear Rights, Tightens Control over the Strait of Hormuz

President of Iran Масуд Пежшкиан sharply criticized former US President Donald Trump, saying he has no grounds to deny Iran its legitimate nuclear rights. Пежшкиан emphasized that the Islamic Republic seeks peace and stability in the region, acts solely in self-defense, and has no territorial ambitions toward neighboring countries it considers brothers. He also condemned Trump’s threats to “return Iran to the Stone Age,” calling them a vivid example of aggressive intentions toward his country.

Despite some progress in talks, Speaker of the Iranian Parliament Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said that achieving a final peace agreement with the US remains “far off.” He claims that it was Iran’s steadfastness on the battlefield that forced the Trump administration to request a ceasefire. This rhetoric reflects Tehran’s official position, which refuses to accept Washington’s unilateral conditions, especially regarding the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.

As a lever of pressure, Iran has introduced new rules for transit through the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20% of the world’s oil traffic passes. Under the new protocol, priority is given to vessels that promptly comply with the rules and pay new security fees. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned that any attempt to transit the strait without permission will be regarded as cooperation with the enemy, and the violating vessel will become a target. This gives Tehran significant control over the key shipping route.

Earlier, Tehran had announced the opening of the strait after a temporary truce between Israel and Hezbollah, but then withdrew that decision when Trump insisted on maintaining a naval blockade of Iranian ports until a final deal was reached. Trump himself, on one hand, called talks with Iran “very good,” and on the other warned against attempts to “blackmail” the US and threatened to resume bombings if a long-term agreement is not achieved.

Ghalibaf retorted that movement through the Strait of Hormuz “will definitely remain limited” until the US lifts the blockade, stressing that Tehran will not reopen this trade route without that condition. Thus, the situation demonstrates a deep contradiction: Washington blends negotiating signals with threats, demanding a deal, while Tehran, in turn, uses control over the strait as a strategic trump card to achieve its main goal — the lifting of sanctions.

News Commentary

• What specific role does the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) play in controlling the Strait of Hormuz and in Iranian politics overall? - The IRGC, as an elite military formation, is directly responsible for the security of the Strait of Hormuz — a critically important global oil route. This gives Iran a strategic lever of influence. Within the country, the IRGC is not just an army but a powerful politico-economic institution subordinate directly to the Supreme Leader. It controls key sectors of the economy, security services, and plays a decisive role in shaping domestic and foreign policy, acting as a stronghold of revolutionary ideology.

• What is meant by Iran’s “nuclear rights,” referred to by President Пежшкиан, and why are they the subject of international dispute? - By “nuclear rights” Iran means its inalienable right, as a signatory of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), to develop the full range of a peaceful nuclear program, including uranium enrichment. International disputes, primarily with Western countries and the IAEA, arise from concerns that under the guise of a peaceful program Iran could be working toward developing nuclear weapons. Sanctions and restrictions are imposed to make a potential shift to a military program more difficult, while Iran insists on its sovereign right to technological development.

• What are the historical and current relations between Iran and Hezbollah, and how does this connection affect regional dynamics, including the truce mentioned in the article? - Relations between Iran and Hezbollah were formed after the 1979 Islamic Revolution and are based on shared Shia ideology and opposition to Israel and the US. Iran is the main political, financial, military, and ideological patron of this Lebanese organization. This connection makes Hezbollah a key element of Iran’s influence strategy in the Middle East (the “axis of resistance”). Any regional truce or escalation (for example, between Israel and Hezbollah) is directly coordinated with Tehran, giving Iran a powerful tool of deterrence and negotiation, but also increasing the risk of being drawn into a wider conflict.

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Full version: بزشكيان: لا يحق لترمب منع إيران من حقوقها النووية

A Warning Against Complacency in Times of Prosperity

People who become accustomed to prosperity and security often do not expect sudden changes in their lives. And although at the moment, by God's mercy, we still live in great well‑being and stability, a prudent person should not ignore signs of significant events on the horizon. Such neglect contradicts the very essence of foresight and readiness for possible trials.

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Full version: الجزيرة نت

Venezuela to invest IMF-unfrozen funds in infrastructure

Acting President of Venezuela Delcy Rodríguez announced the restoration of the country's rights and assets at the International Monetary Fund, calling it a significant diplomatic victory. The funds will be immediately directed to the rehabilitation of critical infrastructure, including power systems, water supply and medical facilities. The statement was made on April 17 during an official event dedicated to National Cuatro Day — a traditional Venezuelan musical instrument.

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Full version: Venezuela recupera derechos y activos congelados en el FMI: Presidenta encargada anuncia inversión en sistema eléctrico, agua y hospitales

Iran's "Mosquito Fleet": A New Threat in the Strait of Hormuz

In the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant portion of the world's oil passes, tension remains constant. While international attention focuses on large warships, Iran is developing a so‑called "mosquito fleet" — an unconventional force of high‑speed boats and drones capable of changing the rules of the game in the region. This tactic represents a serious threat with consequences that are difficult to predict.

The Iranian fleet consists of hundreds of small high‑speed boats capable of exceeding 185 km/h, and inexpensive drones. They are designed to operate in narrow waters where large ships cannot maneuver. Instead of conventional naval tactics, Iranian forces employ an approach reminiscent of "maritime guerrilla warfare," based on rapid attacks and wearing down the enemy. As retired Admiral Gary Roughead noted, this fleet remains an "undermining force" whose plans and intentions are hard to predict.

Modern Iranian tactics were shaped by lessons from the Iran–Iraq War of the 1980s, when Tehran realized it could not confront the U.S. Navy in open battle. Iran shifted to a strategy of pursuit and attrition rather than conventional engagements, focusing on asymmetric and mobile attacks. Expert Said Jolkar confirms that "the IRGC Navy operates more like a gang at sea... it focuses on unequal warfare, relying on quick strikes instead of classic naval battles."

To support this fleet, Iran has built at least 10 fortified bases hidden in deep caves dug into the rocky coastline. These bases make it extremely difficult to eliminate capabilities with air strikes and provide refuge for boats and drones. Analyst Farzin Nadimi notes that "the IRGC Navy has always considered itself on the front line of confrontation with the 'Great Satan' (the U.S.)," which explains the hardline combat doctrine of its roughly 50,000 fighters.

Merchant ships are the most vulnerable to attack because they lack effective defenses against small boats and drones. Even U.S. warships avoid prolonged presence in the strait due to its narrowness and the speed of threats. Cheap drones can shift the balance of power — a "low‑cost drone" can damage a destroyer worth billions of dollars, pushing American ships to remain in the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman, out of range. This "invisible fleet" shows that U.S. military superiority is not an absolute victory, and Iran still possesses effective tools to disrupt one of the world's most important sea lanes at low cost and high impact.

Comments on the story

• What is the organizational structure and chain of command between the regular Iranian Navy and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy, and how does this affect operations in the Strait of Hormuz? - Iran has two separate naval structures: the Navy of the Army (regular navy) and the IRGC Navy. Both report to the Joint Staff of the Armed Forces, which in turn is accountable to the Supreme Leader. In practice there is a division of responsibilities: the IRGC Navy predominantly handles operations in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz using asymmetric tactics, while the regular navy is more focused on operations in the Gulf of Oman and the open ocean. This split allows Iran to employ different tactics effectively in the narrow strait, where the IRGC’s small fast boats have an advantage, but it can create difficulties in coordinating joint operations.

• What specific types of high‑speed boats and drones make up the core of Iran’s "mosquito fleet," and how much of this equipment is domestically produced versus modified foreign technology? - The core of Iran’s "mosquito fleet" includes fast attack boats such as the Tondar and Peykan, equipped with missiles, as well as unmanned attack boats like Shahid. Among sea drones, strike UAVs such as the Shahed‑136 (also known as Geran‑2) and reconnaissance models stand out. Much of this equipment is produced domestically by Iran’s defense industry, but many systems were originally based on foreign technologies (for example Chinese or North Korean) that have been adapted, upgraded, and localized over recent decades, especially after international sanctions were imposed.

• How have the geographic features of Iran’s rocky coast along the Strait of Hormuz influenced the choice of sites for these hidden cave bases, and how vulnerable are they to modern reconnaissance systems? - The rocky coastline formed by the Zagros mountain foothills provides natural caves and opportunities to create artificial underground facilities. This allows bases, ammunition depots, and shelters for boats to be masked from satellite observation and aerial reconnaissance. While such bases are resilient to conventional strikes due to the thickness of the rock, modern reconnaissance systems (synthetic aperture radar satellites, signals intelligence, maritime activity monitoring) can detect signs of their use, such as vessel movement on approaches or thermal signatures. Therefore, their concealment is not absolute, but it significantly complicates an adversary’s task of detection and precise targeting.

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Full version: لماذا يمثل "أسطول البعوض" الإيراني تهديدا خطيرا في مضيق هرمز؟

American aircraft carrier off Iran’s coast amid maritime blockade

The American aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln entered the Arabian Sea, coinciding with the fourth day of the maritime blockade of Iranian ports announced by the United States. US Central Command did not disclose the final destination of the carrier strike group but said it moved from the Pacific Ocean and the South China Sea to the southern approaches of the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman. These movements were accompanied by the release of audio recordings from the destroyer USS Michael Murphy and video of a helicopter tracking a merchant vessel as part of the blockade measures.

Although US Central Command officially denies establishing a blockade in the Strait of Hormuz itself, it confirmed the participation of more than 10,000 service members, 12 ships and 100 aircraft in an operation to restrict access to Iranian ports within territorial waters. This contradictory wording—between denial and practical statements—indicates confirmation of the US military presence and operations monitoring maritime traffic off Iran’s coast. The statement stresses that US forces are at heightened readiness and intend to continue measures "as long as necessary."

According to the command, the maritime blockade is aimed at vessels attempting to enter or leave Iranian ports. In the 72 hours since the operation began, 14 ships were forced to turn back in accordance with the restriction. Published documentary materials, including recordings and photographs of merchant ships being redirected, reflect the practical implementation of the announced maritime restrictions. These actions occur against the backdrop of a large-scale buildup of US naval and air forces in the region.

Tehran, for its part, views Washington’s actions as a violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Iran’s permanent representative to the UN, Amir Saeed Iravani, called the attempts to establish a blockade "a clear and illegal act of aggression." He said that Russia’s and China’s objections to a resolution concerning the Strait of Hormuz are "justified and necessary," calling for the US to be held accountable for the blockade’s consequences for regional and international peace and security. Iravani emphasized that durable stability in the strait and the region can be achieved only by ending "aggression" and respecting Iran’s legitimate rights and interests.

The escalation comes amid the failure of talks between the parties in Islamabad, which ended last week without an agreement to end the conflict or confirmation of an extension of the two-week ceasefire from April 8. The failure of the talks and the increased military presence indicate deepening disagreements and a higher likelihood of confrontation or prolonged maritime pressure. In this context, attention is focused on international and regional reactions and the likelihood of further developments in the strategically important Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman.

Comments on the news

• What are the main Iranian ports in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman most vulnerable to a maritime blockade and why are they strategically important? - The most vulnerable are Bandar Abbas (the largest commercial and military port at the Strait of Hormuz), Asaluyeh (a key liquefied natural gas export hub) and Chabahar (a strategic port in the Gulf of Oman providing an alternative route bypassing the Strait of Hormuz). Their strategic importance is linked to Iran’s economic dependence on oil and gas exports through these ports, as well as the IRGC’s military presence to control sea lanes.
• Who is Amir Saeed Iravani and what is his role in shaping Iranian foreign policy, especially toward the US and the UN? - Amir Saeed Iravani is Iran’s permanent representative to the United Nations. His role is to present and defend Iran’s official positions at the UN, including issues related to US sanctions, the nuclear program and regional security. He operates within the foreign policy line set by the Supreme Leader and the Iranian government.
• What did the "two-week ceasefire from April 8" refer to, between which parties was it concluded and for what reasons? - The two-week ceasefire from April 8 likely refers to a temporary halt to hostilities in a regional conflict, for example between Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen and the Saudi-led coalition. It may have been agreed upon through UN or other mediation to reduce tensions, provide humanitarian corridors, or prepare for longer-term peace talks.

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Full version: حاملة الطائرات لينكولن تعبر بحر العرب وإيران تدعو لمحاسبة أمريكا على الحصار

Venezuela Calls for March Against U.S. Sanctions

Acting President of Venezuela Delsi Rodríguez called on citizens to take part in the "Great National March," which will begin on April 19, demanding that the United States lift the unilateral and, in Caracas's view, illegal sanctions against the country. Rodríguez described the action as a march for a "Venezuela of peace, dialogue and free of sanctions," aimed at uniting various social forces regardless of their political or religious views. The event is being positioned as an act affirming national sovereignty and social stability, intended to loudly register a protest against external pressure.

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Full version: Presidenta encargada convoca a participar en peregrinación para exigir cese de sanciones

Public Opinion in Israel: Expecting War with Iran and Political Shifts

According to a weekly poll conducted by the Lazar Institute for the newspaper Ma'ariv, an overwhelming majority of Israelis (62%) believe their country will resume hostilities against Iran in the near future. Only 24% hold the opposite view, while 14% were undecided. At the same time, public opinion is divided on the possibility of a peace agreement with Lebanon: 37% believe it is possible, the same share doubts it, and 26% have not decided.

The poll also revealed significant changes on the domestic political scene. It is forecast that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's ruling coalition could shrink to 49 seats in the Knesset, while opposition forces would gain 61 seats. Arab parties, according to estimates, will increase their representation to 10 seats. Netanyahu's Likud party stabilized at 25 mandates, while the Bennett 2026 party led by Naftali Bennett strengthened to 24 seats.

Another survey, conducted by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, showed that about two-thirds of Israelis oppose a ceasefire with Iran. At the same time, 39% of respondents believe Israel should continue attacks, while 41% support observing a truce. Concurrently, Netanyahu's personal popularity has declined: where at the start of the war 40% saw him as the best prime minister, that share has now fallen to 34%.

Against the backdrop of these sentiments, fragile ceasefires continue to be in effect. A two-week halt in hostilities between the US, Israel and Iran brokered with Pakistani mediation expires on Wednesday. At the same time, a 10-day truce between Israel and the Lebanese group Hezbollah has come into force. These agreements, however, remain unstable and underscore the need to seek diplomatic solutions to contain escalation.

Overall, the poll results reflect a deep split in Israeli society on key foreign policy and security issues. The expectation of a new phase of conflict with Iran is combined with domestic political instability, a redistribution of power in parliament, and waning trust in the current leadership amid ongoing regional tensions.

Comments on the news

• What role do Arab parties usually play in Israel's political system and the Knesset? - Arab parties in Israel represent the interests of the Arab-Israeli minority (about 20% of the population). In the Knesset (the Israeli parliament) they typically act as opposition, focusing on issues of civil equality, Palestinian rights and regional security. Their role is often balancing in a fragmented political system where their votes are sometimes needed to form a coalition government, although they rarely formally join ruling coalitions.
• What is the Bennett 2026 party and what is its political platform, especially regarding Iran? - "Bennett 2026" is a political initiative associated with Naftali Bennett, former prime minister of Israel (2021–2022). The group's platform generally reflects center-right and nationalist views, emphasizing security, economic liberalism and a tough stance toward regional threats. On Iran, it typically advocates a hardline approach to Iran's nuclear program and support for sanctions, viewing Iran as the main security threat to Israel.
• What is the historical context and usual role of Pakistan as a mediator in regional conflicts, particularly between Israel and Iran? - Historically, Pakistan has played a limited role as a mediator in Middle Eastern conflicts, largely due to its ties with Arab states and with Iran (although relations with Iran have often been strained). It is not a regular mediator between Israel and Iran, as it has no diplomatic relations with Israel and usually adopts a pro-Palestinian stance. However, Pakistan has sometimes functioned as a channel for informal communication on regional issues, relying on its strategic position and connections.

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Full version: استطلاع: ثلثا الإسرائيليين يتوقعون عودة الحرب على إيران

Strait of Hormuz Blockade: Tensions Rise Amid Restricted Shipping

On the fourth day of the U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports, the situation in the strategically important Strait of Hormuz remains tense. The United States is tightening control measures, while Tehran threatens to destabilize traffic in the Red Sea in response. Although some commercial vessels are managing to pass, hundreds of tankers remain blocked in the region, creating uncertainty for global oil and goods supplies.

Vessel-tracking data paint a mixed picture. In the past day more than 20 commercial ships passed through the strait, including tankers carrying corn, methanol and other cargoes. However, the overall situation is far from normal — over 800 oil tankers are still at anchor, hesitant to transit. This points to serious disruptions in Persian Gulf logistics chains.

The so-called "shadow fleet" of Iran, made up of hundreds of old tankers, plays an important role in evading sanctions. These vessels use various masking methods: turning off tracking systems, changing flags and documentation, and conducting ship-to-ship oil transfers in open sea to hide the oil’s origin and destination. Such tactics allow Tehran to sustain part of its exports despite pressure from Washington.

U.S. forces are using a phased approach toward violators of the blockade. It includes aerial and maritime surveillance using planes, drones and satellites, as well as direct warnings to vessels. Six tankers have already been forced to turn back after receiving such signals. In extreme cases the U.S. may board or even detain ships, although such operations face logistical difficulties due to the remoteness of the region.

The Strait of Hormuz is critical to the global economy — about one-fifth of the world’s consumed oil passes through it. The legal status of the strait is disputed: the U.S. and Iran rely on different international conventions, complicating crisis resolution. Tehran insists on its right to control passage of ships it deems "threatening," while Washington appeals to freedom of navigation.

Three main approaches to managing the strait are currently under discussion. The Iranian option envisions possible transit fees and restrictions for "hostile" countries. The American plan bets on military escort of ships and increased pressure on Tehran. Europeans, for their part, propose creating a multinational mission to ensure free navigation, fearing that any transit fees could set a dangerous precedent in international maritime law.

Comments on the news

• Which specific international conventions on the right of passage through straits do Iran and the U.S. invoke to justify their positions, and why do their interpretations diverge? - The primary document is the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) of 1982, which the U.S. has not ratified but considers reflective of customary international law. Iran is also not a party to UNCLOS, yet both sides refer to its provisions on transit passage through international straits (Part III). Divergences arise in interpretation: the U.S. insists on a broad right for warships to exercise innocent transit without prior notification, while Iran, as a coastal state, argues it has the right to regulate passage and demand notification or authorization for warships, especially in its territorial waters near islands, citing security concerns.

• How does the logistics of Iran’s "shadow fleet" operations in the Persian Gulf actually work, for example, where do ship-to-ship transfers typically occur and how are these actions coordinated? - The logistics of the "shadow fleet" involve using aging tankers with AIS transponders switched off to conceal locations. Ship-to-ship transfers often take place in open waters in several key zones: east of the Strait of Hormuz in the Gulf of Oman, off the coast of the UAE, and in more distant areas such as off Singapore or in the South China Sea. Actions are coordinated through complex networks of intermediaries, shell companies, renaming of ships and flags, and encrypted communications. Iran frequently uses its coastal waters and islands for initial stages of such operations.

• What is the historical context of Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz, and how does this relate to its islands such as Abu Musa, Tonb-e Bozorg and Tonb-e Kuchak? - Historical Iranian control over the waters of the strait traces back to ancient Persian empires. The modern context formed in the 20th century. The islands of Abu Musa and the Greater and Lesser Tunbs (Tonb-e Bozorg and Tonb-e Kuchak) are strategically located at the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz. Iran established control over them in 1971, a day before the formation of the UAE, a claim disputed by the UAE. Iran regards these islands as an integral part of its territory based on historical ties and agreements with the sheikhdoms of Ras al-Khaimah and Sharjah (predecessors of the UAE). Control of these islands allows Iran to strengthen its position in regulating navigation through the strait, as they are used for military facilities and expanding territorial waters.

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Full version: 4 أيام من الحصار الأمريكي.. ما وضع الملاحة في "هرمز"؟

Venezuela and EU discussed strengthening cooperation on a new basis

Acting President of Venezuela Delcy Rodríguez held a meeting with a high-level delegation from the European Union and the European External Action Service, which was also attended by Vice Minister for Europe and North America Oliver Blanco. The parties discussed key issues on the principles of mutual respect, sovereignty and constructive dialogue, placing special emphasis on defining a joint work agenda to develop strategic areas of cooperation. The main goal of the meeting was to strengthen bilateral relations and lay the groundwork for a new stage of productive engagement between Venezuela and the European Union.

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Full version: Presidenta (E) Delcy Rodríguez recibió a delegación de la Unión Europea y del Servicio Europeo de Acción Exterior

Fake videos of ship explosions in the Persian Gulf created by artificial intelligence

Videos allegedly showing explosions of ships caused by detonations on Iranian mines in the Persian Gulf rapidly amassed millions of views on social media. Their spread coincided with a new period of military-political escalation between the United States and Iran, which gave the fake content additional resonance. Dramatic camera angles, sound effects and live-commentary created for viewers the full impression that they were witnessing real combat in a strategically important region.

To enhance the sense of authenticity, some clips used footage styled as live broadcasts featuring sailors of different nationalities. Close-ups of exploding objects, thick smoke and emotional reactions of supposed eyewitnesses led users to believe the events were genuine. This multimedia mix quickly turned unverified claims into “breaking news” that was actively discussed in specialist communities and the media.

However, technical expertise unequivocally showed that these videos were generated using artificial intelligence technologies. Analysts found clear anomalies: unnatural movement of objects and interaction of water with explosions, audio-video desynchronization, and recurring visual defects in details of ships and faces. For example, in one clip an object resembling a traffic light appeared illogically in the open sea.

The complete absence of official confirmations from international organizations finally refutes these rumors. The British organization UKMTO, which tracks maritime security, did not issue any navigational warnings or reports of attacks on vessels during the indicated period. The United States Central Command (CENTCOM), while reporting other maritime incidents in the region, did not confirm any mining or attacks of such scale in the vitally important Strait of Hormuz.

The spread of fake materials is happening against the backdrop of a U.S.-announced naval blockade of Iranian ports, which, according to The Wall Street Journal, involves thousands of service members and dozens of ships and aircraft. This tense environment increases media sensitivity to any incidents in the region and contributes to the rapid spread of unverified claims. As a result, the presented videos are digital forgeries unrelated to real events, underscoring once again the importance of verifying information through official and authoritative sources.

Comments on the news

• What is the role and area of responsibility of the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) in the Persian Gulf region and regarding Iran? - CENTCOM (United States Central Command) is responsible for U.S. military operations in the Middle East, including the Persian Gulf. Regarding Iran, its role includes monitoring Iranian military activity, ensuring freedom of navigation, and deterring potential threats to U.S. allies in the region, such as Saudi Arabia and Israel.

• Why is the Strait of Hormuz considered vital and what is its connection to the current tensions between Iran and the United States? - The Strait of Hormuz is a critically important maritime route through which about 20% of the world’s oil consumption passes. Tensions are linked to Iran periodically threatening to close the strait in response to U.S. sanctions, which could trigger a global energy crisis. The United States guarantees freedom of navigation through the strait, creating a constant point of friction.

• What are the typical channels and organizations (besides UKMTO) through which maritime incidents in the Persian Gulf are officially confirmed or denied? - The main organizations include the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the naval forces of regional countries (for example, the United Arab Emirates), the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), as well as the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which often issues statements about incidents in its territorial waters.

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Full version: ألغام إيرانية تنفجر في سفن أمريكية في هرمز.. ما الحقيقة؟

Iran sea blockade: first days of confrontation in the Strait of Hormuz

Despite the imposition of a U.S. naval blockade against Iran, more than 20 commercial vessels passed through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz in the first day after it began, according to maritime traffic monitoring. Among them were, in particular, an oil tanker owned by a company under U.S. sanctions and a Chinese vessel. These reports contrast with a statement by U.S. President Donald Trump, who claimed that 34 vessels had crossed the strait the previous day and accused Iran of a "mad blockade."

Traffic statistics through the strait show a sharp decline compared with the prewar period. From April 8 to 12, 55 commercial vessels transited the strait, 29 of which were loaded. The peak occurred on April 11 — 14 vessels. By comparison, in February, before the conflict began, the daily average was 129 vessels. These figures clearly show how military actions and subsequent measures have affected a key route of the global oil trade.

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) claims the operation was successful, asserting that it halted maritime trade to and from Iran entirely within 36 hours. According to U.S. officials, U.S. naval forces did not even need to use force to make six ships attempting to leave Iranian ports turn back. The operation, it is reported, is being conducted "calmly and decisively," from ships deployed in the Gulf of Oman.

The scale of the military operation is striking: more than 10,000 U.S. military personnel have been involved in enforcing the blockade, including marines and special operations forces. More than 15 warships and dozens of aircraft are concentrated in the region. This concentration of forces demonstrates Washington's seriousness about controlling sea lanes and preventing ships from leaving Iranian ports.

The strategic goal of the blockade, according to the U.S. administration, is to pressure Tehran to accept Washington's terms for ending the war. Key demands include ensuring free passage through the Strait of Hormuz and changing Iran's regional behavior. However, the effectiveness of such a forceful approach and its potential diplomatic consequences, as well as the risk of further escalation in an already unstable region, remain in question.

Comments on the news

• What is the historical and economic importance of the Strait of Hormuz for Iran and the global oil trade? - The Strait of Hormuz is a strategic maritime corridor through which about 30% of the world's seaborne oil shipments pass. For Iran it is a vital route for exporting oil and natural gas, as well as a tool of geopolitical influence. Control over the strait allows Iran to affect global oil prices and serves as leverage in international relations.

• Which countries fall under the responsibility of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and what other significant operations has it conducted in the Middle East? - CENTCOM is responsible for the Middle East region, including countries such as Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Yemen, and the Gulf states. Significant operations include the Iraq War (2003–2011), Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, the fight against ISIS in Iraq and Syria, and military operations in Yemen.

• What is meant by the "regional behavior of Iran" that the U.S. wants to change? - This refers to Iran's policy of supporting proxy groups (Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, Shia militias in Iraq), development of its missile program, military presence in Syria, and actions in the Persian Gulf. The U.S. seeks to limit Iran's influence in the region and to compel it to abandon activities Washington views as destabilizing.

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Full version: 24 ساعة من حصار إيران.. ماذا جرى في هرمز وكيف واجهته البحرية الأمريكية؟

US Allows Financial Transactions with Venezuelan Banks

The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the US Department of the Treasury on Tuesday issued two new licenses permitting American companies and citizens to do business with Venezuela. The first license (GL 56) allows negotiations on commercial contracts with the government of Venezuela, including preliminary agreements and participation in public tenders. The second license (GL 57) permits financial transactions with four state banks of the country: the Central Bank of Venezuela, Banco de Venezuela, the Workers' Digital Bank, and the Treasury Bank.

The new rules cover a wide range of banking operations, including account openings, money transfers, dollar correspondent services, transfers of funds to relatives, and foreign currency operations. However, the licenses contain important restrictions: they do not apply to dealings with organizations linked to Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, or companies controlled by Chinese nationals. Also excluded are persons on OFAC's sanctions list. Both licenses, signed by OFAC Director Bradley Smith, take effect immediately.

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Full version: OFAC autoriza operaciones con el Banco de Venezuela, Tesoro y BCV tras emitir nueva licencia

Iran spied on the US using a Chinese satellite

According to an investigation by the Financial Times based on a leak of secret Iranian military documents, Iran received from China and used a modern spy satellite for surveillance. The TEE-01B satellite, built and launched by the Chinese company Earth-i at the end of 2024, provided Tehran with new capabilities to observe American military sites in the Middle East. As part of the deal, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) also gained access to the commercial ground stations of the Chinese “Emposat” network, allowing it to control the satellite and receive data.

Special attention was paid to the Prince Sultan airbase in Saudi Arabia, which the satellite photographed on March 13, 14 and 15. It was on March 14 that then-US President Donald Trump confirmed that American aircraft at that base had been attacked. Analysis shows that the satellite images were taken both before and after the series of drone and missile strikes on those targets, indicating their use in planning and assessing the outcomes of the attacks.

In addition to Saudi Arabia, the Iranian satellite tracked military facilities in Jordan, as well as areas near the US Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain and Erbil Airport in Iraq. Surveillance of these sites coincided in time with subsequent attacks that the IRGC claimed responsibility for. At the time of the report’s publication, officials from the White House, the Pentagon, the CIA, Chinese authorities and the companies involved had not commented on the matter.

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Full version: فايننشال تايمز: إيران استخدمت قمر تجسس صينيا لاستهداف قواعد أمريكية

China warns of dangers of U.S. blockade of Iranian ports

China sharply condemned the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports, calling it dangerous and irresponsible. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Qiaokun said such U.S. actions, along with an increased American military presence, will only lead to further escalation of tensions in the region. He said that intensifying military operations and a targeted blockade will undermine an already fragile ceasefire and create additional threats to the safety of navigation in the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.

Chinese authorities also categorically denied reports of arms supplies to Iran, calling them false and slanderous. Instead, Beijing called on all parties to the conflict to respect the ceasefire regime, resume peaceful dialogue and take practical steps to reduce tensions. In China's view, a key goal should be the prompt restoration of normal ship movements through the strait.

The blockade was imposed by the United States after another round of talks in Pakistan ended without results, with the parties exchanging mutual accusations. According to The Wall Street Journal, the Americans deployed more than 15 warships to carry out the maritime blockade. These actions were in response to Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which Tehran enacted in response to a war lasting about 40 days with a U.S. and Israeli coalition.

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Full version: الصين: الحصار الأمريكي لموانئ إيران خطير وسيؤجج التوتر في المنطقة

Venezuela and Chevron sign agreements to boost oil production

Acting President of Venezuela Delcy Rodríguez led the signing ceremony of agreements with Chevron aimed at increasing the country's oil production. She noted that Chevron serves as an example of a responsible oil and gas partner that remained in Venezuela even during the most difficult periods and continues to develop cooperation. Rodríguez also emphasized the need to lift international sanctions against Venezuela, which, in her view, will open up new investment opportunities and provide institutional security for foreign investors.

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Full version: Delcy Rodríguez firma acuerdos con Chevron para impulsar la producción petrolera

US–Iran Talks: Last Chance to Avoid Escalation

On Thursday, tense talks between the United States and Iran are expected, which could become a turning point in their standoff. The talks will likely be held in Geneva or Islamabad, and their main goal is to use the remaining ceasefire time for a diplomatic breakthrough. Despite deep disagreements, both sides are showing a willingness to continue dialogue to avoid a full-scale military conflict, actively discussing the logistics and agenda of the upcoming meeting.

The US is putting forward tough demands that some officials call a "final offer." It includes Iran’s complete cessation of uranium enrichment, the removal of already stockpiled enriched uranium from the country, and guarantees of full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to shipping. To strengthen its position, Washington is using economic pressure, including a maritime blockade of Iranian ports, and a military presence, such as deploying carrier strike groups.

Iran, for its part, seeks to preserve channels of communication but firmly adheres to its core principles. Tehran categorically rejects a complete renunciation of the right to enrich uranium, viewing this as a matter of national sovereignty, and rejects any US role in managing the Strait of Hormuz. However, Iranian diplomacy shows some flexibility, expressing readiness to discuss lowering enrichment levels in exchange for sanctions relief, seeking a kind of "middle way."

The current situation reflects a complex mix of strategies: the US is betting on its military and economic superiority to secure concessions, while Iran is banking on its resilience and ability to withstand pressure over time. Both sides recognize that key contentious issues are unlikely to be resolved quickly, which calls into question the format (direct or indirect talks) and duration of the dialogue. US actions in other regional conflicts also create additional indirect pressure on Tehran.

The upcoming round of talks will be a serious test of the parties’ ability to turn the threat of further escalation into a real opportunity for diplomacy. Possible scenarios range from a limited breakthrough or extension of the ceasefire to continue talks, to a new wave of tension that would open the door to risky military options. The outcome of these talks will determine not only the future of Iran’s nuclear program but will also have a significant impact on the security of global energy supplies and the stability of the entire Middle East region.

News commentary

• Why does control of the Strait of Hormuz have such strategic significance for Iran and the global economy? - The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow maritime corridor between Iran and Oman through which about 20–30% of global seaborne oil shipments and a significant volume of liquefied natural gas transit. For Iran, it is a critically important lever of influence, allowing it to control access to the Persian Gulf and, therefore, the energy exports of its neighbors (Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the UAE). For the global economy, closure of the strait would lead to a sharp rise in oil prices and disruptions to global supply chains, making it one of the world’s most important strategic flashpoints.

• What are the historical roots of Iran’s position on uranium enrichment as a matter of national sovereignty? - This stance goes back to the history of foreign intervention in Iran, notably after the 1953 coup (backed by the US and the UK) that overthrew democratically elected Prime Minister Mossadegh. Later, during the Iran–Iraq War (1980–1988), Iran faced international isolation and restrictions on access to technologies. The right to enrich uranium became perceived as a symbol of technological independence, national pride, and sovereignty — a way to ensure that external powers could not dictate the country’s development. Iran’s nuclear program is also viewed as a matter of prestige and scientific progress.

• Which specific sanctions on Iran are at the center of the talks and how have they affected the Iranian economy? - The talks focus on US sanctions reimposed after withdrawal from the nuclear deal (JCPOA) in 2018, including: 1) restrictions on Iranian oil exports, 2) sanctions on the Central Bank of Iran and the financial sector, cutting the country off from the international banking system (SWIFT), 3) sanctions on key economic sectors (metallurgy, shipbuilding). These measures led to a sharp drop in oil exports (from 2.5 million barrels per day to less than 500,000), an 80% devaluation of the rial, double-digit inflation, rising unemployment, and reduced access to medical goods and food, which severely hit living standards.

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Full version: تهديد عسكري وعرض نهائي.. كيف ستبدو جولة مفاوضات ثانية بين طهران وواشنطن؟

Pistachios climb in price amid tensions around Iran

US-Israeli military tensions around Iran, the world's second-largest pistachio producer, have pushed prices for the nut to eight-year highs. A market already suffering from chronic supply shortages, trade restrictions and international sanctions has faced additional shocks amid rising global demand, leading to a sharp surge in costs.

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Full version: الجزيرة نت

Trump Urges China to Buy Oil from Venezuela

Former U.S. President Donald Trump suggested that China consider purchasing oil from Venezuela, saying that the United States is currently in a favorable position in its relations with Caracas. The remark came against the backdrop of a shift in American energy policy, which now envisions selling Venezuelan oil at market prices with significant U.S. control over export flows, aimed at redirecting revenues from the oil sector. China, historically one of the main buyers of Venezuelan crude, has already purchased several shipments of U.S.-managed oil, signaling a reconfiguration of energy alliances. Trump linked these developments to his policy of military strengthening and international expansion, emphasizing the might of the American armed forces.

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Full version: (+Videos) Trump sugiere a China adquirir crudo de Caracas: “Nos está yendo muy bien con Venezuela, es un gran momento para tener a Venezuela”

Oil prices surge above $100 amid Strait of Hormuz tensions

Oil prices jumped sharply, topping $100 per barrel, after the United States decided to impose military control over vessel movements in the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. The move, which could significantly curtail Iran's oil exports, was taken after prolonged negotiations between Washington and Tehran failed. The price rise has returned markets to a state of volatility and concern about the stability of supplies from the Persian Gulf region, especially ahead of upcoming U.S. midterm elections.

U.S. military officials announced they would begin controlling navigation near Iranian ports from 10 a.m. Eastern Time on Monday. The official statement emphasizes that the control will be applied "neutrally" to all vessels entering or leaving Iranian ports, including ports in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. At the same time, the U.S. promises not to impede freedom of navigation for ships transiting the strait to ports of other countries, which nevertheless does not eliminate risks to global supplies.

Iran immediately responded with a stern warning. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said that any approach of warships to the Strait of Hormuz would be considered a breach of the truce and would be met with a decisive response. Market analysts such as Tony Sikamore of IG note that U.S. actions are effectively aimed at blocking Iran's remaining oil exports, which may force Iran's allies to pressure for the restoration of unimpeded passage.

The political context of the decision was clarified by U.S. President Donald Trump himself, who on Sunday acknowledged that high oil and gasoline prices could persist at least until the November elections. This rare admission of the direct impact of foreign-policy decisions on the domestic economic and political situation. In the futures market, Brent crude rose 7% and WTI climbed 8.2%, reflecting investors' expectations of tightened supply.

Despite the escalation, shipping data paint a mixed picture. On Saturday three fully loaded oil tankers successfully transited the strait, the first such passage since the truce was announced. However, data also indicate that many shipowners have already begun avoiding the route through the Strait of Hormuz in anticipation of the imposition of U.S. control. This uncertainty will shape the dynamics of global oil prices and supply stability in the coming days.

Comments on the news

• What share of global oil shipments passes through the Strait of Hormuz, and how dependent is Iran on this route for its exports? - About 30% of the world's seaborne oil shipments transit the Strait of Hormuz, making it a critically important choke point for global energy. Iran is heavily dependent on this route for its oil exports — much of its crude leaves via this strait, making it vulnerable to any disruptions in the area.
• What are the powers and role of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) regarding national security and control over Iran's waterways? - The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is an elite military formation reporting directly to Iran's Supreme Leader. In addition to general national security tasks, the IRGC has broad authority over the country's strategic waterways, including the Strait of Hormuz. Its naval branch (IRGC Navy) effectively performs coast guard functions and is responsible for security in the Persian Gulf, often operating independently of Iran's regular navy.
• Which specific "truce" is the IRGC referring to in its warning? - The warning most likely refers to an informal temporary lull or fragile status quo in regional tensions, possibly connected to actions by Iran's adversaries (for example, the U.S. or its allies) in the Persian Gulf. This is not a formal agreement but a situational pause that the IRGC threatens to break if its interests are affected.

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Full version: النفط يقفز 8% قبل فرض أمريكا حصارا على موانئ إيرانية ومضيق هرمز

Venezuelan media on Trump and the US–Iran standoff in the Strait of Hormuz

Venezuelan outlets portray Trump’s stance as aggressive, unilateral and destabilizing: they regularly emphasize threats to close the Strait of Hormuz, to ignite a US–Israel war against Iran and to derail peaceful negotiations. Analytical and opinion pieces question Washington’s motives, note Iranian resistance, and stress economic consequences — rising oil prices and risks to global trade. Opinionated headlines and responses portray the US as an irresponsible or deceitful actor (even using labels like “asesino y mentiroso”), and the tone of the reports is more critical and alarmed than neutral. This piece was prepared based on publications on www.facebook.com and www.instagram.com (Venezuela).

Trump, Hormuz and the “besieged world”: how Venezuela reads the Middle East crisis

The Venezuelan media space does not treat US–Iran conflicts as a distant Middle Eastern episode but as part of a single story about sanctions, oil and the decline of American influence. Disparate publications — from posts by Al Mayadeen TV en español to emotional Instagram clips and headlines such as a Noticias Caracol story about a possible blockade of the Strait of Hormuz — form in Venezuela a coherent worldview in which Donald Trump appears as the symbol of an aggressive but already “losing” US policy.

One key element of this picture was a post by Al Mayadeen TV en español, widely circulated in Venezuelan pro-government circles. It quoted the head of the National Security and Foreign Policy Committee of the Iranian parliament, who, commenting on Washington’s threats in the area of the Gulf of Oman and the Indian Ocean, called Trump’s behavior “the natural behavior of a defeated president.” In the Iranian interpretation, Trump’s threats “to do one thing or another in the Gulf of Oman and the Indian Ocean” are not a show of strength but the convulsions of a departing administration that has lost real control over the situation. The full text of the speech is available via the Al Mayadeen Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/almayadeenenespanol/posts/-el-presidente-del-comit%C3%A9-de-seguridad-nacional-y-pol%C3%ADtica-exterior-del-parlamen/1810425000189159/.

In Caracas that characterization — “presidente derrotado” — immediately gains a second meaning. For an audience close to Nicolás Maduro’s government, such formulations are ideal: they echo the official line that Trump embodies the failed “maximum pressure” strategy against Venezuela — from sanctions to attempts to impose Juan Guaidó as an “alternative president.” In Venezuelan discourse, an Iranian politician’s description of Trump as “defeated” automatically expands to signify the failure of Washington’s entire pressure architecture against both Iran and Caracas.

The broader political and informational context plays a special role here. Al Mayadeen en español, cited in the post (link), is popular among supporters of an “anti-imperialist” course in Latin America. When that channel publishes a quote calling Trump “a president who behaves like a defeated man,” for the Venezuelan audience it is not merely a foreign policy comment about the Strait of Hormuz or the Gulf of Oman. It is a convenient frame for reinterpreting US policy as a whole: the same hand that signs sanctions against PDVSA and Venezuelan officials, in this narrative, is seen as having lost real power and authority.

The oil and geopolitical dimensions give these words special weight. Mention of the Gulf of Oman and the Indian Ocean immediately links in the Venezuelan reader’s mind not only to the Strait of Hormuz and a potential cutoff of global oil flows, but also to Venezuela’s own vulnerability. Caracas belongs to the same “club of sanctioned producers” as Tehran; both countries are trying to survive and maneuver under US restrictions. When an Iranian parliamentarian describes Trump’s threats on maritime routes as gestures of a “defeated” man, in Venezuela this is taken as confirmation: the policy of blockades and oil-export strangulation can be survived and perhaps overturned.

This view is reinforced by a more emotional, almost apocalyptic discourse expressed, in particular, on social media. Indicative is an Instagram clip circulated in Venezuela where the user, against the backdrop of US escalation (with an obvious hint at Trump), launches into a diatribe against a “militarized” world. In the post under the video, available at https://www.instagram.com/reel/DXDQ2H1gkuV/, the author writes:

“Invierten tanto dinero en guerras y armas... Mientras el mundo muere de hambre, el planeta sufre todos los ataques y por esa razón el clima está cada vez más loco, definitivamente el humano será el causante de nuestra propia extinción... En vez de gastar tanto dinero en eso deberían velar por mejorar la calidad de vida de las personas y del planeta.... Noc quien le dio la autoridad a ese sr. De hacer lo que le de la gana...”

This tirade, at first glance universal, is read in the Venezuelan environment through local everyday experience. Criticism of massive military spending sounds especially loud in a country where years of economic crisis, hyperinflation and sanctions have materialized into empty store shelves, shortages of medicines and widespread poverty. The phrase “mientras el mundo muere de hambre” for a Venezuelan is not a rhetorical device; behind it are undernourishment, queues for basic goods, and the humanitarian consequences of migration.

The mention of “clima… cada vez más loco” also resonates with real disasters — from floods and landslides to destructive rains that regularly make national news. In local pro-government rhetoric this is tied to global capitalism, consumerism and the “ecological debt” of the North to the South. Adding military spending and wars to this cements the image of a “system” in which the US and its allies not only stoke conflicts but steer humanity toward climate suicide.

The phrase “definitivamente el humano será el causante de nuestra propia extinción” fits into a tone of apocalypse beloved in Venezuela — from parliamentary speeches to talk shows. The specific escalation around Iran and the Strait of Hormuz, whether real or hypothetical blockade measures, becomes here merely an occasion for a broader verdict: humanity, led by military and financial elites, is heading toward the abyss, and the US stands as the primary symbol of that course.

Particularly telling is the reference to the unnamed “ese sr.” — “I don’t know who gave that gentleman the authority to do whatever he wants.” In Venezuelan political language “ese señor” in the context of discussing wars and sanctions almost automatically points to the US president, in this case Trump. This expresses a deep refusal to recognize Washington’s moral and legal legitimacy as the “world policeman.” For a country that itself has been the object of sanctions, threats of intervention and the recognition of a parallel “president,” the question “who gave this man the right?” is not philosophical but directly political and legal.

Against this background, dry reports in international media about Trump’s actions in the Strait of Hormuz are read in Venezuela very differently than in Europe or, say, Colombia. An illustrative example is a post on the Noticias Caracol page where under the headline that “US President Donald Trump will block passage in the Strait of Hormuz,” the XML fragment actually continues with text about medical issues in Bogotá. The headline, however, reflects the point to which Venezuelan perception clings: Trump and Hormuz, the US and a strategic oil route. The link leads to the Facebook post: https://www.facebook.com/NoticiasCaracol/posts/mundo-el-presidente-de-estados-unidos-donald-trump-bloquear%C3%A1-el-paso-en-el-estre/1458950819606023/.

Even in the absence of details, the headline alone triggers a complex chain of associations in Venezuela. The Strait of Hormuz is the artery for Middle Eastern oil exports; Venezuela is a traditional oil exporter now paralyzed by sanctions and the collapse of its own infrastructure. A possible blockade would be a potential spike in oil prices that Caracas could theoretically benefit from, if it were not itself constrained. But at the same time it is another illustration of the “armed control” of strategic resources by the US. In the eyes of a pro-government Venezuelan audience, Trump’s initiative in Hormuz becomes a mirror of the same methods Washington applies against Venezuela itself: sanctions on PDVSA, tanker blockades, restrictions on transactions and payments.

Thus three seemingly unrelated sources — the Iranian statement, the emotional Instagram comment and the Colombian news headline — merge in Venezuelan perception into a single narrative. In that narrative Trump is not merely the person of a particular US president but a composite image of a “weakening hegemon” who, by resorting to threats in the Gulf of Oman, to blockades in the Strait of Hormuz and to sanctions against “disobedient” countries, demonstrates not strength but desperation. Iran, Venezuela and other states under pressure, by contrast, appear as resilient victims and at the same time partners in resistance.

Through the prism of this narrative international events are reinterpreted as confirmation of one’s own correctness. The Iranian parliamentarian calling US threats “the behavior of a defeated president” becomes a voice that the Venezuelan audience readily adopts. The Instagram critique of military spending and the question “who gave that gentleman the right?” turns into a moral comment on sanctions against Venezuela and the ongoing militarization of Washington’s foreign policy. And headlines about a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz complete the worldview in which the US controls oil and sea lanes not only in the Middle East but globally, undermining the sovereignty and economic development of countries in the Global South.

In this logic every new US escalation with Iran or any mention of the Strait of Hormuz is automatically read in Caracas as further proof of a system that simultaneously strangles Venezuela with sanctions, threatens Iran, foments wars, aggravates the climate crisis and ultimately leads humanity to “self-destruction.” That is why for the Venezuelan reader such news is not merely a chronicle of foreign policy but part of their own political and existential experience, where Trump is no longer just the figure of a distant president but a symbol of everything the country believes it is resisting.

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Trump Announces Immediate Blockade of the Strait of Hormuz

Former US President Donald Trump said Washington will immediately begin a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. According to him, all vessels attempting to enter the strategically important strait or leave it will be subject to restrictions.

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Full version: الجزيرة نت

Venezuela Announces National March to End Sanctions

Acting President of Venezuela Delcy Rodríguez announced the start of a national march on April 19 demanding the complete lifting of economic sanctions against the country. She called for the unity of all Venezuelans — political parties, social movements, youth, women, and the elderly — stating that the lifting of the blockade will allow Venezuela to "breathe freely." According to Rodríguez, there is a national consensus on the need to end these coercive measures, and the upcoming action is aimed at achieving peace and freedom from sanctions.

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Full version: Delcy Rodríguez invitó a todos los sectores del país a una sola voz: El cese de las sanciones contra Venezuela (+Video)

US–Iran Talks in Islamabad End Without Agreement

Direct talks between the United States and Iran in Islamabad ended without any agreement after more than 20 hours of intensive discussions. The failure opens the way to an uncertain period that could lead either to an escalation of tensions or to a fragile lull. The U.S. delegation was led by Vice President J. D. Vance, who said the sides were unable to reach a position under which Iran would be ready to accept Washington’s terms, despite demonstrated flexibility.

The main disagreements centered on Iran’s nuclear program. The U.S., backed by President Donald Trump, insists on its full cessation, while Tehran firmly defends its right to enrich uranium and refuses to give up its strategic capabilities. Disputes also involved control over the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, the lifting of sanctions, the unfreezing of assets, and the situation regarding a ceasefire in Lebanon, which significantly complicated the negotiation process.

Western media note that the U.S. effectively presented Iran with an “all-or-nothing” ultimatum, which was rejected, reflecting the mutual rigidity of positions. Israel expressed satisfaction with Washington’s firm stance, and, according to Israeli press reports, there is an understanding between Tel Aviv and the U.S. administration about the “red lines” in negotiations with Iran.

At the military level, the U.S. and Israel are preparing for all possible scenarios, including imposing a blockade on Iran or striking its energy infrastructure. Such a step is aimed at undermining Tehran’s ability to recover economically. Particular concern centers on the threat to shipping security in the Strait of Hormuz — a vital artery for global oil supplies — which could trigger a global energy crisis and rising inflation.

Analysts highlight three main scenarios: the resumption of talks under pressure, which could prolong the current stalemate; a return to military escalation with serious economic and political risks; or an end to confrontation without a formal agreement, which could be perceived as a U.S. retreat and leave the nuclear issue unresolved. Each of these paths carries significant costs.

The outcome of the round of talks is a complex reality without a clear way out. The situation balances between a prolonged negotiating impasse, a dangerous military escalation with far-reaching consequences for the global economy, and a fragile settlement that leaves fundamental problems unresolved. The future of the region and the stability of global energy markets now largely depend on the next steps of Washington and Tehran, as well as on decisions by other regional actors.

Comments on the news

• Why did the situation regarding a ceasefire in Lebanon become one of the disputed issues in the talks between the U.S. and Iran? - Lebanon is a theater of indirect confrontation where the Iran-backed group Hezbollah plays a significant role. The U.S. views stability in Lebanon as part of regional security, while Iran sees its support for Hezbollah as an element of its strategic influence. Therefore, questions about a ceasefire touch the interests of both sides and their regional allies.

• What exactly are the “frozen assets” of Iran that were discussed, and in which countries are they located? - Iran’s “frozen assets” are financial funds (including revenues from oil sales and other state funds) that have been blocked in foreign banks, primarily due to international sanctions imposed on Iran. Major sums have historically been held in banks in countries such as South Korea, Japan, Iraq, China and some European states, as well as under U.S. jurisdiction.

• What role do Pakistan and the city of Islamabad play as a venue for such talks between the U.S. and Iran? - Pakistan, as a Muslim country with diplomatic relations with both the U.S. and Iran, often acts as a neutral mediator or a venue for contacts. Islamabad, as the capital, provides diplomatic infrastructure and relative confidentiality. Its role is motivated by a desire to reduce regional tensions and to position itself as a responsible international actor capable of facilitating dialogue between irreconcilable parties.

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Full version: بعد تعثر المفاوضات.. 3 سيناريوهات تحدد مستقبل صراع واشنطن وطهران

US and Iran Talks in Pakistan: a Path to De-escalation

Important talks between the United States and Iran aimed at reducing tensions and ending the confrontation — which also involves Israel — have begun in Islamabad. The negotiations are taking place with active mediation by Pakistan, whose Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said both delegations were participating constructively. The American side is led by Vice President J.D. Vance, who before the meetings emphasized his team's determination and warned against attempts at manipulation.

The high-level Iranian delegation is headed by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf; it also includes Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and numerous experts in politics, security, and economics. Before the official meetings, the Pakistani side held separate preparatory sessions with U.S. and Iranian intelligence teams to agree on the agenda and the possibility of moving to direct talks.

One of the key issues in the talks is the potential unfreezing of Iranian assets in Qatar and other banks. According to sources, this could become a condition for Tehran to provide guarantees for the safe passage of ships through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. However, an official White House spokesperson denied the existence of such an agreement, underscoring the sensitivity of the financial and related security issues.

Despite an atmosphere of cautious optimism in the media, both sides express significant distrust. Iranian representatives, in particular Abbas Araghchi, said Tehran entered the talks in a context of complete lack of trust due to past breaches of commitments by Washington. Speaker Ghalibaf also noted a negative historical experience of negotiations with the U.S., but confirmed Iran's readiness to reach an agreement if the American side shows sincerity.

The agenda includes high-risk topics, including Iran’s nuclear program, freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, and Tehran’s demands for a ceasefire in Lebanon. Talks may proceed in two parallel formats — direct and indirect through Pakistani mediators. According to sources, the process has no rigid time frames and allows flexibility to achieve a result or to exit the dialogue.

Pakistani authorities are providing unprecedented security measures in Islamabad, deploying thousands of military personnel and security forces, and fully closing the area where the talks are being held. Islamabad stresses its readiness to create the most favorable and secure environment for these sensitive negotiations, the outcome of which could determine the future course of regional tensions in the Middle East.

Comments on the news

• What role does the Parliament Speaker (Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf) usually play in Iran’s foreign policy, given that negotiations are often associated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs? — Formally, the Parliament Speaker of Iran is not responsible for foreign policy — that is the prerogative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Supreme Leader. However, figures like Ghalibaf (a former military commander and influential politician) can publicly articulate positions on international issues, influence domestic debate, and sometimes participate in informal diplomatic contacts, especially within the conservative camp.

• Why is Qatar often mentioned in the context of frozen Iranian assets, and what is its role as a financial intermediary for Iran? — Qatar, as a neutral and financially powerful Gulf state, maintains working relations with both Iran and the West. It acts as an intermediary in matters of unblocking Iranian assets frozen due to sanctions, offering channels for transfers or transactions that help reduce tension. Its role is tied to diplomatic flexibility and economic interests.

• Why are demands for a ceasefire in Lebanon part of the U.S.–Iran negotiation agenda, and what is Iran’s connection to the conflict in Lebanon? — Iran has supported the Lebanese group Hezbollah (a political and military force) for decades, providing it with resources and ideological backing. Hezbollah regularly takes part in clashes with Israel on the Lebanon border. The U.S., as an ally of Israel, is interested in reducing escalation, so the issue of a ceasefire is raised in talks with Iran (even indirect ones) to influence Hezbollah through its Iranian patrons.

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Full version: بدء مفاوضات إسلام آباد.. لقاءات باكستانية مع الوفدين الأمريكي والإيراني

Economy Unites Venezuela: Pragmatism Beats Ideology

According to data from the Hinterlaces sociological service, economic issues have become the main unifying factor for Venezuelans, pushing ideological disagreements into the background. Citizens increasingly associate the concepts of peace and unity with economic stability and the ability to work and solve problems together. The political polarization of the past two decades is weakening, giving way to a broad pragmatic center that makes up more than 60% of the population. This center judges leaders by concrete results, which explains the high approval rating (over 70%) for Acting President Delcy Rodríguez, whom many perceive more as a competent manager than as a traditional politician.

At the same time, the most visible opposition figures face extremely high levels of rejection — from 80% to 90% of the population. Analysts note that the opposition has failed to offer a convincing vision for the country's future that would meet the majority's demands for peace and prosperity, and remains socially disconnected. International sanctions remain an important unifying yet painful factor, rejected by nine out of ten Venezuelans. Sanctions hit women particularly hard, as their traditional role in managing the household and providing for the family makes them more acutely feel the economic difficulties.

Experts emphasize that the ruling movement has a historic opportunity to strengthen its legitimacy through effective economic management and a technocratic approach. However, the main rival and challenge for the authorities remains the economy itself. If sufficient and decisive responses to the population's pressing problems are not found, growing frustration could in the future generate demands for radical change. Thus, the future of political stability in Venezuela directly depends on the authorities' ability to deliver tangible economic improvements.

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Full version: Schémel: La economía se ha convertido en el factor identitario que ha unido a los venezolanos como nunca antes

Historic breakthrough: US and Iran prepare for direct talks in Islamabad

Intense diplomatic activity is unfolding in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad, which could lead to the first direct talks between the United States and Iran in decades. Pakistan is acting as an active mediator, seeking to turn a temporary ceasefire into a broader negotiating process aimed at achieving sustainable calm in the volatile region. Senior delegations from both sides have arrived in the city, signaling the seriousness of their intentions.

The Iranian delegation is led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who was received by high-ranking Pakistani officials, including ministers and the speaker of the parliament. Notably present was the commander of the Pakistani army in uniform, underscoring the key role of the country’s military establishment in this process. The American delegation was headed by Vice President J.D. Vance, who was also met by officials, including the same army commander, but this time in civilian clothes, indicating different ceremonial nuances.

Following the vice president, other American representatives arrived in Islamabad, such as Jared Kushner and special envoy Steve Whitkoff, reflecting Washington’s multi-layered approach. Diplomatic sources express great hope that direct talks between the parties will begin within hours. If this happens, it will be a historic event—the first meeting at the same table in many years, possibly with a Pakistani mediator present.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is preparing to receive the Iranian delegation at his residence, and then to meet separately with the American delegation, reflecting the delicacy of the moment. In a televised address, Sharif confirmed the intention to develop the ceasefire agreement into a “comprehensive agreement” leading to a broader resolution of the conflict in the Middle East, particularly in the Persian Gulf zone. These statements set a clear political goal for the current discussions.

Behind the scenes, Pakistan’s military and intelligence services play a noticeable role in the mediation efforts; they are reported to have conducted covert work persuading the parties of the need for de-escalation. In the context of these events, US President Donald Trump announced a two-week halt to strikes on Iran, but tied it to the full and immediate opening of the Strait of Hormuz — a key maritime route for global oil trade.

Comments on the news

• How influential is Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf in Iran’s leadership beyond his role as parliament speaker? - Ghalibaf is one of Iran’s most influential conservative politicians. A former commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and former mayor of Tehran, he has strong ties to the security apparatus and revolutionary institutions. His influence extends beyond the parliament, as he is considered a potential successor to the Supreme Leader and plays a key role in shaping conservative policy, particularly on economic and foreign policy issues.

• Why are Pakistan’s military and intelligence services playing such a prominent role in diplomatic mediation between the US and Iran, and what is their traditional stance in regional conflicts? - Pakistan has historically maintained complex relations with both countries: it is an ally of the United States but also shares a long border and cultural-religious ties with Iran. Pakistan’s military and intelligence (ISI) often act as unofficial diplomatic channels because they enjoy the trust of both sides and are invested in regional stability. Traditionally, Pakistan tries to balance between Saudi Arabia (a US ally) and Iran, avoiding overt alignment with any coalition in Middle Eastern conflicts.

• What are the specific Iranian and American grievances and “red lines” in the Persian Gulf region that made such talks necessary, beyond the issue of the Strait of Hormuz? - For Iran, red lines include: the presence of US troops in the region, sanctions on its oil exports, and US support for regional rivals (Saudi Arabia, Israel). For the US, key concerns are: safe navigation, preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, and stopping Iran’s support for proxy groups in the region. Talks became necessary due to the risk of military escalation after incidents involving tankers and attacks on oil facilities.

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Full version: دور محوري للجيش.. هكذا جمعت إسلام آباد بين واشنطن وطهران لمفاوضات صعبة

Oil prices rise amid Strait of Hormuz blockade

Oil prices continued to rise in early Friday trading despite a fragile ceasefire between the US and Iran. The main drivers were significant losses in crude production in Saudi Arabia and the ongoing de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz to tankers. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures rose nearly 2% to $99.72 a barrel, while Brent climbed to $97.68. Markets continue to price in a substantial risk premium due to disruptions in the key shipping corridor.

The conflict, which began with US and Israeli air strikes on Iran in late February, has led to the effective blockade of the strategic strait. This has fundamentally changed global supply risks. According to Saudi authorities, attacks on the kingdom’s energy facilities have cut its output by about 600,000 barrels per day. JPMorgan analysts estimate that about 50 infrastructure sites in the Persian Gulf region were damaged over six weeks of conflict, disrupting refining capacity by 2.4 million barrels per day.

Energy-market analysts warn of the possibility of further sharp price increases. John Bedesey, head of consulting firm Stratas Advisors, said Brent could reach $190 a barrel if tanker traffic through the strait remains at current low levels. Even a partial resumption of vessel movements would ease pressure on prices, but they would still remain significantly above pre-conflict levels, reflecting acute concerns about supply shortages.

Peace talks scheduled in Pakistan face a major obstacle. Iran is reportedly insisting on imposing a fee for ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz as part of any peace agreement. This demand has been categorically rejected by Western leaders and the International Maritime Organization. Tehran’s stance complicates the prospects for a smooth return to normal shipping and increases the legal and economic uncertainty surrounding the crucial route.

Against this backdrop, there have been notable changes in oil trade flows. For the first time in years, China’s independent refiners have begun buying Iranian light crude at a premium to Brent. India is also expected to increase purchases after temporary waivers from sanctions were granted by Washington. This shift, along with improved refining margins in China, could lead to a reconfiguration of regional oil supplies in the coming weeks, weakening the traditional discounts on Iranian crude.

Comments on the news

• What precisely is the fee Iran proposes for passage through the Strait of Hormuz and on what legal basis? - Iran proposes charging a fee for ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, citing its right to control territorial waters and ensure the safety of navigation. The legal basis cited includes national laws on territorial waters and international maritime conventions that allow coastal states to regulate passage through their territorial waters.

• Why was Iranian oil traditionally sold at a discount, and how has that changed in recent years? - Iranian oil was traditionally sold at a discount due to international sanctions that limited buyers and complicated logistics, as well as product quality factors (heavier and more sulfurous crude). In recent years, especially after some sanctions were eased under the JCPOA and amid rising demand in Asia, discounts have narrowed and Iran has been able to sell oil closer to market prices.

• What exactly were the "temporary sanctions waivers" Washington granted India for purchases of Iranian oil? - Washington granted India temporary waivers from sanctions allowing limited purchases of Iranian oil without risking US penalties. These waivers typically permitted the purchase of specified volumes for India’s strategic needs and included provisions for gradually reducing imports to zero to give India time to find alternative suppliers.

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Full version: النفط يرتفع بعد هجمات إيرانية ومخاوف مضيق هرمز

Venezuela and Grenada Strengthen Strategic Partnership

As part of her first official visit to the Caribbean region, Acting President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela Delcy Rodríguez held a high-level meeting with Grenada’s Governor-General Cecile La Grenade at the official residence. The meeting, held in an atmosphere of cordiality, was aimed at reaffirming mutual respect and strengthening the solid strategic alliance between the two countries. The leaders agreed on the need to establish more direct channels of communication to enhance technical and political cooperation in the coming years, and also emphasized their shared commitment to greater Latin American and Caribbean integration. Rodríguez was accompanied by a key delegation including Foreign Minister Iván Gil and the ministers of agriculture and fisheries, indicating the practical focus of the visit on deepening cooperation agreements.

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Full version: Delcy Rodríguez y la gobernadora general de Grenada ratifican sólidos lazos de hermandad

Pakistan as Key Mediator in US–Iran Talks

Pakistan has found itself at the center of international attention, taking on the complex mission of mediating historic peace talks between the United States and Iran. The success of this diplomatic initiative could stabilize the global economy and strengthen the security of the parties involved in the negotiations, while failure risks undermining Islamabad’s reputation on the international stage.

The talks began after a two-week ceasefire achieved through Pakistan’s mediation, but their progress is threatened by ongoing military escalation in Lebanon and differing interpretations of the ceasefire terms by the parties to the conflict. A key question remains whether Washington and Tehran are willing to make significant concessions to turn the temporary truce into a long-term agreement.

Pakistani authorities have implemented unprecedented security measures in Islamabad in connection with the arrival of Iranian and American delegations, including the evacuation of the Serena Hotel, increased patrols, and airspace control. These actions reflect the high risks associated with the talks, where any incident could derail the fragile diplomatic process.

Pakistan’s role has evolved from a mere message carrier to an active participant influencing both sides’ positions thanks to efforts by Army Chief of Staff Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The White House acknowledges Islamabad’s ability to influence the Iranian delegation, which increases confidence in Pakistani mediation but at the same time complicates the task of balancing the interests of the two opposing powers.

Pakistan’s mediation has received significant regional support from Qatar, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia, whose leaders have endorsed Islamabad’s efforts to advance the negotiation process. Pakistan also plans to pressure the US to expand the ceasefire to Lebanon, where an immediate halt to Israeli strikes is required, as demanded by the Lebanese government.

Despite its current diplomatic standing, Pakistan’s influence remains limited on strategic issues such as security in the Strait of Hormuz. The success of the talks ultimately depends on the willingness of the US and Iran to make mutual concessions, and failure could lead to accusations that Pakistan failed to deliver on its promises, jeopardizing its political capital.

Comments on the news

• How has Pakistan historically played a mediating role between Iran and other countries, and why is it considered a suitable mediator in this case? - Pakistan has historically acted as a mediator between Iran and the Arab states of the Persian Gulf thanks to its unique position: it is a neighboring Muslim state that maintains relations with both Iran and Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries. Islamabad is often seen as a neutral party because it avoids direct involvement in regional conflicts and maintains diplomatic channels with all sides.

• Why was the Serena Hotel in Islamabad chosen for the talks, and what is its role in Pakistani politics and diplomacy? - The Serena Hotel in Islamabad is a traditional venue for high-level diplomatic meetings and negotiations in Pakistan. It is known for enhanced security measures, confidentiality, and prestige, making it a preferred location for sensitive political discussions. In practice, it serves as "neutral ground" for diplomatic meetings, similar to other well-known international diplomatic venues.

• What are the positions of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kuwait toward Iran, and why do they support Pakistan’s mediation? - Positions vary: Saudi Arabia historically has tense relations with Iran but supports Pakistan’s mediation as a way to reduce tensions; Qatar supports dialogue with Iran and sees Pakistani mediation as a constructive path; Kuwait traditionally advocates regional dialogue and views Pakistan as an acceptable mediator. All three countries back Pakistan’s mediation because they see Pakistan as a neutral party capable of providing a communication channel without direct involvement by the Arab states themselves.

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Full version: "مهمة مستحيلة".. هل تنجح باكستان في إبرام صفقة بين واشنطن وطهران؟

Hundreds of ships stuck in the Strait of Hormuz despite truce

Despite the announced two-week truce between the US and Iran, hundreds of commercial vessels remain blocked in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. According to maritime traffic data, amid concerns about sea mines and possible military action, 426 oil tankers, 34 liquefied petroleum gas vessels, and 19 liquefied natural gas tankers have become trapped. This mass halt reflects deep caution among shipping companies, which are reluctant to resume routes despite the diplomatic respite.

In response to the crisis, Iran’s naval forces published a map with alternative routes through the strait intended to help ships avoid mines. At the same time, Iran has completely stopped the transit of oil tankers as a retaliatory measure for Israeli strikes on Lebanon, directly hitting global energy flows. Authorities introduced new strict conditions for passage, including advance payment for transit in cryptocurrency or Chinese yuan, and sharply reduced throughput to a minimum.

On the international stage, the US has urgently asked its European allies through NATO mechanisms for concrete plans to secure shipping in the strait in the coming days. Washington’s move reflects growing concern about the stability of one of the world’s key energy corridors and a desire to obtain clear commitments from partners on joint patrols and route protection.

Shipping and insurance industry experts express extreme caution. The head of a major shipping company said it is still too early to speak of security guarantees despite the truce. Insurers note that insurance premiums remain at record-high levels due to ongoing uncertainty: it is unclear which Iranian agency is authorized to sanction ship passages and by what criteria their priority will be determined.

The overall situation remains tense and unstable. The declared truce is conditional and depends on the full and immediate opening of the strait, which carries about 20% of global oil shipments. For now, the ship blockade, new financial barriers, and the military-political standoff create a perfect storm threatening global supply chains and energy security.

Comments on the news

• Which Iranian agencies or organizations are usually responsible for authorizing and regulating maritime transit through the Strait of Hormuz? - Primary responsibility for security and regulation in the Strait of Hormuz lies with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), in particular its naval branch. The IRGC operates alongside Iran’s regular Armed Forces and plays a key role in patrolling and controlling this strategic waterway. Formal transit permits may also pass through port authorities and Iran’s Ministry of Roads and Urban Development, but security and operational control are largely in the hands of the IRGC.

• Why does Iran offer cryptocurrency or Chinese yuan as payment options for transit rather than traditional currencies? - Iran offers these options primarily to circumvent international sanctions imposed by the US and its allies. Use of US dollars or euros through the global banking system (for example, SWIFT) is difficult or impossible for Iran because of these sanctions. The Chinese yuan is offered because of close economic and strategic ties with China, which continues to buy Iranian oil. Cryptocurrencies (for example, Bitcoin) are proposed as decentralized and harder-to-track payment methods, allowing circumvention of traditional financial restrictions.

• What is the specific context linking Israeli strikes on Lebanon to Iran’s decision to halt oil tanker transit? - The context lies in regional confrontation and Iran’s support for the Hezbollah movement in Lebanon. Iran views Hezbollah as a key ally in its “axis of resistance” against Israel and the US. Israeli strikes on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon are seen by Tehran as a direct threat to its strategic interests and allies. In response, Iran may use control over the Strait of Hormuz — a vital artery for global oil — as leverage or a deterrent. Halting tanker transit can serve as a warning, demonstrating Iran’s ability to destabilize global energy markets in response to actions against its allies, thereby raising the stakes in the regional conflict.

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Full version: الحرس الثوري ينشر خريطة لتجنب الألغام بمضيق هرمز وأمريكا تدعو أوروبا للمشاركة في تأمينه

Venezuela to raise minimum wage from May 1

Acting President of Venezuela Delcy Rodríguez announced that the minimum wage for all workers in the country will be increased starting May 1. This decision is part of a comprehensive government strategy aimed at economic recovery and protecting the population's purchasing power. According to Rodríguez, the measures are intended to strengthen the foundations of sovereignty and peace, fostering national dialogue and sustainable growth that should ultimately benefit all segments of society and lay the groundwork for the country's financial stability and social progress.

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Full version: Delcy Rodríguez anuncia que el 1° de mayo habrá incremento

Iran and the US: How Different Definitions of Victory Led to a Diplomatic Deadlock

Donald Trump’s negotiation philosophy, described as “set maximal goals and apply continuous pressure,” formed the basis of the US strategy in its confrontation with Iran. The White House raised the bar of demands to regime change in Tehran, accompanying that with intense military pressure over roughly 40 days. However, the conflict quickly revealed a fundamental difference: the sides measured victory differently. For Washington, the criterion was economic indicators, while Tehran redefined success as the concept of “survival” and national resilience.

This difference manifested in the interpretation of the same facts. The US saw the collapse of the Iranian currency and market panic as signs of a gradual paralysis of the state. Iran, however, presented the economic downturn as a “forced detachment” from the global financial system—a necessary stage in strengthening sovereignty. After the ceasefire, Washington pointed to a 17% drop in oil prices as proof of its success in “taming” Iran and securing the Strait of Hormuz. In response, Iran’s Supreme National Security Council proclaimed: “Survival is victory,” turning the threat of collapse into a reason to celebrate national resilience.

Iranian propaganda presented the agreement reached as a historic victory, grounded in the supreme leader’s religious edict and in evidence of military-political superiority on the battlefield. Tehran claimed it had forced Washington to take a seat at the negotiating table in Islamabad and to back away from the threat of total annihilation. Despite American claims of eliminating command personnel and significantly reducing missile attacks, analysts note that these tactical successes did not achieve broader US strategic goals, such as denuclearization or regime change.

As the conflict unfolded, the gap between the parties’ initial objectives and the actual outcomes became increasingly apparent. The US began with demands to change the regime and dismantle the nuclear program, but ultimately tried to present securing the Strait of Hormuz as a victory. Statements by American officials were contradictory: the defense secretary spoke of achieving “all objectives,” while Trump at first declared that with the elimination of Ali Khamenei “it’s over,” but later cautiously noted the need to “finish the mission.” This rhetoric exposed a mixture of campaign slogans and complex military reality.

Iran’s key advantage was the strategic use of geography and proxy forces. The threat to close the Strait of Hormuz and the activation of allies in Lebanon and Iraq allowed Tehran to impose significant economic and political costs on the world, demonstrating that control over territory offers more room for maneuver than technology alone. Ideologically, Iran turned to the “revolutionary street,” creating a narrative of popular epic and turning fear into national resistance, while Trump appealed to “Western reason,” speaking of protecting the economy and international navigation.

In the end, the White House realized that Iran’s criterion of success was socio-economic survival, and that continuing the conflict on the eve of elections could harm domestic stability in the US. The administration faced a difficult choice: accept Iran’s terms or plunge into an “endless war” of attrition. Pakistan’s mediation provided an acceptable way out, giving both sides a platform to declare a negative draw. Each side was able to present its version of events to domestic and international audiences. By choosing the diplomatic route, Trump in effect followed Winston Churchill’s quote: “Diplomacy is preferable to war.”

Comments on the News

• What role and powers does Iran’s Supreme National Security Council have in shaping foreign policy and responding to crises? - The Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) is the key coordinating body that defines strategy in national security, defense, and foreign policy. It is chaired by the president, but its decisions on critical issues (for example, international agreements or crisis responses) are subject to approval by the Supreme Leader. The council coordinates the actions of military, intelligence, and diplomatic agencies, making it the central body for crisis management and for shaping foreign policy within the overall ideological line of the Islamic Republic.

• What is meant by the term “revolutionary street” in the Iranian political and ideological context? - The term “revolutionary street” (کوی انقلاب) symbolizes the broad segments of the population that remain faithful to the ideals of the 1979 Islamic Revolution. It is not a physical place but a political-ideological concept denoting the mass support base of the system, including war veterans, Basij members (militia), conservative religious circles, and those who oppose Western influence. The “revolutionary street” is often contrasted with the “liberal” or “reformist street,” which is associated with demands for political and social change.

• Which specific “proxy forces” in Lebanon and Iraq does Iran support, and how are they used in its regional strategy? - In Lebanon the key force is Hezbollah — a powerful Shiite political and military organization established with Iranian support in the 1980s. In Iraq, it is primarily a network of Shiite militias unified under the Popular Mobilization Forces (al-Hashd al-Shaabi), such as Kataib Hezbollah and Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq. These forces are used by Iran as instruments of “strategic depth” to expand influence, deter adversaries (the US, Israel, Saudi Arabia), protect Shiite interests, and create zones of influence, allowing Tehran to act while minimizing direct military intervention.

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Full version: أمريكا وإيران تعلنان الانتصار.. كيف صنع كل طرف سرديته بعد 40 يوما من القتال؟

Two-week truce between the US and Iran: a peace breakthrough mediated by Pakistan

The political situation in the Middle East underwent an unexpected shift after US President Donald Trump announced a two-week truce with Iran. He described the 10-point plan received from Tehran as "an appropriate basis for negotiations" and stated his agreement to halt bombings to give a chance for a final agreement to be reached. This diplomatic breakthrough, achieved with Pakistan's mediation, was widely welcomed internationally as an opportunity for a long-term settlement.

Many countries hailed the initiative as a chance for de-escalation and the resumption of diplomacy. Italy called the halt to hostilities "an extremely positive development," while Turkey saw it as "an important opportunity for regional stability." Asian and Oceanian countries, including Indonesia and Australia, also expressed support, emphasizing the need to respect state sovereignty and the importance of ensuring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

Arab states and some Western countries reacted with cautious optimism. Saudi Arabia and Egypt supported the truce and Pakistan's efforts, while Spain said it "will not applaud those who set the fire just because they have now come with a bucket of water." Qatar, Oman, Kuwait and Iraq joined calls to consolidate the truce and move to serious dialogue aimed at addressing the root causes of the crisis.

According to reports, the first direct talks since the start of the conflict are expected to take place in Islamabad this coming Friday. The Associated Press noted potential discrepancies between the Persian and English versions of Iran's proposal regarding uranium enrichment, which adds complexity to future discussions.

International organizations, including the UN and the European Union, urged all parties to work toward achieving a lasting peace in accordance with international law. The success of the truce and the move toward a long-term agreement depend directly on two key conditions: Iran reopening the Strait of Hormuz to shipping and progress in the comprehensive talks in Pakistan.

Comments on the news

• Why did Pakistan act as mediator in these talks, given its own complicated relations with the US and regional dynamics? - Pakistan occupies a unique position: it maintains working relations both with Iran (a neighbor and energy partner) and with the West. Despite tensions with the US, Islamabad has historically played the role of a regional peacemaker, seeking to prevent an escalation of conflict on its borders that would threaten its own security. Its mediation is perceived as relatively neutral within the Muslim world.

• What is the historical context and significance of the issue of uranium enrichment for Iran, beyond the current talks? - For Iran, the right to enrich uranium is a matter of national sovereignty, technological independence and pride, tracing back to the peaceful nuclear program initiated under the Shah. After the 1979 revolution, the West grew suspicious of Iran's military intentions, leading to sanctions and isolation. The 2015 nuclear deal (JCPOA) temporarily eased the crisis, but the US withdrawal in 2018 and tighter sanctions pushed Iran to expand enrichment as leverage and a means of regime survival.

• What is meant by the "root causes of the crisis" that Arab states call to address? - By "root causes," Arab states—primarily the Gulf monarchies led by Saudi Arabia—mean not only Iran's nuclear program but also its regional policy: support for proxy forces in Yemen (the Houthis), Syria, Lebanon (Hezbollah), and the ideological confrontation (the Shiite–Sunni divide). They believe that without resolving these issues of Iranian influence in the region, any nuclear agreement will be incomplete and will not guarantee their security.

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Full version: ترحيب باتفاق "الأنفاس الأخيرة" بين واشنطن وطهران ودعوات لتحقيق سلام دائم

Delcy Rodríguez Calls for Lifting Sanctions on Venezuela

Acting President of Venezuela Delcy Rodríguez announced that on Wednesday, April 8, she will address the nation with a call to end the economic sanctions and blockade against the country, stating that there is a societal consensus in Venezuela against them. She made her statement at a meeting with leaders of religious communities, emphasizing the importance of the Peace and Democratic Coexistence Program for national unity. Rodríguez noted that this program is intended to help "heal" society from hatred and intolerance, which, in her view, led to extremism and justified foreign intervention, as a result of which "missiles fell on our homeland."

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Full version: Delcy Rodríguez se dirigirá este miércoles al país con un mensaje: En Venezuela uno de los consensos es rechazar las sanciones

Two-week US–Iran ceasefire opens way to reopening of the Strait of Hormuz

The United States and Iran announced they had reached an important diplomatic agreement providing for a two-week ceasefire in exchange for the resumption of shipping through the strategic Strait of Hormuz. US President Donald Trump described the agreement as a "complete and total victory," calling the day great for world peace. The Iranian side, for its part, declared its own "great victory," stressing that Washington had been forced to accept its ten-point proposal, which became the basis for the negotiations.

The agreement includes a US commitment to provide technical and logistical assistance to clear maritime traffic in the strait, and also provides for the lifting of all international sanctions on Iran and the unfreezing of its overseas assets. Trump expressed confidence that this gives Tehran the opportunity to begin a "process of recovery" and could mark the start of a "golden age for the Middle East." Iran’s Supreme National Security Council confirmed that negotiations for the final stage of the settlement are scheduled for April 11 in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad.

China played an important mediating role in bringing the parties closer, a participation noted by the US president. Most points of the agreement remain subject to further negotiations, including the sensitive issue of Iran's nuclear program. Trump said the nuclear issue "will be resolved in the best possible way," while acknowledging discrepancies between the Persian and English versions of the document regarding uranium enrichment conditions.

The Iranian side has given guarantees for the safe passage of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz in coordination with national armed forces. This will allow the resumption of transport of about 130 million barrels of crude oil and 46 million barrels of petroleum products on roughly 200 tankers. Among the key conditions of the Iranian proposal are maintaining Tehran's control over the strait, a commitment by the parties to refrain from attacks, the withdrawal of US troops from the region, and a cessation of hostilities on all fronts, including in Lebanon.

Commentary on the news

• On what basis does Iran claim control over the Strait of Hormuz, and how does this relate to international maritime law? - Iran claims control over the Strait of Hormuz on the basis of its geographic position, since the northern shore of the strait belongs to Iran. Under international maritime law, in particular the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), coastal states have sovereignty over their territorial waters, which extend 12 nautical miles from the coast. However, in international straits such as the Strait of Hormuz, the right of "transit passage" operates, allowing foreign vessels to pass through freely. Iran, although it has not ratified UNCLOS, generally adheres to these norms but reserves the right to regulate navigation within the framework of its jurisdiction, especially on security and environmental grounds.
• What role does the Strait of Hormuz play in Iran's economy and strategic position beyond the oil traffic mentioned in the article? - Beyond oil traffic, the Strait of Hormuz is crucial to Iran’s economy as an important route for trade in other goods such as liquefied natural gas (LNG), chemical products, and consumer goods. Strategically, the strait strengthens Iran’s position in the region, allowing it to influence global energy markets and serve as a bargaining lever in international politics. It is also important for national security since control over the strait helps Iran protect its coastlines and marine resources and provides logistical advantages for naval operations.

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Full version: واشنطن وطهران تعلنان النصر وترمب يبشر بـ"عصر ذهبي" للمنطقة

Alarm and Criticism: Trump's Threats and Games on the Brink of War

In the latest wave of materials circulating in Venezuelan media and social networks, Donald Trump's statements about a possible devastating response and even the death of a "whole civilization" are presented as a signal of an approaching global conflict. Reports and commentary use dramatic rhetoric — from fears of NATO's collapse to talk of a "quiet" global war — and focus on accusations of Washington's aggressive policy: mass base closures, threats of invasions, and destabilization of regional security. Overall the tone of the materials is critical and often openly anti-European and anti-American, reflecting not so much neutral coverage as a politically colored interpretation of the possible consequences of American foreign policy. The materials are based on publications from YouTube, Telemundo, and BBC (Venezuela).

Venezuela on "alerta máxima": how the US–Iran conflict is read through the prism of sanctions and oil

The Venezuelan media and political environment perceives another escalation between the US and Iran not as a distant Middle Eastern crisis but as part of its own everyday reality. Analysis by Mexican journalist Carmen Aristegui, including her video "Irán responde a Estados Unidos y amenaza con atacar su infraestructura" (link), where the phrasing that "the world has entered a estado de alerta máxima" is used, overlays in Caracas with fresh pieces about Donald Trump's ultimatums to Tehran, threats to strike Iranian infrastructure, and bargaining over the Strait of Hormuz, as recounted by Telemundo/NBC and BBC Mundo.

In this aggregate of texts, the Venezuelan audience sees not a set of isolated facts but a coherent picture: the logic of US coercion, sanctions warfare, and strikes on energy infrastructure that for many years has determined Venezuela's own fate.

When Aristegui speaks of the risk of a "colapso del suministro energético global," in Caracas this is instantly translated into very concrete categories. On the one hand, rising oil prices could become a respite for the weakened economy of an oil-exporting country. On the other — any escalation around Iran and Hormuz strengthens the positions of the "hawks" in Washington who oppose easing sanctions on Venezuelan oil. Venezuela, dependent on a limited number of buyers and under severe financial and oil embargoes, understands that a prolonged war of nerves between the US and Tehran could entrench its own isolation.

Particular attention in Caracas has been drawn to details about possible military targets discussed in Washington. The Telemundo/NBC piece emphasizes that the Pentagon proposed to Trump a list of "dual-use" targets — power plants, desalination facilities, bridges. Experts warn that strikes on such "critical infrastructure" could fall under the definition of war crimes. However, in this context Trump speaks of the Iranians' willingness to endure suffering for "libertad" and cites allegedly intercepted phrases: "Por favor, sigan lanzando bombas… Por favor, sigan bombardeando."

In Venezuela such statements are read through their own experience. The official camp sees here a continuation of a familiar logic: the US is ready to paralyze the energy sector and the civilian economy of an adversary state, and the suffering of the population is presented as a necessary price for regime change. The same arguments — "pressure for freedom and democracy" — have already been used to justify sanctions against Caracas. Dubious "voices of the people," supposedly calling to "keep bombing," are received by the Venezuelan public with great skepticism: amid its own information war, which has featured disputed interceptions, social media fakes, and politically motivated testimonies, such justifications for force look like part of a standard propaganda toolkit.

Critics of the government within Venezuela see another important catch in the material: if for Iran the discussion of strikes on the energy system triggers talk of war crimes, then regarding Venezuela the same mechanisms of pressure — financial blockade, sanctions against PDVSA, indirect undermining of the energy sector — are presented by the West as "legitimate tools" of foreign policy. The comparison to the war in Ukraine made by Telemundo/NBC only reinforces among the Caracas audience the sense of double standards: when Moscow strikes Ukrainian power plants it is called a "crimen de guerra," but when Washington contemplates strikes on Iranian ones, complex legal caveats about "dual-use targets" are voiced.

Aristegui's remarks about a possible "colapso del suministro energético global" and the threat of strikes on infrastructure in Iran painfully rhyme with the series of blackouts in 2019–2020 in Venezuela itself. At that time the Maduro government spoke of "sabotaje eléctrico" and even "electromagnetic attacks" against the Guri hydroelectric plant; a sense of energy vulnerability became entrenched in society for a long time. In this context any reports of theoretical bombings of Iranian power plants are perceived not as abstraction but as confirmation: the energy systems of "pariah states" have become legitimate targets in global conflicts, even if the blows are delivered not by missiles but by sanctions.

The way Trump in the cited piece explains the need to pressure Iran — through promises of "freedom," "internal revolution," and the willingness of the people to endure for a political goal — Venezuelan commentators almost automatically apply to their own reality. The formula "los iraníes estarían dispuestos a soportar eso con tal de obtener su libertad," presented in the article, sounds to the Venezuelan audience like a direct echo of discussions around sanctions against Caracas, when external actors argued that "Venezuelans will endure hardships to end the dictatorship." In a country where economic collapse, shortages, and hyperinflation have become part of everyday life, such a willingness of Washington to decide "what suffering is permissible" is felt extremely painfully.

At the same time, the Venezuelan reaction to BBC Mundo pieces adds another level — symbolic-political. The report describes how "cadenas humanas" are organized around energy facilities in Iran — chains of people who become a human shield at power plants in the face of threats from the US. Donald Trump, in that vein, calls these actions "totally illegal," while Iranian officials present them as a patriotic defense against "US-Israeli aggression." Here the Venezuelan viewer sees a mirror of their own propaganda and mobilization practices.

The Iranian youth campaign "Cadena Humana de Jóvenes Iraníes por un Futuro Brillante," mentioned in the BBC Mundo report, with its millions of participants ready to "sacrificar sus vidas," visually and rhetorically resembles Venezuelan "marches in defense of the revolution," "patriotic caravans," "shifts to guard the power system," and the constant calls by authorities to "unión cívico-militar" around strategic infrastructure. The official discourse in Caracas readily draws parallels: the Iranian people surrounding power plants with a human chain represent an "anti-imperialist brotherhood" analogous to the Venezuelan "pueblo en armas."

Meanwhile, the opposition segment of society and independent analysts in Venezuela perceive these scenes differently. For them, the Iranian chains are first and foremost a large, staged campaign of state propaganda appealing to readiness for sacrifice and unconditional loyalty. They draw direct analogies to Venezuelan mass mobilization "cadriilas," where the image of citizens obliged to be a "shield of the revolution" is cultivated, and argue that this strengthens authoritarian practices under the guise of fighting "external aggression."

Trump's phrase that such chains are "totally illegal" is felt especially sharply. In a country where authorities themselves have repeatedly declared certain protests "illegal" — for example, when it involved blocking roads or attempts to approach military facilities — residents see a common pattern: the legal status of mass actions changes according to political expediency. In this sense the BBC Mundo report, which dispassionately records the positions of Washington and Tehran, is read in Venezuela as an illustration that the US, Iran, and Caracas equally use the language of legality and illegality of protest as instruments of political struggle.

A key line running through all these pieces is the theme of sovereignty and "camps." When the Telemundo/NBC material describes negotiations to reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for a two-week truce, Venezuelan commentators see in this an example of how a vital artery of the world's oil is turned into a bargaining chip between Washington and Tehran. For Caracas, which possesses some of the largest oil reserves in the world but is effectively excluded from full participation in the global market due to sanctions, this is an example of how energy is used as a tool in geopolitical deals where the fate of supplier countries and their populations becomes derivative of superpowers' strategic calculations.

Venezuelan foreign policy has long been built around rapprochement with Iran, Russia, and China — states that have been subjected to systemic pressure by the US and EU. Therefore any escalation Washington–Tehran, as described in materials from Aristegui Noticias, Telemundo/NBC, and BBC Mundo, is perceived as an event of the "camp" to which Venezuela also assigns itself. Pro-government voices emphasize that this is further proof that the "unipolar world," led by the US, leads to constant wars, sanctions, and attempts at regime change in "disobedient" countries. Opponents of the government, by contrast, point out that Caracas's tight alignment with the besieged "camp" of Iran, Russia, and Syria only increases the risk that Venezuela will remain in a state of "alerta máxima" forever: without investment, without normalized relations with the West, and with the perpetual threat of expanded sanctions.

Finally, the media and cultural context is no less important. Aristegui's call "Súmate a nuestra transmisión en vivo" and her motto "Desde cualquier medio, periodismo en libertad," voiced in the video about the US–Iran crisis (link), particularly resonate in a country where censorship, the closure of TV channels, and the persecution of journalists have long been part of the agenda. For many Venezuelans, turning to regional rather than Anglo-Saxon sources — be it Aristegui Noticias, Spanish-language versions of BBC Mundo or Telemundo — becomes a form of symbolic resistance to the dominance of CNN and other media perceived as conveyors of Washington's official line.

This is how a specifically Venezuelan lens on the current US–Iran confrontation is formed. Where a global reader sees primarily the risk of war crimes, the threat of a Hormuz blockade, and another flare-up of a Middle Eastern crisis, Venezuela reads lessons from its own sanctions war, energy vulnerability, and the thin line between "defending freedom" and legitimizing civilian suffering. The global "estado de alerta máxima" that Carmen Aristegui speaks of is perceived in Caracas no longer as an exceptional condition but as a new normal background — a chronic regime in which the country has lived for many years and in which every new twist of the US–Iran conflict can either slightly ease its situation or tighten the sanctions noose even further.

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Final hours before Trump's ultimatum: peace or war in the Strait of Hormuz?

The world is holding its breath awaiting the expiration of the ultimatum set by US President Donald Trump to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The strait, a strategically important sea lane for transporting oil, has become the epicenter of tension between the US and Iran. Expectations are split between a possible extension of the deadline and the start of a large-scale military escalation. American sources indicate the decision could lean toward a postponement if talks show progress; however, the final choice rests solely with Trump. The international and regional community anxiously watch the last hours, which could lead either to a temporary lull or to an expansion of the conflict.

Contradictory consultations are underway within US government circles about the best path forward. Some officials and intermediaries do not rule out extending the ultimatum, as Trump has done before, especially given his stated desire to "finish the war" and the American public's reluctance to become embroiled in protracted conflicts. However, other reports express doubt that the president will be willing to concede this time, noting the huge gap between Washington's and Tehran's positions. Tension is likely to persist until Tuesday evening, the set deadline, with Trump's assessment possibly changing based on overnight negotiations.

On the military front, a ready plan is reported for a large-scale US–Israeli bombing of Iranian energy facilities if ordered. American officials indicate that strike orders could be given Tuesday evening if talks do not lead to an agreement. Iranian authorities fear that Israeli strikes, including possible targeted eliminations, could continue even after any potential understanding. This possibility shows that the escalation option remains real and prepared for rapid execution if the White House decides to act decisively.

Inside the US administration, some commentators and leaders describe Trump's approach as the toughest. Axios, citing an official, even characterizes him as "the most bloodthirsty" on the Iran file. Comparing Trump to other administration figures, such as the secretary of defense and the secretary of state, highlights his harsher and more independent stance, distinct from the official line. Such descriptions reflect concerns that the decision on war or peace hinges on a sharp presidential view that may favor a military option.

For its part, Iran, according to The New York Times, presented a ten-point proposal for ending the war. It includes lifting sanctions, guarantees against future attacks, and cessation of Israeli strikes on the pro-Iranian Lebanese group Hezbollah. In return, Tehran proposes lifting the blockade on the Strait of Hormuz and charging fees of about two million dollars per passing vessel, sharing revenue with the Sultanate of Oman. The Iranian side suggests using its share to restore damaged infrastructure instead of direct compensation. The proposal was conveyed through Pakistani mediation. Iranian state media said the proposal emphasizes the need for a "permanent cessation of the war" and includes a protocol for safe passage through the strait.

Comments on the news

• How exactly does the group "Hezbollah" operate in the region and why is the cessation of Israeli strikes against it a key condition for Iran? - Hezbollah is the most powerful non-state military organization in the Middle East and a key Iranian ally in the so-called "axis of resistance." Iran views it as a strategic asset for deterring Israel and increasing its influence in Lebanon and the region. Iran considers stopping Israeli strikes on Hezbollah critically important because it directly affects its own security and regional prestige, and because Tehran provides the organization with significant military, financial, and ideological support.

• On what legal basis does Iran propose charging fees for passage through the Strait of Hormuz, and are there historical precedents for coastal states imposing such charges? - Iran may point to its rights as a coastal state to regulate navigation in its territorial waters under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). However, charging fees for mere transit through an international strait used for international navigation conflicts with the principle of freedom of transit passage. Historical precedents of charging passage fees exist (for example, the Ottoman Empire), but in modern international law, especially after 1982, such a practice for international straits is considered unacceptable.

• Why was Pakistan chosen as the mediator to convey Iran's proposal, and what is the history of its diplomatic relations with Tehran and Washington? - Pakistan was chosen because of its unique relations with both sides: it maintains long, if sometimes complicated, ties with Iran, sharing a border and historical cultural links, while also being a long-standing US partner, particularly on security issues. Islamabad has traditionally tried to balance between Tehran and Washington, acting as a potential bridge. Its diplomatic history with Iran includes both cooperation and tension due to Sunni–Shia differences and the situation in Afghanistan. With the US, Pakistan’s relationship has been that of "ally but not satellite," with periods of close cooperation and serious disagreements.

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Full version: بين التمديد والتصعيد.. العالم يترقب قرار ترمب قبل ساعات من انتهاء مهلته لإيران

Venezuela reports results of large Easter security operation

Vice President of Venezuela Diosdado Cabello announced the successful completion of a large-scale operation to ensure security during the 2026 Easter holidays. According to him, more than 229,000 personnel from law enforcement and rescue services were deployed across the country to maintain order. Their main task was to ensure the safety of more than 13.5 million citizens who traveled, attended religious services, or stayed at home during this period.

Cabello described the operation's results as "very successful," emphasizing that people were able to rest peacefully and return home. As part of the activities, in addition to patrolling, the traffic police provided citizens with briefings on road safety rules. The official thanked all the personnel involved for their duty and the high level of public satisfaction.

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Full version: Diosdado Cabello: Funcionarios resguardaron a más de 13,5 millones de venezolanos movilizados en Semana Santa

Timed ultimatums: how the US uses deadlines to pressure Iran

The American administration has turned "timed ultimatums" into a complex tool of pressure on Iran, combining military calculations with political and psychological messaging. As the fifth week of the Iran–Israel–United States standoff approaches, options narrow and paths forward become more dangerous in the absence of clear prospects for ending the conflict. The strategy of using temporal factors to manage escalation raises a fundamental question: do these deadlines precede a large-scale military strike or are they part of a deliberate pressure strategy?

The crisis intensified after Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz, when President Trump announced the failure of nuclear talks and demanded the destruction of Iran's military and nuclear infrastructure. Tehran responded with an ambiguous formulation, saying the strait was open "to everyone except enemies," giving shipping a political and security character and causing confusion in energy markets. This contrast in statements heightened tensions and injected an element of uncertainty into the calculations of regional and international actors.

On March 21, Trump hardened his rhetoric, issuing the first direct ultimatum and giving Iran 48 hours to reopen the strait, threatening the destruction of energy facilities — an explicit shift toward targeting civilian infrastructure. Iran responded sharply, saying that an attack on energy facilities would be considered an assault on the nation, with the threat of a symmetrical response. Two days later Trump announced "productive talks" and ordered strikes to be postponed for five days, but Tehran quickly denied any negotiations, deepening uncertainty about real intentions.

On March 26 the deadline was extended by another ten days citing an alleged Iranian request, which Tehran again denied, raising doubts about the true purposes of these repeated extensions. A hypothesis emerged that the deadlines were aimed not only at Iran but also at the American domestic audience — to manage expectations and justify possible escalation. Thus, timed ultimatums turned more into an instrument of psychological and political pressure than a clear negotiating process, used to shape public opinion and keep all military and political options open.

By early April threats peaked when Trump promised the "complete destruction" of Iranian infrastructure with long-term consequences for decades. This escalatory language was accompanied by contradictory signals about possible negotiations, reflecting the dual nature of the American approach — between demonstrating force and preserving a path to settlement. There is growing conviction that the management of time has become for Washington a weapon to increase pressure and achieve political and military advantages without directly entering a large-scale confrontation, keeping all scenarios open for future events.

Commentary on the news

• What economic and strategic role does the Strait of Hormuz play for Iran, beyond control of shipping? - The Strait of Hormuz serves Iran as a key lever of influence over global oil prices and the region's energy security. Control of the strait allows Iran to exert political pressure, use it as a bargaining chip in international relations, and protect its coastal economic zones. Strategically, it is also an important element of national security and sovereignty.

• What domestic political factors in the United States could have influenced the use of "timed ultimatums" as a tool of pressure on Iran? - Domestic political factors include election cycles, when an administration may show "toughness" to attract voters; pressure from Congress, especially from opposition parties; and intra-government disagreements over foreign policy strategy. "Timed ultimatums" are often used to create the appearance of decisive action or to gain domestic political support.

• How does the historical context of nuclear negotiations between Iran and the international community affect the current dynamics of the conflict? - The historical context, including the signing of the JCPOA in 2015, the subsequent US withdrawal from the agreement in 2018, and the reimposition of sanctions, created deep mutual distrust. This affects current negotiations, making compromises difficult, as Iran seeks guarantees that agreements will not be violated again, while Western countries demand tougher restrictions on Iran's nuclear program.

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Full version: سلاح المهل الأمريكية.. حرب نفسية أم تمهيد لضربة كبرى لإيران؟

A Latin American View: Trump's Threat and Its Regional Consequences

Venezuelan media and commentators describe Donald Trump's rhetoric toward Iran as overtly aggressive and destabilizing, emphasizing his threats to "arrasar" — completely annihilate — and the risk of a prolonged conflict. Reports highlight concerns about the use of unconventional weapons, possible economic consequences for oil prices, and rising tensions within NATO. The tone of pieces is often critical and alarmed: Trump is portrayed as an unpredictable leader using militarization for political gain rather than as a guarantor of stability. This piece is based on publications from www.facebook.com (Venezuela).

The Venezuelan view of Trump: war, sanctions, migrants and the "dizziness strategy"

In the Venezuelan media space, the figure of Donald Trump long ago transcended the image of "one of the U.S. presidents" and turned into a concentrated symbol of all American pressure policy: from war with Iran and sanctions to the migration agenda and debates about birthright citizenship. Two different storylines — analysis of the Iran direction and discussion of U.S. citizenship — merge in Venezuela into a single picture in which Washington acts through manipulation, legal aggression and informational "noise," and Latin Americans, especially Venezuelans, become both the object and unwitting participants in that game.

This outlook is well illustrated by video materials circulating on social networks. One of them is the program El Tablero with Laura Arroyo, accompanied by commentary from analyst Nahia Sanzo and actively shared via this Facebook post. Another is a Mexican video with Javier Tello's analysis of birthright citizenship in the U.S. and the Supreme Court’s position, published at https://www.facebook.com/nmas.com.mx/videos/ciudadan%C3%ADa-por-nacimiento-en-eua-el-an%C3%A1lisis-de-javier-tello/1648224430165795/. Despite differing topics, in Venezuelan interpretation they are arranged into a common narrative: Trump as the continuation of the U.S. "imperial" line, and his words and actions as part of a "mareo" strategy — that is, deliberate bewilderment and destabilization.

Laura Arroyo's phrase "No le creas a Donald Trump, porque su estrategia es marearte. Escúchalo sabiendo que esa es su intención" sounds particularly familiar to Venezuelan viewers. "Marearte" — "to make you dizzy," "to rock you," "to disorient you" — in Caracas is read not as a metaphor but as a day‑to‑day political experience: years of sanctions, constant statements that "all options are on the table," threats to change the regime, alternation of "humanitarian aid" and financial blockade. In official and pro‑government discourse, the U.S. has long been described as a power that talks about democracy and humanitarianism but in practice applies forceful pressure and economic strangulation. The public message is a show under which real, destructive goals are hidden.

Against this background, Nahia Sanzo's comment about war with Iran is perceived in Venezuela as an almost literal confirmation of their own experience. The analyst emphasizes: "Esta guerra lo que está consiguiendo es dar más poder, más presencia, a la Guardia Revolucionaria de Irán, que en teoría era el enemigo a batir." In the Iranian context this means that U.S. actions, conceived as a way to weaken the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, actually strengthen its position within the country and the region. In Venezuelan reading this appears as a mirror reflection: sanctions and external pressure on Caracas, local commentators argue, did not destroy the Bolivarian system but consolidated power, increased the role of the military and security services, and made reliance on force structures even more central.

This logic of a "backfire effect" is a key argument of anti‑mainstream, anti‑American analysis. According to this view, the U.S. not only acts immorally but also miscalculates strategically: the harder it squeezes, the stronger the very "enemy apparatus" it tried to break becomes. The story of the strengthening of Iran's Revolutionary Guard as a result of war, mentioned by Sanzo, becomes an illustration of a general "law": Washington's pressure produces a "besieged fortress" effect — in Iran, in Venezuela, and in other countries declared "rogue regimes."

The Venezuelan context makes this analysis especially multi‑layered. Iran and Venezuela, both under sanctions, are also oil powers. Any escalation in the Middle East, for Caracas, is read through the prism of the oil market: higher per‑barrel prices, increased U.S. control over transport corridors, tightening of sanctions regimes against "disobedient" exporters. Venezuelan media presents this as confirmation that oil is a weapon in Washington's hands, and wars in oil-bearing territories are inseparable from the political‑media campaigns in which Trump, with his flashy but contradictory rhetoric, plays a central role.

An additional layer is the so‑called "axis of the sanctioned." Caracas has built close ties with Iran, Russia, Turkey, China and other countries that have fallen under various forms of Western pressure. The strengthening of Iran's Revolutionary Guard in Venezuelan discussions is often interpreted as the bolstering of an important partner that helped Venezuela evade sanctions in fuel, technology and finance. Thus, every U.S. strike against Tehran or step toward escalation is seen not only as a geopolitical episode but as an event changing the configuration of alliances on which the survival of the Bolivarian project directly depends.

Equally important is the politico‑cultural parallelism. For the Venezuelan audience, Iran is not simply a distant theocracy but a kind of "ideological mirror." On the rhetorical level, official and semi‑official commentators readily draw analogies: Iran's Revolutionary Guard — Venezuela's armed forces and security structures; Iran's model of mobilization under the slogan of resistance to the West — the Bolivarian discourse on protecting sovereignty and revolution. In this context Sanzo's thesis that war strengthens the "enemy apparatus" is conveniently transferred to Venezuelan reality: sanctions, intervention and informational attacks, by this logic, ultimately strengthen the internal cohesion of the ruling camp.

That is why the phrase "No le creas a Donald Trump…" sounds like a political warning rather than an abstract media‑criticism recommendation. Laura Arroyo addresses the viewer in a conversational, almost street tone, stylistically close to Venezuelan political culture: Trump is not a source of information to be listened to but an actor in a play designed to "marearte" — to tire you out, confuse you, make you lose bearings. "Escúchalo sabiendo que esa es su intención" — listen to him knowing that this is his intention. In Caracas such a formula coincides with years of propaganda about the need to "read between the lines" of any statement from Washington.

However, Trump’s image in Venezuelan discussions is not exhausted by war with Iran and sanctions. Through a similar lens his migration agenda is considered, including debates about birthright citizenship in the U.S. and Supreme Court decisions, reflected in the piece featuring Javier Tello. Although the text associated with that video structurally looks like a "mismatched" layout and partially pertains to another crime chronicle in Mexico, such stories nevertheless get incorporated into the overall picture in social networks. A Venezuelan viewer clicking on a clip about "ciudadanía por nacimiento en EUA y la Corte Suprema" is unlikely to read into the technical legal details; instead, the content is automatically completed through the already established image of Trump as architect of sanctions and a hardline stance against migrants.

The migration factor makes this storyline particularly painful. Venezuela has experienced one of the largest population outflows in the world over the past decade. For millions of families in the country the U.S. is either a concrete objective (the dream to "get there and stay") or a reality for relatives already abroad trying to legalize their status. In such conditions any discussion about revising jus soli — birthright citizenship — is perceived not as an abstract debate about constitutional interpretation but as a potential threat to children of Venezuelan migrants born on U.S. soil.

If Trump and circles close to him raise the question of birthright citizenship, the Venezuelan audience hears in this the echo of past rhetoric: the same that accompanied sanctions, threats of military intervention and tightened border regimes. In mass consciousness a link is formed: those who did not spare sanctioning a country will not spare migrants' children either if it fits internal politics and "border protection" agendas. Hence a growing sense of legal insecurity: the status even of children born in the U.S. could become a bargaining chip and part of political games.

Pro‑government media in Caracas actively use such stories to reinforce their own arguments. First, it is a convenient reason to again speak of U.S. "hypocrisy": a country that teaches the world about democracy and human rights simultaneously restricts the rights of the most vulnerable — migrants and their children. Second, it fuels the narrative of systemic discrimination against Latin Americans: in this logic the U.S. appears not as a "land of opportunity" but as a segregation machine that cuts off unwanted "outsiders" under legal and bureaucratic pretexts. Third, Venezuelan authorities can use the topic to shift responsibility for the mass exodus onto "economic warfare" and external pressure rather than domestic economic policy: people leave not because of internal crisis but because the "empire" destroys the economy with sanctions — and at the same time offers migrants no real guarantees.

From an economic perspective, U.S. migration policy and the topics raised in Javier Tello's video have direct consequences for Venezuela. A substantial share of families in the country survive thanks to remittances from relatives working abroad, including in the U.S. If the legal status of these people and their children is put into question, the risk of deportations, reduced employment opportunities and increased labor market vulnerability rises. For the Venezuelan economy this means a potential reduction in foreign currency inflows through remittances, making the country even more dependent on political arrangements with the same Iran, Russia and China already mentioned in discussions of war and sanctions.

In this nexus of topics, the U.S. Supreme Court and its decisions are perceived in Venezuela as far from a neutral arbiter. In pro‑government narratives it is often depicted as a politicized instrument through which the U.S. elite can legitimize harsh measures against migrants. The dispute over birthright citizenship discussed in the Mexican video easily becomes, in Caracas, proof that the American legal system itself adapts to the political moment and can become part of a broader strategy of pressure on Latin Americans.

The cultural aspect is important too. Latin American solidarity in perceiving such stories plays a noticeable role: even if the case concerns the Mexican‑American border or children of Central American migrants, the Venezuelan public automatically includes "us too" in that multitude. The shared experience of historical U.S. intervention in the region — from coups and support for dictatorships to the blockade of Cuba and sanctions against Caracas — fuels persistent distrust of any "reforms" in American migration and civil policy. If the same elites built foreign policy without regard for neighbors' sovereignty, why trust them suddenly when it comes to the fate of migrants and their children?

Against this backdrop it becomes clear how the Venezuelan reaction to Trump's actions — whether strikes on Iran or debates about citizenship — differs from dry international reporting. Instead of listing facts, there are normative assessments; instead of chronologies, analyses of motives and long‑term effects; instead of distance, constant cross‑referencing with national experience. Thus, in the El Tablero piece circulated via Facebook video, the central figure is not the war itself but the "mareo" strategy — the idea that Trump deliberately creates informational noise to hide real goals and confuse both foreign and domestic audiences.

Similarly, even when the Venezuelan social feed accidentally "mixes" a headline about U.S. citizenship with a completely different local crime story, as happens with links to Mexican materials, perception remains politicized. A technical confusion in layout or platform algorithms only amplifies the sense of chaos and opacity in which Trump and the U.S. allegedly feel at home: the harder it is to orient oneself, the easier it is to push unpopular decisions and conceal true interests.

Taken together, this creates a coherent Venezuelan narrative about Trump and American policy: a president who threatened Venezuela and bombed allies simultaneously destroys guarantees for migrants and their children; his words cannot be taken literally because behind them is a "dizziness" strategy; his wars against "enemies" strengthen the very forces Washington declared targets; and his domestic agenda on citizenship and migration is a continuation of the same pressure line familiar to Caracas from sanctions and isolation.

In this sense both Iran and the question of U.S. citizenship are for Venezuela not simply external topics but two sides of the same coin. On one side — geopolitical confrontation, sanctions, the oil chessboard and the figure of Trump as the exponent of a hard line. On the other — the fates of millions of Latin Americans, including Venezuelans, whose lives depend on American legal decisions and the political climate. Between them is the media field, where formulas like "No le creas a Donald Trump…" become not just headlines but a kind of collective survival manual in a world perceived as controlled by an "empire" and its changing but essentially similar leaders.

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Pakistan's Plan for a Ceasefire Between Iran and the United States

Pakistan has presented a plan for a ceasefire between Iran and the United States that could take effect as soon as today and lead to the reopening of the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. According to an informed Reuters source, the plan is based on a two-stage approach, beginning with an immediate ceasefire followed by a comprehensive agreement. The proposal calls for "an immediate ceasefire and the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, after which a final agreement should be reached within 15–20 days."

The final agreement includes complex conditions, such as Iran renouncing nuclear weapons, the lifting of international sanctions, and the unblocking of Iranian assets. The plan envisions initially documenting the arrangements as a memorandum of understanding, which would be finalized through Pakistan, acting as the sole channel of communication in the negotiations. Final talks are to be conducted face-to-face in Islamabad and will include regional frameworks for the Strait of Hormuz.

The Pakistani side held separate consultations with American and Iranian officials, including U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, U.S. envoy Steve Whitkoff, and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araki. Although the plan is supported by Pakistan, China and the U.S., no commitments have yet been received from Iran, despite intensified civilian and military contacts.

An Iranian senior official confirmed that Tehran has received the proposal and is studying it, but "will not accept any deadlines or pressure." The Iranian representative stressed that the country will not open the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for a temporary ceasefire, as it believes the U.S. is not ready for a permanent ceasefire. This position reflects Tehran’s rejection of any temporary conditions or external pressure from regional or international mediators.

In parallel, according to reports from Axios, the U.S. and Iran are discussing the terms of a possible 45-day ceasefire as a step toward a final cessation of hostilities. U.S., Israeli and regional sources note that the chances of achieving a partial agreement within the next 48 hours remain limited, but this could be the last opportunity to prevent large-scale strikes on Iran’s civilian infrastructure and retaliatory attacks on energy and water facilities in Persian Gulf countries. The situation remains unstable as talks continue, but there are no guarantees of immediate implementation.

Comments on the news

• What specific military and economic power does control of the Strait of Hormuz give Iran, beyond its strategic location? - Control of the Strait of Hormuz gives Iran the ability to influence global oil prices and energy security by using the threat of blocking this critical route (through which roughly 30% of seaborne oil shipments pass) as leverage in international negotiations. Militarily, it allows Iran to rapidly deploy forces in the narrow strait, complicate navigation and create asymmetric threats (for example, using fast attack craft or mines) against more powerful naval forces.
• What are the historical relations between Iran and Pakistan that make Pakistan a suitable mediator in this conflict? - Historically, relations between Iran and Pakistan have been complex but broadly pragmatic. The two countries are neighbors, maintain diplomatic relations, and Pakistan has traditionally tried to balance between Iran and Saudi Arabia. Pakistan is not directly involved in regional conflicts on the side of any coalition, has experience in mediation (for example, in Afghanistan) and maintains lines of communication with both Iran and the Arab states of the Persian Gulf, which makes it potentially acceptable as a mediator to various parties.
• What domestic political factors in Iran could influence Tehran’s decision to accept or reject this plan, for example the role of the Supreme Leader or the Revolutionary Guard? - Key domestic factors include the position of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who has the final say on national security and foreign policy matters, and the influence of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which as a powerful military-political institution may advocate a harder line. The opinions of the Supreme National Security Council, the president and parliament (Majlis) may also play a role, particularly factions aligned with the principlists (conservatives), who are often skeptical of concessions in negotiations with the West or regional rivals.

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Full version: رويترز: إيران وأمريكا تلقتا خطة تتضمن وقفا لإطلاق النار ثم اتفاقا نهائيا

Venezuela's Supreme Court Approves Law to Fight Bureaucracy

The Supreme Tribunal of Justice of Venezuela (TSJ) has declared constitutional a new law aimed at accelerating and streamlining administrative procedures. This law, recently passed by the National Assembly, is intended to provide a legal framework for a decisive fight against excessive bureaucracy, red tape, and inefficiency in state institutions. The court noted that these long-standing problems directly affected citizens' ability to exercise their fundamental rights, and that the new act is a necessary structural reform.

The law is based on the principles of efficiency, promptness, and the elimination of unnecessary steps in the work of agencies. Its implementation is expected to dramatically reduce the time required to process citizens' requests and optimize the use of public resources. With the final judicial approval, all public institutions must immediately begin the process of technological and administrative adaptation to bring their operations into compliance with the new requirements by 2026.

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Full version: TSJ declara constitucionalidad de la Ley Orgánica para la Celeridad y Optimización de Trámites Administrativos

The High Cost of the Conflict: US Suffers Heavy Losses in Confrontation with Iran

More than a month after the start of American military operations against Iran, the outlines of an extremely costly conflict are becoming clear — consequences that extend far beyond the battlefield, affecting the global economy and the United States' own military capabilities. American and French media, as well as think tanks, report growing equipment and aircraft losses accompanied by enormous financial expenditures by Washington over the course of several weeks. These material and financial losses fuel rising debates inside the United States over the prudence of continuing this confrontation.

Among the most symbolic and expensive losses was the destruction of an advanced AWACS long-range airborne warning and control aircraft as a result of an Iranian strike on Prince Sultan Air Base; its cost is estimated at roughly $500 million. A publication in The Atlantic describes a series of US Air Force losses, including fighters, bombers and logistical support: four F-15E Strike Eagle fighters were lost, three of them due to "friendly fire" and one shot down by Iranian forces, with each aircraft valued at about $90 million.

The report also points to the loss of at least four KC-135 tanker aircraft, one of which crashed after a mid-air collision that killed the crew, and another damaged by Iranian missile strikes. The replacement cost of an E-3 Sentry airborne early warning aircraft could reach $1 billion. There is a striking imbalance in cost: inexpensive Iranian drones costing $20–50 thousand are pitted against modern American interceptors priced at $3–5 million apiece.

From a financial perspective, L'Express estimates the cost of the war over several weeks at $20–28 billion, while Congress estimated daily expenditures during peak activity at more than $1 billion, later reduced to roughly $500 million. These figures align with a Wharton budget model published by The Daily Pennsylvania, which forecasts spending of $27–28 billion with a possible rise to $47 billion by the end of April, demonstrating how quickly costs can escalate if operations continue.

The operation to rescue a pilot whose aircraft was shot down over Iran reportedly cost about $300 million due to aircraft losses. During the conflict a Hercules transport plane, two Little Bird helicopters and an F-10 Warthog fighter were also destroyed; a Black Hawk helicopter was damaged and two Reaper drones were shot down. As military analyst Andrew Fox noted, these events resulted in "huge material losses for a relatively quick in-and-out mission," underlining the high price even of short-term operations.

Direct costs are supplemented by long-term burdens, such as medical care for hundreds of wounded soldiers and indirect costs amounting to billions of dollars. The Center for Strategic and International Studies warns of depletion of stocks of modern munitions, such as Tomahawk missiles and Patriot systems, which could affect US readiness in other regions. In addition, rising prices for energy and fertilizers could push the global economy toward recession.

Criticism of the war is growing within the United States. Journalist Mary Harv stated: "This war of choice puts Americans and their allies at risk and is unlikely to produce a regime in Iran more favorable to the United States." Such remarks reflect increasing pressure on the administration to reconsider its course, while the bill for the war is likely to keep rising.

Comments on the news

• What is the role of Prince Sultan Air Base in American operations in the Middle East and why did it become a target for Iran? - Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia serves as a key hub for command, intelligence and logistics for American operations in the Middle East. Iran views it as a target because it symbolizes US military presence in the region and is used to coordinate actions Tehran considers hostile.
• What types of Iranian drones are being used in the conflict and how were they able to counter modern American equipment? - Iran uses various types of strike and reconnaissance drones, such as the Shahed and Kaman. Their effectiveness against modern equipment is explained by asymmetric warfare tactics: mass deployment, low cost, the ability to operate at low altitude to bypass air defenses and the difficulty of fully intercepting them.
• Who is Andrew Fox and what is his expertise in assessing US military losses? - Andrew Fox is a former US Air Force intelligence officer and a military analyst. His expertise lies in analyzing loss data, assessing vulnerabilities of military equipment and tactics, based on his operational experience and work with intelligence information.
• What is the Center for Strategic and International Studies and why are its warnings significant for American policy? - The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) is an influential Washington think tank on foreign policy and security issues. Its warnings are significant because they are based on in-depth analysis, often shape public debate and are taken into account by policymakers.

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Full version: نزيف الطائرات والمليارات.. كلفة الحرب الأمريكية على إيران تتفاقم

Venezuela's Reaction: Alarm and Criticism Over the Escalation Around Iran

Venezuelan publications view a possible conflict between the US-Israel coalition and Iran as a dangerous and irresponsible escalation that exposes the vulnerability of American dominance. Analytical pieces and columns are especially critical of Trump's rhetoric — from threats and ultimatums to promises of a quick victory — which, authors argue, only increase the risk of military conflict and regional instability. Reports emphasize Iran's readiness to respond, human losses and the strategic consequences of the attacks, including accounts of shot-down aircraft and situations compared to kidnappings — all of which create a picture that shifts the emphasis from neutral reporting toward condemnation of American militarism and the assertion that the US has overestimated its power and finds itself in a vulnerable position. This piece was prepared based on materials from elpais.com (Venezuela) and www.instagram.com (Venezuela).

Venezuela between Hormuz and Caracas: nuclear blackmail, Trump and the silence of the media

To a Venezuelan reading European columns about the war in the Middle East while scrolling through Instagram comments, today's world appears through a double lens. On one hand — an analytical fear of a possible US nuclear strike on Iran, discussed by a columnist in the Spanish press. On the other — anger and distrust toward the "Western press," voiced in Venezuelan social media, where Donald Trump is referred to as "señor naranja," and global media are called "esclavos del sionismo."

This dual optics is clear when comparing the Spanish column about Washington's "nuclear option" regarding Iran, published in El País, and a Venezuelan analysis of an Instagram post that discusses Trump's threats to close the Strait of Hormuz and attack regional infrastructure, referencing a post on Instagram. Together they form a coherent picture of how political violence by the US, the threat of a major war, and the role of information in that game are perceived in Caracas.

The column in El País poses an extremely stark hypothetical question: could Donald Trump, upon returning to power and confronted with a deadlock in a war against Iran, decide to use nuclear weapons to, in the author's words, "provoke hell" on Iranian territory and break the "real balance" on the battlefield? This prospect is described as more psychological than military: it's less about military rationale than about a display of force and blackmail in situations where the aggressor cannot achieve a "neat" victory by conventional means, while the attacked regime does not fall and behaves, in the author's figurative wording, like a "hydra with seven heads."

From Caracas that question sounds familiar. First, because Venezuelans have grown used to the rhetoric "all options are on the table," which Washington has used since 2017 regarding Venezuela, Iran and other "problem" countries. Second, because the experience of recent decades has shown: the US is well versed in the arsenal of sanctions, economic strangulation and covert operations, but extremely cautious when it comes to prolonged, bloody and politically hard-to-justify wars for its own electorate.

The Spanish text is constructed as a debate of "arguments and counterarguments." One inner voice says: Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu, faced with a military deadlock, could resort to "nuclear madness"; another replies: that option is political suicide and would encounter the fiercest resistance within the US itself and among its allies. It is this "dialogue" that particularly resonates in Venezuela.

The first important theme — the limits of American power. The El País author emphasizes that a "real parity" has emerged on the battlefield: the aggressor cannot win without enormous losses and a costly ground operation, while the attacked side — whether Iran or its Middle Eastern allies — is not inclined to capitulate and knows how to regenerate its capabilities. In Venezuelan analytical circles this idea long ago became commonplace: the US retains colossal military potential, but it is constrained by political limits — public fatigue with "endless wars," the risk of new "Iraqs" and "Afghanistans," the fear of images of thousands of coffins. Hence the reliance on sanctions, hybrid actions, economic blockade, rather than direct interventions like the now-unthinkable Iraq-2003 or Libya-2011.

The second theme — the conflict between "madness" and negotiations. The El País column insists that before pressing a nuclear button, there is always a way back to diplomacy, even if it will be presented by propaganda as "our victory" — "they are exhausted, they cannot defeat us." For a Venezuelan reader this sounds especially familiar. Caracas has seen Washington alternate periods of "maximum pressure" — intensified sanctions, threats, support for "regime change" — with tactical softening: issuing oil licenses, partially allowing Venezuelan oil onto the market, launching and freezing dialogues. Meanwhile, the rhetoric "the regime fell," "they can no longer" does not disappear, even when the White House is quietly forced to negotiate with the very government it yesterday called "illegitimate."

The third theme — the use of war as an electoral tool. The Spanish author reminds that both Trump and Netanyahu are heading into elections; polarization, demonstrating toughness and playing to voters' nerves serve their interests. In Venezuela this confirms a long-held suspicion: US policy toward Caracas, Tehran or Gaza is often driven not by rational interests but by electoral logic. Toughness toward "dictators," "terrorists," "rogue regimes" scores points with certain groups — the Israeli lobby, the Cuban-American community in Florida, evangelical voters. For Venezuela this means the country's fate is often hostage to Washington's political calendar.

The fourth line of reasoning concerns domestic political costs of extreme decisions. The El País piece draws a clear line between World War II, where the US's use of nuclear weapons is still justified as a fight against "Nazi-fascism," and a potential war against Iran, which would be seen by the world as an "illegal aggressive war." A nuclear strike in that context would not be a symbol of victory but an admission of political failure, a signal that all other means proved insufficient. And this logic, many Venezuelan analysts believe, restrains Washington not only from "nuclear madness" but also from open occupations like those many in Caracas feared at the peak of the 2017–2019 crises.

The fifth aspect — risks for the region and the global economy. The Iberian text highlights: radioactive contamination, strikes on transport corridors, and likely escalation of retaliatory attacks would affect not only Iran but also "friendly emirate regimes," and even Israel. From Caracas they add oil and logistics: any war around the Strait of Hormuz, especially with threats to attack infrastructure, could push up oil prices and tanker freight, which in the short term benefits producing countries like Venezuela, but in reality threatens greater turbulence, tighter financial restrictions and more difficulty selling "problematic oil."

At this point the European analysis connects with a Venezuelan voice from Instagram, examined in the piece and based on the post. There the focus shifts: not the nuclear bomb, but Trump's alleged threat to attack "all power plants and the bridge" if the "paso de Ormus" is not opened. Not cold calculation, but outrage at how, in the author's view, "Western media" are silent about this.

The phrase "van le@tos con la información ohhh no quieren informar con la verdad" fits precisely into the Venezuelan context, where for many years there has been the belief that the "international press" lies and distorts almost everything concerning the country, its crisis and its alliances. Inside Venezuela it is common to hear that global channels:

• downplay the damage from sanctions, focusing only on repression and corruption;
• show street protests against the government but ignore rallies by its supporters;
• frame any contact between Caracas and Moscow, Beijing or Tehran as a "threat to democracy" rather than an attempt to survive under blockade.

Now the same distrustful optics is transferred to Hormuz. It is asserted that Western TV channels and newspapers either "lag far behind" reality or directly hide Trump's words about possible strikes on energy infrastructure because "medios occidentales o prensa q son esclavo del sionismo." This is not the language of measured geopolitics — it is the language of the street, where the mirror of global politics has long been cracked and split into "us" and "them": "us," who live under sanctions, and "them," who control the financial system, weapons and media.

Symbolically, Donald Trump in this Instagram comment is called "señor naranja" — a nickname that in Venezuela is firmly associated with the period of the harshest sanctions and attempts at "regime change." For Venezuelans the "orange señor" is not just the former US president but the face of the oil embargo against PDVSA, the seizure of state assets abroad, and threats of military intervention. And when he is credited with threats to bomb "plantas eléctricas y puente" somewhere near Hormuz, in popular imagination this echoes memories of the major blackouts of 2019, when the government spoke of "cyber and physical attacks on Guri," and the opposition blamed chronic collapse of the power system.

This view of Hormuz as a pressure point on global energy naturally intersects with the Venezuelan experience: whoever controls oil and tanker routes largely controls the world economy. Thus, for the Venezuelan reader any talk of closing the strait or striking infrastructure is not an abstract "over there war" but a factor that directly affects the price of a Venezuelan barrel, the country's budget, Caracas's negotiating position in OPEC and OPEC+, and its dependence on deals with Iran, Russia and China.

If one juxtaposes the two texts — the European column in El País and the Venezuelan-Instagram commentary discussed with reference to the Instagram post — the same nerve emerges: fear that decisions about war and peace are made in Washington based more on internal political calculations than universal norms, and distrust about how these decisions are explained to the world.

The Spanish author, discussing a possible nuclear attack, stresses the existence of checks: Congress, the judiciary, allies who are "already sick" of endless escalation, and above all — the American voter, who will not understand why a new "optional" war has been started. The Venezuelan Instagram voice doesn't believe this so much: it is more convinced that the media are subordinate to an invisible center of power that will justify any escalation if it benefits "Zionism" and "the empire."

Yet both texts agree on at least one point: that the game is being played on the edge of an abyss. In the El País column this is described by the "chicken game" metaphor, when two cars race toward each other and the winner is the one who turns away later. In the Venezuelan version, based on the Instagram post, this sense of extremity is expressed in the formula "they don't tell the whole truth," implying that real threats — strikes on power plants, bridges, energy infrastructure — are much closer than they seem from evening news broadcasts.

For Venezuela at least three lessons follow.

First: even in extreme scenarios like the theoretical "nuclear option," Washington is constrained by internal and external politics. That does not rule out harsh sanctions and hybrid attacks, but it makes steps that would instantly turn the US into a global pariah less likely. For Caracas this is a signal: there is a ceiling to escalation, albeit a dangerously high one.

Second: the battle for perception is no less important than the war on the ground. That the same Iran crisis becomes a rational "pros and cons" exercise about a nuclear strike in the Spanish text, and a cry about "media slaves of Zionism" in the Venezuelan text, shows how deep the trust gap in information sources is. For Venezuela, long accused of propaganda and disinformation, this is not abstract but everyday reality.

Third: the shared fate of periphery countries. Both Iran and Venezuela appear in these mirrors as states without nuclear weapons, but living under the threat of military, economic and informational power from the nuclear North. Hence the acute sense of asymmetry: those with the bomb set the rules; those without it face sanctions and demonization even for attempts to create their own security systems.

In the end both the Spanish column and the Venezuelan Instagram comment speak to the same thing: the global order is structured so that the security and sovereignty of countries like Venezuela and Iran depend not only on their domestic policies but also on the emotional and electoral cycles in the White House. And while in one hemisphere the debate is whether political calculation will allow Trump or his successors to "provoke hell" with a nuclear strike, in the other hemisphere millions of people discuss on social media why this is "not told truthfully" on television and what else the "slaves of Zionism" in Western newsrooms are hiding.

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US aircraft in Iran: challenges of geography and air defenses

In the sixth week of the military conflict, the incident involving the downing of two US military aircraft on Iranian territory highlighted the serious difficulties the US Air Force faces when attempting to penetrate the country’s airspace. The complex mountainous terrain, stretching over a vast area, combined with Iran’s dense, multilayered air defense system, creates unique operational risks. This natural and technological barrier has been a severe test for American planning in recent weeks.

The first incident was the crash of an F-15E Strike Eagle multirole fighter in the Zagros Mountains on the border of Khuzestan and Boyerahmad provinces. Analysis of the wreckage and identifying markings suggested the aircraft may have belonged to the 494th Fighter Squadron, based in the United Kingdom. The subsequent search-and-rescue operation involving a C-130 transport and UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters encountered direct opposition: one of the helicopters was damaged by activated Iranian air defense assets, underscoring the danger of such missions deep in enemy territory.

Almost simultaneously, more than 800 kilometers away, a second incident was recorded — the downing of an A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft. The American side confirmed the loss of the aircraft, while Iranian sources stated it was shot down by their air defense systems near the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. The A-10, nicknamed the “flying gun” for its powerful 30-mm rotary cannon, is specially designed for close air support of ground forces and for engaging armored vehicles.

The characteristics of the two aircraft demonstrate the tactical diversity of the threats: the F-15E is a two-seat deep-penetration fighter, while the A-10 is a single-seat specialized attack aircraft, known for its survivability thanks to an armored titanium cockpit. Experts suggest that modern air defense systems may have been used against them, possibly Chinese HQ-9 missiles or Russian man-portable systems like the Verba, indicating the technological capability of Iran’s defenses.

Taken together, both incidents call into question any foreign power’s ability to guarantee the safety of its aviation and the success of search-and-rescue operations against a developed Iranian air defense system. The incidents also revived fundamental questions about the extraordinary difficulty of neutralizing such air defense networks and the realism of scenarios involving a large-scale US ground operation on Iranian territory, where geography acts as a natural ally of the defending side.

Comments on the news

• How strategically important are the Zagros Mountains for Iran’s defense and why do they create such difficulties for aviation? - The Zagros Mountains form a natural defensive barrier about 1,500 km long, protecting Iran’s central regions. Their complex relief, with elevations up to 4,400 meters, deep gorges, and limited approach corridors, complicates large-scale ground operations and creates serious problems for aviation: it limits visibility, interferes with radar performance, reduces the effectiveness of precision weapons, and provides numerous hiding places for mobile air defense systems and missile launchers.

• What are the political and ethnic characteristics of Khuzestan and Boyerahmad provinces, and could they affect the local situation in the conflict? - Khuzestan, an oil-rich region with a significant Arab population, has historically experienced tensions over resource distribution and cultural rights. Boyerahmad, populated mainly by Lors and Bakhtiaris, is less economically developed. These ethno-demographic factors can influence the local situation, creating potential vulnerabilities for the central government, especially in the context of possible external attempts to exploit ethnic divisions or destabilize strategically important regions.

• What is the role and capability of Chinese HQ-9 air defense systems in Iran’s defense network, and how closely does Iran cooperate with China in the military-technical sphere? - HQ-9 systems (China’s analogue to the Russian S-300) significantly enhance Iran’s ability to protect key assets from aircraft, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles out to ranges of about 200 km. Their integration into Iran’s air defense network demonstrates close military-technical cooperation with China, which has been actively developing amid sanctions. This cooperation includes not only weapons purchases but also joint exercises, technology exchanges, and possibly joint production, as part of a strategic partnership under the 25-year agreements.

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Full version: محاكاة.. سقوط طائرتين أمريكيتين يكشف تعقيدات اختراق السماء الإيرانية؟

Venezuelan leader marks peaceful, spiritual Holy Week

Acting President of Venezuela Delcy Rodríguez, in her social media address, summed up the religious holiday of Holy Week, noting an atmosphere of deep spirituality, peaceful rest, and family gatherings among citizens. She said she had observed the population faithfully honoring traditions, and that the holiday days allowed people to travel calmly and relax on beaches, in parks, and cultural institutions across the country. Rodríguez expressed hope that this period will strengthen faith, harmonious coexistence, and national unity—necessary for moving toward a prosperous future for Venezuela.

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Full version: Presidenta (E) Delcy Rodríguez:

High Cost of Rescue: US Lost Aircraft During Evacuation in Iran

US forces successfully carried out an operation to rescue their pilot whose F-15 fighter was shot down in Iran. US President Donald Trump announced this on Sunday, praising the two days of search efforts. However, the operation did not come without losses: the Iranian side claimed that its forces "foiled the rescue attempt" and destroyed three American aircraft in the Isfahan area.

Reports of losses are conflicting. According to US media citing official sources, the US forces themselves were forced to destroy two of their special-operations MC-130J aircraft that had become stuck on the ground at a temporary base in Iran. This was done to prevent advanced technology from falling into the hands of Iranian forces. Earlier, Reuters reported that two Black Hawk helicopters involved in the search were damaged by Iranian fire but were able to leave the country’s airspace.

The incident continued events from last Friday, when Iran announced it had shot down a US F-15. One crew member was rescued at that time. Separately, on Saturday, a US A-10 Warthog attack aircraft crashed over Kuwait; the pilot ejected.

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Full version: إنقاذ مكلف.. واشنطن تقول إنها فجرت طائراتها خلال إنقاذ الطيار

U.S. Casualties in Operation Against Iran: Hundreds Injured and a Downed Aircraft

According to official Pentagon data, 365 U.S. service members were wounded in the first five weeks of the U.S. military operation against Iran, called "Epic Anger." The number of dead remains at 13. The majority of the wounded — 247 — serve in the Army, followed by the Navy (63), the Marine Corps (19) and the Air Force (36). More than 75% of all recorded injuries, CNN reports citing the Pentagon, are traumatic brain injuries resulting from external impact.

Chair of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Kin said that most of the U.S. personnel were wounded as a result of attacks by Iranian drones. The Pentagon emphasizes that the reported casualty figures are preliminary and may rise, since not all service members seek medical attention immediately after an incident. A separate category of severely wounded personnel, whose conditions are assessed as life-threatening, is also noted.

In addition to the casualty statistics, U.S. news outlet Axios reported that during recent fighting Iran managed to shoot down a U.S. military aircraft. Two people were on board. Search-and-rescue operations are ongoing to locate one of the crew members, underscoring the high intensity and danger of the conflict.

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Full version: إصابة 365 عسكريا أمريكيا منذ انطلاق العملية العسكرية ضد إيران

Major ID issuance campaign starts in Caracas

Starting Monday, April 6, the Venezuelan identification, migration and foreign affairs service (Saime) is launching a large-scale operation called "Great Takeover of Caracas," aimed at simplifying residents' access to identity documents. More than 100 trained employees will work on the city's streets, using 9 trailers and 11 mobile units to process citizens' data directly in various neighborhoods and parishes, which will speed up document processing and reduce the burden on the agency's main offices.

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Full version: Saime anuncia Gran Toma de Caracas este lunes 6 de abril

Iran shot down two U.S. military aircraft: consequences for the US

On Friday Iran shot down two U.S. military aircraft in separate incidents: an F-15E Strike Eagle fighter and an A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft. This loss goes beyond direct operational damage, creating strategic challenges for the United States. The costs of replacing these modern aircraft and their systems place a heavy burden on the Department of Defense budget and cast a shadow over the reputation of the U.S. air forces amid rising tensions.

The F-15E fighter, valued at more than $31 million in 1998 dollars (equivalent to a significantly larger sum today), is a key asset. The newest F-15 variants cost about $100 million, reach speeds above 3,000 km/h, and have a range of roughly 4,000 km. Introduced in the 1980s, these aircraft are designed for air-to-air combat and strike missions against ground targets, so their loss strikes at the symbolism of American air dominance and operational capabilities.

The A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft shot down in this incident cost about $9.8 million (in 1998 dollars) and was the U.S. Air Force’s first specialized platform for close air support. The A-10 is noted for high maneuverability at low speeds and altitudes, the ability to operate from short or unprepared runways, and effectiveness against tanks, armored vehicles, and light maritime targets. Its top speed is around 676 km/h, with a combat radius of roughly 1,287 km.

Losing both aircraft is not only a financial issue. It affects operational planning and the ability to carry out complex missions, forcing the consumption of limited stocks of spare parts and sensitive systems. The high cost of modern aircraft and their loss puts pressure on the Pentagon’s budget, forcing a reassessment of procurement and resource-allocation priorities. Furthermore, the incident highlights the risks of operating air forces amid increasing militarization and tension. U.S. forces reportedly managed to rescue one member of the F-15 crew, while the fate of the second pilot remains unknown; both American and Iranian parties are conducting search efforts.

The conflict between the U.S. and Iran, which intensified on February 28, has resulted in significant U.S. casualties. According to new Pentagon data, 365 U.S. service members have been recorded as wounded while the death toll remains at 13. Distribution of the wounded: Army (247), Navy (63), Marine Corps (19), and Air Force (36). As CNN reported, citing a Pentagon representative, more than 75% of the injuries are related to traumatic brain injuries, which cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, and varying degrees of loss of consciousness, creating a long-term medical burden on the forces.

Comments on the news

• Which air-defense systems did Iran most likely use to shoot down modern U.S. aircraft, and what are their ranges? - Iran likely used modern domestic air-defense systems such as Khordad-15 or Bavar-373. The Khordad-15 has a range of up to 150 km and can intercept targets at altitudes up to 27 km, while the Bavar-373 has a range of about 200–300 km, making them effective against modern aircraft, including some stealth technologies. These systems are designed to detect and engage a variety of aerial targets.
• What triggered the escalation between the U.S. and Iran on February 28 mentioned in the article? - The escalation on February 28 was likely related to an intensification of military actions in the region, such as U.S. retaliatory strikes on Iranian targets or provocations near borders. Specific causes may include attacks on American bases or ships, which led to increased tensions and possible aerial incidents between the parties.
• In what area (over land or sea) and near which borders did the incidents of the aircraft being shot down occur? - The shootdown incidents most likely occurred near Iran’s borders, such as the Persian Gulf or the Strait of Hormuz (over the sea), and also over land in border areas with Iraq or Syria. These regions are hotspots due to an active military presence and frequent clashes.

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Full version: ما الذي نعرفه عن "إف-15″ و"إيه-10" بعد إسقاطهما في إيران؟

Trump threatens strikes on Iran's bridges and power plants

Former US President Donald Trump, in a new escalation of threats, said he was prepared to widen military strikes on Iran to include civilian infrastructure such as bridges and power plants. These statements came after US forces struck the strategically important "Bi-1" bridge north of Tehran, which Iranian authorities consider a symbol of national development. On his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote that the US military has "not even begun to destroy what remains in Iran," hinting at further escalation.

In public remarks, Trump promised to "send Iran back to the Stone Age" if Tehran did not meet Washington's demands, and said strikes could be expanded to energy and oil infrastructure. He also announced "very powerful strikes" over the next two to three weeks. In response, Iranian authorities strongly condemned attacks on civilian sites, calling them violations of international law. Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Aragi, said that destroying infrastructure would not force the Iranian people to capitulate, and that the country would rebuild everything that was destroyed.

The international community and legal experts have expressed serious concern over the announced widening of strike targets. Dozens of experts, in an open letter, warned that deliberate attacks on facilities vital to Iran's civilian population—such as power stations—could be classified as war crimes. They cited the 1949 Geneva Conventions, which oblige parties to a conflict to clearly distinguish between military and civilian objects and prohibit attacks on the latter.

The military conflict between the US and Iran, which broke out at the end of February, has already led to a sharp rise in regional tensions, a spike in oil prices, and instability in global markets. This campaign represents the largest US military intervention since the 2003 invasion of Iraq. The ongoing exchange of strikes and threats heightens fears of further escalation, which could have profound humanitarian, economic, and destabilizing consequences for the entire Middle East region and international security.

Comments on the news

• What specific role does the "Bi-1" bridge play in Iran's infrastructure and economy, beyond being a "symbol of national development"? - The "Bi-1" bridge (likely part of a highway or railway project) serves as a key transport hub connecting remote regions of Iran, facilitating the movement of goods and reducing logistics costs. This stimulates trade, creates jobs, and integrates local economies into the national system, directly contributing to GDP growth.
• What are the historical backgrounds or immediate causes of the military conflict between the US and Iran, which erupted in late February and led to this escalation? - The immediate cause was likely attacks by pro-Iranian groups on US facilities in the region (for example, in Syria or Iraq), to which the US responded with strikes. Historically, the conflict stems from tensions since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, disputes over Iran's nuclear program, and a struggle for influence in the Middle East, where both sides view each other as threats.

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Full version: ترمب يهدد باستهداف الجسور ومحطات الطاقة في إيران

Apostolic Nuncio in Venezuela Calls for Peace on Holy Thursday

On Holy Thursday, one of the main days of Holy Week, the Apostolic Nuncio in Venezuela, Monsignor Alberto Ortega, in the capital Caracas cathedral reiterated the Pope’s call to end wars and seek reconciliation throughout the world. Speaking after a special liturgical ceremony with the blessing of the holy oils, he emphasized that this is a time for prayers for peace and for renewing each person’s commitment to be an instrument of peace. The nuncio expressed hope that the Easter days will touch people’s hearts and prompt them to seek paths to peace and the common good.

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Full version: Nuncio apostólico en Venezuela reiteró mensaje de paz

The US allowed service members to carry personal firearms on bases

The US Department of Defense has approved a new policy allowing service members to carry personal firearms on military bases while off duty. The decision, announced by Secretary of Defense Pete Higsit, represents a significant departure from previous strict restrictions. A "presumption of approval" for applications to carry firearms now applies, whereas such permits were previously granted very rarely. Higsit justified the change by saying that military personnel need the ability to protect themselves in critical situations, stating that "some threats are closer than we would like."

The policy change was driven by growing concern about the threat posed by lone attackers who carry out rapid and unexpected assaults that are difficult to predict or prevent. Particular alarm has been raised by the increasing complexity of scenarios since 2020 amid tensions with Iran, including so-called "lone wolves" — individuals acting alone but with indirect motives or guidance from outside. This combination of detection difficulty and dangerous motives makes military bases potential targets for low-cost but highly effective attacks.

The decision did not come out of nowhere; it was a response to a series of incidents on military installations that renewed questions about internal security. In August 2025 at Fort Stewart in Georgia, a soldier opened fire inside an administrative building, wounding five service members while unarmed people on site waited for security forces to arrive. In March 2026 a similar incident occurred at Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico, where a shooting killed one person, wounded another, and forced the base to close for several hours.

Earlier events, such as the 2019 attack by a trainee at Naval Air Station Pensacola, remain fresh in the minds of US security services as some of the most notable attacks inside military facilities. A common feature of these incidents is that they were not traditional external attacks but sudden acts of violence committed by individuals within environments that were considered secure. These cases prompted a reassessment of the approach that relied solely on centralized security as a sufficient barrier against fast internal threats.

The new policy reflects a shift from an emphasis on centralized protection toward expanding options for self-defense to reduce response time to incidents. Under this logic, a soldier becomes part of the immediate response mechanism when an incident occurs, rather than simply waiting for security specialists to arrive. Commanders justify this by the need to act instantly in decisive minutes. However, permitting firearms on bases also raises debates about associated risks: while it may enhance the ability for rapid response, it could also increase the likelihood of accidental incidents and escalation of conflicts in a closed environment. The key challenge is finding a balance between improving security and reducing the risks associated with wider access to weapons in a sensitive military setting.

Comments on the news

• What is meant by the term "lone wolves" in the context of US security threats, and how might Iran be connected to this concept? - The term "lone wolves" refers to radicalized individuals who act alone but may be inspired by the ideology or propaganda of foreign states or terrorist groups. In the context of Iran, US officials have expressed concern that Iranian propaganda or support for anti-American sentiment through media and online channels could indirectly contribute to the radicalization of such individuals, even if direct operational control is absent.

• What specific threats from Iran were mentioned in the context of US base security after 2020? - After 2020, US military and intelligence sources pointed to several types of threats: missile and drone attacks on bases in Iraq and Syria by Iranian proxy groups; cyberattacks on infrastructure; attempts to recruit personnel; and increased intelligence activity around US sites. Specific incidents included strikes on bases in Erbil and Baghdad, as well as drone attacks.

• Do Iran or neighboring countries have similar policies on carrying firearms on military bases, and how do they compare to the US approach? - In Iran and most neighboring countries (Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, Pakistan), policies on carrying firearms on military bases are significantly stricter than in the US. Typically, only designated security personnel and certain units are authorized to carry weapons within a base. In the US, policy is more permissive — on many bases carrying personal firearms is allowed in certain areas, especially for civilian staff with appropriate licenses. The key difference: in the Iranian system carrying weapons is treated as an exceptional privilege of the military, whereas in the US it is part of a broader gun-rights culture.

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Full version: بعد تسليح جنودها داخليا.. هل تخشى واشنطن من الذئاب المنفردة الإيرانية؟

US Urges Its Citizens to Leave Iraq Immediately Over Terror Threats

The US Embassy in Baghdad issued an emergency alert urging all American citizens to depart Iraq immediately. A statement dated April 2, 2026, cited specific intelligence indicating a high likelihood of terrorist attacks in the capital within the next 24–48 hours. Diplomats pointed to threats from Iraqi armed formations allied with Iran that could target US citizens and US-linked facilities.

According to the warning, Iranian proxy militias have already carried out large-scale attacks against American interests across Iraq, including in Kurdistan. At risk are not only diplomatic facilities but also companies, universities, energy infrastructure, hotels and airports. The embassy specifically highlighted the threat of abductions of Americans, making the situation even more dangerous and necessitating immediate departure.

The document expressed serious concern about the ability of Iraqi authorities to control the situation and protect foreign missions. It alleges that the Iraqi government failed to prevent previous attacks, and that some members of armed groups may have links to state structures or even hold official credentials. This undermines confidence in local security forces.

Despite a mandatory evacuation of some personnel, the US diplomatic mission continues to operate in a limited capacity to assist remaining citizens. However, Americans are strictly prohibited from visiting the embassy in Baghdad or the consulate in Erbil due to ongoing threats, including rocket fire and drone attacks. The highest, fourth level travel advisory is in effect: "Do not travel to Iraq under any circumstances. If you are there, leave immediately."

At the same time, the Iraqi group "Сарайя Авлия ад-Дам" ("Saraya Awliya al-Dam" / "Brigades of the Guardians of Blood") announced that over the past day it carried out six "quality operations" against American targets both inside Iraq and beyond. This statement confirms the reality of the threats and demonstrates an overt escalation of violence directed at the American presence in the region, further heightening tensions.

The warning comes against the backdrop of an ongoing regional conflict. It is now the 34th day of the war between the US/Israel coalition on one side and Iran on the other. US President Donald Trump said in a televised address that the country is preparing to deliver "very powerful" strikes against Iran in the next two to three weeks with the goal of destroying its remaining military capabilities. This rhetoric points to further escalation, which directly affects security in Iraq.

Comments on the news

• Which specific Iranian proxy militias are most active in Iraq and what is their official connection to the Iranian government? - The most active Iranian proxy militias in Iraq are Hashd al-Shaabi (the Popular Mobilization Forces), which include groups such as Kata'ib Hezbollah, Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq, Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba and the Badr Brigades. Iran officially denies direct control over these groups, but they receive funding, weapons and training from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), especially its Quds Force. Many of these groups were formally incorporated into Iraqi security structures after their legalization in 2016.

• What is the "Сарайя Авлия ад-Дам" group and what is its role in Iran’s network of influence in Iraq? - "Сарайя Авлия ад-Дам" (Saraya Awliya al-Dam / Brigades of the Guardians of Blood) is an Iraqi Shia armed group formed in 2019. It is part of the "Resistance Forces in Iraq" network and is closely linked to the Iranian Revolutionary Guards. The group functions as one of the tools of Iranian influence, carrying out attacks against American targets in Iraq and participating in the transport of weapons between Iran and Iran-backed groups in the region. Its name symbolically refers to vengeance for the killing of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani.

• What were the key events that led to the current 34-day war between the US/Israel coalition and Iran mentioned in the article? - Key events leading to the escalation include: 1) The US drone killing of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani in Baghdad in January 2020; 2) Attacks by Iran-backed groups on US facilities in Iraq and Syria; 3) An increase in Israeli airstrikes on Iranian targets in Syria; 4) Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, and the subsequent Gaza war; 5) Direct exchanges of strikes between Iran and Israel in April 2024, including an Iranian drone and missile attack on Israel and Israeli retaliatory strikes on Iran.

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Full version: واشنطن تطلب من رعاياها مغادرة العراق "فورا" وسط تهديدات بهجمات وشيكة

Venezuelan Leader Praises U.S. Removal of Sanctions

Acting President of Venezuela Delcy Rodríguez thanked the U.S. administration for removing her from the OFAC sanctions list, noting that she views this step as an important signal toward normalizing relations between the countries. In her statement she expressed hope that President Donald Trump's decision will pave the way for the complete lifting of restrictions against Venezuela and will allow effective bilateral cooperation to be built for the benefit of the peoples of both countries.

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Full version: Delcy Rodríguez agradeció su exclusión de lista de sancionados de la OFAC

Iran vows crushing response to US and Israeli threats

The Iranian military has vowed to deliver "crushing" strikes against the United States and Israel in response to threats from US President Donald Trump, who said he was prepared to carry out "very strong strikes" on Iran in the coming weeks. A representative of the Iranian military command, Ebrahim Zolfikari, said Washington and Tel Aviv do not understand Tehran’s real capabilities, stressing that Iran possesses strategic potential unknown to the enemy. He also rejected claims that Iranian missile and defense systems had been destroyed, assuring that military production is carried out at covert facilities.

The Iranian spokesperson warned that the war would continue until the "humiliation and capitulation of the enemy," promising more destructive operations in the future. At the same time, commander of the Iranian army Major General Amir Hatami ordered operational commanders to maintain full readiness to repel any attempts at a ground invasion, stressing that "none of the attackers will go unpunished." He demanded strict control over enemy movements and immediate implementation of counteraction plans, calling the country’s security an absolute priority.

In response, US President Donald Trump said American forces have achieved "rapid and decisive victories," and that "our key strategic objectives in Iran are close to completion." Trump promised to deliver "very strong strikes" within the next two to three weeks, adding that the US would "return them to the Stone Age, where they belong." These statements were made alongside Israeli claims of having completed attacks on Iranian military and nuclear sites.

According to reports, the US has struck more than 12,300 targets in Iran since the start of the conflict, while the Israeli military reported attacks on more than 4,000 sites on Iranian territory. Sources close to Trump indicate that Iran’s military leadership has suffered significant losses but is "not fully feeling them," prompting discussions within the US command about the limits of Tehran’s resilience. The conflict has been ongoing since late February with mutual strikes.

Iran has responded to the attacks with missile and drone strikes against Israel and US facilities in Arab countries, which have already caused damage to civilian infrastructure. The situation remains tense, with both sides demonstrating determination to continue military action, exchanging threats and statements about retaining combat capability. The conflict poses risks to regional stability and is causing concern in the international community.

News comments

• Who is Major General Amir Hatami and what is his role in the Iranian military hierarchy? - Major General Amir Hatami is a former Iranian Minister of Defense (2017–2021), a senior officer of the regular armed forces of the country (Artesh). Within Iran’s military structure he represented the official, state military apparatus that operates in parallel with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). His role included oversight of conventional weapons development, logistics, and international military cooperation within the official government framework.

• What are the "covert facilities" of military production in Iran and where are they usually located? - "Covert facilities" of military production in Iran are factories, research centers, or storage sites specifically built or camouflaged to protect them from possible airstrikes or reconnaissance. They are often located inside mountains, in underground tunnels, in remote desert areas, or dispersed among various civilian industrial zones. This strategy of dispersal and concealment was adopted after the experience of the war with Iraq and to counter threats from other states.

• What is meant by "strategic potential unknown to the enemy" in the Iranian context? - In the Iranian context this refers to military capabilities and technologies that Iran deliberately keeps secret as part of a doctrine of "strategic ambiguity." These may include undisclosed missile systems, cyber weapons, drones, electronic warfare tools, or tactical asymmetric warfare methods. The aim is to create an element of surprise, deter adversaries (such as the US or Israel), and offset technological gaps through unpredictability.

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Full version: ردا على ترمب.. إيران تتوعد بهجمات "ساحقة" وتقلل من تقييم "الأعداء" لقدراتها العسكرية

American columnist proposes plan to resolve Iran crisis

American writer and columnist Thomas Friedman sharply criticized U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to start a war with Iran, calling it a reckless act made in hopes of a quick and easy regime change. Friedman compared Trump to a child in an adult's body playing with matches in a gas-filled room, emphasizing that the enormous U.S. military potential combined with a dangerous situation creates catastrophic consequences for the entire world.

According to the columnist, the fundamental mistake of the Trump administration was underestimating the resilience of Iran's leadership. Instead of collapsing under air strikes, Iran demonstrated flexible military capabilities, inflicting damage on Israel and the U.S.'s Arab allies, and establishing control over the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. This led to dangerous global economic consequences due to disruptions in energy supplies.

Friedman points out that Trump has been put in a difficult position, his statements about the conflict are contradictory: at times he declares resolve, at others he admits a lack of strategy for reopening the strait. The only remaining option for him becomes threats to destroy Iran's industrial and civilian infrastructure. This indecision, Friedman believes, reflects the absence of a clear plan and chaotic crisis management.

The columnist links such chaotic decision-making to Trump's personnel policy of appointing ministers based on personal loyalty rather than professional competence. As an example he cites the secretary of defense, whose "prayer meetings" at the Pentagon, Friedman argues, turned a geopolitical conflict into a religious war. He reminds readers that the Obama administration addressed the Iran issue through the 2015 nuclear deal, while Trump withdrew from it in 2018 without any alternative strategy.

As a way out of the crisis Friedman proposes a simple two-step plan: preserve the current regime in Iran by giving it desired guarantees, and prevent Tehran from obtaining nuclear weapons. Specifically he proposes that Iran give up more than 430 kilograms of highly enriched uranium in exchange for Washington renouncing regime change and providing official guarantees to end hostilities. Friedman believes such a deal could stop the fighting and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, preventing a full-scale regional collapse, although he admits that Trump would be "very lucky" if Iran accepted these terms.

Comments on the story

• Why does control of the Strait of Hormuz have such global economic significance, and by what means can Iran exert it? - The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow maritime corridor through which about 20–30% of the world's oil consumption and a significant volume of liquefied natural gas transit. Its blockade or disruptions to shipping could cause a sharp spike in global energy prices and disrupt global supply chains. Iran, with an extensive coastline along the strait, can exert control or threaten closure using its naval forces, coastal missile systems, mines, fast attack boats and asymmetric tactics. This capability serves Tehran as an important strategic lever in regional and international politics.

• What exactly did the 2015 nuclear deal provide for, and what were the consequences of the U.S. withdrawal from it in 2018? - The 2015 nuclear deal, officially called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), provided that Iran would significantly reduce its stockpiles of low-enriched uranium, the number of centrifuges for enrichment, and repurpose the heavy-water reactor at Arak. In return many international economic and financial sanctions were lifted. The U.S. withdrawal from the deal in 2018 and the reinstatement of harsh sanctions led Iran to gradually roll back its commitments under the agreement, increasing enrichment levels and stockpiles of nuclear materials. This significantly heightened regional tensions and put the non-proliferation architecture at risk.

• What does a stockpile of 430 kg of highly enriched uranium mean for Iran's nuclear program, and how much such material is needed to make one nuclear device? - A stockpile of 430 kg of highly enriched uranium (HEU) means that Iran possesses a substantial amount of nuclear material that could be used for military purposes. To build a simple implosion-type nuclear device, international experts estimate roughly 40–50 kg of HEU enriched to about 90% (weapons grade) is required. Thus, the stated stockpile would theoretically exceed the amount needed for several devices. However, building a functional nuclear bomb requires not only fissile material but also a complex detonation system, delivery mechanisms and other technologies, which Iran, according to official IAEA statements and Iranian authorities, does not yet possess.

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Full version: فريدمان: ترمب يلعب بالنار وأمران يُنهيان الحرب على إيران

Venezuela Prepares for Holy Week Religious Procession

Acting President of Venezuela Delcy Rodríguez on Tuesday visited the Basilica of Santa Teresa in Caracas to personally oversee preparations for the annual religious procession of the Nazareno de San Pablo, which takes place during Holy Week. During an inspection ahead of the events on Holy Wednesday, she reviewed logistics, the organization of placement of the religious statue, and coordination of access for worshippers, and also inspected checkpoints and holding areas for participants both inside and outside the church. Government representatives and church authorities also took part in the event, where they agreed on the details of operational support for the mass procession, which traditionally attracts many residents to the city center.

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Full version: Presidenta encargada Delcy Rodríguez inspecciona preparativos en la Basílica de Santa Teresa

Iran Prepares for Possible US Ground Invasion

The conflict between the US, Israel and Iran has entered its second month, accompanied by growing threats of a possible ground invasion by American forces. In response, Iran is stepping up internal security measures: voluntary checkpoints are appearing on city streets, particularly around strategic sites. Volunteers like Mehran check documents of passersby to identify possible "traitors." Despite official military assurances of their ability to contain any threat, a mood of anxious anticipation prevails among the population, exacerbated by electricity outages caused by ongoing air strikes.

Tehran's official position is a mix of tough rhetoric and efforts to reassure the public. State media broadcast military threats toward the enemy while emphasizing the army's ability to protect citizens. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ismail Baghaei said the country is prepared for all scenarios, including a ground invasion. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf confirmed that the enemy has moved from an airstrike phase to planning ground operations on Iranian territory, stressing that the only way out of this war can be victory.

Iranian military command links any attempt at invasion with an inevitable and severe response. Army spokesman Brigadier General Mohammad Akraminia warned that a ground operation would meet crushing strikes, the consequences of which would be far more serious than losses from the current mutual long-range attacks. Officials say the armed forces have completed preparations for any development, calling this war "within their sphere of strength." Such rhetoric is intended to bolster a sense of security inside the country and reduce fear among ordinary people.

Iranian society's reaction is mixed: alongside concerns about worsening an already difficult economic situation, some citizens see the shift to a ground phase as a way to reduce civilian casualties compared with air strikes. Some, like oil company worker Ahmad, accuse the US president of following Israel's agenda and openly desiring to seize the resources of sovereign Iran. Others, like student Fatima, note that the war, despite all its horrors, has strengthened their sense of national belonging and patriotism.

Military analysts close to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps consider a full-scale ground invasion unlikely and an extremely difficult undertaking. Expert Mehdi Azizi points to Iran's geographic features and its multi-layered defense system, which includes the regular army, police and the Basij popular militia. He notes a developed defensive infrastructure with a network of tunnels and fortifications in border areas. Experience from conflicts in Gaza and southern Lebanon shows that air and technological superiority alone are insufficient without a political project and local allies, making Washington's calculations for the success of a ground operation highly uncertain.

Comments on the news

• How does the Basij popular militia fit into Iran's defense and internal security system? - The Basij (Organization for Mobilization of the Oppressed) is a voluntary popular militia that is structurally part of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Its roles include: auxiliary military functions (supporting the IRGC and the regular army), internal security (suppressing unrest, patrolling), ideological control (monitoring compliance with norms, work with youth) and providing assistance in natural disasters. Organizationally it is divided into active and reserve units formed on territorial (district, city) and professional (student, trade) bases.

• What are the main geographic features of Iran that, according to experts, make a ground invasion difficult? - Key geographic obstacles: 1) Mountain ranges (Zagros in the west and Alborz in the north) create natural defensive lines and complicate the movement of equipment. 2) Vast deserts (Dasht-e Kavir, Dasht-e Lut in the center) complicate logistics and supply. 3) A limited number of invasion-friendly plains corridors, which are easy to defend. 4) A complex network of internal communications where the defending side has the advantage. These factors have historically made conquering Iran an extremely difficult military task.

• What is the role and influence of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Iran's military-political decision-making, beyond the regular army? - The IRGC wields significant influence beyond ordinary military functions: 1) Political influence — high-ranking IRGC commanders often occupy key state positions, and the corps has direct representation in the National Security Council. 2) Economic influence — through its funds and companies it controls significant sectors of the economy (construction, telecommunications, energy). 3) Ideological role — defending the Islamic system, which allows it to influence domestic and foreign policy. 4) Autonomy — it has its own ground, naval, aerospace and special units (Quds Force), often operating independently of the regular army. This makes the IRGC one of the country's most influential institutions.

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Full version: تهديدات أمريكا بالتوغل البري.. كيف يقرؤها الداخل الإيراني؟

Latin American Critique and Resistance to Trump’s Policies

In a number of pieces in Venezuelan media and on social networks a single idea emerges: U.S. policy under Donald Trump is seen as excessive, legally questionable, and increasingly encountering pushback both inside and outside America. Coverage emphasizes judicial and civic challenges to White House executive actions — from ACLU lawsuits to blocks on efforts to defund public media — as well as examples of international disagreement, when Spain and France closed their airspace or otherwise demonstrated dissent with American military moves. Trump is portrayed as acting unilaterally — “one directive, and communism will disappear in Cuba” — while foreign governments, courts and public institutions respond by defending their norms or openly resisting. This picture reflects a broader Latin American critical view of American influence: the U.S. is a hegemon whose decisions provoke legal, diplomatic and political counterreactions. This piece was prepared based on Democracy Now, Instagram and Facebook (Venezuela).

Venezuelan view of the U.S.: from birthright citizenship to oil, war and “double standards”

In the Venezuelan media space, news from the U.S. is almost never read as “foreign” or purely external. It is instantly filtered through local experience — mass migration, oil dependence, sanctions and a protracted conflict with Washington. Thus three seemingly separate storylines — the fight for jus soli (birthright citizenship) in the U.S., deregulation of the oil industry in the Gulf of Mexico, and discussions about a possible U.S. war in the Middle East — coalesce in Venezuela into a single picture of American policy as a source of threats, hypocrisy and, at the same time, necessary opportunities.

At the core of this mosaic are specific news items and commentaries: a Democracy Now! piece on the U.S. Supreme Court case against Donald Trump’s order ending birthright citizenship for children of migrants without legal status (link to the piece), criticism of deregulating environmental rules for oil and gas companies in the Gulf of Mexico in an Instagram post (source), and an emotional political comment on Facebook about the risks of a U.S. (and allied Israeli) war with Iran and rising gasoline prices inside the United States (link).

All these storylines are connected in Venezuelan perception by a single thread: the understanding of the U.S. as a force that externally proclaims high standards of democracy, human rights and environmental protection, while internally gradually eroding its own principles when migration, energy or military agendas demand it.

The jus soli story, told in the Democracy Now! piece, looks to an American reader like a dispute over the limits of presidential power and the interpretation of the Fourteenth Amendment. In an interview, ACLU immigration rights project attorney Cody Wofsy explains that Trump’s order abolishing automatic birthright citizenship for children of people without “lawful permanent residence” is, in his words, “extremely illegal, unconstitutional and morally wrong,” and stresses that over 20 years it will affect about five million children born in the U.S. (piece and interview).

In Venezuela these words ring in a painfully familiar register. The language of “gross unconstitutionality” and “rights violations” is a habitual tone for both the government and the opposition. Here people argue daily whether the president violates the Constitution when issuing emergency decrees, postponing elections or changing institutional functions. And the fact that in the U.S. an ACLU lawyer effectively speaks of presidential “abuse” and “constitutional violation” is perceived as confirmation: even there, in the “showcase of democracy,” the executive behaves not so differently from governments in the Global South — only with stronger counterbalances such as the Supreme Court and organizations like the ACLU.

For Venezuelans this is not an abstract doctrine. The country experienced one of the largest migration waves in the world: millions left, hundreds of thousands settled in the U.S. as asylum seekers, TPS holders, temporary visa holders or completely undocumented. Many of them had children born on American soil — these children were regarded by families as “security anchors,” as possible protection from deportation and a chance for long-term improvement. Therefore discussion of abolishing jus soli is perceived in Caracas, Valencia or Maracaibo not as an abstract American reform but as a direct threat: if the Supreme Court upholds Trump’s order, it will affect precisely those families — Venezuelan, Colombian, Central American.

In official discourse this fits easily into rhetoric about Washington’s “racist” and “anti-immigrant” policy. For the Maduro government, Wofsy’s remarks that the order is “morally wrong” could become a handy quote: the U.S., which regularly accuses Caracas of human rights violations, itself, according to its own human-rights lawyer, promotes measures that are “deeply unconstitutional” and “amoral.” The opposition, especially its more liberal and human-rights segments, reads the same piece differently: the emphasis is not on U.S. hypocrisy, but on the fact that even there migrants’ rights hang by a thin thread — activists, NGOs and courts. For them the ACLU is an example of the “strategic human-rights advocacy” Venezuela lacks and which, if institutions functioned, could protect citizens inside the country from government arbitrariness.

Between these two poles there is also a very practical level: remittance economics. The lives of millions of families in Venezuela depend on transfers from those who work in the U.S. Birthright citizenship has long been seen as a long-term insurance — a guarantee that a family will settle, stabilize, increase income and be able to regularly support relatives in Caracas or Maracaibo. An attempt to strip such children of citizenship is associated with a threat to this fragile economic mechanism: the question is not only legal status but the future of the money flows without which in the outskirts of Caracas people don’t pay for food, medicine and electricity.

Finally, Venezuelans notice the contrast: the U.S., advocating the rule of law everywhere, is, according to the Democracy Now! piece, willing to directly collide with its own constitutional text when it comes to curbing migration from the Global South. Adapting this storyline to domestic discourse, Caracas authorities can again speak of “blatant discriminatory practices” and “racism” in the U.S., while local human-rights defenders will remind that migrant vulnerability is global and that even stable democracies do not guarantee unconditional protection.

In a parallel information flow, a critical Instagram post reports the decision of a U.S. federal committee on endangered species, which unanimously voted to free oil and gas companies operating in the Gulf of Mexico from the application of a decades-old law protecting whales, birds and sea turtles (source). The author emphasizes that this is the “latest effort by the Donald Trump administration” to ease rules that supposedly “hamper national energy production.”

In Venezuela such news is automatically connected to the fate of their own oil state, which is under American sanctions. In the perception of a large part of society, the U.S. appears as a country that, when protecting its own oil and gas industry, is ready to relax environmental restrictions, ignore risks to the Gulf of Mexico, but with respect to competitors — such as Venezuela’s PDVSA — imposes the harshest sanctions, justifying them by human-rights arguments and, sometimes, even concern for the climate. This looks like classic “double standards”: the environmental agenda is used to pressure “inconvenient” regimes but is set aside when it interferes with domestic oil and gas lobbying.

Historical memory of oil disasters intensifies this reaction. The region remembers the Deepwater Horizon explosion and sees the consequences of regular oil spills off its coasts. Venezuela’s coastline — from Zulia to Falcón and Sucre — lives with a gap between official environmental norms and the actual lack of control: leaks from old PDVSA pipelines, mangrove pollution, declining fish stocks. Against this backdrop, news that the U.S. is consciously weakening protections for whales, birds and turtles in favor of additional drilling in the Gulf is perceived as confirmation that the logic “oil first, nature later” is universal — only in the U.S. it combines with growing power and profit, while in Venezuela it combines with infrastructure degradation and raw-material dependency.

Domestically this story also easily divides into two narratives. The official line can present the committee’s decision as evidence of U.S. “environmental hypocrisy”: a country that criticizes Latin America for deforestation and pollution itself destroys marine ecosystems for cheap energy. Opposition experts, especially economists and energy specialists, will point to something else: while the U.S. quickly adapts regulations in the interests of its energy strategy, Venezuela, sanctioned and burdened by corruption, loses production capacity and markets. For them this news is an occasion to argue that Venezuela’s problem is not only American sanctions but also domestic mismanagement preventing the country from taking advantage of possible “windows of opportunity” in the world market.

The environmental dimension is complemented by geography: the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea form a single ecosystem. Any major spill or accident in the gulf will sooner or later affect the biology of the entire basin — from the U.S. coast to Caribbean islands and the northern shore of South America. For Venezuelan fishers and coastal communities this connectivity is obvious: Gulf of Mexico problems are potentially their problems too, even if the decision was made in distant Washington.

The third storyline is an emotional Facebook post where the author, referring to rising gasoline prices in the U.S. (“for the first time since 2022 a gallon of gasoline exceeded $4”), reflects on a possible war with Iran and states that “everyone will pass away except the U.S. and Israel,” and that American forces in a hypothetical ground operation will be “crushed like ants” (post). This is no longer reporting but pure political speech, stylistically and ideologically consonant with Bolivarian anti-imperialist discourse.

Such phrases are familiar in Venezuela. For more than twenty years the authorities and a significant portion of the public sphere have described the U.S. as an “empire in decline” that compensates for political and moral decay with military force. Predictions of U.S. defeat in any “ground adventures” — whether Iraq, Afghanistan or a hypothetical war with Iran — have long been part of everyday narrative. They serve several functions.

First, they help process the trauma of sanctions and the threat of intervention. For a country that regularly hears from Washington that “all options are on the table,” up to and including the use of force, the claim that American troops will be “crushed like ants” is a symbolic disarmament of fear: if the “empire” can be stopped in the Middle East, then in Latin America it is not as omnipotent as it seems.

Second, the comment links external aggression to domestic economic consequences for the U.S. The rise in gasoline prices to more than $4 per gallon is presented as a “blowback” of their own war and confrontation. For a Venezuelan reader, whose country historically sold cheap oil to the U.S. and then was subject to an embargo, this logic is simple: your people pay for your wars at the pump; ours pay for your sanction regime with hunger and the collapse of the social state.

Third, such rhetoric legitimizes Venezuela’s foreign-policy alliances. Strategic rapprochement with Iran — in refining, military cooperation and sanctions evasion — is portrayed as a deliberate choice in favor of “strong allies” capable of withstanding U.S. pressure. When the post asserts that U.S. forces “will not achieve success” in a land operation and will be routed, then without naming Iran directly the author projects onto that country an image of an impenetrable and strategically successful “militia” against the “empire.” For the loyalist audience in Venezuela this confirms the correctness of alignment with Tehran, Moscow, Beijing and other opponents of Washington.

The language of this commentary — dehumanizing metaphors, prophecies of defeat without grounding in factual evidence — reflects the broader culture of political communication in Venezuela: polarized and emotional, where social networks have become an extension of the street and parliamentary tribunes. Here both the news of gasoline prices in the U.S. and the possible escalation in the Middle East are instantly fitted into a black-and-white scheme of “empire versus peoples,” without nuances of military logistics, diplomacy or real political debate in the U.S. Congress.

Comparing all three storylines — the Supreme Court case on citizenship, deregulation in the Gulf of Mexico, and emotional forecasts about war and gasoline — makes clear how they are stitched together in the consciousness of the Venezuelan audience. These are not three independent facts but three manifestations of the same worldview: the U.S. as a state that

• violates its own Constitution when it is convenient to fight migration from the Global South;
• relaxes environmental restrictions when that increases the competitiveness of its oil and gas, even at the cost of threatening endangered species and marine ecosystems;
• is ready for military adventures whose consequences hit the pockets of its own citizens and the stability of the global energy market.

Through this lens the Venezuelan reader sees not just American disputes over law and policy but a mirror of their own reality. A country whose migrants may now be deprived of the “security anchor” of children’s citizenship; whose oil company under sanctions watches a competitor weaken regulations to boost production; whose propaganda is built on images of an “empire” and “resisting peoples” reads every Washington move as another confirmation of an old formula: rights, the environment and peace matter to the U.S. only until they interfere with its migration, energy and military interests.

At the same time the same information yields more complex lessons. The existence of structures like the ACLU and lawsuits against Trump’s order reminds that in the U.S. there are real mechanisms to challenge presidential power — mechanisms long missing in Venezuela. Environmental battles around the Gulf of Mexico show that even in the “center” there are activists and experts able to question decisions favoring corporations. And Americans’ internal pain over high gasoline prices shows that even for a superpower external policy has a domestic cost.

It is precisely in this multilayeredness — a mix of critique of “double standards,” envy of functioning institutions and the desire to see the “empire” punished — that a specific Venezuelan perspective on any American news item is born, whether it is a Supreme Court dispute over jus soli, new drilling in the Gulf of Mexico, or another escalation in the Middle East.

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Tension in the Strait of Hormuz Threatens Global Oil Supplies

The Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime route for global energy supplies, has become an arena of open confrontation between Iran on one side and the United States and Israel on the other. Tensions have sharply escalated amid reports that Washington and Tel Aviv have completed preparations for a possible military operation in the region. At the same time, Iran is taking steps to establish new legal and financial control over international shipping in the strategic strait, increasing the risk of direct confrontation.

The Iranian side has stepped up legislative initiatives to strengthen its sovereignty over the strait. A parliamentary committee approved plans to reinforce Iran’s “sovereign role,” which include a ban on the passage of vessels flying American and Israeli flags, as well as ships from countries that impose sanctions on Tehran. In addition, measures are being discussed to charge transit fees in Iranian rials, which could fundamentally change traditional shipping rules. Iranian authorities say they exercise strict control and that no vessel transits the strait without prior coordination and document checks.

The United States firmly rejects Iran’s claims. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that Washington will not recognize Iranian sovereignty over the strait and will not pay compensation, calling such demands a “dangerous precedent.” He emphasized that the strait “will be opened one way or another,” indicating that options include either Iran’s voluntary compliance with international law or the formation of an international coalition led by the United States to ensure freedom of navigation, which is critical for global energy markets.

Israel publicly supports military solutions. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that “there are military options for reopening the Strait of Hormuz under U.S. leadership,” though he declined to elaborate. However, according to reports, there are disagreements within the U.S. leadership. It has been reported that former President Donald Trump signaled to his aides that he was prepared to end a campaign against Iran even if the strait remained closed, reflecting differing approaches to the crisis.

A partial paralysis of shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, through which about one-fifth of the world’s oil exports pass, is already having a tangible impact on the global economy. Sharp increases in fuel prices and disruptions to supply chains are intensifying pressure on the international community to find an urgent solution. The situation poses serious risks to the stability of global energy markets and regional security, requiring coordinated diplomatic efforts to de-escalate.

Commentary on the news

• On what historical and legal basis does Iran claim sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz? - Iran bases its claims on principles of international maritime law, in particular provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which recognize the rights of coastal states over their territorial waters. Historically, Iran controls the northern part of the strait, where its territorial waters extend 12 nautical miles from the coast. Tehran also points to long-standing historical control over this strategic waterway, which is of vital importance to national security.
• What is the current role and influence of parliamentary committees, such as the one mentioned, in shaping Iran’s foreign policy? - Parliamentary committees (Majlis) in Iran, such as the National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, primarily perform advisory and analytical functions. They hold hearings, prepare reports and recommendations. However, final decisions on key foreign policy and security issues are not made by parliament but by the Supreme National Security Council, with ultimate approval by Iran’s Supreme Leader. Thus, the influence of the committees is limited to discussion and formulation of positions.
• How could closure of the strait or conflict there affect Iran’s domestic economy, which also depends on exporting oil via the same route? - Closure of the Strait of Hormuz would deal a severe blow to Iran’s economy, since about 80–90% of the country’s oil and petroleum product exports pass through the strait. That would result in an immediate loss of major export revenues. However, Iran views such a possibility as an extreme asymmetric measure, expecting that the global consequences (a sharp rise in oil prices and supply disruptions for major consumers) would be more damaging to the world economy and thus serve as leverage. Domestically, this could worsen inflation and shortages, but authorities would likely try to mitigate the impact using accumulated reserves and alternative, though limited, routes.

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Full version: مضيق هرمز.. احتدام صراع السيادة الإيرانية والوعيد الأمريكي

Venezuelan leader visits historic church before Holy Week

Acting President of Venezuela Delcy Rodríguez visited the church Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria in the historic center of Caracas. During the visit, which took place with representatives of the government and the church, an inspection of the condition of this religious site was carried out. The church’s particular significance is underscored by the fact that since 1975 the remains of the nationally venerated saint José Gregorio Hernández — known as the “Doctor of the Poor” — have rested there. This visit, it is noted, confirms the government’s commitment to preserving the architectural and spiritual heritage of the capital.

The event was timed to coincide with the approaching Holy Week — an important period of prayer and family unity for Catholics. In this context, Delcy Rodríguez appealed to all Venezuelans to lift up their hearts and souls for the sake of the country’s peace, calm, and happiness. She emphasized the importance of spirituality and faith as a foundation for national reconciliation and unity during these special days.

The church of Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria itself is a historic neoclassical temple, originally built in 1708, and today serves as an important center of Marian devotion and pilgrimage under the care of the Archdiocese of Caracas. This visit fits into a broader government program aimed at restoring and revitalizing socially and religiously significant sites across the country in order to preserve them as spaces of peace and civic interaction.

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Full version: Presidenta (E) Rodríguez comparte con la feligresía católica en Iglesia de La Candelaria

Trump shifts focus from military to diplomatic pressure on Iran

According to U.S. officials, President Donald Trump told his aides he is prepared to halt a military campaign against Iran even if the Strait of Hormuz remains largely blocked. That approach would likely strengthen Tehran’s influence over this key waterway and delay its full reopening. The administration concluded that any large-scale operation to clear the strait would extend the conflict beyond the four-to-six-week timeframe set by Trump.

Washington’s new strategy is now focused on achieving core objectives: degrading Iran’s naval forces and missile arsenals, stopping ongoing hostilities, and applying diplomatic pressure on Tehran to restore the free movement of commercial shipping. If diplomacy fails, the U.S. expects its allies in Europe and the Persian Gulf to take the lead in reopening the strait, while military options would remain on standby but not be prioritized.

At the same time, Trump warned he would order the destruction of Iranian power plants and oil fields if Tehran does not open the Strait of Hormuz. That threat adds a military component to the diplomatic efforts. According to officials, the threats are combined with continuous diplomatic work, including mediation efforts at regional and international levels, although the primary emphasis is now on negotiations and economic pressure.

Pakistan confirmed it continues to act as a mediator between the parties, but the success of its mission depends on decisions by the conflicting sides themselves. Pakistan’s ambassador in Washington said the parties must make decisions that guarantee the success of negotiations. Tehran, meanwhile, has distanced itself from these efforts, saying Islamabad’s meetings with neighboring countries are part of Pakistan’s own plans and do not include Iran.

The Iranian side sharply criticized the U.S. settlement proposals. A spokesman for Iran’s foreign ministry called the 15-point U.S. proposal, delivered through intermediaries, largely “unrealistic, illogical and inflated.” He also accused U.S. officials of constantly changing positions and making contradictory statements, noting that during the 31 days of the conflict there were no real negotiations, except for a request for them transmitted via intermediaries such as Pakistan.

A fraught trust crisis complicates the situation: U.S. officials are unsure whether the Iranian representatives with whom contacts are being made through intermediaries have the real authority to approve or implement any peace agreement. U.S. and Gulf sources note that some elements of the Iranian regime do not trust the United States after previous diplomatic rounds collapsed because of U.S. strikes. At the same time, U.S. authorities maintain that talks are ongoing and that public statements often diverge from what is said in private conversations.

Commentary on the news

• What specific role and influence does Iran traditionally have over control of the Strait of Hormuz, beyond its geographic position? - Beyond geographic control, Iran possesses significant naval and coastal defense forces in the region, developed capabilities to mine the strait, and asymmetric warfare tools (for example, fast attack craft and missile systems). Historically Iran views the strait as an area of vital interest and sovereignty and has repeatedly stated it is prepared to close it in the event of an existential threat, which serves as a powerful deterrent and bargaining tool.

• Which countries are usually considered "U.S. allies in the Persian Gulf" and how do their relations with Iran affect their willingness to take the initiative to reopen the strait? - The main U.S. allies in the region are Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. Their willingness to act independently to reopen the strait is limited due to complicated relations with Iran, including historical rivalry, accusations of supporting proxy groups, and concerns about escalation. They depend on U.S. military support and would prefer Washington to lead any direct confrontation with Tehran to avoid direct retaliatory measures against their infrastructure and economies.

• What was the historical "collapse of previous diplomatic rounds due to U.S. strikes" that is mentioned as a source of distrust between Tehran and Washington? - This refers in particular to the killing of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps General Qasem Soleimani by a U.S. drone strike in Baghdad in January 2020. That strike, which took place during a period of heightened tensions, sharply escalated relations and buried any short-term prospects for dialogue. Tehran viewed it as an act of state terrorism and a direct attack on its sovereignty, deeply undermining the already minimal trust in U.S. intentions and any diplomatic promises.

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Full version: ترمب مستعد لإنهاء الحرب ضد إيران حتى مع استمرار إغلاق مضيق هرمز

Trump and Foreign Aggression: A Venezuelan View

Venezuelan media, in their opinions, analyses and responses, portray the administration of Donald Trump as an aggressive, crisis-driven force whose hardline measures against Iran and in the Middle East are perceived as risky and potentially doomed to fail. Commentators particularly emphasize strikes on U.S. bases, threats to attack Iran’s infrastructure, effects on oil markets and the role of Washington’s allies, while also highlighting domestic instability in the United States and mass protests. The pieces forecast a backlash and a rise in influence of regional actors, fitting into a broader narrative about American overreach and decline of U.S. hegemony. This material was prepared based on publications on YouTube (Venezuela) and Facebook (Venezuela).

Trump’s strategy, oil and sanctions: Israeli and Venezuelan‑Caribbean angles

Two seemingly disparate threads — an analysis of Donald Trump’s plan for Iran on a Spanish‑language Israeli channel and an emotional Cuban Facebook comment about deliveries of Russian oil — in fact nicely demonstrate how the same geopolitical reality is interpreted differently in Jerusalem and in the Bolivarian space of Havana–Caracas. The common background is U.S. sanctions, oil as a resource for survival and an instrument of pressure, and the place of Iran, Russia and the Gulf states in this complex game.

The program Kan en Español, the Spanish‑language service of the Israeli public broadcaster, is devoted to Donald Trump’s plan for Iran and its possible consequences. It is important that this is not a Venezuelan column nor a view from Caracas, but an analytical program aimed at a Spanish‑speaking audience interested in Israel and the Middle East. This determines the whole set of emphases and blind spots: Venezuelan politicians are not heard on air, Venezuela’s economy, its sanctions regime, the PDVSA crisis or Caracas–Tehran/Washington relations are not discussed. Instead, the entire framework of the conversation is built around an Israeli and Middle Eastern perspective.

At the center of the discussion is Trump’s proposed 15‑point package of demands to Iran, which in the logic of the program is viewed not as an abstract diplomatic platform but as an instrument of pressure on Tehran to redraw the regional balance of power. Kan en Español’s analysts dissect in detail how these conditions relate to Iran’s missile program, its presence in Syria, Lebanon, Iraq and Yemen, and threats to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Special attention is paid to how Washington, by controlling this strategic “chokepoint,” can affect the global energy market while simultaneously containing Iranian influence.

An important line of analysis is pressure from the Arab monarchies of the Persian Gulf, primarily Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, on Tehran and on the course of negotiations. The program emphasizes that Riyadh and Abu Dhabi are interested in a U.S.–Iran deal that would limit Tehran’s military and political options but still leave room for maneuver in oil policy, including their ability to quickly ramp up production to offset potential disruptions in supplies through the Strait of Hormuz. From the authors’ perspective, it is precisely the Gulf states’ readiness to support the oil market that enables Washington to take a hard line against Iran without fearing a collapse in prices or shortages.

Throughout the discussion, Israel’s security serves as the criterion for evaluating any of Trump’s initiatives. This concerns direct threats from Iranian structures and allies on Israel’s borders, the presence of Iranian forces in Syria, Hezbollah’s missile potential, and the risks of escalation if pressure on Iran leads to a military response. Here a personal factor comes into play: the program underscores Benjamin Netanyahu’s role in coordinating with the White House and his influence on forming a hardline approach to Iran in Washington. Attention is paid to debates in the Knesset, statements by Israeli leaders and how Iran’s nuclear program and U.S. strategy are assessed within Israel.

Guest analyst Luis Fleishman, known for his pro‑Western and sharply critical stance toward Iran, interprets Trump’s line through the prism of Israeli security and American hegemony in the Middle East. His argument rests on the idea that pressure on Iran is an attempt not merely to change the behavior of one regime but to “rewrite” the strategic layout in the region, reduce the room for maneuver for Iran and its allies, and consolidate U.S. dominance together with Gulf partners and Israel. In this narrative Iran appears as the main destabilizing factor, and sanctions and threats to block financial and oil channels are seen as legitimate tools to contain it.

Notably, oil in this Israel‑oriented program is considered exclusively through the prism of the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz. The discussion covers the ability of Saudi Arabia and the Emirates to compensate for Iranian oil, risks to global prices, potential attacks on tankers — but there is not a word about the Faja de Orinoco, the role of PDVSA, or how Venezuela’s position changes under U.S. sanctions. For the program’s authors, the key routes and flows are those passing through the Gulf, the interests of suppliers in that region and the impact on global consumers, not alternative sources in Latin America.

This absence of a Latin American, let alone Venezuelan, context highlights that the program does not present “Venezuela’s perspective” on Trump’s policy. Kan en Español does not discuss how a possible U.S.–Iran deal might affect sanctions on Caracas, the position of Bolivarian allies in the region, or oil flows in the Caribbean basin. Positions of Maduro and the opposition on Iran are not reviewed; there is none of the usual Venezuelan media rhetoric about “anti‑imperialism” or, conversely, about support for Washington’s hard line. The political language and cultural code are Israeli and diasporic, not Caracas‑based.

A sharp contrast to this rational‑geopolitical, albeit ideologized, frame is provided by another text — a short, emotional comment under a news item about deliveries of Russian oil to Cuba, published on the Facebook page CiberCuba Noticias. It contains the phrase: “Cada día que pasa y cada gota de petróleo que llega a Cuba, es una Victoria…” — “Every day that passes and every drop of oil that reaches Cuba is a Victory…”. For a Venezuelan reader that tone is immediately familiar: it almost copies Caracas’s official rhetoric about “every ship that breaks the blockade.”

This comment gives no data about volumes, routes or contract terms; instead it turns oil into a symbolic banner of resistance to U.S. sanctions. In the author’s logic, each ton of Russian crude reaching Cuban ports is not merely a commercial transaction but a geopolitical success in the “battle” against Washington. This approach resonates strongly with the Venezuelan “anti‑blockade” narrative, where the arrival of Iranian tankers or Russian companies’ participation in evading restrictions is interpreted primarily as a political victory rather than as a pragmatic element of a complex and often loss‑making scheme.

Parallels with Venezuela are especially clear in the phrasing: “…a los que han inspirado la esperanza de derrocar la Revolución, los días les están contados…” — “…for those who inspired the hope of overthrowing the Revolution, their days are numbered…”. This almost mirrors the vocabulary of Chavista leadership: the opposition and its foreign allies are described as those who “nurture the illusion of overthrowing the Revolution,” and any success in bypassing sanctions is presented as a signal of the imminent collapse of their hopes. Similar expressions have been heard in Caracas when discussing Iranian tankers with gasoline, announcements of Russian investments, and reports on gold and oil deals involving third countries.

For a Venezuelan audience such Cuban statements resonate on several lines at once. First, oil is perceived not only as an economic resource but as a weapon in political struggle. Venezuela itself for many years supplied subsidized oil to Cuba under Petrocaribe, and Havana’s joy over Russian oil is easily compared with Caracas’s enthusiasm over any circumvention of its own restrictions. Second, the matter concerns U.S. sanctions under President Trump: even if his name is not explicitly mentioned in the comment, the context of discussion about a “relaxation of the Trump administration or strategy” in the original CiberCuba Noticias post is obvious. For a Venezuelan reader this is another confirmation of the authorities’ thesis: sanctions pressure does not break the regime but strengthens solidarity within the “anti‑imperialist” bloc.

Third, in both cases external patrons play a central role. Cuba in the comment thanks Russia for the oil; Venezuela traditionally relies on Russia, Iran and, at times, China. In this logic energy deliveries become not merely shipments but demonstrations of the resilience of the informal Havana–Caracas–Moscow–Tehran alliance against Washington. Phrases asserting that “the economy will be restored again” and that the opponents of the revolution “will be left with their suitcases” echo Venezuelan promises of “economic recovery” after the “economic war” and the propagandistic image of the opposition as people who already hold suitcases, dreaming of leaving for Miami or Madrid.

If the Israeli program Kan en Español turns oil and the Strait of Hormuz into elements of a complex strategic calculation — who controls transit, who can compensate shortages, how this reflects on the military balance and Israel’s security — the Cuban comment, read through the Venezuelan experience, makes oil a pure symbol of “resistance.” Where the Israeli studio analyzes “balance of power” and “redrawing the regional order,” on Facebook oil becomes proof that sanctions can be “outlasted,” and that opponents’ hopes are doomed.

Thus the same global context — Trump’s hard line toward “problematic” states, play in the oil market, reliance on sanctions and control of key routes — produces two qualitatively different types of discourse. The Israel‑diasporic one, represented in the Kan en Español program, relies on the language of security, geopolitics and strategic planning, focusing on Iran, the Gulf states, the Strait of Hormuz and the role of the U.S. as guarantor of regional order, while practically ignoring Latin America and, in particular, Venezuela. The Venezuelan‑Caribbean one, embodied in the comment on the news about Russian oil for Cuba, interprets the same sanctions and oil deals as a moral‑ideological battle where each tanker is a “Victory” and every circumvention is a sign of the inevitable defeat of those betting on regime change.

That is why it is incorrect to substitute one for the other: Kan en Español does not express the “Venezuelan perspective” on Trump and Iran because it is fully embedded in the Israeli political and cultural context, while the emotional Cuban text, conversely, fits almost perfectly into pro‑government Venezuelan rhetoric, where oil, sanctions and external allies are viewed primarily through the prism of the revolution’s survival and symbolic victories over U.S. pressure. Together the two pieces show how differently the global oil and sanctions architecture is experienced in Jerusalem and in the Bolivarian axis, and how the same processes — from Trump’s plans for Iran to deliveries of Russian oil to the Caribbean — acquire completely different political meanings depending on the point of observation.

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Escalation of the US–Iran conflict: risks of a limited invasion

The conflict between the United States and Iran could enter a new phase with a possible limited ground incursion of American forces onto Iranian territory. Despite Donald Trump's previous statements ruling out troop deployments, US media report that Washington is considering such operations as an option to increase pressure on Tehran. This possibility is being discussed amid a buildup of military presence and conflicting diplomatic moves, creating uncertainty about how the crisis will unfold.

According to plans, the operation could involve two to three thousand paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division and about five thousand Marines, with the total number of personnel possibly increasing to 17,000. This is not a full-scale invasion but pinpoint operations lasting several weeks. The main targets are said to be strategic facilities, including Kharg Island — a key terminal for Iranian oil exports — as well as sites related to the country's nuclear program.

Analysts note serious shortcomings in the US strategy: Iranian drone attacks have exposed vulnerabilities in US air defenses, and Trump's impulsive decision-making style creates an atmosphere of confusion. Critics compare the president's approach to a video game, where destroying the enemy becomes "entertainment," increasing the risk of unpredictable escalation. Limited operations carry significant risks, including difficulties evacuating forces and the possibility of losses among ships and aircraft.

The Iranian side is actively responding to these plans. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf accused the US of secretly preparing for an invasion while simultaneously engaging in public diplomatic talks. He stated that Iranian forces are "waiting for American soldiers to appear on the ground to attack them and finally punish their regional allies," calling on the people for unity. These statements underscore Tehran's readiness to deliver a hard response to any aggression.

Experts warn that even a limited ground intervention could quickly escalate into a full-scale war with unpredictable consequences. The dynamics of the conflict are such that any military operation risks spiraling out of control and leading to a protracted confrontation. The situation remains extremely tense, while diplomatic options for resolving the crisis are gradually narrowing against the backdrop of mutual threats and military preparations.

Comments on the news

• What strategic and economic role does Kharg Island play in Iran's infrastructure, besides oil exports? - Kharg Island has historically been Iran's main oil terminal in the Persian Gulf. In addition to oil exports, it plays a key role in logistics and hydrocarbon storage, has strategic importance for maritime security, and serves as an important hub for refining capacities. After the modernization of other ports its significance has somewhat declined, but it remains a symbol of Iran's oil infrastructure.

• Who is Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and what is his role in the Iranian political system beyond being the parliament speaker? - Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf is an influential conservative Iranian politician, a former commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and mayor of Tehran (2005–2017). Beyond leading the parliament, he is considered a key figure in military-political circles, has close ties to security forces, and is often viewed as a potential candidate for higher state positions. His role goes beyond legislative power, including influence over strategic and economic decisions.

• Which specific "regional allies" of the US is Ghalibaf likely referring to in his statement, and what is the history of Iran's conflicts with these countries or groups? - Ghalibaf is likely referring to US allies such as Saudi Arabia, Israel and some Gulf states (for example, the UAE). The history of conflicts includes: with Saudi Arabia — long-standing rivalry for regional influence, backing opposing sides in wars (e.g., in Yemen), and religious-political disagreements (Sunni vs. Shia); with Israel — ideological enmity, accusations over Palestinian issues, cyberattacks and confrontations via proxy groups (e.g., Hezbollah); with the UAE — tensions over support for anti-Iran sanctions and participation in regional coalitions against Iran.

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Full version: 17 ألف جندي وخارك واليورانيوم.. سيناريوهات عملية برية أميركية في إيران

Acting President of Venezuela Calls for Unity During Holy Week

Acting President of Venezuela Delcy Rodríguez addressed the country's citizens on the occasion of the start of Holy Week, wishing that this period of deep faith and reflection would strengthen the reunion and unity of all Venezuelans. In her video message, posted on social media on Palm Sunday, she drew a parallel between Jesus' entry into Jerusalem and Venezuela's contemporary path, urging that popular faith become a support for prayers for peace, reconciliation, social justice, as well as for the homeland's independence and freedom, and congratulated her compatriots on the holiday.

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Full version: Presidenta encargada en el marco de la Semana Santa: Deseo que durante estos días se fortalezca el reencuentro y la unión de todos los venezolanos

First combat use of new U.S. missile in Iran

An analysis conducted by the New York Times together with weapons experts indicates the first combat use of the newest American ballistic missile, the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM), during a strike on the Iranian city of Lamerd at the start of the conflict. The strike, carried out on a gymnasium and an elementary school near an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps facility, killed at least 21 people and wounded dozens, according to Iranian official sources. Video recordings of the munition’s impact and the aftermath formed the basis for the experts’ conclusion.

Examination of video materials and photographs from the scene revealed an airburst characteristic of the PrSM, in which small tungsten spheres are dispersed in the air, intended to target personnel and light armored vehicles over a wide area. Images show numerous perforations in buildings, a partially collapsed gym roof, shattered school windows, and traces of fire and blood. The absence of a large crater from the explosion supports the hypothesis of an airburst detonation of the warhead, which matches the stated characteristics of this weapon.

Notably, the PrSM, developed by Lockheed Martin to replace the older ATACMS systems, completed testing only a year before these events. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) previously published footage of its launch in the first days of the conflict, and its commander Admiral Brad Cooper confirmed its combat use. An anonymous U.S. official interviewed by the newspaper explicitly stated that this missile was used in the Lamerd strike, which experts view as a precedent for extremely rapid deployment of a new system into real combat conditions.

Despite U.S. claims about the high accuracy of the PrSM, the strike hit clearly civilian facilities. Satellite images and mapping data show that the school and gym are separated from the military site by a wall and for years have functioned as civilian institutions. According to Iran’s UN ambassador Amir Saeed Iravani, at the time of the strike a women’s volleyball team was practicing in the gym, and children were in the school. These facts sparked local condemnation and confirm the presence of civilian casualties.

The New York Times investigation also identified a possible third target of the strike — a cultural center, as reported by local Telegram channels and Iranian media, which observed an additional plume of smoke. This episode requires independent verification. As this is the first use of the PrSM in real conditions, it is impossible to definitively state whether the strike on civilian objects was intentional or the result of a targeting error. However, local reports unambiguously report casualties among children and female athletes, and footage shows mass funerals the next day. CENTCOM representative Tim Hawkins said the command is reviewing these reports, emphasizing that U.S. forces “do not strike civilian targets indiscriminately.”

The PrSM, with a range of about 650 km, represents the newest generation of U.S. tactical missiles, distinguished by increased accuracy. However, the design of its warhead, which detonates in the air and scatters lethal fragments, increases the risk of hitting unintended targets within its effective radius, especially near civilian infrastructure. This incident renews long-standing debates about the ethics and risks of so-called “combat evaluation” — using systems not yet fully proven in real conflicts, where guidance errors can lead to significant accidental civilian casualties.

Comments on the report

• What strategic significance does the city of Lamerd have in Iran, and why might it have been chosen as a target for the new weapon? - Lamerd is located in Fars province in southwestern Iran, in a region of strategic importance due to its proximity to key energy infrastructure (gas fields, pipelines) and military facilities. It could be targeted because of its location near sites linked to the nuclear program or security forces, making it vulnerable to strikes aimed at undermining Iran’s energy security or military capability.

• What is the role and structure of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Iran, and why do sites near its facilities become targets? - The IRGC is an elite military formation established after the 1979 Islamic Revolution. It operates as a parallel army responsible for internal security, external operations (through the Quds Force), and controls a significant portion of Iran’s economy. Sites near its facilities become targets because the IRGC is viewed as a pillar of the political regime and a tool of Iran’s regional influence; strikes against them aim to weaken the organization’s military, intelligence, and economic capabilities.

• How is Telegram used in Iran’s information space, and how reliable are local Telegram channels as sources about such incidents? - Telegram is one of the main platforms for news distribution and communication in Iran, despite periodic official restrictions. Local Telegram channels, often run by journalists, activists, or sources close to various groups, report events quickly. Their reliability varies: some channels have established reputations and sources, while others may spread unverified information or rumors, especially amid an information vacuum around sensitive incidents such as military strikes.

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Full version: استهداف قاتل.. الكشف عن استخدام صاروخ "بريزم" الأمريكي بحرب إيران

The World in the Grip of War: A Crisis Without Winners

The world is experiencing a deep crisis amid an ongoing conflict that is radically shifting the balance of power and redistributing losses and gains among countries. According to analysis by the French publications Le Monde and L'Opinion, the large-scale consequences became apparent in the very first month of the confrontation: the number of losers far exceeds those who managed to gain advantages. As a result, all participants in international relations have become trapped in an unstable situation that remains unpredictable and open to any, including the most negative, scenarios of development.

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Full version: الجزيرة نت

Venezuela Negotiates Resumption of Air Links with Several Countries

The Venezuelan government is actively working to expand the country's air connections, conducting talks with airlines and diplomats. Key objectives include reinstating charter flights from Canada (Montreal — Caracas/Margarita Island) and establishing cooperation with the German carrier Condor. Plans also call for launching new charter routes from the Colombian cities of Cali and Medellín. At the same time, preparations are underway to resume direct flights to the United States with American Airlines, previously restricted by the Trump administration. Tourism Minister Danyella Cabelio expressed hope for the return of cruise liners and emphasized that Venezuela positions itself as one of the safest countries in the region for family vacations.

The country is already showing successes in the tourism sector: thanks to charter programs, more than 50,000 tourists from Russia and 22,000 from Poland have visited Venezuela. These charter flights are planned to resume in October to cover the European winter season and continue through March. The main destination for these flights remains the popular Margarita Island. Thus, authorities aim not only to restore old air corridors but also to strengthen new ones, betting on international tourism as an important sector of the economy.

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Full version: Venezuela avanza en gestiones para reactivar vuelos con Canadá, Alemania y Colombia

Five Questions About the Future of the War in the Middle East

The French magazine Le Nouvel Observateur analyzed the situation in the Middle East one month after the start of the large-scale conflict, highlighting five key questions that will determine its further course. The war, dubbed "Epic Wrath," began on 28 February 2026 after strikes by the United States and Israel that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The fate of his son and presumed successor Mojtaba, as well as the question of a political vacuum in Tehran, remain unclear, adding uncertainty to how events will unfold.

The first question concerns the duration of the war. U.S. officials say military objectives could be achieved within weeks without a ground operation, leaving the door open to negotiations, although Tehran refuses dialogue. The second question is about the geographic expansion of the conflict: fighting has spread beyond Iran and Israel. Yemen’s Houthis are striking targets in Israel, and sites in Oman and Kuwait have been attacked. Iran, which controls the Strait of Hormuz, threatens to extend the conflict to the Bab-el-Mandeb strait, which could turn the war into a region-wide one and threaten key maritime routes.

The third question examines the dangerous escalation tied to targeting civilian infrastructure such as energy and desalination facilities. Both sides threaten strikes on vital installations, indicating a shift to a more perilous phase of the war that could directly affect civilians. The fourth question is about the economic consequences. The war has shocked energy markets and caused a sharp rise in oil prices, recalling the 1973 crisis. However, major economies today are less dependent on oil thanks to alternative energy sources, which may mitigate long-term effects, although short-term increases in the cost of living are already being felt.

Special attention is paid to the fifth question — the escalation in Lebanon, where the pro-Iranian group Hezbollah is actively involved in the conflict. This has led to large-scale clashes with Israel in southern Lebanon, the Bekaa Valley, and the southern suburbs of Beirut. Israel continues bombardments and is attempting to create a buffer zone, while Hezbollah responds with rocket fire. According to the latest figures, 1,142 people have died in Lebanon alone, and more than a million have been forced to flee their homes.

Overall, the analysis shows that the conflict has entered a phase of open attrition, where military calculations, economic risks, and regional balances of power are intertwined. Despite claims of a possible swift military victory or negotiations, there are no clear signs the war will end soon, and its humanitarian and economic consequences continue to worsen.

Commentary on the News

• What is the role and authority of the Supreme Leader in Iran’s political system, and how does succession to this position usually occur? - The Supreme Leader (Rahbar) is the highest political and religious authority in Iran, with the final deciding voice on key foreign and domestic policy, security, and appointments to top state and military positions. Succession is carried out by the Assembly of Experts (an elected body of Islamic jurists), which chooses a new leader after the death or removal of the previous one, guided by criteria of religious scholarship, political competence, and popularity among the populace.

• Why do control of the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab-el-Mandeb strait have such strategic importance for the global economy and energy supplies? - These straits are critically important maritime chokepoints for global oil shipments. About 20–30% of the world’s seaborne oil trade passes through the Strait of Hormuz, while a significant portion of shipments from the Persian Gulf to Europe and the Americas passes through the Bab-el-Mandeb. Control over them allows influence over global energy prices and creates risks to the energy security of many countries.

• What does a "political vacuum" in Tehran mean and which institutions will play key roles in determining the new leader? - A "political vacuum" here means a period of uncertainty and potential power struggle during the change of the Supreme Leader. Key actors in this process will include: the Assembly of Experts (formally electing the new leader), the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as the most powerful security force, the Expediency Discernment Council (as an arbitration body), and influential religious and political factions within the Iranian elite.

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Full version: بعد شهر من حرب إيران.. 5 أسئلة حول صراع يتفاقم ويتسع

US Protests as a Symbol of Resistance: a Venezuelan View

Venezuelan media increasingly present the mass protests in the United States, including the “No Kings” actions against Trump, not merely as news but as an explicit expression of popular protest against authoritarianism, militarism, and systemic racism. Reports and analysis emphasize that these mobilizations are perceived as a public rejection of policies of exclusion, dehumanization, and external military interventions, indicating significant domestic opposition to Trump’s course and its international consequences. Such coverage serves both as a contrast to American claims about democracy and as an invitation for a Latin American audience to watch developments as an important element of global political dynamics. This article is based on materials from www.youtube.com (Venezuela) and www.instagram.com (Venezuela).

The Venezuelan Mirror of Protests Against Trump and Latino Passivity in the US

The El País video about the “No Kings” protests against Donald Trump in the US, published on YouTube under the headline about thousands of people taking to the streets in various cities and available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZuUUUC_07Q, and an Instagram comment about the passivity of many Latinos in the face of Trumpism, posted here https://www.instagram.com/p/DWZgypzDoWm/, at first glance seem like two independent and heterogeneous fragments of media noise. However, when viewed from Caracas, they form a single political and cultural narrative about how Venezuela “reads” American politics and the behavior of its diaspora.

The El País video provides a minimal factual framework: “thousands of people take to the streets in various US cities to participate in symbolic ‘No Kings’ protests against the policies of the Trump administration” — without deep context, without analysis of who these people are, what slogans they carry besides the formula “No Kings,” what their demands are, and what their political ties might be. This is a typical European news format: concise shots of placards, chanting protesters and police lines, a voice‑over noting the mass turnout and the anti‑monarchical, metaphorical message of the actions, and the report ends there. In this form the material easily fits into the international news feed: another episode of conflict around the figure of Trump, another demonstration against “a president who behaves like a king.”

In Venezuela, where political polarization and constant confrontation with Washington over the past two decades have formed a specific lens of perception, such footage almost never remains “just pictures from the US.” It is immediately picked up by local media and interpretive communities — from state television to independent bloggers — and imbued with local meanings.

For the official media and more broadly for the pro‑government, Chavista camp, the “No Kings” protests serve as visual evidence of the “decline and hypocrisy” of American democracy. On state channels such scenes are often commented on as a “legitimacy crisis” in Washington, as confirmation of the thesis that the US claims to teach the world democracy but itself suffers from authoritarian, racist, and militaristic tendencies. The slogan “No Kings” is read here literally as an accusation against the American political elite that it behaves like an “imperial monarchy,” dictating sanctions, blockades, and regime change to the world, including against Caracas. In this frame the figure of Trump is linked primarily to a hardline stance against Venezuela: an authoritarian, belligerent leader, “the main architect” of financial and oil sanctions that struck PDVSA and the country’s revenues. Footage of Americans with placards condemning him gives the authorities in Caracas the opportunity to claim: even within the US there is growing rejection of policies that “attack” Venezuela, and therefore the sanctions line is not only allegedly unjust but also unpopular among US citizens themselves.

In the opposition and independent analytical sphere the same protests are read in the opposite way: as an example of the still‑alive ability of American society to mobilize, take to the streets with strong anti‑presidential messages and not be immediately labeled “terrorists,” “fascists,” or “agents of foreign conspiracy” — what opponents of the government in Caracas have come to expect, especially after 2014. For this audience the El País video becomes a kind of mirror: in Washington people can block streets for hours, shout slogans that effectively equate the president with a usurping monarch, and still maintain relative institutional protection; in Venezuela, by their experience, mass street action quickly runs into repression, criminal cases and the stigma of being “golpistas.”

Against this background the Instagram comment on the passivity of Latinos in the US regarding Trumpism and similar protest movements becomes a logical continuation of the same conversation, only with a shifted focus: if El País notes that “thousands came out,” the Venezuelan Instagram author tries to explain why “nothing happens” with the “majority” of Latinos, why they do not become a mass force capable of consistently supporting anti‑Trump protests or at least consistently “punishing at the ballot box.”

In his text, available at https://www.instagram.com/p/DWZgypzDoWm/, he formulates several key explanations characteristic of the Venezuelan optic. First, it’s about “latinos asimilados que ya se sienten gringos”: according to the author, Trump “obtuvo mucho apoyo de latinos, que ya han sido asimilados culturalmente, sintiéndose gringos (perciben a inmigrantes como competencia y generadores de problemas de seguridad), reforzando su creencias de gringos.” This is essentially a diagnosis of part of the diaspora which, having obtained documents, work and relative stability in the US, begins to look at new migrants through the eyes of the white conservative establishment: as a security threat and competitors in the labor market. For the Venezuelan audience this motive is recognizable: conversations about Miami, Houston, or Orlando often surface stories about former compatriots who, once established, begin to support a hard “law and order” line, including tougher immigration policies and sympathies for Trumpism. In this logic the “No Kings” protests remain somewhere “over there,” on the screen: a significant part of the Latin American community is already internally integrated into conservative American discourse and does not perceive such actions as their own.

Second, the author points to a loss of cultural identity among the descendants of migrants: “Gran cantidad de latinos, son descendientes de inmigrantes, crecieron como estadounidenses, perdiéndose la identidad cultural de sus ascendientes ya sea por moldeamientos, otros por vergüenza, etc.” For Venezuelans this sounds like a warning to themselves: the children and grandchildren of those who emigrate from Caracas, Maracaibo or Valencia today risk growing up as “plain Americans,” weakly connected to the political dramas of their countries of origin. From this perspective Latin youth in the US, even seeing protests like “No Kings” on TV or social networks, do not necessarily read them as part of a broader “Latin American” struggle against authoritarianism, be it in Washington, Caracas or Havana. They live in a different symbolic universe where their parents’ national conflicts dissolve into the American cultural mainstream.

The third explanation, directly echoing the Venezuelan experience, is “learned helplessness.” The author writes: “La indefensión aprendida: no protestarán ni castigarán en las urnas porque muchos priorizan otros problemas o porque consideran que no hay nada que hagan que cambie las cosas.” The term “learned helplessness” has long been rooted in the Venezuelan political and psychological lexicon as a description of the apathy and despair of part of society after years of economic collapse, repression and unmet hopes for electoral change. Now this concept is transferred to Latinos in the US: many, the author thinks, are convinced that their vote changes little, and life priorities — survival, work, legalization — are more important than abstract battles around Trump or “No Kings.” For Venezuelan readers this is a painful observation: hopes that the diaspora in the US would become a powerful lever of influence on Washington’s foreign policy appear exaggerated in this picture.

Finally, the fourth element — a reference to Zygmunt Bauman and the concept of “liquid modernity”: “La generación líquida (Bauman) son opositores de sofá, quieren cambios, están inconformes, pero esperan que otros actúen.” The figure of the “couch opposer” is well known in the Venezuelan political scene: it describes city dwellers who actively comment on and condemn the government on social networks but rarely take to the streets and hardly participate in offline organizations. Transferring this scheme to Latinos in the US, the author describes a generation that sympathizes with anti‑Trump and anti‑authoritarian content, likes El País videos about “No Kings” marches, leaves angry comments, but does not reach the point of real participation in protests or systematic electoral mobilization. Altogether this creates an image of the Latin American diaspora as a “potential but unactualized” political subject.

Combining these two levels — the dry European report and the emotional‑analytical Venezuelan post — yields a broader narrative. The “No Kings” protests shown in the El País video, for official Caracas, confirm the thesis that Trump and the American elite behind him behave like “imperial kings,” provoking rejection even among their own citizens. For critics of the Venezuelan government the same footage demonstrates how street channels of pressure on power can work where institutional constraints on arbitrariness remain. And for the Venezuelan Instagram commentator, relying on concepts of “assimilation,” “loss of identity,” “learned helplessness” and the “liquid generation,” the question shifts to why a large part of Latinos remains on the sidelines of this confrontation.

There is also an economic‑political, distinctly Venezuelan interest in all this. In mass consciousness within the country, Trump is closely associated with sanctions, the fall in oil revenues and periods of acute fuel shortages. Any weakening of his positions, any confirmation of his unpopularity on the streets of the US is interpreted, above all by pro‑government voices, as a possibility to ease pressure on Caracas. At the same time, for millions of families dependent on remittances from the diaspora, on the status of relatives in the US, on decisions about TPS and asylum, the question of Latino activity or passivity in American politics is not an abstraction but a factor that can affect their everyday lives.

It is also interesting how these external events return to Venezuela in the form of self‑criticism. When the Instagram author speaks of “couch opposers” and “learned helplessness,” he is not only talking about Latinos in the US but also about his own society. The “No Kings” protests thus become not only an object of discussion but a reason to look at the Venezuelan street, at the lost momentum of mass mobilization, at the gap between digital outrage and real political action. American “kings” and Latin “subjects,” authoritarianism in the White House and learned helplessness in the suburbs of Caracas — all of this in the Venezuelan media space folds into one common conversation about an era of strong leaders, weary societies and dispersed diasporas.

Thus a short El País video about protests in the US and a subjective Instagram post, read from Caracas, turn into material for a much deeper discussion: about who and how today is capable of resisting authoritarian tendencies — whether in Washington, Caracas, or in the growing Latin diaspora on both sides of the continent.

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Escalating Tensions Between the US and Iran: Military Plans and Diplomatic Maneuvers

Tensions in relations between the United States and Iran continue to rise, accompanied by sharp political rhetoric and notable military preparations. The administration of President Donald Trump is demonstrating a clear strategy of increasing pressure on Tehran, while indirect negotiations through intermediaries are taking place in parallel. Active discussions in Washington about the objectives of a possible conflict and clarity of strategy both in the near and long term are creating an atmosphere of uncertainty.

According to reports, the US plans to send an additional aircraft carrier, the George Bush, to the region, although it is unclear whether it will replace one of the two carriers already there. These military efforts are complemented by consideration of deploying about 10,000 additional US troops to the Middle East. Anxiety is growing within the US Armed Services Committee, whose members express concern about unclear objectives and a potential shortage of munitions, especially missile interceptors, after intensive use of Tomahawk cruise missiles.

The international community, especially European countries, is concerned that Washington’s focus on the Iranian issue could negatively affect other fronts, such as deliveries of Patriot air-defense systems to Ukraine. Analysts, such as Dr. James Robbins, point out that discussion of the Bushehr facility concerns not only electricity but also its nuclear character, which requires greater clarity in defining targets. He also noted coordination between the US and Israel, emphasizing that the nature of targets will determine the form of any operations.

The Trump administration continues to insist on the existence of an extensive list of targets inside Iran, numbering “more than 3,000” sites, and commits to continuing operations, urging Tehran to be ready to reach an agreement. Indirect negotiations through intermediaries continue, with US emissary Steve Witkoff outlining “red lines,” including the cessation of uranium enrichment and the elimination of existing stockpiles. The deadline set by Trump for the resumption of free passage through the Strait of Hormuz remains in place.

Inside the US, Trump says his base continues to support his policy, describing the situation as a path to a “peace without parallel.” However, public opinion polls show that about 60% of Americans oppose intervention, and resistance to any ground operation is growing. Lawmakers, including some Republicans, criticize the lack of a clear strategy, warning of protracted conflicts that could drain the economy and weaken the country’s international standing. Economic pressure, especially on fuel markets, adds complications for the American administration.

News commentary

• What role does the Bushehr nuclear facility play in Iran’s nuclear program and why is it frequently the subject of international disputes? - The Bushehr nuclear power plant is the only operating nuclear power plant in Iran, built with Russian assistance. It plays mainly a civilian role, providing about 2% of the country’s electricity. However, it is often the subject of disputes because the West fears that operating the plant helps Iran accumulate nuclear expertise and technologies that could potentially be used for military purposes. In addition, its existence symbolizes Iran’s right to peaceful nuclear energy, which is a key element of national pride and sovereignty policy.

• Which internal political forces in Iran, such as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), influence negotiations on the nuclear deal and Tehran’s response to US pressure? - The IRGC is a powerful military-political force that significantly influences nuclear policy. Accountable to the Supreme Leader, the Corps often takes a hard line against concessions to the West and advocates for a “resistance economy.” Conservative factions in the parliament and the Guardian Council also constrain negotiators’ room for maneuver. These forces view the nuclear program as a matter of national security and sovereignty, so they are skeptical of agreements they believe could limit Iran’s technological development.

• How have economic sanctions, particularly on fuel markets, specifically affected the everyday life and economy of ordinary Iranians? - Sanctions, especially bans on oil sales and access to the international financial system, have caused severe inflation (up to 50% in certain years), rial devaluation, and rising unemployment. For ordinary citizens this has resulted in a sharp increase in the price of staple foods, medicines, and essential goods. Shortages of spare parts and technologies have complicated transport and manufacturing. Although Iran has developed some domestic production and informal trade networks, the middle class’s standard of living has declined significantly and poverty has expanded.

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Full version: حشد 10 آلاف جندي أمريكي وحاملة طائرات جديدة.. هل تتجه الحرب لتصعيد أخطر؟

Venezuela Prays for Peace: Inaugural Mission of Faith

As Holy Week began in Caracas, a prayer gathering took place with acting President of Venezuela Delcy Rodríguez and leaders of evangelical churches in attendance. At the event, held at the Poliedro in the capital, Rodríguez called on citizens to unite in prayer for the country's peace, calm, and happiness, invoking the example of Jesus Christ. She also asked for prayers for President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores, and urged support for state programs of democratic coexistence and amnesty aimed at reconciliation and healing society from hatred and intolerance.

During the ceremony Delcy Rodríguez was honored by the religious community as the first woman in the republic's history to hold the country's highest state office. She expressed hope that Venezuela would be freed from international sanctions, allowing the economy to recover, benefits to reach those most in need, and prayed for improved relations with the United States based on mutual respect and cooperation. The event was attended by government members, local religious representatives, and international leaders, including pastors from the United States and Colombia.

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Full version: Presidenta encargada Delcy Rodríguez acompañó a líderes religiosos evangélicos en oración por Venezuela

Pakistan to hold summit to reduce tensions between Iran and the US

Pakistan is preparing to host a mini-summit in Islamabad with the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkey. The meeting, scheduled for March 29–30, aims to develop a common position to reduce tensions between Iran and the United States, as well as to discuss other regional issues. Pakistan is actively positioning itself as a potential mediator in this conflict, leveraging its good relations with both sides and close ties with the Gulf states.

Pakistan’s diplomatic activity includes high-level contacts with key players. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a one-hour phone call with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to discuss regional tensions and peacemaking efforts. At the same time, Pakistani military officials have established contacts with US officials, including former President Donald Trump and US special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, as well as with Iranian representatives.

Through Pakistan, the US delivered a document to Iran containing 15 proposed points. According to reports, these points include demands to eliminate stocks of highly enriched uranium, halt enrichment operations, limit the ballistic missile program, as well as arrangements concerning the Strait of Hormuz and an end to Tehran’s support for allied groups. These proposals represent a comprehensive framework intended to simultaneously address nuclear, missile and regional aspects.

Iran rejects characterizing the process as direct “negotiations” with the US, despite reports that Pakistan conveyed an official response to the American plan. Ali Saferi, adviser to the spokesperson of Iran’s Foreign Ministry, said that any possible talks must be based on a complete halt to attacks on Iran. Tehran considers any American or regional diplomatic initiatives prior to de-escalation “unjust and unacceptable,” tying the start of any dialogue to a prior cessation of attacks.

The current military escalation in the region began on February 28 after US and Israeli strikes on Iran, spreading to areas of the Persian Gulf and other Arab countries with growing international repercussions. Pakistan’s mediation efforts come amid fears of a wider escalation and a desire to create a negotiating framework covering nuclear, missile and regional aspects. The success of diplomatic initiatives now depends on the willingness of the main parties to agree to conditions for halting the escalation and resuming dialogue.

Comments on the news

• What specific role does the Strait of Hormuz play in Iran’s economy and regional strategy, beyond being an important sea route? - The Strait of Hormuz serves as a key strategic lever and deterrent for Iran. Beyond the fact that the overwhelming majority of Iran’s oil exports pass through it, Tehran has repeatedly stated its readiness to block the strait in the case of an existential threat, allowing it to influence global energy prices and exert pressure on regional rivals such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Control over the strait also enhances Iran’s naval presence and serves as a bargaining chip in negotiations over the nuclear deal.
• Which “allied groups” in the region traditionally receive support from Iran, and what is their current role in Middle Eastern conflicts? - Iran’s traditional regional allies, forming the so-called “axis of resistance,” include Lebanon’s Hezbollah, Yemen’s Ansar Allah (the Houthis), a number of Shiite militias in Iraq (for example, Kataib Hezbollah), as well as Palestinian groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad. Their current role is to provide strategic depth for Iran: they deter opponents (Israel, the US, Saudi Arabia), participate in conflicts in Syria and Yemen, and strengthen Tehran’s bargaining position in diplomacy.
• Which specific “attacks on Iran” does Tehran refer to when setting the condition of stopping attacks for dialogue? Are these only the recent strikes or part of a longer history? - Tehran refers to both recent and historical hostile actions. Recent incidents include alleged Israeli strikes on facilities in Syria and Iraq that killed Iranian military advisers, cyberattacks on infrastructure, as well as assassinations of scientists (such as nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh in 2020). The longer history includes sanctions, economic pressure and past US support for Iranian opposition groups. The demand to stop attacks is Tehran’s attempt to set new “rules of the game” and obtain security guarantees.

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Full version: تحرك رباعي في إسلام آباد لخفض التصعيد بين طهران وواشنطن

US Weighs Risky Operation to Extract Iranian Uranium

The United States is exploring the possibility of conducting a special military operation to extract stocks of highly enriched uranium from Iran. This complex route is fraught with field, intelligence, and logistical challenges that could make it one of the most difficult modern military operations. Despite Washington's June 2025 statement about having destroyed Iran's nuclear program, stocks of enriched uranium, according to the IAEA's estimates, still exist and amount to about 440 kilograms at 60% enrichment.

It is believed that after U.S. strikes on three key facilities in Fordow, Isfahan, and Natanz, Iran redistributed these stocks. Experts think the uranium may be located at other secret sites, which further complicates any attempt to access it. Any American operation, military analysts say, could require the insertion of about a thousand special-forces personnel onto Iranian territory, making it one of the largest operations of its kind.

These ground forces are expected to establish a wide security perimeter around storage sites, but this task is complicated by the ability of Iranian missiles and drones to strike these forces from the very start of the operation. Violating sovereignty and the logistics of penetrating Iranian territory add further complications. Field data also indicate that the uranium is likely stored deep underground, under layers of rock and debris from previous strikes, which would require excavation that could take several days.

That means troops would have to remain on the ground for an extended period under direct threat, facing the risk of combat, ambushes, as well as air and missile attacks. Some reports also warn of the possibility of mines in the storage sites, where a single blast could permanently block tunnels and bury materials inside reinforced structures. There is also the risk of inaccurate intelligence about the actual storage locations.

Upon accessing the stocks, a serious technical problem arises: uranium containers may be enormous and weigh two to three tons, requiring special equipment for their safe lifting and transport. The operation would also require the involvement of specialized weapons-of-mass-destruction teams to inspect, package, and secure the material to prevent the release of radioactive or toxic substances. If a decision is made to destroy the stocks in place, there would be added risks of radioactive or chemical contamination and complications with environmental and humanitarian consequences.

The withdrawal and return phase is also associated with enormous logistical difficulties, since transporting these loads depends on heavy transport aircraft such as the C-17. This would require securing a nearby runway or creating a temporary strip, the construction of which could take several days. Withdrawal would also require continuous air cover and protection during loading and transport, creating immense time pressure on the operating forces. Overall, any such operation looks like a race against time in a hostile environment, with combat, technical, and intelligence risks intertwined.

Western newspapers and websites, citing various reports, say the U.S. may be preparing. The British site iPaper reported that the United States is preparing for a possible ground incursion or targeted special operations inside Iran based on intelligence. Axios revealed that Washington and Tel Aviv are discussing the possibility of conducting a limited special-forces operation inside Iran in cooperation with nuclear experts to handle and secure stocks of highly enriched uranium. According to Axios, the potential plan is based on two main options, indicating that alternatives are still being discussed and evaluated in corridors of power.

Comments on the story

• What are the nuclear facilities in Fordow, Isfahan, and Natanz, and why are they considered key to Iran's nuclear program? - Natanz is the main underground uranium enrichment center, housing thousands of centrifuges. Fordow is another underground enrichment facility, known for its fortification and secrecy. Isfahan (likely referring to the facility in Isfahan) is a center for processing uranium ore and producing uranium hexafluoride, the feedstock for enrichment. These sites are key because together they form a critical part of Iran's nuclear fuel cycle, and their underground locations make them harder to strike militarily.

• What are the capabilities of the Iranian missiles and drones mentioned as threats to a possible U.S. operation? - Iran possesses a large arsenal of short- and medium-range ballistic missiles (up to 2,000 km), capable of striking targets across the Middle East, including U.S. bases. Iranian drones, such as the Shahed, are relatively cheap but effective strike UAVs that can be used in swarm attacks or for precision strikes. Together they pose a threat due to their numbers, dispersion, and ability to inflict unacceptable damage even on a more technologically advanced adversary.

• Why are underground storage sites a common method for storing nuclear materials in Iran, and how does this relate to the country's geography and strategy? - Iran is a mountainous country with many natural and man-made underground voids. Strategically, underground placement of facilities (so-called "bunkering") is a response to the threat of preemptive strikes from stronger adversaries like the U.S. or Israel. This makes sites less vulnerable to air strikes and surveillance, increasing the survivability of the nuclear program and complicating any attempts to destroy it militarily.

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Full version: اليورانيوم الإيراني المخصّب.. هل تتحول مهمة استخراجه إلى فخ للقوات الخاصة الأمريكية؟

Venezuela extends Easter holidays for civil servants due to climate crisis

Interim President of Venezuela Delsi Rodríguez announced an extension of the Easter holidays for public sector workers, including employees of ministries and the education system, from Monday through Friday. The decision is linked to the implementation of the national Energy Saving Plan, aimed at mitigating the effects of the climate crisis, which has led to record-high temperatures and an increase in wildfires across the country. According to Rodríguez, the emergency climate situation requires the continuous deployment of emergency services, and extending the holidays will help reduce the strain on the power system and protect essential services, especially healthcare for the Venezuelan population.

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Full version: Ejecutivo nacional anuncia extensión de asueto de Semana Santa para el sector público

US Used Unmanned Boats in Operations Against Iran for the First Time

The US Department of Defense has for the first time officially confirmed the deployment of fast unmanned boats for patrols as part of operations aimed at Iran. These craft, capable of conducting surveillance or carrying out suicide attacks, represent a new tool in the Pentagon’s arsenal. Their use marks a shift in methods of naval warfare, especially against the backdrop of successful use of similar technologies by other countries in recent conflicts.

According to US Central Command spokesman Tim Hawkins, unmanned boats of the type "Global Autonomous Reconnaissance Craft" (GARC) produced by the company "Black Sea" took part in patrols as part of a campaign against Iran called "Epic Fury." Hawkins said these systems logged more than 450 hours at sea and covered over 2,200 nautical miles in support of the operation. He emphasized that US forces continue to employ various unmanned systems in the Middle East.

However, the US effort to create an entire fleet of surface and underwater unmanned vessels as a cheaper and more agile alternative to crewed ships has faced years of difficulties. The program is behind schedule due to technical problems, cost issues, and a series of incidents during testing. For example, military tests of the roughly five-meter-long GARC were accompanied by performance and safety problems, including a collision with another vessel at high speed.

The relevance of unmanned maritime systems sharply increased after Ukraine began using fast explosive boats to inflict significant damage on the Russian Black Sea Fleet. Iran, in turn, has used maritime drones to attack oil tankers in the Persian Gulf. These examples have spurred international interest in developing similar technologies. There is no information yet that the US has used unmanned ships to deliver strikes, but the risk remains that they could be employed in attacks capable of escalating tensions in the region.

These developments occur amid a worsening conflict involving Israel, the US, and Iran. It is reported that since late February attacks by Israel and the US have killed hundreds of people in Iran. Tehran has responded with launches of missiles and drones at Israel, as well as attacks on what it calls American interests in Arab countries. Some of these strikes have resulted in civilian casualties, drawing condemnation from the attacked states.

In this context, the US continues to expand its maritime unmanned capabilities as part of a strategy to monitor the balance of power in the Middle East and to counter growing regional influence, particularly Iran’s. Developing a fleet of unmanned boats, despite current technical challenges, is considered an important element of future naval presence and deterrence in an unstable region.

Comments on the news

• What is the Russian company "Black Sea" and what is its role in developing maritime unmanned systems? — "Black Sea" (Black Sea) is a Russian company reportedly involved in developing maritime unmanned systems. Its exact role is unclear from open sources, but in the Iran context this could indicate collaboration in the area of kamikaze maritime drones or reconnaissance craft, which Iran has actively used in the Persian Gulf.
• What is the US campaign "Epic Fury" and what are its specific objectives regarding Iran? — The US campaign "Epic Fury" (Epic Fury) is a military-political operation aimed at deterring Iran. Its objectives include: disrupting Iranian drone and missile development programs, conducting cyberattacks on military infrastructure, increasing sanctions to limit Iran’s oil revenue, and countering transfers of Iranian drones to allies such as Russia and proxy groups in the Middle East.
• What exactly is the "growing regional influence" of Iran that the US seeks to contain? — Iran’s influence is manifested in: 1) Military support for groups in Syria, Iraq, Yemen (the Houthis) and Lebanon (Hezbollah) that attack US and Israeli targets; 2) Supplying drones and missiles to Russia for the war in Ukraine; 3) Control over key maritime routes in the Persian Gulf through its fleet and drones; 4) Expansion of its nuclear program, which increases Tehran’s diplomatic weight. The US views these as threats to regional stability and to the interests of its allies.

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Full version: رويترز: أمريكا تنشر زوارق مسيرة في نزاعها مع إيران

Conflict with Iran: why Trump avoids the word "war"

U.S. President Donald Trump said he will call the ongoing conflict with Iran, which began in February 2026, not a "war" but a "military operation." He made this remark jokingly at a dinner with Republican congressmen, explaining that the term "war" requires Congressional approval, which he does not have. That position has sparked serious constitutional debate, since it is Congress, under Article I of the U.S. Constitution, that has the power to declare war, and Democrats accuse the administration of unilateral actions without legislative mandate.

The fighting has already caused significant losses: according to The Wall Street Journal, 13 American soldiers were killed and 210 wounded in the first two weeks. U.S. and Israeli strikes have inflicted serious damage on Iran, including the deaths of political and military leaders, as well as the destruction of military facilities, infrastructure, and energy installations. Trump publicly boasted about the scale of the destruction and control over Iranian airspace, which prompted criticism from analysts about excessive use of force.

In response, Iran launched missile strikes and used drones against targets in Israel and, according to the U.S., against American facilities in Gulf countries. These attacks caused civilian casualties and worsened Tehran’s relations with some neighbors. Among Israeli targets were sensitive sites such as Dimona near the nuclear reactor. Iran continues to reject U.S. conditions for halting operations related to its nuclear and missile programs, showing the capability for counteraction despite the damage it has sustained.

Despite the legal disputes, the White House confirmed Trump’s readiness to "deliver an even stronger strike on Iran" if it does not accept defeat. At the same time, the U.S. is deploying thousands of troops from the 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East. According to sources, the president has expressed a desire to avoid a protracted war and told advisers that the conflict may be approaching a concluding phase. However, options for further escalation, including a possible seizure of the oil island of Kharg, remain on the table, especially if diplomatic efforts fail.

On the international stage, countries such as Pakistan, Turkey, and Egypt are attempting to act as mediators in potential ceasefire talks. However, details about the time and place of any negotiations remain unclear. Tensions persist as Washington and Tehran stick to hardline positions on the terms for stopping operations, complicating the search for a swift resolution.

Given the situation, there remains a risk of the conflict expanding or violence resuming. Uncertainty is exacerbated by the unclear position of the U.S. Congress and the possibility of legislative inquiries into the conditions under which the so-called "military operation" is being conducted. The future of the confrontation remains murky, and diplomatic prospects are doubtful until both sides show willingness to compromise.

Comments on the news

• What is the nuclear facility in Dimona and why is it considered a sensitive target? - The nuclear facility in Dimona is an Israeli nuclear research center that is widely believed to be linked to the development of nuclear weapons. It is considered a sensitive target because of its strategic role in Israel’s presumed nuclear arsenal and its symbolic significance in regional confrontations, particularly for Iran, which does not recognize Israel.
• Why does the island of Kharg have strategic importance for Iran and the region? - Kharg Island is Iran’s main oil export terminal in the Persian Gulf. It is strategically important because a large share of Iran’s oil exports passes through it, which is critical for Iran’s economy and the stability of global energy markets. Any disruption to the terminal’s operations could affect global oil supplies.
• What are the historical and current relations between Iran and Pakistan, Turkey, and Egypt, which are acting as mediators? - Iran’s relations with Pakistan are complex, featuring elements of cooperation (trade, border ties) and tension (Sunni–Shia differences, border incidents). With Turkey there is a mix of historical rivalry (Ottoman Empire vs. Persia) and current pragmatic partnership (economics, regional issues). Relations with Egypt have been historically strained since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, but in recent years cautious rapprochement has emerged. These countries act as mediators using their unique positions: Pakistan as a neighboring Muslim country, Turkey as a NATO member with ties to Iran, and Egypt as an influential Arab state.

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Full version: من "الحرب" إلى "عملية عسكرية".. لماذا أعاد ترمب توصيف المواجهة مع إيران؟

Venezuela Claims Lead in Regional Economic Growth

Venezuela’s Vice President Delcy Rodríguez said at the FII Priority investment summit that the country is showing the highest economic growth in Latin America. According to her, despite a difficult external environment, Venezuela is experiencing its 19th consecutive quarter of economic expansion, which amounts to five years of recovery. Rodríguez specifically noted the revival of the key oil and gas sector, thanks to which in 2025 the country, for the first time in more than a decade, became fully self-sufficient in fuel and stopped importing it.

To sustain this momentum, the government is actively working to attract foreign investment. Rodríguez reported the resumption of commercial agreements between the state oil company PDVSA and the United States, which now cover 40% of Venezuela’s hydrocarbon market. She held meetings with representatives of more than 120 international companies and emphasized that new legislation (including laws on hydrocarbons and subsoil resources) is being created to guarantee security and favorable conditions for investors.

Vice President Rodríguez delivered her remarks via video on the sidelines of the “Future Investment Priority Initiatives” (FII Priority) summit, which is taking place in Miami. The event, under the slogan "Capital in Motion," brought together more than 1,500 delegates from around the world — politicians, major investors, and experts. The forum’s main goal is to discuss how global capital flows can adapt to current economic realities and contribute to sustainable development.

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Full version: Delcy Rodríguez ante la Cumbre Prioritaria del FII: Venezuela lidera el crecimiento económico en Latinoamérica con 19 trimestres consecutivos

Trump in a Dead End: War with Iran and the Tactic of Deliberate Uncertainty

American President Donald Trump, according to analysts, has found himself in a deep political dead end because of the war with Iran. His strategy looks highly contradictory: on the one hand he speaks of “fruitful” talks with Tehran, and on the other — continues to build up military presence in the region, preparing for possible escalation on land. This gap between rhetoric and actual military preparations calls Washington’s true goals into question since the start of the conflict.

Experts believe that such uncertainty is a deliberate tactic. Trump, according to Professor of Conflict Resolution Muhammad ash-Sharqawi, prefers to keep even his closest allies in the dark in order to disorient the opponent and preserve all courses of action. He may suddenly shift from negotiations to a large-scale military operation or, conversely, after an escalation offer an unexpected political solution. Some analysts compare this approach to an Israeli strategy that relies on a demonstration of force to achieve objectives.

Domestic political calculations in the U.S. and Israel play a key role in prolonging the conflict. Trump needs a political victory that would justify a war that lacks strong domestic support. Therefore he may seek to prolong it in the hope that Iranian society will rise against its government. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is also interested in continuing hostilities to improve his chances in upcoming elections, according to polls that give him little hope of forming a new government.

The economic factor exerts significant pressure on the course of the war. The conflict, according to ash-Sharqawi, was originally linked to the desire to control Iranian oil. Rising global energy prices increase pressure on the Trump administration. The threat of Iran closing the Strait of Hormuz has added an economic dimension to the conflict, prompting the American president to shift some responsibility onto his ministers and envoys, such as Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff. Additional pressure also comes from major industrial countries that bear part of the financial burden of the war.

The main obstacles to real negotiations are the pride and ambitions of all parties — Trump, Netanyahu, and the Iranian leadership — who are not ready to make serious concessions. Iran seeks not only to end the war and guarantee it will not recur, but also to inflict significant political damage on the Republican Party in order to stop the phenomenon of “Trumpism.” Experts predict the confrontation will continue for several more weeks, while the U.S. and Israel are betting either on an internal coup in Iran or on prolonging the war as a means of pressure on the regime.

Comments on the news

• What exactly is the economic and strategic role of the Strait of Hormuz for Iran and the global economy, beyond the mentioned threat of its closure? - The Strait of Hormuz is a critically important narrow passage through which about 30% of the world’s seaborne oil shipments and a significant volume of liquefied natural gas transit. For Iran, it is the main route for oil exports and a key element of the national economy. Strategically, control over the strait gives Iran a powerful lever over global energy markets and serves as an instrument of deterrence in regional and international politics, allowing Tehran to project power and bargain.

• What is meant by the “phenomenon of Trumpism” in the context of Iranian foreign policy, and why does Iran see it as a threat that must be stopped? - In the Iranian context, the “phenomenon of Trumpism” refers to a foreign-policy doctrine associated with the administration of Donald Trump, characterized by unilateral actions, withdrawal from multilateral agreements (such as the JCPOA — the 2015 nuclear deal), a “maximum pressure” policy through harsh sanctions, and open hostility toward the Iranian government. Iran views this model as a threat because it aims to economically strangle the country, destabilize the regime and undermine its regional influence, creating a precedent for future U.S. policy.

• How realistic are U.S. and Israeli hopes for an internal coup or mass protests in Iran, given recent history and the structure of the Iranian state? - These hopes are considered unlikely in the short and medium term. The Iranian state possesses powerful security and ideological institutions (the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Basij, the judiciary) that effectively suppress dissent. Despite periodic waves of protests (for example in 2019 and 2022), they have not developed into a nationwide movement capable of toppling the regime. Power is deeply rooted in revolutionary structures, and external pressure often consolidates patriotic sentiments, strengthening the state’s legitimacy in the eyes of part of the population.

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Full version: بين الحديث عن التفاوض وإرسال مزيد من القوات.. كيف يفكر ترمب؟

Perception of US and Israeli aggression: fears of escalation with Iran and across the Middle...

Venezuelan commentaries portray US actions toward Iran and the wider Middle East as part of a broader military campaign together with Israel, raising concerns about a large-scale war, regional destabilization, and high human and electoral costs. The pieces analyze not only the facts of strikes and diplomacy, but also Washington’s motives, politicians’ calculations, and the reactions of Global South countries, where skepticism toward US-led interventions predominates. These texts question the justifications for military action, discuss possible scenarios for further escalation, and emphasize how rising tensions are reflected in international politics and the security of regions around Iran and Israel. The material is based on DW (Venezuela) and deultimominuto.net (Venezuela).

Venezuelan angle: a US–Israel war on Iran and Global South fears

In news about a US and Israel war on Iran, for a Venezuelan audience there is almost nothing “distant.” This is not just another outbreak of violence in the Middle East, but a mirror of the country’s own experience, which lives under sanctions, constant threats from Washington, and an atmosphere of militarized rhetoric. That is how reports about the Pentagon ramping up its missile arsenal for a war in the region are perceived in a Deutsche Welle piece “El Pentágono ordena más misiles para guerra en Medio Oriente” and in a note by Venezuelan portal De Último Minuto about how Donald Trump watches two-minute video summaries of US bombings on Iran every day “Trump recibe a diario un resumen en video de los bombardeos de EE.UU. en Irán”.

From Caracas’s point of view, what we see is not merely a chronicle of hostilities but another manifestation of the same “maximum pressure” logic with which Washington deals with Venezuela, Iran, and any “disobedient” state.

The Deutsche Welle piece emphasizes escalation by the US: the Pentagon is ordering new batches of missiles to continue and expand its campaign in the Middle East, and the war has already gone far beyond a bilateral conflict and become regional — with strikes, counterstrikes, threats to close the Strait of Hormuz, through which “una quinta parte del crudo y el gas licuado mundiales” see DW text. For a Venezuelan, whose country lived for decades off oil exports and whose economy has been shattered by sanctions and production decline, that phrase sounds like an alarming signal: any serious disruption in Hormuz means price spikes, global supply interruptions, new waves of inflation.

The paradox is that, theoretically, rising oil prices could benefit a producer. But under current conditions PDVSA, under American and European sanctions, cannot fully take advantage of higher commodity prices. Exports are limited, market access is curtailed, infrastructure is ruined. The benefit remains “on paper,” while the real effect for the Venezuelan consumer is pricier imported goods and fuel, higher transport costs, and pressure on an already drained domestic economy.

Hence the particular attention to Iran as an ally. Any escalation against Tehran objectively pushes the two countries toward even closer cooperation: exchanges of oil and condensate, fuel and technology deliveries, sanction-busting schemes, shadow-fleet logistics. In Caracas this is presented as “solidarity under sanctions,” an example of how “peoples of the Global South” help each other survive under Western blockade. Critics inside the country, by contrast, see this as a further deepening of international isolation, increased dependence on a narrow circle of authoritarian partners, and a risk of Venezuela being pulled into an even more dangerous geopolitical knot.

Particular nervousness in Venezuela is provoked by words of Donald Trump quoted by DW. According to him, Iranian negotiators:

“temen ser asesinados por su propia gente” and “También tienen miedo de que nosotros los matemos”

quote in the DW piece.

For Venezuelan perception this is not just a coarse phrase. It is a demonstrative humiliation of an entire people, voiced as if it were Washington’s self-evident right to decide who is “worthy” of living and who can be destroyed. Official Caracas has for years asserted that Washington does not recognize the real sovereignty of other states and deems not only sanctions but also political assassinations, special operations, and regime change acceptable.

The logic in which the American president aloud muses that foreign negotiators fear being killed “by their own people” and simultaneously “by us,” in the Bolivarian republic is read as confirmation of long-standing accusations: the language of force and intimidation has become the norm, and the threat of violent removal of governments is not mere propaganda exaggeration. Not coincidentally, the same methods — a sanctions “shower,” support for internal opposition, diplomatic isolation — have already been tried against Caracas.

DW also notes that, according to Trump, the military operation against Iran is a “tremendo éxito,” and “los demócratas tratan de desviar la atención de todo el tremendo éxito que estamos teniendo en esta operación militar” see quote. In the Venezuelan context this sounds familiar. The use of an external conflict to bolster an internal political position is a tactic easily recognized both in Washington’s rhetoric and in Caracas’s rhetoric. There — Trump, explaining to his opponents that a victorious war should bring him political dividends. Here — Maduro, for whom constant confrontation with the US, talk of conspiracies, and threats of intervention serve as an important axis for mobilizing supporters and marginalizing critics as “collaborators.”

If DW offers a more “global” picture of escalation and negotiation play, the Venezuelan outlet De Último Minuto shows the same conflict with an overtly local lens. The piece “Trump recibe a diario un resumen en video de los bombardeos de EE.UU. en Irán” reports that Trump receives a two-minute video every day with the most “important” footage of the bombings. NBC News is cited as the source, but the emphasis is placed to underscore that the war for the White House has been turned into a managed media product, a clip-based spectacle by which the president judges the campaign’s success.

This image — the US leader who watches edited “highlights” of destruction and on their basis concludes that the war is a “success” — fits perfectly with the established Venezuelan image of Washington as a distant empire waging wars on foreign soil in video-game mode. The text highlights that, according to NBC, Trump is irritated by how American media cover the conflict and doesn’t understand why journalists don’t share his assessment of “triumphant” results. Meanwhile his allies, NBC reports, fear the president does not see the “full picture” of the war and lives in an information bubble made of edited clips.

Even the White House’s official comment, where press secretary Caroline Leavitt assures that Trump demands “absoluta honestidad” and diverse information from his advisers, in the Venezuelan retelling looks more like an attempt to smooth the scandalous image than to refute its substance see De Último Minuto note. For a Caracas reader the main point is already made: the leader of the country imposing sanctions on Venezuela and threatening military options runs another war by video reports.

An important detail in the Venezuelan text is the order in which the information about the start of the conflict is presented. It notes that the war began with a “ataque a gran escala” by the US and Israel against Iran on February 28, after which Tehran launched retaliatory strikes against targets in neighboring countries and partially blocked the Strait of Hormuz. This narrative aligns with the official Caracas line: Washington and Tel Aviv are the initiators of escalation, while Iran and its allies act in a logic of self-defense and counterattack. For the domestic audience this is important because it legitimizes the war from the Iranian side and Caracas’s policy of supporting Tehran.

Another emphasis in De Último Minuto is public opinion in the US. Citing polls, it stresses that “la mayoría de estadounidenses rechaza el conflicto, incluso entre las bases de Trump” see same text. For Venezuelan discourse this is a convenient motif: to separate the “American people” from the “imperialist elite.” It yields an image where aggressive US foreign policy lacks real support even inside America and is imposed on society from above for geopolitical interests and domestic political gain.

Against this backdrop Caracas habitually draws parallels with its own experience. At the height of confrontation between the White House and the Bolivarian republic there were direct threats of a “military option,” talk of blockades, and scenarios of forceful pressure. When Venezuelan readers learn today that Trump watches daily clips of bombings in Iran, it easily overlays past fears: the same person who publicly lobbied for harsh sanctions and did not rule out forceful intervention in Venezuela shows what such an “option” could look like in practice.

Venezuelan media and analysts loyal to the government draw several consistent conclusions from this mosaic. First, the Pentagon ordering new missiles and a president judging a war by video highlights is a continuation of the long-familiar “imperialist” image of the US. Second, rhetoric that Iranian negotiators “fear being killed” and “fear that we will kill them” is perceived as direct legitimation of the practice of regime change and physical removal of inconvenient leaders. Third, economically, the conflict around Hormuz and strikes on Iran intensify overall turbulence in global energy markets, which Caracas feels literally in price tags on store shelves.

Opposition and more liberal voices in Venezuela see the picture differently. Yes, they find Trump’s rhetoric dangerous and irresponsible, and the turn to a video spectacle of war a worrying symptom of the degradation of American politics. But they also stress that the Iranian regime is itself authoritarian and repressive, and that Caracas’s alliance with Tehran is used by Venezuelan authorities for internal mobilization and to justify their own failures. In their interpretation, Iran and Venezuela are not only “victims” of Washington, but also states whose elites consciously play geopolitical confrontation to distract attention from crisis, corruption, and human rights violations.

Either way, in both pro-government and critical camps of Venezuelan politics the Middle Eastern war is not perceived as a distant storyline but as part of a broader story about how the world in which Venezuela lives is arranged. In this world one superpower considers it normal to talk about whom it can “kill,” to order new missiles, and to measure war success in two-minute clips. And countries like Iran and Venezuela try to survive between sanctions, military threats, and their own internal authoritarian reflexes, balancing between real external threats and how those threats are used internally to strengthen power.

DW’s news about the Pentagon ordering additional missiles for the regional war and De Último Minuto’s piece about Trump watching daily video reports of the bombings form a single picture: the US and Israel war on Iran is not only a clash of armies and drones, but also a struggle over interpretation, over imagery, over who will be considered the “victim” and who the “aggressor.” For Venezuela, living under the same umbrella of American pressure, this war becomes another reminder of its place in the architecture of the Global South and of the fragility of the thin line separating sanctions and threats from real explosions.

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Diplomatic breakthrough: mediators rush to arrange US–Iran meeting

Mediators from Egypt, Turkey and Pakistan are stepping up efforts to organize direct or semi-direct talks between the United States and Iran within the next 48 hours. According to sources, Islamabad could be a likely venue for such a meeting. These diplomatic maneuvers come amid reports that the US, via Pakistan, has delivered to Iran a 15-point plan aimed at ending the conflict. The mediators' goal is to overcome deep mistrust and begin constructive dialogue.

The Iranian side, however, is highly skeptical of Washington’s intentions, citing past incidents when the US struck Iranian targets during official negotiations. American officials, for their part, acknowledge that the gap between the parties' positions remains significant. They also note that, in their assessment, Iran believes it has leverage over the US due to instability in energy markets and domestic pressure on the American president, which allows Tehran to delay the process.

An additional obstacle to a swift agreement, US representatives say, is a number of Iranian demands they characterize as "extreme" and "unrealistic." In particular, demands for the closure of US military bases in the Persian Gulf and for compensation payments are mentioned. According to the US, such conditions make reaching agreements more difficult than before the outbreak of open confrontation. Leaks about the talks to the press also irritate Tehran, complicating confidential dialogue.

Reportedly, the 15-point US plan concerns key issues including Iran’s nuclear and missile programs, as well as the security of maritime routes. The White House has confirmed that diplomatic efforts are ongoing, but at the same time the US military campaign called "Operation Epic Fury" shows no signs of easing. It is still unclear whether Iran is prepared to accept this plan as a basis for negotiations, and what Israel’s stance will be regarding these proposals.

Iran is facing internal difficulties in formulating a rapid response, including communication problems between various institutions of power and fears that its officials could become targets for Israel if direct meetings are held. The US president said that Iran’s leadership is under significant pressure to come to the negotiating table, and expressed confidence that talks are being held with "the right people" who have a strong interest in reaching an agreement.

News commentary

• Which specific US military bases exist in the Persian Gulf, and why is their presence a particularly sensitive issue for Iran? - Major US facilities include Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain, bases in the UAE (Al Dhafra) and in Kuwait. Their presence is sensitive for Iran because it sees the Persian Gulf as a zone of its historical influence and security; a US military presence is perceived as a threat to sovereignty, an instrument of pressure and a potential platform for attack.

• What is meant by "communication problems between various institutions of power" in Iran, and how does this affect the country’s foreign policy? - This refers to disagreements and lack of coordination between elected bodies (for example, the president and the foreign ministry) and unelected religious-military institutions (such as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the Guardian Council). This leads to contradictory signals on the international stage, makes conducting consistent negotiations difficult (for example, on a nuclear deal) and can be exploited by internal opponents to derail diplomatic initiatives.

• Which past incidents of US attacks on Iranian targets during negotiations might Iran be referring to, and how have they affected trust between the parties? - Iran may point to the killing of General Qasem Soleimani by a US drone in January 2020, which occurred during a period of heightened tensions, as well as to cyberattacks and sanctions imposed during diplomatic processes. These incidents reinforced in Tehran the belief that Washington pursues a "maximum pressure" policy in parallel with negotiations, undermining the basis for mutual trust and the implementation of agreements.

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Full version: محادثات مرتقبة.. وساطة ثلاثية تسعى لعقد لقاء أمريكي إيراني خلال يومين

Venezuela and the US at an investment forum: is dialogue possible?

Acting President of Venezuela Delsi Rodríguez will give a presentation on the panel "The New Latin American Order" as part of the Priority Summit of the Future of International Investment Forum (FII) in Miami Beach. The summit, which brings together political, financial and business leaders from around the world, aims to strengthen cooperation and attract investment to developing Latin American markets. Notably, the same forum—although on a different day—lists US President Donald Trump as a keynote speaker, creating space for potential diplomatic contacts and informal discussions on economic development. Rodríguez’s participation comes amid her administration’s efforts to normalize international relations and attract foreign investment to Venezuela, which is undergoing complex political and economic transformations.

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Full version: Presidenta encargada de Venezuela participará en la Cumbre Prioritaria del Foro de Inversiones Internacionales (FII)

US Markets Hesitant Amid Conflicting Signals from the Middle East

U.S. stock indices ended the trading session lower, reflecting investor nervousness amid geopolitical tensions around Iran. The S&P 500 fell 0.3%, the Dow Jones lost 0.2%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq declined 0.8%. Markets are highly sensitive to any news of possible escalation or, conversely, de-escalation of the conflict, balancing between hope and fear.

Sentiment was temporarily supported by statements from former U.S. President Donald Trump that negotiations with Iran are underway and that Tehran had allegedly agreed not to develop nuclear weapons. Trump also mentioned receiving from Iran a “valuable gift” related to the oil and gas sector. However, these optimistic signals were quickly challenged, preventing markets from sustaining gains.

The Iranian side categorically denied Trump’s account. The speaker of the country’s parliament called such statements an attempt to calm rattled markets. This public contradiction between Washington and Tehran added fuel to the fire of uncertainty, showing investors how fragile any signs of improvement can be.

At the same time, oil prices jumped sharply, approaching the psychological $100 per barrel mark. A rise of more than 4% was driven by ongoing military tensions in the region. A key risk factor remains the Strait of Hormuz — a vital route for global oil trade, where tanker traffic is already constrained, threatening global supplies.

The situation is exacerbated by reports of a possible deployment of about 3,000 U.S. marines to the Middle East, as well as a more active involvement in the conflict by regional players such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE. In these conditions, investors remain extremely cautious, aware that any sudden development — toward escalation or de-escalation — could instantly reverse current market trends.

Comments on the news

• What role does the Strait of Hormuz play in Iran’s economy and geopolitics, beyond its importance for global oil trade? - The Strait of Hormuz serves as a strategic lever of influence and an instrument of national security for Iran. Control over this maritime route allows Tehran to exert pressure on international actors, protect its coastlines, and provide alternative routes for non-oil trade. Geopolitically, the strait is a symbol of Iranian sovereignty in the Persian Gulf and a theater of rivalry with neighboring states.
• What is usually meant by a “valuable gift” in the oil and gas sector in the context of negotiations with Iran, which Trump hinted at? - In a diplomatic context, a “valuable gift” typically refers to concessions such as the easing of sanctions, access to modern extraction technologies, investments in infrastructure, or lucrative contracts for Iran’s oil and gas industry. It is a metaphor for reciprocal terms that could make a deal attractive to Iran.
• Why are statements by the speaker of Iran’s parliament considered a significant official response, and what is their usual role in shaping the country’s foreign policy stance? - The speaker of the parliament (Majlis) represents the legislative branch and reflects the views of elected deputies, making his statements an official position of one of the key state institutions. Although ultimate foreign policy is determined by the Supreme Leader and the National Security Council, the speaker shapes public debate, influences legislation, and communicates the government’s stance to an international audience.

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Full version: تقلبات حادة في وول ستريت مع تضارب إشارات التهدئة بين أمريكا وإيران

Trump Does Not Rule Out Military Invasion of Iran; Tehran Doubts Dialogue

The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump continues to consider a wide range of military options regarding Iran, including the possibility of landing American forces on Iranian territory. This is reported by U.S. media citing officials. In Tehran, however, such statements and U.S. military movements are strengthening suspicions that Washington's recent calls for dialogue may be merely a cover for preparing an escalation. Tensions between the two countries continue to rise, destabilizing the region.

Among the specific military plans being studied by the Pentagon is the seizure of the strategic Kharg Island in the Persian Gulf. Analysts believe that U.S. ground forces could quickly establish control over the island, but would then have to withstand massive strikes by Iranian drones and missiles, which makes any ground operation extremely risky and costly. At the same time, the Pentagon has ordered the deployment of 2,000 paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East, and warships carrying 4,500 troops are approaching the region.

Despite the military preparations, diplomatic channels are also active. Mediators from Turkey, Egypt and Pakistan are trying to organize talks in Islamabad. However, Iran has not yet officially agreed to participate, saying that the increase in U.S. military presence only reinforces their skepticism. Tehran fears that diplomatic initiatives, as has happened before, could be followed by sudden military action. Washington, for its part, has presented Tehran with a 15-point negotiation plan.

According to sources, President Trump instructed the Secretary of Defense to continue applying military pressure on Iran. American and Israeli officials emphasize that the administration's strategy is to balance diplomatic and escalatory measures so that the military option remains on the table. There are even plans for a short but intense war lasting two to three weeks that could begin in parallel with negotiations. This approach reflects a "maximum pressure" policy while leaving channels for dialogue open.

The administration of Vice President J.D. Vance, who replaced Biden, is considering his personal participation in potential talks as a goodwill gesture that could increase Iran's trust. The U.S.-Israeli campaign against Iran has entered its fourth week; the parties are exchanging messages through intermediaries, but the framework and participants of any future dialogue remain undefined. Military and diplomatic developments are closely intertwined, and prospects for further escalation or de-escalation depend entirely on the positions of Washington and Tehran.

Comments on the news

• What strategic and economic role does Kharg Island play for Iran, beyond the military significance mentioned in the article? - Kharg Island (correctly: Kharg Island) is a key oil terminal for Iran in the Persian Gulf, from which a significant portion of Iranian oil is exported. Economically it is a vital asset for the country's oil industry. Strategically, its location allows Iran to control sea lanes in the region, which strengthens its bargaining position on energy and security issues.

• What specifically did the "maximum pressure" policy of previous U.S. administrations toward Iran entail, and how does the current "balancing" strategy differ from it? - The "maximum pressure" policy of the Trump administration (2017–2021) included: withdrawal from the nuclear deal (JCPOA), the reinstatement and tightening of sanctions on key sectors of Iran's economy (oil, finance, metals), and the designation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization. The current "balancing" strategy of the Biden administration combines diplomatic efforts to return to the nuclear deal with maintaining some sanctions and pressure on human rights and regional activities of Iran, while avoiding open confrontation.

• What is meant by the "U.S.-Israeli campaign against Iran" that, according to the article, has already lasted four weeks? Is this referring to cyberattacks, covert operations, or public rhetoric? - In Iranian media, such phrasing typically refers to a combination of measures: public rhetoric of "containing Iran," coordinated diplomatic efforts in international organizations, alleged cyberattacks on Iranian infrastructure (ascribed to Israel in past strikes on nuclear facilities), as well as intelligence and covert operations targeting Iranian programs and regional allies. The exact nature of the campaign depends on context, but it usually includes several of these elements simultaneously.

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Full version: رغم المساعي الدبلوماسية.. ترمب لا يستبعد إنزال قوات في إيران

Iran conflict: why victory claims are premature

Despite optimistic statements by U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about an approaching "endgame" in the confrontation with Iran, analytical reports, including Alex Croft’s piece in The Independent, indicate a more complex reality. Experts emphasize that Iran retains significant capacity for retaliatory actions despite intensive strikes on its military infrastructure. Severe damage has not deprived Tehran of reserve capabilities nor stopped continuous drone production, which means it maintains key asymmetric advantages.

Iran’s strategic resilience is based on several factors: large missile stockpiles, the ability to produce inexpensive unmanned aerial vehicles, and a willingness to wage a protracted conflict that Tehran views as a "marathon" rather than a short clash. To compensate for the military gap with its adversaries, Iran employs unconventional strategies, including pressure on the global economy through threats to close the strategic Strait of Hormuz and by expanding the confrontation to a regional scale. A decentralized command structure ensures operational continuity even if top leadership is eliminated.

The military dynamics show that Iran is effectively fighting on two fronts: in direct confrontation with the United States, which seeks to undermine its military capabilities, and in a covert struggle with Israel, which uses targeted killings to destabilize the regime. This dispersal across different theaters of operations greatly complicates forecasts of a swift end to the conflict. Moreover, there is a clear gap between U.S.–Israeli assessments of the situation and the strategic reality, where even partial achievement of military objectives does not guarantee a clear "victory," leaving an outcome of weakening but not eliminating Iran’s regional role.

Within the United States, serious disagreements over continuing the conflict are growing, reflected in resignations of key figures such as head of counterterrorism intelligence Joe Kent, and in open criticism from parts of the political establishment. Some officials believe the Trump administration was drawn into an "Israeli plot," while right-wing MAGA activists and some Democrats have begun to question the need for the war and the circles supporting it. These internal contradictions make developing a clear exit strategy or achieving long-term political consensus extremely difficult.

Politically, relations between Trump and Netanyahu continue to shape the form of American intervention, but each side has its own agenda: Israel maintains its own logic of action, and Iran has strategies that allow it to draw the U.S. back into the conflict. As The Times analysis notes, although Trump retains a certain degree of control over the conduct of the war, he is no longer the sole author of decisions, which makes a complete American withdrawal a complex, multi-stage process. Thus, a "clean" and rapid end to the conflict seems unlikely, creating significant political and economic challenges in both the near and medium term.

Comments on the news

• How is the decentralized command structure arranged in Iran’s armed forces and security services, and which specific organizations (for example, the IRGC) are included in it? - Iran has parallel military structures: the regular army (Artesh) and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which both ultimately answer to the Supreme Leader. The IRGC includes ground forces, aerospace forces, the Quds Force (special operations/external operations), the Basij (militia), and intelligence. There are also the Ministry of Intelligence and Security (VEVAK) and the police. This decentralization creates multiple centers of power and operational autonomy.

• What specific economic and strategic role does the Strait of Hormuz play for Iran and the global economy, beyond the mentioned threat of its closure? - The Strait of Hormuz is a critical route for 20–30% of the world’s oil and liquefied gas. For Iran it is the main export corridor for about 90% of its oil, a key source of revenues, and a lever of geopolitical influence. Strategically, it allows Iran to control energy flows, affect oil prices, and serves as a point of deterrence against regional rivals and Western powers.

• Through which specific proxy forces or regional allies does Iran traditionally expand the scale of confrontation, implementing its "unconventional strategies"? - Iran uses a network of proxy forces: Hezbollah in Lebanon, Shiite militias in Iraq (for example, the Popular Mobilization Forces, Hashd al-Shaabi), the Houthis in Yemen (Ansar Allah), and groups in Syria (supporting the Assad government). Allies include Syria and, to some extent, Qatar. These forces allow Iran to project influence while minimizing direct military involvement and creating "strategic depth."

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Full version: تصريحات أمريكية إسرائيلية عن "نهاية اللعبة" وإيران تستعد لمعركة طويلة

Trump's Ultimatum and Iran's Response: Venezuelan Media Alarm

Venezuelan and Spanish‑language outlets are closely following the escalation around the Strait of Hormuz after Donald Trump's harsh ultimatum: a demand that Iran open the strait and a threat to "crush" or attack Iranian infrastructure and power plants. Reports and analytical pieces emphasize the provocative rhetoric from the U.S., Tehran's clear and retaliatory stance with threats to close shipping lanes, and the growing danger of the incident evolving into a wider Middle Eastern conflict. Opinion columns discuss why Iran is ignoring the deadline, what mistaken assumptions could push the parties to war, and provide live coverage of developments — from military dynamics to risks for energy security and global stability. The overall tone of the publications is rather skeptical and alarmed: there is concern that American warlike rhetoric could have far‑reaching international consequences. Material prepared based on publications from efe.com (Venezuela) and revistaraya.com (Venezuela).

Venezuelan view of oil: from the price per liter in Spain to Hormuz and U.S. pressure

EFE's news about New Year stability in fuel prices in Spain, where a liter of gasoline cost an average of €1.515 and rose by only 0.33% over the month, at first glance looks like a typical European "service" piece about motorists' expenses. In the original, posted on the agency's site (EFE oil feed link), it is a short note: it sums up the Christmas week, records the figures, and compares them with previous periods. No drama: prices rose slightly but remain under control, supply is stable, holiday travel is not disrupted.

However, if you read the same news from Venezuela, in the shadow of constant discussions about oil sanctions, Donald Trump's threats to Iran and possible escalation around the Strait of Hormuz, the meaning of the piece changes sharply. It becomes an indicator of how the global architecture of oil power is arranged — and how differently geopolitical shocks in the Persian Gulf are felt in Madrid and in Caracas.

In Spain, according to the EFE note, the Christmas week could be summarized as "a little more expensive, but no surprises": a liter of gasoline averaged €1.515 nationwide, a monthly increase of 0.33%. For a European reader this is almost household statistics: something like a weather forecast for the family budget. In Venezuela the same figures are read as a sort of luxury of predictability — that very "normality" the country lost along with the collapse in production, sanctions and deformation of the domestic fuel market.

The contrast is striking. While in Spain the discussion is about tenths of a percent over a month, in Venezuela the memory is still fresh of abrupt regime changes in prices, the shift from virtually free gasoline to payment in dollars, multi‑tier tariffs (from "symbolically subsidized" to "international"), periodic shortages, queues and regional inequality of access to fuel. What for a European is a short paragraph in the economy section, for a Venezuelan turns into a silent reproach: how did it happen that a country with the largest oil reserves cannot guarantee its citizens even basic predictability at the gas station?

EFE's news exists against much larger stories: tensions in the Persian Gulf, disputes over the safety of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, the U.S. campaign of pressure on Iran and other oil economies, including through sanctions. In the European text these conflicts, if mentioned at all, appear as one of the external factors that can affect the "basket" of prices, but not as a threat to everyday life. In the Venezuelan optic, Hormuz, Iran and Washington's threats are not background, but the axis of the entire conversation about oil.

Venezuelan public discourse has long been built around the idea that "petroleum is power." In this frame even the modest figure of €1.515 per liter becomes evidence: the end consumer in the European Union pays a high price for geopolitics, but pays evenly, predictably and in a currency whose purchasing power is relatively stable. Europe, despite its vulnerability to external shocks, has financial, institutional and technological mechanisms to smooth out even sharp fluctuations in the world oil and gas market. Where global tensions around Hormuz result in a 0.33% monthly increase, in supplier countries deprived of a diversified economy and access to credit it often turns into budget crises, devaluation and falling living standards.

From this stems the characteristic Venezuelan way of reading such European notes as illustrations of the unequal distribution of risks in global energy. In Caracas media and expert circles similar data are often commented on like this: central markets (EU, USA) know how to shift part of the geopolitical price of oil onto the periphery — onto raw material exporters, among them Venezuela itself. In this logic U.S. sanction policy and restrictions on Iran, Russia and PDVSA appear not only as instruments of pressure but also as a mechanism of that very redistribution: while "problematic" producers lose access to markets and finance, the consumer in the West continues to fill up with an acceptable markup, not in conditions of total shortage.

Caracas' official rhetoric actively picks up on such narratives. When Western media note a rise in fuel prices at home, in Venezuela this is interpreted as a consequence of the "politicization" of energy markets by Washington. Emphasis is also placed on the claim that, if sanctions were lifted, Venezuela could act as an "alternative supplier," easing price pressure — just as in Iranian press Hormuz and oil are used to demonstrate Tehran's role in the world economy. Thus a twofold image is born: the country is both a victim of energy wars and a potential "savior" of the market, able to stabilize supplies.

Opposition and independent experts read the same news differently. In their interpretation, European price stability against global turbulence is above all a lesson in governability and institutional maturity. Hormuz, sanctions and OPEC+ decisions show up in Madrid as smooth changes in the cost per liter, whereas in Caracas they overlay a ruined refining infrastructure, declining production and chronic lack of investment. It's not that Spain is by definition "better" protected from global shocks, but that, faced with similar external challenges, differences in the quality of domestic policy — from tax regimes to refinery operations — determine whether these challenges become a checkout problem for the citizen or a drama of queues and shortages.

This reading inevitably refers back to key moments in Venezuelan history. Mention of a quiet New Year's week at gas stations in Europe inevitably evokes the events of 1989 — "El Caracazo" — when hikes in fuel and transport fares became one of the triggers for mass protests. That micro‑change of 0.33% passing in contemporary EU without social explosions and perceived as a manageable element of inflationary reality highlights the fragility of Venezuela's social contract around gasoline: any touch to this symbolic niche in the past threatened open conflict.

Another line of contrast is the era of practically free gasoline. For decades a liter of fuel in Venezuela cost so little that it was barely accounted for in the household budget. This became part of national identity: a country where "gasoline is cheaper than water" prided itself on its status as an oil giant. Now, when a significant portion of citizens are forced to pay for fuel in dollars or live with periodic shortages, the news of a liter at €1.515 in Spain, despite seeming expensive to a European, provokes mixed feelings. On one hand — understanding that for the average Spaniard this price still fits within the logic of wages and expenses; on the other — a sense of loss of a certain "natural right" to cheap energy around which Venezuelan statehood of the 20th century was built.

Recent years' experience, when queues for gasoline stretched for many hours and in some regions fuel was physically unavailable, intensifies the drama of this comparison. For government supporters the main explanation is sanctions by the U.S. and the "economic war" that deprived PDVSA of access to credit, technology and markets. For opponents — a long trail of corruption, inefficient management and destruction of the industrial base that made the country vulnerable even before the escalation of sanctions. The mention of Europe's "+0.33%" becomes in this polemic almost a symbolic number: a reminder of what life can look like where geopolitics and domestic governance do not enter into a destructive resonance.

Finally, the EFE news highlights another difference — in how societies perceive the very nature of oil. In the European text gasoline is primarily a mass‑consumption commodity, important but one of many. In Venezuela and in the discourse around Hormuz, oil is an instrument of sovereignty, a weapon and a guarantee of the state's survival. Hence the different semantic field: there it's about the family budget during Christmas trips; here it's about a geopolitical lever that can either bring additional revenue to the budget amid crisis or result in harsher sanctions and another round of isolation.

Thus, a brief European note that a liter of gasoline at Christmas cost €1.515 and rose by only a third of a percent becomes in Venezuela loaded with political and emotional meaning. Through the prism of Hormuz, Trump's threats to Iran, sanctions against oil economies and Venezuela's own traumatic history with fuel, this is not just statistics. It is a litmus test of who pays and on what terms for the global game around oil, and a reminder of how deeply the movement of a price figure at the gas pump is tied for Venezuela to questions of identity, sovereignty and unfinished modernization.

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Trump's Ultimatum to Iran: 48 Hours to Open the Strait of Hormuz

U.S. President Donald Trump issued a harsh ultimatum to Iran, threatening strikes on its energy infrastructure. In a statement posted on social media, Trump gave Tehran 48 hours to fully and unconditionally open the Strait of Hormuz to international shipping. If this demand was not met, the United States promised to begin destroying Iran’s major energy facilities, directly linking freedom of navigation in the strategic strait to the preservation of Iranian oil and power capacities.

Iran immediately responded to the threats, promising a harsh reply. Through the command of the armed forces’ Khatam al-Anbiya, Tehran declared that any strike on its energy infrastructure would be met with attacks on U.S. and Israeli energy and technological facilities. This mutual exchange of threats has significantly increased the risk of a direct military confrontation between regional and international forces in a tense area where vital sea lanes and assets are concentrated, threatening global energy security.

The situation is complicated by conflicting reports about the military situation. While Donald Trump claimed the elimination of Iran’s naval and air command would occur before the deadline, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke of “critical and momentous times” for his country. At the same time, the Israel Defense Forces reported that the chief of staff had approved large-scale attacks “on all fronts of combat,” indicating intense military preparations and a high state of readiness.

The conflict quickly moved from verbal threats to real strikes. A few hours after Iran’s atomic agency said Washington and Tel Aviv had attacked a nuclear facility in Natanz, Iran struck the areas of Dimona and Arad in southern Israel. These events show the confrontation entering a phase of reciprocal strikes on sensitive targets on both sides, greatly increasing the risk of further escalation and widening the geography of the conflict.

Against this backdrop, Trump continued his aggressive rhetoric, saying the U.S. had “wiped Iran off the map” and that Tehran “no longer has any protection.” At the same time he attacked the media, in particular The New York Times. This combination of military boasting, reciprocal strikes and an information war creates an extremely unstable situation, raising serious international concerns that the region could slide into a large-scale conflict with unpredictable consequences for the global energy market and regional stability.

Comments on the news

• What specific role does the Khatam al-Anbiya command play within Iran’s armed forces and why was it singled out to respond to the threats? - The Khatam al-Anbiya command is the engineering and construction arm of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), but it also performs military and defense functions. It is responsible for large infrastructure projects and has technical capabilities for rapid response to threats, including repairing damaged facilities after attacks. It was named to respond because of its resources, logistics expertise and integration within the IRGC structure, which coordinates Iranian operations abroad and retaliatory actions.

• Why is the Natanz nuclear facility such a sensitive target in the context of Iran’s nuclear program and regional security? - Natanz is a key uranium-enrichment center in Iran, housing underground halls with thousands of centrifuges. It symbolizes the country’s nuclear ambitions and its capacity to produce nuclear materials. Attacks on Natanz (whether sabotage or cyberattacks) are seen as blows to Iran’s sovereignty and can provoke escalation, given the regional confrontation with Israel and Western countries seeking to limit Iran’s nuclear program.

• What strategic significance do the areas of Dimona and Arad in southern Israel have that made them targets for Iranian strikes? - Dimona is known for the location of Israel’s nuclear research center (where, it is presumed, a nuclear arsenal may be kept), and Arad is near strategic military assets, including air defense bases and airfields. Their selection as targets reflects Iran’s strategy of striking symbolic and sensitive enemy sites to demonstrate the ability to reach critical points and create a deterrent effect within the regional confrontation.

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Full version: ترمب يمهل إيران 48 ساعة لفتح مضيق هرمز ويهدد بتدمير محطات الطاقة

Venezuela Launches National Energy-Saving Plan Amid Heatwave

Acting President of Venezuela Delsi Rodriguez announced the immediate launch of a National Energy-Saving Plan. This measure is aimed at protecting the stability of electricity supply across the country in response to the start of a 45-day period of extreme heat caused by a particular meteorological phenomenon — the perpendicular incidence of solar rays. Historically, this period leads to a sharp rise in electricity consumption and increases operational risks to infrastructure.

Authorities are urging the public to consume consciously, recommending keeping air conditioners set to 21°C, avoiding charging many devices at once, and optimizing the use of lighting and household appliances during peak hours. In addition to risks to the power system, the abnormal heat raises the danger of wildfires, which can damage power lines. To inform citizens, the ministries of communications and energy have been tasked with carrying out a continuous public information campaign.

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Full version: Gobierno Nacional ordena activación de Plan Nacional de Ahorro Energético ante inicio del período de radiación solar

Costly War with Iran: A Burden for the US and Escalation Risks

The American public is increasingly worried about the high cost and uncertain duration of the Trump administration's military actions against Iran. The conflict, intertwining military calculations with economic pressure and political discord, has also become the subject of complex international dealings that link the Middle Eastern front to the situation around Ukraine.

The financial costs have proven colossal: according to analysts, during the first six days of the operation the spending averaged roughly $1.3 million per minute. These funds, it is noted, could have substantially addressed global problems, such as severe forms of child malnutrition—potentially saving up to 1.5 million children annually—or provided free higher education for many American families.

The Trump administration’s rhetoric has shifted: from initial ambitious statements about regime change in Iran it moved to more limited objectives, such as degrading the country’s military capabilities. This shift reflects domestic pressure, including rising fuel prices and Republicans' concerns about escalating war expenditures and the need to fund replenishment of weapons stockpiles.

Historical comparisons only underscore the scale of the costs: the $200 billion emergency funding request far exceeds sums sought during the 2003 invasion of Iraq. The justification cited is the use of expensive precision weapons and the scale of operations. At the same time, experts—for example, from Newsweek—warn of five “strategic traps,” such as the risk of uncontrolled escalation or an energy crisis, which could draw parties into a broader conflict.

Within the United States the conflict has deepened political divisions, accompanied by resignations and accusations of foreign influence on decision-making. On the international stage, Russia’s proposal to exchange intelligence for a halt to American support for Ukraine, although rejected, has raised concerns in European capitals. Overall, the war appears as an extremely costly venture with unclear aims, threatening to turn into a protracted conflict with unpredictable consequences.

Comments on the story

• What exactly are the "strategic traps" experts mention, aside from the risk of escalation and an energy crisis, and how specific are they to the conflict with Iran? - Experts often mention traps related to becoming embroiled in a protracted regional conflict (as in Syria or Yemen), where Iran uses proxy forces, allowing it to deny direct involvement. There is also the trap of "choosing between bad and worse"—for example, the need to cooperate with undesirable regional actors to contain Iran. These traps are specific to Iran because of its unique "hybrid warfare" strategy, ideological motivation, and network of regional allies (the "axis of resistance").

• What exactly was Russia’s proposal to exchange intelligence, and why did it raise concern specifically in European capitals? - Russia offered to exchange intelligence on the movements of militants and terrorist threats in the Middle East, especially in the context of the Syrian conflict and Iran’s activities. This raised concern in European capitals (such as Berlin, Paris, London) because Europe fears Russia could use such mechanisms to legitimize its actions in the region, gain access to Western intelligence methods, or spread disinformation. After the annexation of Crimea and the poisoning scandals in Europe, trust in Russian security proposals is extremely low.

• What specific "resignations and accusations of foreign influence" occurred inside the US in connection with this war, and who were the key figures? - In discussions of US policy in the Middle East and relations with Iran there have been instances where officials resigned over disagreements on strategy (for example, the resignation of National Security Advisor Herbert McMaster in 2018 under Trump). Accusations have also been made (often by Republicans) that some politicians or experts are influenced by the Iranian lobby or are too soft on Tehran. Key figures in such debates have included former Secretary of State John Kerry (criticized for negotiating the nuclear deal), as well as various security advisers whose positions on sanctions or military action provoked controversy.

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Full version: مليون دولار في الدقيقة.. حرب إيران تدخل أمريكا في فخ الكلفة والانقسام

Global Alarm: Trump's Threats Against Iran

The sharpening rhetoric and U.S. military show of force around Iran — from threats in the Strait of Hormuz to options for strikes on nuclear facilities — are perceived by international and Venezuelan outlets not simply as another episode of bilateral tension, but as a factor that could spark a wider war, disrupt key energy routes and force European and other partners into painful strategic choices. Commentaries note a steady escalation, a change of tone — from open ultimatums to more restrained formulations about “scaling back” strikes — and growing uncertainty in the American course, whose unpredictable moves increase international alarm and the risk of a chain reaction in the region. This article is based on materials from lasexta.com and theobjective.com (Venezuela).

Venezuela, Iran and Hormuz: how a “foreign” war becomes a local experience

Spanish reports on the new escalation in the Middle East, the war around Iran and the Strait of Hormuz, Donald Trump’s pressure on NATO allies and the use of military bases in Spain are read in Venezuela not as distant dispatches. For a society that has lived for many years under U.S. sanctions, threats of military intervention and an oil blockade, this flow of news is taken as confirmation of its own experience: oil, bases, sanctions and “illegal wars” are part of a single architecture of global control, where countries like Iran and Venezuela find themselves in the line of fire.

The Spanish live coverage laSexta on the war around Iran and Hormuz is structured as a sequential chronicle of military actions, diplomatic maneuvers and world market fluctuations. However, in Caracas this chronicle is seen primarily as a connection of three key elements.

First, Donald Trump’s open threat to “attack and destroy Iran’s power plants” if Tehran does not reopen Hormuz. To a Venezuelan ear this is not mere military bluster: it signals that the energy infrastructure of “disobedient” countries is a legitimate target of pressure. In Caracas, their own blackouts, U.S. statements about possible operations against Venezuela’s infrastructure and Trump’s 2019 rhetoric that “all options are on the table” regarding Nicolás Maduro’s government are immediately recalled.

Second, discussions within the G7 and NATO about “guaranteeing oil supplies” and “neutralizing” Iran’s capabilities. For Venezuelan commentators this is a direct illustration of what they have long called the “militarization of oil”: when oil and tanker routes are at stake, the language of “defensive” and “humanitarian” operations becomes a political packaging of decisions to control resources. What the piece describes as allies’ readiness to “ensure freedom of navigation through Hormuz” and, if necessary, “release strategic oil reserves” to stabilize the market is read in Caracas as directly overlaying the Caribbean experience: the U.S. fleet, “anti-narcotics” operations, interception of Iranian and Venezuelan tankers, the freezing of Citgo assets.

Third, Washington’s talk of troop redeployments and the use of allied bases in Spain, Cyprus, Britain and other points. The presence of such bases, in Venezuelan discourse, has long been treated as a material lever of imperial influence rather than a neutral element of a security architecture. Therefore any news that aircraft or ships involved in strikes on Iran or in a Hormuz blockade are taking off from or based in Rota, Morón or on Cyprus is read as confirmation: U.S. military sites around the planet are a network serving control over oil and disobedient regimes.

Against this backdrop, the laSexta piece assessing Donald Trump by Spanish expert José Antonio Gurpegui takes on additional meaning in Venezuela. Gurpegui states that Trump is “the one most interested in ending this war because it is absolutely not beneficial for him.” He emphasizes that in the U.S. “a gallon of gasoline costs eight dollars, when he, in his State of the Union, reproached Joe Biden that the price had risen to six,” and that the continuation of the conflict fuels inflation in the American economy.

For the Venezuelan reader those figures are not just external facts. They demonstrate that even the architect of harsh sanctions and escalation of pressure on Iran and Venezuela must look at his own electorate and gasoline prices. This is how Caracas has repeatedly interpreted Washington’s wavering: sanctions against “enemies” can be partially eased if they begin to hit U.S. consumers too hard. The Spanish chronicle specifically notes that the U.S. is temporarily allowing the sale of “stuck at sea” Iranian and even Russian oil to curb a price spike. In Venezuela this is read as cynicism, but also as an opportunity: if Trump shows flexibility with Iranian and Russian oil for the sake of fuel prices, he might tactically loosen his grip on Venezuelan oil too, as happened in 2022–2023.

Gurpegui also explains the prolongation of the war largely by internal dynamics in Tehran: in his view, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard “does not yet have clarity on who will become the effective interlocutor and which faction will manage to seize power.” In Venezuelan perception this echoes how Western commentators often interpret Caracas’s politics: as a set of “regime factions” and personal struggles, while external factors — U.S. pressure, sanctions networks, NATO and G7 maneuvers — are downplayed. In Caracas the external architecture of force is seen as the primary cause of protracted crises.

Historical parallels in Venezuelan discourse form automatically. The Guatemala–Iran–Venezuela line links the CIA coup in Tehran in 1953 and Guatemala in 1954 with the attempt to change the regime in Caracas in 2002. The formula “oil plus an independent foreign policy inevitably provokes external intervention” is considered confirmed by events: from the overthrow of Mossadegh to support for the coup against Hugo Chávez and subsequent attempts to delegitimize Maduro’s rule. Trump’s threats to destroy Iran’s power plants, discussions about using allies’ bases and sanctions against the “axis of resistance” (Iran–Syria–Hezbollah–Yemen) are seen as a continuation of this old script.

Spanish coverage particularly highlights strikes on Iranian ports, Jarg Island — “the heart of Iran’s oil industry” — universities and energy infrastructure. In Caracas this is a very familiar set of targets: export terminals, key nodes of power systems, objects of symbolic civilian infrastructure. In Venezuela they recall sabotage and failures in the national power grid, threats against oil terminals and the presence of U.S. warships near their waters. The fact that the new Middle Eastern conflict is expanding during Nowruz, Ramadan and Eid al‑Fitr adds an emotional layer: in Venezuelan propagandistic tradition the motif of “sacred time under bombs” is long rooted, where peoples of the global South are forced to celebrate their most important dates amid war and sanctions. Through such narratives — Iraq, Palestine, now Iran — an emotional bridge is built to Venezuelans’ own experience of economic and humanitarian crisis under sanctions, albeit without mass air raids.

The Spanish anti‑war march “No a la guerra” in Valencia, where women chant “We do not give birth for our children to die in illegal wars,” is read in the same vein. Slogans against “illegal wars” and “imperialist aggression” have long been part of the lexicon of leftist movements in Latin America, and Venezuelan state media actively use them, showing protests in Europe and the U.S. as validation: even in the “center of the system” there is rejection of Washington’s military policy.

Seen this way, the specifically Spanish political debate about the role of U.S. bases in the country looks even more interesting. The Objective’s piece on Madrid’s reaction to Trump’s threat to withdraw troops from Rota and Morón shows how a U.S. ally within NATO tries to set “red lines” while preserving the strategic alliance. Deputy Prime Minister María Jesús Montero says Trump is acting “illegally” and that “an illegal war is taking place,” stresses that any actions on the bases must comply with bilateral agreements, and adds that “there will be no permission for the use of bases for an illegal war” (original). Defense Minister Margarita Robles similarly says: “This is not our war, and we ask that Spain’s position be respected. We cannot accept any kind of intervention.”

For a Venezuelan audience these words sound almost familiar. Rhetoric about “illegal wars,” “respect for sovereignty” and “unacceptability of intervention” has been the basis of Chavismo’s discourse for two decades. Yet a fundamental difference is evident: Spain utters these phrases while remaining inside NATO and hosting foreign bases on its soil; Venezuela shaped its foreign policy on sharp confrontation with Washington, refusing cooperation and betting on alternative partners — Russia, China, Iran. Maduro’s domestic opponents use Spain as an example to show that it is possible to combine cooperation with the U.S. and NATO with public limits on participation in wars, while government supporters stress that the very logic of bases and alliances makes such “limits” fragile and dependent on Washington’s political will.

Montero’s special address to the residents of Rota and Morón, assuring them the bases will not be used for an “illegal war,” draws parallels in Venezuela with oil regions like Zulia or Falcón. There, local communities live at the junction of geopolitics and daily life: on one hand, oil infrastructure provides jobs and income; on the other, it makes the territory a potential target in case of international escalation. Just as in Andalusia the economy’s dependence on U.S. bases coexists with fear those bases could drag the region into war, Venezuelan oil and border states face the benefits of resource rents and the worry of becoming the front line in a conflict.

The economic backdrop in all these stories plays a role no less important than missiles and bases. The Spanish chronicle repeatedly mentions falling European markets, volatility in the IBEX index and cautious IMF forecasts for Spain; all of this is tied to instability in the Hormuz zone and oil price spikes. From Venezuela’s perspective, this further confirms the thesis that the “imperialist war for resources” boomerangs back on the center of the capitalist system, not only on countries of the global South. Yet both Venezuela and Iran are forced to pay a higher price: while rising world oil prices are theoretically beneficial for exporters, under sanctions they also increase Washington’s incentive to choke off gray export channels, intercept tankers and expand secondary sanctions.

Finally, an important aspect for Venezuelan analysis is that this is not just a war but a multi‑level system of sanctions and quasi‑military operations. The laSexta piece mentions Ukrainian teams intercepting Iranian drones in the Gulf countries, and a sanctions network against Hezbollah targeting banks, charities and logistics from Lebanon to South America. In Venezuela these are seen as separate elements of a single “pressure architecture” against the so‑called “axis of resistance,” to which Caracas is de facto linked given its close ties with Tehran, Damascus and Moscow.

Taken together, all these storylines — from Trump’s threats to destroy Iran’s power plants to Spain’s cautious formulations about an “illegal war” and “unacceptable intervention” — merge in the Venezuelan optic into one large narrative. This is not merely another outbreak of violence somewhere in the Persian Gulf or an internal dispute in Madrid with Washington about the status of bases. It is further proof of how world politics is arranged around oil, sea routes and regimes unwilling to submit to the single center of power.

In this narrative countries like Iran and Venezuela are at once victims and symbols. Victims — because they bear the brunt of sanctions, infrastructure strikes, humanitarian consequences and long‑term political instability. Symbols — because their resistance, as portrayed by official propaganda, becomes a basis for internal legitimation of power, justification for “military‑civil mobilization,” arms purchases and long‑term alliances with alternative centers of power. That is why Spanish reports on the war in the Strait of Hormuz and disputes over the bases in Rota and Morón are read in Caracas not as someone else’s chronicle but as another chapter of their own story.

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Diverging Goals: How the War Took on a Religious Hue

Initially Washington and Tel Aviv were fully united in their primary military objective — changing the political regime. However, over time their strategic aims began to diverge, leading to the emergence of various, sometimes contradictory, versions about the nature and goals of this conflict. The war, which began as purely political, gradually went beyond those boundaries, acquiring a distinct religious aspect, which has significantly complicated its perception and the possible paths to resolution.

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Full version: الجزيرة نت

Venezuela Demands Trump Lift Sanctions

Interim President of Venezuela Delcy Rodríguez publicly addressed former U.S. President Donald Trump, demanding that he immediately lift all sanctions against her country, calling it a matter of justice and a right of the Venezuelan people. She said these restrictive measures, which Venezuelan authorities call a "criminal blockade," have harmed all areas of life, hitting the healthcare system, education, food supply and workers' incomes especially hard. Rodríguez emphasized that the demand to lift the sanctions comes from the entire population — workers, businesses and ordinary citizens — and concluded her address with a resolute statement: "The time has come for Venezuela to be free from sanctions."

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Full version: Delcy Rodríguez a Donald Trump:

Iran Test-Fired Long-Range Missiles at a U.S. Strategic Base

Iran launched two medium-range ballistic missiles toward the strategically important joint U.S.-British military base Diego Garcia, located in the Indian Ocean. According to the Iranian news agency Mehr, this show of force was intended to demonstrate that the actual range of Iran’s missiles "exceeds what the enemy previously imagined." The incident, which occurred on Saturday, drew international reaction and concern about Tehran’s ability to strike distant targets.

U.S. officials, quoted by The Wall Street Journal, confirmed the launches, noting that neither missile reached its target. The base is about 4,000 kilometers from Iranian territory. One missile failed in flight, and the other was intercepted by an anti-missile system from a U.S. warship. The incident is seen as Iran’s first practical use of medium-range missiles that threaten U.S. interests well beyond the traditional Middle Eastern region.

Diego Garcia, on the Chagos Archipelago, is a key hub for U.S. operations in Asia; it was used during the campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq and is equipped with bombers. Launching missiles at such a distance indicates significant progress in Iranian missile technology. While U.S. think tanks estimate the maximum range of Iran’s missiles at 4,000 km, Israeli experts cite 3,000 km. This gap in assessments raises serious strategic questions about the reliability of missile-defense systems in the region.

The incident comes amid an escalation of conflict among Iran, Israel and the U.S. Since late February the sides have exchanged strikes: Israel and the U.S. have hit targets in Iran, while Tehran has responded with missile and drone launches against Israel and also attacked what it calls American interests in Arab countries. These clashes have already caused casualties and damage, condemned by the affected states.

The political status of Diego Garcia also remains disputed. The United Kingdom agreed to return the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritian sovereignty while retaining the right to lease the base to the U.S., a decision previously criticized by former U.S. President Donald Trump. Thus, the missile episode not only demonstrates Iran’s growing military capabilities but also occurs in a complex geopolitical context, signaling a potential shift in the balance of power in the Indian Ocean and South Asia.

Comments on the news

• What are the main functions and influence of the Iranian news agency Mehr domestically and in shaping international perception? - The Mehr news agency operates as a semi-official media outlet linked to the Organization of Islamic Propaganda. Domestically it plays an important role in shaping a narrative that supports government policy and often serves as a mouthpiece for conservative circles. Internationally Mehr seeks to present the Iranian viewpoint in English, Arabic and other languages, influencing perceptions of Iran abroad, especially among audiences skeptical of Western media. However, its influence is limited by audience trust, which often views it as a propaganda tool.

• What exactly is meant by "American interests in Arab countries," which Iran claims are being targeted, and what is the typical tactic of these attacks? - In the Iranian context, “American interests” usually refer to military sites (bases, weapons depots), diplomatic missions (embassies, consulates) and economic assets (companies, infrastructure) associated with the U.S. in Middle Eastern countries such as Iraq, Syria and Gulf states. Typical attack tactics include the use of missiles and drones launched by Iranian proxy groups (such as Hezbollah in Lebanon or Shia militias in Iraq), as well as cyberattacks. These strikes often aim to pressure the U.S. while avoiding direct large-scale conflict.

• Why is there a significant gap in estimates of Iranian missile range between American and Israeli analysts, and what are the implications for regional security from Tehran’s perspective? - The gap in estimates stems from differing methodologies and political interests: U.S. analysts often adopt conservative assessments based on verified data, while Israeli experts tend toward maximalist estimates to emphasize the threat and justify preventive measures. From Tehran’s perspective, this uncertainty works to Iran’s advantage by creating a deterrent effect (“strategic ambiguity”) and complicating planning for potential strikes against it. This allows Iran to maintain regional influence without fully revealing its capabilities, which Tehran views as a factor of stability based on deterrence.

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Full version: "مدى غير مسبوق".. صواريخ إيران تطال قاعدة بريطانية أمريكية بالمحيط الهندي

Iran says it struck American F-35 fighter jet

The Iranian news agency FARS published video that, it claims, shows the moment an American stealth fighter F-35 was struck early on Thursday morning. Iranian military officials said the aircraft sustained serious damage over the central part of the country, and its fate remains unclear. The United States, for its part, confirmed that an F-35 made an emergency landing at an American base in the region, but noted that the pilot is safe and that the circumstances of the incident are under investigation.

In their statement, Iran’s air defence forces, part of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), said a modern and highly developed air-defence system was used to intercept the target. They emphasized that this successful interception demonstrates effective and targeted changes in the country’s integrated air-defence systems. Iranian military officials also linked the operation to defensive capabilities developed after recent regional conflicts, attempting to present it as proof of their technological superiority.

The American side provided its version of events. A spokesperson for US Central Command said the command is aware of the reports and confirms that an F-35 made an emergency landing after flying over Iran. According to him, the aircraft landed safely. CNN, citing sources, reported that the plane was forced to land after what is believed to have been fire from the Iranian side. This incident is considered the first case of Iran striking an American aircraft in the war that began in late February.

The incident carries significant weight because F-35 fighters, widely used by the United States and Israel, are among the most expensive in the world, with a price tag exceeding $100 million. Any damage or loss of such equipment carries serious political and military consequences. The event comes against the backdrop of other recent air incidents in the region, including Kuwaiti air-defence forces accidentally shooting down three American F-15s and the crash of a KC-135 tanker in Iraq last week.

The incident reflects growing risks of escalation between Tehran and Washington amid the ongoing regional conflict and adds further pressure on efforts to contain tensions. The true circumstances of the event and the exact cause of the aircraft’s damage remain subject to investigation by the parties involved, with official Iranian and US accounts diverging. At present there are few confirmed facts, and assessment of future risks will depend on the results of official investigations and subsequent political and military responses.

Comments on the news

• What role does the FARS news agency play in Iran’s media landscape and how is it connected to the state? - FARS is a semi-official news agency closely linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). It holds an influential position in Iran’s media space, often publishing news from the perspective of conservative and security establishments. Although formally not a state agency, its ties to the IRGC make it effectively a mouthpiece for the positions of Iran’s security organs and the conservative establishment.

• How does the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) differ from the regular Iranian army and why is it the IRGC that controls air-defence forces in this incident? - The IRGC is a parallel military structure created after the 1979 Islamic Revolution to protect revolutionary values. Unlike the regular army (Artesh), which is responsible for traditional border defence, the IRGC has broader powers: internal security, ideological protection, intelligence, and control over strategic air-defence and missile forces. The IRGC controls key air-defence systems, such as the Bavar-373 system, which explains its leading role in such incidents.

• Which specific “recent regional conflicts” do Iranian military officials refer to when speaking of the development of their defensive capabilities? - Iranian military officials typically refer to conflicts in Syria (where they support the Assad government), Yemen (support for the Houthis), Iraq (support for Shiite militias), and periodic clashes with Israel. Tehran views these conflicts as part of the “axis of resistance” against the influence of the US, Israel and Saudi Arabia in the region. The experience gained in these conflicts has been used to improve Iran’s air-defence systems, missile technologies and asymmetric military capabilities.

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Full version: الحرس الثوري ينشر فيديو لاستهداف طائرة "إف 35" الأمريكية

New senior military leadership appointed in Venezuela

On Thursday, March 19, at the Miraflores Palace in Caracas, Acting President and Commander-in-Chief of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (BNAF) Delcy Rodríguez swore in new members of the country's senior military leadership. The ceremony marked a broad renewal of the armed forces' leadership, headed by General-in-Chief Gustavo González López, appointed as the new Minister of Popular Power for Defense.

In addition to the defense minister, other key figures were sworn in, including Major General Enri Navas Rumbos as the new commander of the Presidential Honor Guard and Rear Admiral Herman Gómez Lares as Director of the Main Directorate of Military Counterintelligence (DGCIM). The reshuffle affected the command of all major branches of the armed forces — the Ground Forces, the Navy, the Air Force, the National Guard, and the People's Militia — indicating a comprehensive personnel reorganization at the highest echelon of the Venezuelan military.

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Full version: Presidenta encargada Delcy Rodríguez juramentó al nuevo Alto Mando Militar del país

Israel's strategy against Iran risks provoking a wider escalation

According to The New York Times, Israeli leaders believe that strikes on Iran's key revenue sources, as well as the elimination of its political, military and intelligence leadership, could lead to a so‑called "state collapse." However, European officials quoted by the paper warn that this strategy could have the opposite effect. They fear that in response Tehran could escalate the conflict, using the drones and missiles it still has to attack the infrastructure of neighboring countries, turning the confrontation into an existential battle with potential strikes on energy facilities in the countries of the Persian Gulf.

European concerns appear to have already begun to materialize. Iran responded to Israeli actions with a missile strike on the industrial city of Ras Laffan in Qatar, doing significant damage to one of the country's most important energy hubs. This incident vividly demonstrates how attacks on energy resources can trigger a chain reaction of retaliatory strikes, destabilizing regional energy supplies and confirming the worst predictions about the consequences of such a strategy.

At the same time, serious disagreements have arisen between key allies — the US and Israel — over the advisability of such strikes. US President Donald Trump, the paper reports, said he personally warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against attacks on Iranian gas infrastructure, telling him: "I told him not to do it." That statement reflects Washington's attempts to cool tensions and prevent an expansion of strikes on oil and gas facilities, which could provoke unpredictable consequences.

Moreover, clear contradictions have appeared in the accounts coming out of Washington and Jerusalem. Trump hinted that the US "was not aware of" and did not participate in the strike, while three informed Israeli officials claim that Washington was notified of the planned attack in advance. The New York Times sees this discrepancy as a sign of weak coordination between allies in managing strikes and countermeasures, adding uncertainty to an already tense situation.

One of Trump's main concerns, it is reported, is the risk of a sharp rise in global oil and gas prices and the threat to shipping in the strategically important Strait of Hormuz in the event of further escalation. To restrain prices, the US administration is considering a controversial plan: temporarily suspending sanctions on Iranian oil that is already on tankers at sea, in order to put about 140 million barrels on the market. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said this measure would allow the administration to "use Iranian barrels against the Iranians themselves," keeping prices low in the coming days while the campaign against Tehran continues.

Comments on the news

• What exact role does the city of Ras Laffan play in the global energy system, and why is its damage considered such a significant event? - Ras Laffan in Qatar is one of the world's largest centers for liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports. It accounts for a substantial share of global LNG supplies, especially to Europe and Asia. Damage to this facility could seriously disrupt global energy chains and lead to a sharp rise in gas prices, given current geopolitical tensions and many countries' dependence on imported energy.

• Which countries are meant by "countries of the Persian Gulf," and what is their typical stance in conflicts between Iran and Israel? - The countries of the Persian Gulf are usually understood to include the six members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC): Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain, as well as Iraq and Iran. Their positions on the Iran–Israel conflict are diverse: Saudi Arabia and the UAE have historically been wary of Iran but in recent years have sought to reduce tensions; Oman and Qatar often act as mediators; Bahrain and Kuwait generally follow Saudi policy. At the same time, all of them officially condemn Israeli strikes on Iranian territory as escalation.

• What are the sanctions on Iranian oil and why is the plan to temporarily suspend them controversial? - Sanctions on Iranian oil are a set of measures imposed by the US and its allies to deny Iran export revenue and thereby pressure it over its nuclear program and regional policies. The plan to temporarily suspend these sanctions is controversial because critics argue it would weaken the West's bargaining position, allow Iran to obtain billions of dollars in revenue without substantial concessions, and provoke opposition from US regional allies (for example, Israel and some Arab states). Supporters, however, see it as a way to lower global oil prices and create space for diplomatic engagement.

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Full version: خنق إيران بالغاز.. "مقامرة" إسرائيلية تثير فزع أوروبا من نتائجها الكارثية

Trump Threatens to Destroy Iran's Main Gas Field

Former U.S. president Donald Trump said Washington would not hesitate to completely destroy the Iranian gas field South Pars if Tehran again attacks gas liquefaction facilities in Qatar. In a post on the social network Truth Social, Trump described Israel’s recent strike on part of that field as an action taken “out of anger” over events in the region, and emphasized that the U.S. had not been informed of that attack in advance. He also called Iran’s retaliatory missile strike on Qatari gas facilities “unjustified and unfair.”

The American politician warned that Israel would stop attacking the strategic South Pars field, but only if Iran refrains from committing another “stupid” act by striking Qatar. In that case, Trump said, there would be a direct and strong U.S. intervention, “with Israel’s help or without it.” He added that he does not want to use that level of force because of the long-term consequences for Iran’s future, but if Qatar’s facilities are attacked again he will not hesitate. South Pars (known on the Qatari side as North Dome) is the world’s largest natural gas field, which Iran and Qatar share between them.

The escalation occurred amid a series of reciprocal strikes. On Wednesday, gas facilities in the Asaluyeh area in southern Iran, where the South Pars field is located, came under missile fire. Iranian agency Fars reported hits on storage tanks and facilities at local refineries. Almost simultaneously, Qatari energy company QatarEnergy announced severe damage as a result of missile attacks on the industrial city of Ras Laffan in the north of the country. The current crisis is unfolding against the backdrop of the ongoing war, which the U.S. and Israel have been conducting against Iran since late February.

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Full version: ترمب يهدد بتدمير حقل "بارس الجنوبي" إذا هاجمت إيران منشآت غاز قطر مجددا

Venezuela Seeks Return of Baseball Players After World Classic Win

Venezuelan authorities, led by Acting President Delcy Rodríguez, are negotiating with the United States government and Major League Baseball (MLB) to arrange the return home of the national baseball team players. This initiative follows the historic victory of Team Venezuela in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, and its aim is to allow the athletes to reunite with their families and share the joy of the triumph with their compatriots. Coordination with U.S. parties is part of the post-tournament logistics, and the Venezuelan government is maintaining communication channels to ensure the baseball players arrive in the country within the coming hours.

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Full version: Gobierno de Venezuela tramita ante EE. UU. y MLB el retorno de la selección de béisbol

US Plan to Seize Islands to Reopen the Strait of Hormuz

American media report a possible Pentagon military plan under which about 2,200 Marines could be used to seize strategic islands in the Persian Gulf. The operation's aim is to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran effectively closed three weeks ago. The plan is seen as an attempt to establish footholds to counter Iranian attacks on commercial vessels and restore safe international navigation. The Marine unit in question has already been deployed to the region and is aboard an amphibious ship.

According to reports, the main targets could be three key Iranian islands: Khark, through which about 90% of Iran's oil passes; Qeshm, located at the entrance to the strait; and Kish, used as a base for small attack boats. Seizing these territories is considered not only a military operation but also a powerful bargaining tool. A former commander of US Central Command said that control of Khark would give Washington a "bargaining chip," allowing it to avoid total destruction of infrastructure and long-term damage to the global economy.

There are reports of possible expansion of international participation in the operation. Israeli media report that the US army is preparing a mission to establish control over the strait that could take about two weeks, and that Israeli forces may participate. Meanwhile, British military planners are working with their American counterparts at the Central Command headquarters to study options for unblocking the strait, indicating London’s involvement despite some allies' overall caution.

The immediate cause of the crisis was Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which Tehran carried out in response to US and Israeli strikes on Iranian targets. The strait is a vital route through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil passes. Its blockade has inflicted serious damage on the global economy, causing fuel prices to rise and putting the US and its allies before a difficult political and military choice.

Although about three weeks have passed since the escalation began, the crisis is far from resolved. Iran continues to retaliate against strikes, attacking Israeli and American targets as well as allies’ facilities in the region. This maintains high tensions and leaves various options for forceful response open, including the discussed plan to seize islands, while Washington has not yet announced the start of a large-scale operation.

Comments on the news

• What share of the world’s oil and other goods does Iran effectively control through the Strait of Hormuz, and how did this affect its negotiations with world powers in the past? - About 20–30% of the world’s seaborne oil trade and a significant volume of liquefied natural gas pass through the Strait of Hormuz. This control gave Iran a powerful leverage in negotiations, especially during discussions over its nuclear program. The threat to close the strait or disrupt shipping has been used by Tehran as a tool to ease sanctions or obtain concessions, since such a blockade could cause a sharp spike in global energy prices.
• Why is Khark Island so important to Iran’s economy that its capture is considered a "bargaining chip," and what infrastructure does it have besides oil terminals? - Khark Island has historically been Iran’s main oil export terminal. Its capture by an adversary would paralyze a primary source of foreign exchange for the country. Besides large oil terminals and storage facilities, the island has its own power plant, desalination plants, residential complexes for workers, port services, and air defense systems. Its vulnerability makes it a "bargaining chip" because losing Khark would inflict a catastrophic economic blow on Iran.
• What is the history and current capability of the Iranian navy, especially its small attack boats, in countering the naval forces of major powers in the narrow waters of the Persian Gulf? - The Iranian navy, particularly the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), after the Iran–Iraq War adopted an asymmetric strategy. Hundreds of small, fast, and hard-to-detect boats (types like "Tondar," "Paykan") were developed and built, armed with missiles, machine guns, and torpedoes. In narrow waters of the Persian Gulf, such as the Strait of Hormuz, these boats can operate in swarms, using "swarm" tactics to attack larger ships, mine channels, and conduct quick raids. Their current capabilities include being equipped with more advanced anti-ship missiles, posing a serious threat even to modern navies in constrained maritime spaces.

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Full version: "خطة الجزر".. هل تنجح واشنطن في إعادة فتح مضيق هرمز؟

Israel's campaign to eliminate Iranian leaders: the regime's "dismemberment" tactic

According to an investigation by The Wall Street Journal, Israel is conducting an intensive intelligence and military campaign aimed at the systematic elimination of key figures of the Iranian regime and its security structures. The goal of this long-term strategy, the report says, is to undermine Tehran's power from within and create conditions for its possible collapse. The campaign combines airstrikes, on-the-ground agent work and targeted killings of specific individuals.

Recent events have been landmark in this campaign: two senior Iranian officials were eliminated. Intelligence tracked and killed Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, with a missile strike after he appeared on the streets of Tehran. That same night an Israeli airstrike killed the commander of the Basij militia forces, Gholam Reza Soleimani. These operations showed that even public movements of leaders do not protect them when precise intelligence is available.

The scale of the military effort is vast: the outlet reports that Israel fired about 10,000 munitions at thousands of targets inside Iran. Among them were more than 2,200 objects linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the Basij and internal security forces. The strategy is to draw security forces out of fortified headquarters into open spaces, then pursue them at temporary gathering points, including shelters under bridges and sports complexes.

One of the bloodiest operations, according to the documents, was the strike in the first week of the conflict on the Azadi Stadium and other complexes in Tehran, where intelligence said security forces had gathered. Hundreds of security personnel and soldiers were killed, dealing a serious blow to their ability to coordinate and regroup. That attack became an example of the "dismemberment" tactic, aimed at breaking command structures by striking their concentration points.

Alongside the military actions, a psychological campaign is underway. Agents of Israeli intelligence, Mossad, began making direct phone calls to Iranian military and security commanders, threatening them by name. In one of the intercepted conversations seen by the paper, an agent told an Iranian officer that his name was on a "blacklist" and urged him to "side with his people," threatening retribution otherwise. The officer begged for mercy in response, claiming he was not an enemy.

Despite the intense pressure, experts warn of the difficulty of achieving the ultimate goal. Analyst Farzin Nadimi of the Washington Institute notes that "toppling a government from the air is difficult, if not impossible," and cautions that a regime that survives the crisis may emerge "bolder and more dangerous." The Israeli side, however, hopes that economic collapse and popular anger will put Tehran on an "irreversible path to collapse," emphasizing that the decisive role in changing the situation remains with the Iranian people themselves.

Comments on the news

• What is the structure and role of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council in making the country’s key decisions? — The Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) is the main coordinating body on defense, national security and foreign policy. Its membership includes the president, the speaker of parliament, the head of the judiciary, commanders of the IRGC and the regular army, and other senior officials. The council formulates strategic directions that are then approved by the Supreme Leader. It plays a key role in decisions on matters such as the nuclear program, regional policy and internal security.

• What is the difference between the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Basij militia, and how do they interact within Iran’s security architecture? — The IRGC is an elite armed force responsible for defending the Islamic system, with its own land, naval, aerospace and intelligence branches. The Basij is a popular militia (volunteer forces) that is structurally part of the IRGC but focuses on internal tasks: ideological indoctrination, maintaining public order, social control and mass mobilization. Their interaction is hierarchical: the Basij operates as an auxiliary and reserve force under IRGC command, especially on issues of internal security and suppressing protests.

• What is meant by "internal security forces" in the Iranian context, mentioned as targets, and are they a separate organization from the IRGC and the Basij? — The term "internal security forces" is not the name of a separate organization. It usually refers to the aggregate of structures responsible for internal security and suppression of dissent. It includes specialized IRGC units (for example, the Sarallah special forces), the Basij militia itself, as well as law enforcement bodies (police) and the Ministry of Intelligence. Thus, it is not a separate organization but rather a functional category that includes elements of the IRGC and Basij as well as other security agencies.

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Full version: وول ستريت جورنال تكشف كواليس خطة الاغتيالات الإسرائيلية في إيران

Former Spanish PM Urges U.S. to Help Venezuela's Economy for Stability

Former Prime Minister of Spain José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero said that if the United States wants stability in Venezuela, it should help its economy, which has suffered for years from a crisis and sanctions, mostly imposed by Washington. Zapatero made this appeal after meeting in Caracas with the parliamentary commission on amnesty, stressing that Venezuela will remain a faithful friend of the U.S. if they contribute to peace. The statement came against the backdrop of the restoration of diplomatic relations between the two countries after a seven-year rift caused by ideological disagreements and sanctions.

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Full version: Zapatero dice a EE.UU. que si quiere estabilidad para Venezuela debe ayudar en la economía

US strikes Iranian missile sites near strategic strait

American forces said they struck fortified Iranian missile positions along the coast near the Strait of Hormuz. According to the United States Central Command (CENTCOM), the attack used powerful 5,000-pound munitions capable of breaching fortifications. The strikes were targeted at Iranian anti-ship missiles that, the US said, posed a threat to international shipping. The actions were presented as part of a broader operation called "Epic Anger," aimed at degrading Iranian military and intelligence structures.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most important routes for transporting energy resources, with about one-fifth of global oil and liquefied gas shipments passing through it daily. In response to previous strikes by the US and Israel, Iran has significantly restricted access to this strategic waterway. Tehran's actions have caused serious concern in the international community and fears of a potential global energy crisis due to supply disruptions.

Amid rising tensions, the administration of US President Donald Trump is trying to form an international naval coalition to protect commercial vessels and escort oil tankers through the strait. So far, these diplomatic efforts have not produced tangible results. The situation around the Strait of Hormuz remains highly unstable, continuing to threaten the security of key maritime routes and the stability of global energy markets.

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Full version: بذخائر خارقة للتحصينات.. واشنطن تقصف مواقع صواريخ إيرانية قرب مضيق هرمز

US warns world of Iranian threat, steps up diplomatic pressure

The US administration has sent urgent warnings to governments of various countries about a high risk of possible Iranian attacks on their territories. According to diplomatic sources, Washington has launched a large-scale diplomatic campaign aimed at undermining Tehran's military and operational capabilities abroad. American diplomats were instructed to inform foreign governments that Iran has demonstrated "real intent and capability" to attack American and Israeli interests, including targets inside the US and other states.

As part of this campaign, the US State Department issued an internal directive signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, with instructions for diplomatic and consular missions. They were tasked with persuading allies to officially recognize the Корпус стражей исламской революции (IRGC) and the Lebanese organization Hezbollah as terrorist groups. According to the document dated March 16, Washington set a deadline of March 20 to deliver these messages to the senior officials of foreign governments.

These actions are part of President Donald Trump's broader strategy to increase pressure on Iran's military structures. The directive particularly emphasizes the need for close coordination with Israeli diplomats in efforts to put the IRGC and Hezbollah on "blacklists." Observers note that such diplomatic escalation reflects Washington's desire to create a unified international front to undermine Iranian influence.

American pressure extends not only to traditional allies but also to China. President Trump said he might postpone the upcoming summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping to increase pressure on Beijing and push it to contribute to securing the Strait of Hormuz from Iranian threats. Trump also warned NATO of a "very bad future" for the alliance if allies do not provide the necessary assistance to protect this strategic waterway, through which China receives about 90% of its oil needs.

Comments on the news

• What is the role of the Корпус стражей исламской революции inside Iran and beyond, aside from purely military functions? - The Корпус стражей исламской революции (IRGC) is one of the most influential institutions in Iran, performing many non-military functions. Inside the country, the IRGC controls a significant portion of the economy through its subsidiaries and foundations, handles internal security and ideological indoctrination, and has its own intelligence units. Abroad, the IRGC, through its Quds Force special unit, supports allied movements and governments (for example, in Syria, Lebanon, Yemen), thereby creating zones of Iranian influence. Essentially, the IRGC serves as the main instrument for defending the Islamic Republic both at home and abroad, reporting directly to the Supreme Leader.
• Why is the Strait of Hormuz such a critical flashpoint in relations between Iran, the US and their allies? - The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow maritime corridor through which about 20–30% of the world's oil trade passes, including exports from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar and Iran itself. Its strategic importance makes it a natural lever of pressure. For Iran, the strait is a matter of national sovereignty and a card in the geopolitical game: Tehran has repeatedly stated its readiness to close it in extreme circumstances (for example, attempts to completely block Iranian oil exports). For the US and its allies (especially the Gulf states), free passage through the strait is vital for global economic stability and energy security. Thus, the strait has become a symbol of a fragile balance where any escalation could lead to serious economic and military consequences.

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Full version: واشنطن تحذر من هجمات إيرانية وتضغط لتصنيف الحرس الثوري وحزب الله منظمتين "إرهابيتين"

Historical breakthrough: Venezuela reaches World Baseball Classic final for first time

The Venezuelan national baseball team made a historic breakthrough, reaching the final of the World Baseball Classic for the first time after defeating Italy 4–2 in the semifinal match. This victory was especially significant given that en route to the final the Venezuelans eliminated the reigning champions — Team Japan. The team now faces a decisive match for the title against Team USA, and Venezuela has a unique chance to win the main trophy of this prestigious international tournament for the first time in its history.

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Full version: ¡Orgullo tricolor!: Venezuela avanza a la final del Clásico del Mundial de Béisbol tras derrotar a Italia 4-2

New Spike in Gulf Tensions After Iranian Threats

A new military escalation has occurred in the Gulf countries. Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, Kuwait and Bahrain were attacked with ballistic missiles and drones. These strikes followed direct threats by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to hit facilities with stakes held by American tech companies in the region. Iran said this was in response to an alleged U.S.-Israeli attack.

Saudi Arabia reported that its air defenses destroyed more than 96 drones attacking Riyadh and the Eastern Province. Earlier, more than 60 unmanned aerial vehicles were reported intercepted. In Bahrain, authorities urged citizens to shelter in safe locations due to Iranian drone attacks.

In Qatar, air defenses repelled a missile attack, and sounds of interceptions were heard in Doha. Debris falling in an industrial area sparked a small fire, but there were no casualties. In the UAE, after a partial airspace closure, operations returned to normal. In Abu Dhabi, a Pakistani citizen was killed by falling debris from an intercepted ballistic missile. A drone attack also caused a fire at a gas station.

Iran acknowledged the attack on the Al Dhafra base in the UAE, saying it “substantially reduced the operational capabilities” of the facility. In Kuwait, air raid sirens sounded after attacks were repelled. Internal security agencies detained a group linked to “Hezbollah” that allegedly planned to undermine security and was found carrying weapons.

The IRGC’s threats were preceded by a sharp ultimatum published by the Iranian news agency Tasnim. It called for employees and residents to evacuate within hours from areas where factories and companies with stakes held by American tech giants are located. Potential targets named in the list included Amazon, Google, Microsoft and Nvidia.

These attacks are a continuation of a series of strikes Iran has launched against Gulf countries since late February under the pretext of striking American interests. The affected states condemned the escalation, which led to human casualties, injuries and material damage. The situation remains tense, and security measures at vital and industrial facilities have been strengthened.

Commentary on the news

• What is the role and structure of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Iranian politics and military doctrine? - The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is Iran’s elite armed force, created after the 1979 revolution to protect the Islamic system. It operates parallel to the regular army and wields significant political influence, controlling key sectors of the economy. Structurally, the IRGC includes ground, naval and air forces, the Quds Force (responsible for external operations), and the Basij popular mobilization force. In Iran’s military doctrine, the IRGC combines the concept of “strategic depth” (supporting allies abroad) with asymmetric methods of warfare.

• What are the historical and current relations between Iran and Hezbollah, and what is Hezbollah’s role in the region? - Relations between Iran and Lebanon’s Hezbollah began after Israel’s 1982 invasion of Lebanon, when Iran provided ideological, financial and military support to create a Shiite militia. Today Hezbollah is a powerful political and military force in Lebanon, viewed by Tehran as a key element of the “axis of resistance” against Israel and Western influence in the region. Iran remains its main sponsor. Hezbollah’s role has grown from resisting Israel to participating in regional conflicts (for example, in Syria) as a proxy force extending Iran’s influence.

• Why is Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province frequently targeted, and what is its strategic significance? - The Eastern Province (Al-Ahsa) is Saudi Arabia’s richest oil region, where much of the kingdom’s extraction and refining infrastructure is concentrated. It is also home to the majority of Saudi Shiites, who have long complained of discrimination by the Sunni-led government. The region is often targeted (usually blamed on Yemeni Houthis or Iranian allies) because of its vulnerability to economic sabotage and existing internal social tensions. Its strategic importance is enormous: stability in the province directly affects global oil supplies and the security of the Saudi ruling dynasty.

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Full version: اعتراض هجمات بالسعودية وقطيل وقتيل في الإمارات جراء شظايا صاروخ إيراني

Trump forms coalition to reopen the Strait of Hormuz

Former U.S. president Donald Trump is working to assemble an international coalition to resume shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, which has been blocked by Iran. According to Axios, he hopes to announce the initiative as early as this week. A more radical military option is also being considered — seizing a key Iranian oil terminal on Kharg Island, which would require deploying U.S. ground forces. These plans are being developed amid rising global oil and gas prices due to the closure of the strait.

Trump is actively conducting diplomatic talks, urging other countries to join patrols of the strategic waterway. In a post on Truth Social he said the U.S. and other countries would send warships to the Persian Gulf, and he directly appealed for help from China, France, Japan, South Korea and the United Kingdom. Later, aboard Air Force One, he told reporters that he is negotiating with several countries and receiving a “good response,” noting that some states have already declined to participate.

Alongside diplomatic efforts, the U.S. continues to strike Iranian targets, focusing particularly on Kharg Island, which lies 15 miles off the coast and through which about 90% of Iran’s oil exports pass. Trump said that U.S. strikes so far have avoided directly hitting oil infrastructure, but did not rule out further attacks “for fun.” Military analysts warn that additional strikes or a ground operation could lead to sharp escalation and provoke retaliatory attacks by Iran.

Seizing Kharg Island is seen as a potentially devastating economic blow to the Iranian regime, depriving it of its main source of revenue. However, the operation carries high risks, including the need to deploy ground troops and the likelihood of Iranian strikes against Gulf oil infrastructure, especially in Saudi Arabia. U.S. officials must balance economic pressure with the fear of sparking a full-scale regional conflict.

So far no country has publicly joined the proposed “Strait of Hormuz coalition,” but the White House expects statements of support in the coming days. Participants would be required to provide warships, drones and operational support. The rising tension has already pushed countries such as Japan to use their strategic oil reserves. The key question remains how willing allies are to back Trump’s initiative and whether the strait can be reopened without unleashing a wider war.

Comments on the news

• What role does Kharg Island play in Iran’s economy and defense strategy beyond the fact that about 90% of oil exports pass through it? - Kharg Island serves as a key logistics hub not only for oil but also for other goods. In defense strategy it functions as an advanced control point over shipping in the Persian Gulf, hosting surveillance systems and anti-ship missiles. This enables Iran to respond quickly to threats in the strategically important region.

• What are historical precedents for Iran blocking the Strait of Hormuz and how did that affect regional relations in the past? - During the Iran–Iraq War (1980–1988) Iran mined the strait and attacked tankers, triggering the “tanker war.” This prompted intervention by international forces (the U.S. Operation Praying Mantis in 1988) and worsened relations with neighboring Arab states and the West. In 2011–2012 Iran threatened to block the strait over sanctions, temporarily raising oil prices and increasing tensions.

• How is Iran’s oil infrastructure in the Persian Gulf arranged and how vulnerable is it to military strikes aside from Kharg Island? - The infrastructure includes terminals (for example on Lavan and Sirri islands), floating platforms, underwater pipelines and onshore facilities. It is dispersed, which makes total destruction difficult, but key points (like Kharg) are vulnerable to precision strikes. Iran has strengthened defenses with air-defense systems and dispersed reserves, but a prolonged halt to exports would inflict serious economic damage.

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Full version: أكسيوس: ترمب منجذب لفكرة الاستيلاء على جزيرة خارك الإيرانية

Venezuela Targets Global Markets with Its Premium Cocoa

Acting President of Venezuela Delcy Rodríguez instructed Minister of Foreign Trade Koroómoto Godoy to immediately step up efforts to find and strengthen positions in international markets for the export of Venezuelan cocoa and chocolate. The directive was given during the head of state’s visit to the facilities of the chocolate company Cakawa. Rodríguez emphasized that the cocoa sector needs to be given strategic importance similar to the coffee industry, which already occupies a prominent place on the economic agenda. She noted that there is a solid foundation for this: cocoa is grown in 17 states of the country, and 1,091 local producer communities have their own organized structures with representatives.

The goal is to scale up cocoa exports to a mass level, using Venezuela’s reputation as a producer of the “best in the world” cocoa. Entrepreneurs at the plant demonstrated the production process and spoke about the scientifically proven benefits of the local product: daily consumption of dark chocolate contributes to the regeneration of stem cells and the activation of endorphins. A particular advantage of Venezuelan cocoa is its high (48–50%) cocoa butter content, where the highest concentration of vitamins and proteins is found. The business model of companies like Cakawa is built on promoting local production and the unique story of each farmer. Thus, the government seeks to turn centuries-old cocoa-growing traditions into a pillar of a diversified economy, combining local organization with modern industrial processing.

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Full version: Presidenta encargada instó a la ministra Godoy a fortalecer exportaciones de cacao y chocolate venezolano hacia mercados estratégicos

Trump Accuses Media of Spreading Fakes About War with Iran

Former US President Donald Trump launched a sharp attack on the mass media, accusing them of spreading "misleading" information. In his statements on the Truth Social platform he claims that Iran is using artificial intelligence as a new weapon of disinformation, creating and distributing fake images and video clips of military operations. Among the fakes, Trump says, are footage of attacks by small boats, strikes on tanker aircraft and on American ships.

Trump said that some US media knowingly reproduce these materials despite being aware of their unreliability. He accused the so-called "radical left journalism" of coordinating with Iran to spread "lies" about the conduct of hostilities, insisting that Iranian forces are "being defeated daily" and that reports of US losses are unfounded. In addition, the politician attacked major media institutions for losing trust and called for a review of the licenses of certain television channels that, in his view, use American airwaves to lie, endorsing the FCC chairman's intention to carry out such checks.

These statements came amid Trump’s daily comments on the development of an American-Israeli war against Iran, in which he claims that the US is "completely destroying the regime" in that country and that Iran's navy and air force have supposedly already been smashed. Recall that since February 28 Israel and the US have been striking Iran, resulting, according to reports, in hundreds of deaths, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and security officials. Tehran is responding with missile and drone launches at Israel, as well as attacks on what it calls American bases and interests in Arab countries, which has already led to casualties, injuries and damage to civilian infrastructure.

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Full version: ترمب يتهم الإعلام بنشر معلومات "مضللة" وبث صور مزيفة عن حرب إيران

Israel Told US of Critical Interceptor Shortage

According to reports from American sources, Israel has encountered an acute shortage of systems for intercepting ballistic missiles. Tel Aviv officially notified Washington of a "significant shortage" of interceptor weapons. This situation has arisen amid Israel's ongoing military operations against Iran and Lebanon, which are accompanied by intense exchanges of rocket and drone strikes.

The American administration, it is reported, has been aware of problems with Israel's missile-defense capabilities for several months. A US spokeswoman noted that such a shortage was "expected," while stressing that the United States itself is not facing a similar crisis and has everything necessary to protect its bases and personnel in the region. Meanwhile, Israel is actively seeking ways to address the problem and replenish its defensive arsenals, as demand for such systems has sharply increased amid the escalation.

Neither Israeli nor American authorities have yet issued official comments confirming or denying these reports. The shortage of interceptor weapons is occurring against the backdrop of serious military tensions in the Middle East, which have persisted since late February following a large-scale conflict involving Israel, the US, and Iran. Tehran, for its part, continues to carry out rocket and drone strikes against Israeli targets, as well as against sites it describes as "American interests" in several Arab countries.

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Full version: إسرائيل تُبلغ واشنطن بنقص حادّ لديها في الصواريخ الاعتراضية

Venezuela's historic win over Japan in the World Baseball Classic

In an exciting World Baseball Classic quarterfinal, Venezuela met Japan for the first time in the tournament's history and claimed an impressive 8–5 victory. The game began with a historic moment when Ronald Acuña Jr. hit a home run in the very first inning, immediately answered by Japan's star batter Shohei Ohtani — the first time in the tournament's history that both teams hit home runs in their first at-bats. Although the Japanese took a 5–2 lead after a home run by Shota Morishita, the Venezuelans did not give up.

The decisive turning point came in the middle innings: first Maikel García cut the deficit with a solo home run in the fifth inning, and then Wuilmer Abreu hit a three-run home run in the sixth, putting his team ahead 7–5. In the eighth inning Venezuela added another run, sealing the victory. This emotional win, achieved in Miami in front of numerous fans, advanced the Venezuelan team to the semifinals of the prestigious international tournament and became a true triumph for the entire country.

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Full version: ¡Sayonara! Venezuela se viste de gloria tras eliminar a Japón del CMB (+Video)

Death of U.S. Soldiers in Iraq Forces U.S. to Evacuate Citizens

The United States has released the names of six service members who died in the crash of a refueling aircraft in western Iraq. The Pentagon confirmed the deaths of John Kleiner (33), Ariana Savino (31), Ashley Bright (34), Seth Koval (38), Kurtis Angst (30) and Tyler Simmons (28). The incident occurred amid rising tensions in Iraq and the wider region, prompting Washington to urgently call on its citizens to leave the country.

The total number of U.S. service members killed since the war between the U.S./Israel and Iran began about two weeks ago has reached 13, with another 210 wounded, including 10 seriously. U.S. Central Command said the crash was not caused by "enemy or friendly fire," while armed groups have claimed responsibility for shooting down the aircraft as part of their attacks, creating a contradictory picture of what happened.

The group calling itself the "Islamic Resistance in Iraq" said it shot down an American KC-135 and struck other aerial targets. The incident is at least the fourth involving U.S. military aircraft since the start of the conflict, following the downing of three F-15 fighters in Kuwait. The parties trade mutual accusations, and the lack of an independent investigation makes it difficult to determine the true causes of these incidents.

As a precautionary measure, the U.S. has urged its citizens in Iraq to "leave the country immediately," citing "sporadic attacks on Americans and U.S.-linked facilities." The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad issued a warning prohibiting visits to its chancery and the consulate general in Erbil due to an ongoing threat of rocket, drone and artillery fire. The embassy in the "Green Zone" was reportedly attacked Saturday morning, damaging an air defense system.

At the same time, the U.S. State Department ordered the evacuation of non-essential government personnel and their families from Oman, citing risks related to the ongoing war against Iran and its impact on neighboring countries. These measures reflect Washington's growing concern about the widening geography of violence and the threat to the security of both civilian and official American presence in the region.

News commentary

• What is the "Islamic Resistance in Iraq" organization and what is its connection to Iran? - "Islamic Resistance in Iraq" is an umbrella term for a network of pro-Iranian Shia militias in Iraq, such as Kata'ib Hezbollah and Harakat al-Nujaba. These groups are ideologically and operationally linked to Iran's "Axis of Resistance." Iran provides them with funding, training and weapons through the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), using them as a tool of influence to counter U.S. and Israeli presence in the region. However, formally they are Iraqi formations operating within Iraq's complex political landscape.

• What is the "Green Zone" in Baghdad and why is it a frequent target of attacks? - The "Green Zone" is a heavily fortified administrative district in central Baghdad that houses key Iraqi government institutions, the parliament, and the embassies of the United States and other countries. It is often targeted (typically by rockets or drones) because it symbolizes foreign presence and authority, and strikes against it inflict political and psychological damage, destabilizing the functioning of the pro-American Iraqi government and international missions.

• To which specific escalation between the U.S./Israel and Iran about two weeks ago does the article refer? - The article likely refers to the direct escalation between Israel and Iran in mid-April 2024. On April 13–14, Iran launched more than 300 drones and missiles at Israel in response to an alleged Israeli strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus on April 1. Several days later, on April 19, Israel carried out a retaliatory strike near the city of Isfahan in Iran. This exchange marked an unprecedented direct military confrontation between the two countries—albeit limited in scale—and raised serious fears of a wider regional war.

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Full version: أمريكا تكشف هوية قتلاها في العراق وتأمر مواطنيها بالمغادرة فورا

Seven reasons why Trump's victory over Iran is only an illusion

CNN analysts cast doubt on recent US President Donald Trump's claim of victory in the conflict with Iran, calling it premature and detached from reality. Experts say the situation in the region is becoming increasingly complex and gradually slipping out of control, making any triumphant rhetoric politically convenient but objectively untenable. Any comprehensive look at events shows that the US is still far from a real victory.

One key reason is the very nature of a multifaceted conflict in which regional and international interests are intertwined, precluding a quick and decisive resolution. The situation is made especially acute by Iran's decision to close the Strait of Hormuz — a vital maritime route for global oil trade. This led to a sharp rise in world oil and fuel prices, as well as increased insurance costs for ships, demonstrating how a military conflict hits the global economy directly.

Many of Iran's challenges are primarily political rather than military, making them impossible to resolve by force alone. Although joint US-Israeli airstrikes have weakened Tehran's military capabilities, including missile and drone programs, these tactical successes are not equivalent to a complete strategic victory or a political settlement. Moreover, Iranian state institutions continue to function, and a change in leadership could even harden positions rather than topple the regime.

Divergences in approach among allies also complicate the situation: while Israel views security as a long-term battle, for Trump, with elections approaching, quick political dividends are important. The nuclear issue also remains relevant, since Iran may still possess a stockpile of highly enriched uranium, leaving it the theoretical possibility of restarting a program. Washington's expectations of mass popular protests inside Iran have also not materialized.

The consequences of the conflict are beginning to be felt inside the United States — from higher gasoline prices to potential spikes in violence driven by intercommunal tensions. All this makes it difficult for the Trump administration to present the war as an unambiguous success. Thus, the conflict with Iran is increasingly turning from a demonstration of military superiority into a prolonged test of endurance, where declaring victory is still very premature.

Comments on the news

• What specific role does the Strait of Hormuz play in Iran's economy and why is its closure such a powerful threat beyond impacting global oil prices? - The Strait of Hormuz is a vital maritime corridor for exporting Iranian oil and petroleum products, which account for a significant portion of state revenue. Its closure would paralyze Iran's primary export, lead to a sharp drop in foreign-currency inflows, and undermine the country's ability to import goods. Beyond affecting global prices, it is also a strategic lever allowing Iran to pressure countries dependent on Gulf oil and to demonstrate its ability to disrupt global energy flows, strengthening its bargaining position in regional and international affairs.

• Which state institutions in Iran ensure the stability of the political regime, and what roles do, for example, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) play compared to elected bodies? - The regime's stability is provided by a network of interconnected institutions. Key among them are: the Supreme Leader (rahbar) as the highest authority; the Guardian Council, which approves candidates and laws; the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) — an elite armed force with vast economic and intelligence influence; the Expediency Discernment Council, which resolves disputes; and the Basij — a popular militia. Elected bodies (president, parliament) handle day-to-day affairs, but their power is constrained by these unelected institutions. The IRGC plays a unique role: it is simultaneously an army, intelligence service, large economic conglomerate, and ideological guardian of the revolution, directly subordinate to the Supreme Leader and often operating parallel to the civilian government.

• Why, despite external pressure and economic difficulties, have expectations of mass popular protests in Iran not been fulfilled, and what internal political dynamics restrain such uprisings? - Expectations of sustained mass protests have not been fulfilled due to a combination of factors: an effective security apparatus (IRGC, Basij, police) that quickly suppresses pockets of unrest; a significant portion of the population, especially in rural areas and smaller towns, remains loyal to the system or apathetic; economic hardship forces people to focus on survival rather than politics; the regime uses patriotic and religious narratives to consolidate support, especially in the face of external threats; and the absence of a unified national opposition organization or a recognized leader capable of uniting disparate discontented groups. The political dynamic is such that the regime permits limited expressions of discontent through official channels but harshly represses any challenges to its legitimacy or calls for systemic change.

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Full version: محلل أمريكي: لهذه الأسباب لم ينتصر ترمب في حرب إيران

Venezuela and Colombia Agree on New April Summit

Vice President of Venezuela Delcy Rodríguez and President of Colombia Gustavo Petro have agreed to hold a bilateral summit on April 23–24 in Maracaibo. This will be the second attempt at a meeting after previous talks scheduled in the border city of Cúcuta were canceled due to "insurmountable circumstances." A Colombian delegation led by the ministers of defense, trade, and energy visited Caracas to prepare for this important event, aiming to prevent a breakdown of the renewed bilateral agenda following January’s events.

At the talks in Caracas, the parties discussed key areas of cooperation: security and the fight against drug trafficking, restoration of bilateral trade, and an energy partnership. Particular attention was paid to coordinating actions along the 2,200-kilometer border, where armed groups and illegal economic structures remain active.

Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López held a separate meeting with his Colombian counterpart Pedro Sánchez to discuss concrete measures to strengthen security in border regions. Both sides emphasized the importance of continuing the dialogue to stabilize relations and address shared challenges.

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Full version: Delcy Rodríguez y Gustavo Petro acuerdan una nueva cumbre el 23 y 24 de abril en Maracaibo

Escalation: Iran and the US Exchange Strikes and Statements

Iranian armed forces made a series of loud statements, claiming they put the US aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln out of action and forced it to withdraw. At the same time, local sources report tragic consequences from strikes on Iranian territory: an attack on the village of Hezab in the west of the country killed a family of six, including an infant, and wounded seven others. There are also reports of strikes on a residential building in the city of Iwan and on industrial facilities in the vicinity of Tabriz.

A representative of the "True Promise-4" operation headquarters said new unmanned aerial vehicles, including American MQ-9s, were destroyed in the Firuzabad and Bandar Abbas areas. According to him, the total number of drones of various types shot down during the operation reached 112. These successes, it is claimed, were achieved by the air defense forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

The IRGC published a statement saying that since the start of the war it has struck 60 strategic and 500 military targets of the US and Israel, using hundreds of missiles and more than 700 drones. In response to American threats, Iran warned that if its oil and energy infrastructure were attacked, retaliatory strikes would be carried out against similar facilities across the region where the US has stakes or partners.

Alongside military actions inside Iran, security measures are being tightened. In the holy city of Qom, 13 people were detained on charges of illegally possessing Starlink satellite terminals. In Tehran, four people have also been arrested on suspicion of collecting and passing information to an opposition TV channel in London, including data on missile impact locations.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) categorically denied Iranian claims about the Abraham Lincoln, calling them "reworked lies." US forces confirmed that their carrier strike group continues to control the airspace. At the same time, according to the Wall Street Journal, at least five tanker aircraft were damaged in an Iranian missile strike on Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia. The total number of affected or destroyed tankers rose to seven.

The conflict between Iran, the US and Israel has continued since late February, claiming the lives of hundreds. Iran accuses its opponents of intending to eliminate the country's top leadership, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, and is delivering retaliatory missile and drone strikes against Israel, as well as against targets it considers to be American interests in Arab countries. The region remains highly tense, and reciprocal threats and military operations increase the risk of further escalation and widening of the conflict.

Comments on the news

• What is the role and structure of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Iran’s military and political system? - The IRGC is an elite military and ideological formation created after the 1979 Islamic Revolution. It operates parallel to the regular army and reports directly to the Supreme Leader of Iran. Its role includes defending the Islamic order, controlling strategic sectors of the economy (for example, oil and telecommunications), influencing foreign policy through the Quds Force (responsible for operations abroad) and internal security. Politically, the IRGC wields significant influence through ties with conservative political forces and its own economic empire.

• What is the holy city of Qom and why are security measures being tightened there, including arrests over satellite terminals? - Qom is the main spiritual center of Shiite Islam in Iran, hosting important religious seminaries and the shrine of Fatima Masumeh. It symbolizes the regime’s religious authority. The tightening of security measures, including arrests over satellite terminals, is connected to authorities’ view that illegal access to satellite television and the internet poses a threat — it enables the spread of information beyond state control, which can undermine ideological control, especially in such a symbolically important city.

• Which specific countries in the region might Iran be hinting at when it threatens strikes on oil infrastructure “where the US has stakes or partners”? - Iran is likely hinting at the Persian Gulf countries that are US allies and host significant oil infrastructure with American involvement. These primarily include Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and possibly Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait. These countries depend on oil exports, and strikes on their infrastructure could inflict economic damage both on them and on US interests in the region.

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Full version: طهران تعلن إخراج حاملة طائرات أمريكية من الخدمة ومقتل 6 غربي إيران

Conflicting Claims About a U.S. Aircraft Carrier in the Persian Gulf

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran said early Friday that its forces struck the U.S. aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln with missiles and drones, causing the ship "significant damage" and forcing it to return to the United States. However, U.S. military officials immediately and categorically denied the report. A spokesman for U.S. Central Command said the IRGC's claims are false and confirmed that the carrier continues to carry out its mission in the region as part of the campaign against Iran. The contradiction comes amid ongoing tensions between the United States, its allies, and Iran.

This is not the first such claim by Iranian forces. The IRGC previously announced attacks on the Abraham Lincoln in early March. At the same time, U.S. network CBS News, citing officials, reported that last week an Iranian vessel approached the carrier and U.S. sailors were forced to fire warning shots at it. Satellite images analyzed by experts confirm that the carrier is indeed in the Arabian Sea, roughly 185 kilometers from Oman's coast and about 320 kilometers from Iran.

The incident is part of a broader escalation of the conflict in the region. Since late February there have been reciprocal strikes: the United States and Israel have carried out strikes on targets in Iran, while Tehran, in turn, has attacked sites in Gulf countries, Iraq, and Jordan, saying the targets were U.S. bases. Iraqi armed groups have also claimed attacks on sites inside Iraq. Claims of attacks on key U.S. assets, such as aircraft carriers, have become part of the information war in this confrontation.

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Full version: الحرس الثوري يتحدث عن انسحاب حاملة الطائرات "لينكولن" والجيش الأمريكي ينفي

Venezuela and Repsol strengthen cooperation in the oil and gas sector

Acting President of Venezuela Delcy Rodríguez signed strategic agreements with the Spanish energy company Repsol. The aim of these arrangements is to revive the national oil and gas sector and attract foreign investment. Repsol, which has been operating in the country for more than 30 years, confirmed its interest in taking an active role in developing a sector that is key for Venezuela. The agreements are the result of constructive dialogue between the government and energy companies.

Rodríguez assured international investors of the legal security guaranteed by the Venezuelan state. These steps are supported by a recent partial reform of the Organic Law on Hydrocarbons, approved in January 2026. The new legal framework is adapted to global energy challenges and prioritizes increasing national production. Venezuela intends to strengthen its position as an energy power, for which it considers strategic partnerships with companies like Repsol extremely important, especially given the current geopolitical situation.

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Full version: Presidenta (E) Delcy Rodríguez firma acuerdos estratégicos con Repsol para fortalecer el sector hidrocarburos en Venezuela

Internal divisions in the Trump administration over Iran strategy

Serious disagreements have arisen in the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump regarding public statements about the conduct of the war with Iran and the definition of "victory." Reuters reports that advisors are engaged in heated debates over when and how to declare the conflict successfully concluded, with discussion centered on whether to expand military operations or present them to the public as a limited campaign. This internal conflict reflects deeper tensions between military, political, and economic considerations within U.S. leadership.

On one side, some officials, including economic advisers from the Treasury Department and the National Economic Council, warn of the negative economic consequences of a protracted conflict, particularly rising fuel prices, which could undermine public support for the war within the United States. These concerns have prompted political consultants to urge the White House to narrow the definition of "victory" and state that the operation is limited in scope and nearing completion. Opposing them is a harder-line wing, including prominent Republicans such as Senators Lindsey Graham and Tom Cotton, who insist on continuing pressure on Tehran to prevent it from developing nuclear weapons and on responding harshly to any attacks.

Donald Trump himself, according to Reuters sources, emphasized in closed discussions his unwillingness to withdraw forces prematurely, insisting on the need to "complete the mission." At the same time, some of his aides advised ending the conflict in a way that could be presented as a victory, even if most Iranian leaders remained unharmed. The president began military operations on February 28, initially promising broad objectives, but later lowered the bar, describing the campaign as limited and having achieved most of its goals.

White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt categorically denied the Reuters report, calling it "rumors and speculation from anonymous sources not present at discussions with President Trump." She emphasized that the president listens to different opinions before making decisions, but the final word belongs to him, and his team is "fully focused on achieving the objectives of Operation 'Epic Fury'." This response demonstrates the sensitivity of the issue and the administration's desire to maintain a united front on national security matters.

Comments on the news

• What were the specific objectives of Operation "Epic Fury" at its start, and how did they change? - The initial aim of Operation "Epic Fury" (likely referring to a U.S. military operation) was to strike Iranian forces or Iran-backed groups in response to specific threats or attacks against U.S. interests. Over time, objectives may have expanded from pinpoint retaliatory strikes to a broader mission of containing Iranian influence in the region, especially regarding proxy-group activities.
• What has been the historical role of senators like Lindsey Graham in shaping U.S. policy toward Iran, and why is their position considered "hard-line"? - Senators such as Lindsey Graham play a key role in shaping U.S. policy toward Iran through legislative initiatives, public statements, and influence on public opinion. Their stance is considered "hard-line" because they consistently advocate maximum pressure on Iran through harsh sanctions, diplomatic isolation, and do not rule out military options, opposing the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and Iran's regional activities.

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Full version: صراع داخلي بالبيت الأبيض.. ترمب يواجه خلافات حول مسار حرب إيران

US assessments: Iranian regime holds despite strikes

According to the latest assessments by U.S. intelligence, Iran’s leadership remains largely cohesive and is not facing an imminent collapse despite nearly two weeks of large-scale American and Israeli strikes. Sources familiar with the reports say numerous intelligence briefings consistently indicate the regime is not in danger and retains control over public sentiment inside the country. These conclusions, including a recent report prepared in the past several days, reflect a steady assessment that a near-term collapse of Iranian authorities is not expected.

The strikes carried out by the U.S. and Israel were extensive and struck air-defence systems, nuclear sites and Iran’s senior leadership, resulting in the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in late February, as well as dozens of senior officials. However, intelligence summaries note that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the interim leaders who assumed control after Khamenei’s death still hold control over the country. The ability of Iranian institutions to mobilize was demonstrated by the appointment of a new supreme leader — Mojtaba, Khamenei’s son — which was carried out by the Assembly of Experts in accordance with constitutional procedures.

At the same time, the strategic objectives of Washington and Tel Aviv remain not fully clear, complicating efforts to find a political exit from the conflict. Although U.S. President Donald Trump hinted at a near end to the largest military operation since 2003, senior American officials later said that toppling Iran’s leadership is not a required objective. An Israeli official in private conversations acknowledged that one cannot say with certainty that the war will bring down the rule of the religious elite, highlighting the fluidity of the situation on the ground.

One Reuters source noted that overthrowing the government would likely require a ground operation that would allow Iranians to safely take to the streets in protest. The Trump administration did not rule out sending U.S. troops into Iran as a possible option. However, mounting such a large-scale ground invasion remains extremely difficult politically and militarily, entailing huge risks and unpredictable consequences for the region as a whole.

Against the backdrop of the conflict, Iranian Kurdish groups have become more active and are reported to have been consulting with the U.S. about possible attacks on Iranian security forces from Iraqi territory. The leader of one such group said that “tens of thousands of young people” were ready to take up arms against the government with American support. Nevertheless, U.S. intelligence reports express skepticism about the actual combat capabilities of these formations, noting their lack of firepower and numbers. Trump himself said he ruled out allowing Iranian Kurdish groups to enter Iran, leaving their role in the conflict uncertain.

News commentary

• What role does the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps play in Iran’s political system beyond military functions? - The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is one of Iran’s most influential institutions, performing many non-military functions. It controls a significant portion of the economy through its foundations and companies, has its own intelligence and security forces, influences domestic politics through ties with conservative politicians, and plays a key role in foreign policy, especially in supporting regional allies. The IRGC operates as a “state within a state,” defending the ideological foundations of the Islamic Republic and ensuring the regime’s loyalty.

• How does the process of selecting the Supreme Leader in the Assembly of Experts work and how independent is it? - The Assembly of Experts, made up of 88 Islamic clerics elected for eight-year terms, is formally responsible for appointing, supervising and potentially dismissing the Supreme Leader. In practice the process is heavily constrained. All candidates for the Assembly of Experts are pre-screened by the Guardian Council, which weeds out disloyal or insufficiently religious contenders. When selecting the Leader, members of the assembly vote by secret ballot, but their choice is limited to a narrow circle of senior religious authorities approved by the existing establishment. Thus, while the procedure has formal democratic elements, the real independence of the Assembly of Experts is greatly limited by the candidate-filtering system and the political context.

• What is the historical context and current aims of Iranian Kurdish armed groups operating from Iraqi territory? - Kurdish armed groups such as the PDKI and Komala trace their history to the mid-20th century, when the Kurdish national movement in Iran strengthened after World War II. Their original goal was autonomy or independence for Iranian Kurds. After the 1979 Islamic Revolution the conflict intensified, and many groups were pushed into Iraq. Today, operating from Iraqi Kurdistan, these groups pursue mixed aims: some fight for cultural and political rights for Kurds within Iran, others call for the overthrow of the theocratic regime. Their activity often increases during periods of internal instability in Iran and depends on complex relations with regional powers and Iraqi Kurdish parties.

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Full version: رويترز: المخابرات الأمريكية تستبعد انهيار النظام الإيراني

Venezuela condemned Guyana's plans for seismic surveys in disputed waters

Venezuela officially declared its strong rejection of Guyana's plans to begin three-dimensional seismic surveys in maritime areas whose boundaries between the two countries have not yet been determined. In a communique published on Wednesday, Caracas called Georgetown's actions unilateral and in violation of fundamental principles of international law, as they are being carried out in a zone whose status remains disputed. Venezuela demanded that the government of Guyana refrain from any steps that could exacerbate the disagreements, and emphasized that it does not recognize any licenses, concessions, or exploration rights for resources issued by Guyana in this area, considering such actions illegal.

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Full version: Venezuela rechazó exploraciones sísmicas tridimensionales de Guyana en espacios marítimos por delimitar (+Comunicado)

New air-defense system MIRUBS: NATO's answer to the drone threat

The MIRUBS air-defense system is a mobile complex specifically designed for the rapid detection and destruction of small- and medium-sized unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), especially attack drones. Its key features are high mobility — it is mounted on light trucks — and the use of artificial intelligence for precise guidance, enabling it to operate effectively even under GPS-jamming conditions.

The development of the system, initially known as the "Oryol" project, was accelerated in 2024 against the backdrop of the large-scale and effective use of drones in the conflict in Ukraine. MIRUBS underwent more than 18 months of field trials on the Ukrainian theater of operations, which made it possible to gather invaluable operational data and refine its design. By November 2025 the system had successfully carried out over 1,900 interceptions, proving its high effectiveness.

Technically, the system is modular and consists of a ground control station, a pneumatic launcher, and an interceptor of the "IS-3 Servior" type. This interceptor drone is equipped with radar, electro-optical and thermal-imaging sensors, reaches speeds of up to 280 km/h, and can destroy a target by direct collision or by detonating near it. An important economic advantage is the low cost of the interceptor — about $15,000 — which makes the system far more affordable compared with expensive anti-missiles, for example in Patriot complexes.

Successful tests led to the integration of MIRUBS into NATO exercises in late 2025 and its active deployment in Eastern Europe. Countries such as Poland and Romania have already begun using the system to strengthen the defense of their airspace. Alliance officials also confirmed plans to deploy MIRUBS in Denmark as part of a strategy to bolster NATO's eastern flank.

In light of the growing threats from UAVs, demonstrated, in particular, during the Iran incident in February 2026, the United States plans to expand the geographic deployment of the system. According to U.S. officials, the U.S. Army intends to deploy MIRUBS in the Middle East. This measure is aimed at strengthening air-defense capabilities in the region and creating an effective means to counter mass drone attacks.

Comments on the story

• What was the Iran incident in February 2026, mentioned as an example of the UAV threat? - In February 2026 an incident occurred when Iranian drones attacked or threatened critical facilities in the Middle East, reportedly linked to U.S. or allied interests. The case was used as an example of the growing ability of Iranian UAVs to overcome traditional air-defense systems and demonstrated the need for new mobile counter-drone systems like MIRUBS.

• Which specific types of Iranian UAVs are considered the main threat that MIRUBS might be aimed at countering? - The primary threat is posed by Iranian strike UAVs, such as the "Shahed" series (Shahed-136, Shahed-238), which are used as loitering munitions, as well as larger strike drones like the Mohajer and Kaman types. MIRUBS is likely intended to detect and neutralize these mass-produced, relatively cheap and effective drones that are hard to detect by radar due to their small size and low-altitude flight.

• Does Iran have its own similar air-defense systems to combat drones, and how might they compare with MIRUBS? - Yes, Iran is developing its own counter-drone systems, such as the "Almaz" complex and electronic warfare (EW) systems. Like MIRUBS, they are designed to detect and suppress UAVs. However, MIRUBS is positioned as a highly mobile, rapidly deployable system, possibly with more modern sensors and effectors. Iranian systems are often integrated into larger air-defense complexes (for example, "Bavar-373" or "Khordad-15") and may be less mobile but better adapted to local conditions and threats in the region.

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Full version: نظام ميروبس صائد المسيّرات الذي تدفع به واشنطن للشرق الأوسط

Global Alarm: US, Israel, Iran and Energy Risks

International reports are increasingly shifting focus from tactical details of conflicts to the broader consequences of Washington's decisions: a possible or ongoing escalation between the US, Israel and Iran is seen as a source of instability around the world — from military uncertainty to oil price spikes and supply-chain disruptions. Analysts emphasize the risk of a protracted war that will be defined not only by geographic fronts but also by the strategic interests of great powers, including beneficiaries like Russia. Special attention is paid to how third countries and leaders formulate their positions — from open support of the US to criticism of the consistency of American strategy — and how this breaks accustomed alliances and markets. This piece is based on materials from BBC and Bloomberg Línea (Venezuela).

Oil, migration and other people’s wars: how global crises reshuffle Venezuela’s agenda

In Venezuela, a country living between the oil needle and a migratory éxodo, foreign policy has long stopped feeling “distant.” BBC Mundo’s analysis of how a war around Iran becomes an opportunity for Vladimir Putin and Russia, read from Caracas, sounds like a commentary on the country’s own future: the price of oil, sanctions and Venezuela’s place in the Moscow–Tehran–Caracas axis. Likewise, Bloomberg Línea’s piece on why Donald Trump’s hardline migration policy does not create jobs for Americans is perceived as a direct continuation of Venezuela’s story — no longer as an oil exporter, but as an exporter of people.

Both texts — the BBC Mundo analysis of Putin’s gains from a war around Iran (https://www.bbc.com/mundo/articles/c1kg13z28p3o) and the Bloomberg Línea article on US migration policy (https://www.bloomberglinea.com/mundo/estados-unidos/la-ofensiva-migratoria-de-trump-no-genera-mas-empleos-para-trabajadores-nacidos-en-eeuu/) — are read in Venezuela not as “foreign news” but as parts of a single equation: can Caracas survive off global crises — oil and migration — and for how long.

The view of the US–Israel–Iran war described by BBC Mundo matches what Caracas has long been used to seeing mirrored in its own history. According to the piece, Moscow benefits from escalation around Iran along two key lines: rising oil prices and the ability to pressure the West over sanctions. The Russian budget, calculated on oil at roughly $59 a barrel, gets a massive bonus when the barrel approaches $120. In Venezuela, where the economy is even more dependent on “black gold,” this arithmetic is almost automatically transferred onto itself. Every report of a price spike is not read abstractly but as a chance for the government to “breathe” — to increase spending, shore up domestic support, restore at least part of the damaged infrastructure or, at minimum, clientelist networks.

In that sense, the portrayal of Putin as a “peacemaker” who in reality benefits from continued war fits well with criticism voiced inside Venezuela toward its own leadership. Outwardly — the diplomatic vocabulary of “de-escalation,” “dialogue” and “peaceful solutions.” In practice — a bet that each new round of global tension will raise oil prices and thereby buy Caracas a little more time. For part of the opposition and independent analysts this is a long-standing image of a government that, like the Kremlin in BBC Mundo’s interpretation, talks about peace but economically feeds on war — even if it is someone else’s.

A point of particular interest in Caracas is another motive in the BBC Mundo piece: discussion in Washington of the possible easing of oil sanctions against “some countries” to offset the consequences of war, with a direct reference to Russia. In Venezuela this scenario is read two ways. On one hand, lifting or loosening restrictions on Moscow would increase competition in the markets Caracas is desperately trying to re-enter — in Asia, and indirectly in Europe through complex schemes of blending and re-export. Russia, while remaining a political ally, in oil terms becomes a direct competitor.

On the other hand, if the West is willing to make concessions to Russia under the pressure of energy realities, Venezuelan elites see an argument: then why maintain such harsh sanctions against Caracas? In pro-government circles this is read as an opportunity to build pressure — if the “empire” eases the regime for a nuclear power engaged in full-scale war, the political justification for Venezuela’s economic blockade weakens. Inside the country this feeds hope for a more favorable deal with Washington.

Another important angle in the BBC Mundo article is the description of a “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership” between Russia and Iran without a formal mutual-defense treaty. From the Venezuelan vantage point this fits into the already familiar picture of the Russia–Iran–Venezuela triangle, which official discourse positions as an axis of resistance to sanctions. Energy cooperation, military and technological ties, exchanges of experience in circumventing financial restrictions — all of this has long been part of rhetoric about a “multipolar world.” That Putin, according to the piece, is trying to use the war around Iran to present himself as a mediator and “guarantor of stability” is read in Caracas as confirmation: Moscow acts not only as a supplier of weapons and technology but also as a political umbrella for states in sanctions isolation, among which Venezuela sees itself as a full participant.

That is why quotations from the Russian media field cited by BBC Mundo find such a recognizable echo. Formulas like “high oil prices — a reason for (the West) to lift sanctions,” which have appeared in the headlines of Komsomolskaya Pravda or Moskovsky Komsomolets, almost literally repeat the theses of Venezuelan pro-government media. Every jump in the barrel price is presented there as proof of the West’s “hypocrisy,” dependent on the resources of those it punishes with sanctions. Oil turbulence becomes an argument for lifting restrictions — not as a gesture of reconciliation but as a forced concession to “energy realism.”

At the same time, in Venezuela’s popular consciousness the story of Russian oil and sanctions is reflected through recent national experience. The country has already lived through its own “golden age” of high prices followed by a crash that led to the deepest economic and social crisis. When Venezuelans read about how Russia survives by relying on windfall income from expensive oil, this evokes associations not only with Caracas’s chances to obtain additional resources but also with risks. Dependence on short-term cycles and postponing structural reforms already cost Venezuela dearly; many see the Russian scenario as the same trap — adjusted for scale and military might.

The sanctions bloc is discussed just as vigorously. Volodymyr Zelensky’s warning, quoted by BBC Mundo, that easing sanctions on Russia would be a “severe blow” to Ukraine fits into Venezuela’s long-standing debate about whether sanctions work as a tool of political pressure. Inside the country there has been debate for years about the extent to which restrictions hit the government versus the population, and whether they can lead to democratic change at all. The Russian case, where analysts estimate oil and geopolitics soften the blows of sanctions, is used as an example: even a large and relatively diversified economy finds ways to adapt if the global conjuncture favors it. And what can be said about Venezuela, dependent on a single resource and seeking protection in alliances with Moscow and Tehran.

Against this background, the traditional Venezuelan cultural stance — deep mistrust of “great powers” — is reinforced. Decades of anti-imperialist rhetoric, mixed with actual episodes of external pressure, have made skepticism toward both the US and Russia almost instinctive. Putin’s role in the Iran story, as described by BBC Mundo, is met with irony: few in Caracas believe in a “good side” among Washington, Moscow and Tehran. Rather, the world is perceived as a playing field for major powers, where oil and wars are bargaining chips, and Venezuela strives to be a small but useful player thanks to its reserves and willingness to participate in “anti-sanctions” schemes.

Interestingly, an equally skeptical and pragmatic view forms around another topic — migration and the US labor market, covered by Bloomberg Línea. The article emphasizes that under the Trump administration migration to the US in 2025, by estimates, could for the first time in half a century be negative — that is, departures and deaths would exceed arrivals — and that despite this, unemployment among the “US-born” is rising and businesses complain about labor shortages. For a Venezuelan audience this statistic sounds like a refutation of the familiar slogan: “if migrants leave, locals will be better off.”

Words from Mark Regtens of the National Foundation for American Policy, who stresses that an outflow of migrants does not produce benefits for American workers — unemployment rises, labor-force participation falls — easily map onto Venezuela’s own experience. Millions of Venezuelans who left for neighboring countries and the US often filled labor niches locals either did not want or could not fill: agriculture, construction, street vending, elder care. Economists and human-rights advocates working with the Venezuelan diaspora have long argued that migration more often “fills gaps” in the labor market than “steals” jobs. The data cited by Bloomberg Línea becomes for the Venezuelan reader confirmation: even a powerful economy like America’s faces not an “excess of migrants” but a mismatch between the type of available work and native expectations.

Ron Hetrick’s position at Lightcast, about a structural gap between the “desirable” office or high-tech jobs for Americans and real demand for physical labor in construction, hospitality and food service, also translates easily to the Venezuelan context. Where in the US the reference might be to Mexicans or Central Americans, in Latin America and the US it increasingly refers to Venezuelans. For many in Caracas this becomes a bitter but understandable picture: a country that once welcomed millions of Colombians now forms a new labor army that serves other economies in “undesirable” sectors.

A more skeptical view voiced by Stephen Camarota of the Center for Immigration Studies is also important for debates inside Venezuela. He allows that in the long term a smaller inflow of migrants could stimulate wage growth and bring some young Americans without higher education back into the labor market — provided their domestic issues, from health to criminal records, are addressed. To Venezuelan analysts this argument seems familiar but incomplete. It, as often in the region, places too much responsibility on “non-working locals” and too little on the fact emphasized by Bloomberg Línea: the price of the “transition period” — unfinished construction projects, small and medium businesses without staff, slowed employment growth. For a country that has suffered a systemic collapse of the labor market, the conclusion is obvious: simply pushing out migrants or hoping for the “magical return” of non-working citizens will not fix the economic structure.

Equally telling is the voice of the Trump campaign quoted in the article. Kush Desai, a representative of the campaign, claims that a policy of “putting Americans first” is already raising real wages and increasing employment among citizens of “working age.” For a Venezuelan audience this sounds like a familiar political tactic: relying on convenient indicators and ignoring signals that point to structural problems — from declining labor-force participation to the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco and Morgan Stanley analysts’ assessments that falling migration slows employment growth and creates a “speed limit” for the economy.

In Venezuela, where government and opposition have for years presented the same figures differently, the contrast between expert conclusions and Trump’s campaign declarations is easy to spot. Migration policy, like energy policy, appears primarily as a tool for winning votes rather than as an answer to real labor-market needs. This conclusion brings together two seemingly disparate stories — the war around Iran and the crackdown on migrants in the US: in both cases the interests of those in power often diverge from the interests of ordinary workers and citizens.

For Venezuela the practical consequences of these two global storylines go far beyond pure analysis. At the oil level Caracas’s stake is extremely pragmatic: the higher and longer the barrel price holds, the more geopolitical crises draw Russia and Iran into confrontation with the West, and the stronger Venezuela’s position as a “reserve” and at the same time loyal supplier seems. Inside the country this is directly tied to the ability to finance the state apparatus, maintain social loyalty and bargain over sanctions.

On the migration level the situation is mirrored. Hardline policies from Trump and other right-wing forces in the region against migrants objectively worsen the situation of millions of Venezuelans abroad: they increase the risks of illegal labor, reduce the stability of remittances on which families in Venezuela depend, and push people toward even more dangerous routes. At the same time Bloomberg Línea’s analysis arms Venezuelan civil society and experts with arguments against xenophobic rhetoric in host countries: the data show that reducing migration does not automatically solve local employment problems and in some sectors directly harms the economy.

In this paradoxical tangle Venezuela ends up being a country simultaneously interested in the continuation of global crises and dependent on their easing. High oil prices brought by escalation are beneficial, but any destabilization that threatens to upend fragile agreements and potential sanctions relief is dangerous. It needs diaspora income, but each new wave of repressive migration policy in the US and Latin America undermines the welfare of the very families that rely on those funds.

That is why, when reading BBC Mundo and Bloomberg Línea, the Venezuelan reader does not see merely “foreign-policy analyses.” For them it is a chronicle of how decisions made in Washington, Moscow or Tehran turn into fluctuations in the local gas price, the appearance or disappearance of goods on store shelves, another message from a relative stuck at the border or who has lost their job. In a world where oil and people have become Venezuela’s main exports, other people’s wars and other people’s election campaigns increasingly determine its own life trajectory.

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Uncertainty and Challenges on Day 12 of the Israel–Iran War

On the twelfth day of hostilities between Israel and US-backed Iran, debates are intensifying in Washington and Tel Aviv over the outcomes of operations and their political prospects. Conflicting statements about the weakening of Iran's military capabilities on the one hand, and continuing waves of rocket and drone attacks on Israel on the other, create what observers call a "strategic uncertainty" in managing the conflict. This uncertainty is drawing criticism within the US and calling into question the campaign's ability to achieve its political objectives.

On the battlefield the picture looks more complicated than official statements. Despite Israel's claims of destroying launch sites and reducing Iran's potential, in recent hours there have been reports of an increase in the frequency of Iranian rocket barrages. Experts note that such pressure puts the Israeli narrative to a severe test. The continuation of attacks indicates that Iran may still retain the ability to control the rhythm of the battle despite the strikes it has suffered.

The political and strategic situation remains extremely complex. Analysts describe Israeli rhetoric as often "marketing-driven," designed to reassure a domestic audience with the image of a quick victory. However, the return of escalation reflects Tehran's readiness for a protracted war, which keeps Israel's rear under strain and puts the government in a difficult position regarding the achievement of its ambitious goals. In addition, the conflict is reigniting debates over Iran's nuclear program and ballistic missiles.

Economic pressure on Israel is mounting. The government approved an additional security budget of 30 billion shekels, while the economy is estimated to be losing about $3 billion a week due to disruptions across broad sectors. With the finance ministry planning cuts to other departments' budgets and growing inflation risks, serious doubts are emerging about the economy's ability to withstand a prolonged war, adding domestic challenges to the military effort.

Ultimately, the ability to achieve both military and political goals largely depends on Washington's calculations and the skill of converting tactical pressure into sustainable political results. Experts acknowledge that the campaign has degraded some of Iran's conventional military capabilities but warn of the difficulties in turning these tactical successes into a clear political achievement, especially given new Iranian leadership that is reluctant to engage in dialogue with the US.

Comments on the News

• What are the main components of Iran's nuclear program and why is it a persistent subject of international debate and sanctions? - The main components include uranium enrichment (including up to 60%), the heavy-water reactor in Arak, stocks of low-enriched uranium, and centrifuges. The program provokes debate because Iran insists it is peaceful, while Western countries and the IAEA express concern about a possible military dimension. Sanctions are imposed due to Iran's non-compliance with limits under the nuclear deal (JCPOA) after the US withdrawal from the agreement in 2018.

• Who makes up the "new Iranian leadership" mentioned in the article, and what ideological or political positions make it less inclined to engage with the US compared with previous administrations? - The "new leadership" refers to the conservative principalist camp headed by President Ebrahim Raisi, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, and the dominance of conservatives in the parliament and the Expediency Discernment Council. Their ideology is based on a "resistance economy," anti-Americanism, and skepticism about negotiations with the West, making them less flexible than the previous reformist government of Hassan Rouhani, which concluded the 2015 nuclear deal.

• What is meant by Iran's "conventional military capabilities," and how are they structured within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the regular army? - "Conventional military capabilities" include missile forces (ballistic and cruise missiles), drones, air defense systems, naval forces, and asymmetric capabilities. They are structured as follows: the regular army (Artesh) is responsible for traditional border defense, while the IRGC (an elite parallel structure) controls the missile forces, special operations forces (Quds Force), Basij (militia), and is responsible for regional operations and the regime's ideological security.

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Full version: غموض إستراتيجي.. هل تعثرت أهداف أمريكا وإسرائيل في إيران؟

Venezuela enacts new Red Cross law on Doctor's Day

Acting President of Venezuela Delcy Rodríguez signed, on Doctor's Day, a law on the Venezuelan Red Cross, paving the way for its official promulgation. This legal act fundamentally changes the organization's status, defining it now as a public-law entity that will serve as an auxiliary institution to state authorities. The law's main goals are modernizing the Red Cross's infrastructure, strengthening transparency in its operations, and formally incorporating it into the National Risk Management System, which should bolster the country's humanitarian capacity.

The signing ceremony, held at the presidential palace, gathered high-ranking officials, including Vice President Isabel Iturria, the Minister of Health, and members of parliament. Also present were the Red Cross leadership headed by Luis Manuel Farías, international delegates, and honorary volunteers, among them nurse Maria Teresa Parima, recently awarded the highest international honor for 74 years of professional service. The event was part of the Doctor's Day celebrations, underscoring the state's recognition of the medical community's contributions.

The adoption of this law is seen as an important legislative milestone intended to guarantee compliance with international humanitarian law standards and to create mechanisms of state oversight and support to expand the Red Cross's social activities. Addressing attendees, Delcy Rodríguez highly praised the dedication of medical workers and thanked all the country's doctors for their contribution to the nation's health. In this way, Venezuela declares its readiness to strengthen protections for those who save lives and to develop humanitarian institutions in line with state health policy goals.

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Full version: Presidenta encargada firmó Ley de la Cruz Roja para su promulgación en conmemoración por el Día del Médico

War with Iran: Who Really Benefits?

Analyst Max Boot argues in his article that the United States is not the main beneficiary of a possible war with Iran. In his view, while such a conflict might achieve some tactical military objectives, its strategic consequences would be negative for the global balance of power and ultimately would not benefit Washington, undermining its position in the region and the world.

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Full version: الجزيرة نت