Sen Bernie Sanders names 2 things Trump has done right
Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., said he approves of President Donald Trump’s handling of fentanyl and border security. “I mean, I think cracking down on fentanyl, making sure our borders are stronger,” Sanders told ABC’s Jonathan Karl during a pre-taped segment that aired on Sunday’s “This Week.” “Look, nobody thinks illegal immigration is appropriate,” Sanders said. “And I happen to think we need comprehensive immigration reform, but I don’t think that it’s appropriate for people to be coming across the border illegally. So we’ve got to work now on comprehensive immigration reform.” Sanders’ stance seems to be a departure from his 2020 presidential campaign platform, where he supported “breaking up” U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Customs and Border Protection and pausing deportations pending an audit. He also supported stopping the border wall, ending the “Remain in Mexico” policy, decriminalizing illegal immigration by making it a civil infraction, and ending previous limits on federal funding for sanctuary cities. BERNIE SANDERS GETS UP DURING INTERVIEW AFTER ‘NONSENSE’ QUESTION ABOUT AOC Sanders told ABC that if Trump deports “20 million people who are in this country who are undocumented,” he would “destroy the entire country.” “Because I got news for you: Trump’s billionaire friends are not going to pick the crops in California that feed us,” Sanders said. “They’re not going to work in meat-packing houses. That’s what undocumented people are doing. So we need a variety of programs, guest worker programs, but mostly comprehensive immigration reform.” SEN. SANDERS TARGETS TRUMP, MUSK AND DEMOCRATS IN WIDE-RANGING INTERVIEW AHEAD OF RALLY WITH AOC Karl told Sanders that illegal immigration “exploded under Biden.” To that, the senator responded, “Should have done much better, no argument.” Sanders has been conducting a “Fighting Oligarchy Tour.” Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., joined him this past week for five events in Nevada, Arizona and Colorado. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP “No matter who you voted for in the past, no matter if you know all the right words to say, no matter your race, religion, gender identity or status,” Ocasio-Cortez said to thousands at a rally at Arizona State University, “no matter even if you disagree with me on a few things, if you are willing to fight for someone you don’t know, you are welcome here.” The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Obama calls to expand ObamaCare ‘with everything going on right now’
Former President Barack Obama said that his signature legislation, the Affordable Care Act, should be expanded in future years, arguing that the ACA should be seen as a “first step” to better healthcare. “We’re not finished yet,” Obama said in a video promoting the opening of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago next year. “I’ve always said that the ACA is like a starter house, it was a big step forward, but still just a first step. Now it’s up to all of us to keep building on and improving the ACA.” The former president’s video was posted on X, where Obama captioned the post by arguing that people should “keep fighting for progress.” FLASHBACK: THEN-PRESIDENT OBAMA URGED MAKING ‘TOUGH DECISIONS’ TO CUT GOVERNMENT SPENDING “I know it can feel like a different era sometimes. But 15 years ago, I signed the Affordable Care Act into law. Now nearly 50 million people have received healthcare through the ACA,” Obama said. “With everything going on right now, it’s easy to feel like regular folks can’t make a difference – but the Affordable Care Act is a reminder that change is possible when we keep fighting for progress.” Despite the Obama plea, an expansion of the ACA, which was often dubbed “ObamaCare,” seems unlikely under the leadership of President Donald Trump. OBAMA CENTER SUBCONTRACTOR FILES $40M DISCRIMINATION LAWSUIT AGAINST ENGINEERING FIRM FOR OVERRUNS Trump, who replaced Obama in the White House after winning the 2016 election, made a push to repeal the legislation in 2017, an effort that ultimately fell short in the Senate. Trump once again targeted the ACA with his landmark “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act” legislation of 2017, which was passed into law and contained a provision that eliminated the ACA’s controversial individual mandate. Nevertheless, Obama signaled optimism that Americans could work together to build off the legislation he ushered into existence in 2010. “If it could happen 15 years ago, it can happen again,” Obama said. “The ACA taught us that some things are bigger than politics.”
Pope Francis leaves hospital after first public appearance in five weeks
Pope calls for an immediate end to the Israeli bombardment of Gaza as he arrives home at the Vatican. Pope Francis has arrived home at the Vatican after leaving the Gemelli University Hospital in Rome, shortly after making his first public appearance following a five-week long hospitalisation for life-threatening bout of pneumonia. The 88-year-old, who was admitted on February 14 after a bout of bronchitis worsened, greeted his well-wishers on Sunday from a balcony of Gemelli hospital before his discharge. Using a wheelchair, as he has for several years, the pope smiled, waved, and made a sign of a thumbs up at a group of well-wishers gathered outside below. The pope, whose face looked swollen, appeared only for a few moments. Francis spoke briefly, with a feeble voice, to thank one an elderly woman among the crowd below, who had brought yellow flowers. Later, a car carrying Francis left the hospital shortly after noon, and was accompanied through Rome by a convoy of police vehicles. Pope Francis appears in public for the first time in five weeks. [Handout/Vatican Media via Reuters] Call for end to Israeli strikes As he was being discharged, the Vatican released the Pope’s Angelus prayer calling for an “immediate” end to Israeli strikes on the Gaza Strip, and for the resumption of dialogue for the release of captives and a “definitive ceasefire”. Advertisement “I am saddened by the resumption of the intense Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip, with so many deaths and injuries”, Francis wrote. “I ask that the weapons be silenced immediately and that the courage be found to resume dialogue so that all the hostages can be freed and a definitive ceasefire reached”, said Francis, who was set to return to the Vatican on Sunday. “The humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip is once again very serious and requires the urgent commitment of the conflicting parties and the international community,” he said. Francis had only been seen by the public once before during his hospital stay, in a photo the Vatican released last week, showing the pontiff at prayer in a hospital chapel. In the moments before the pontiff’s appearance on Sunday, the crowd of hundreds of well-wishers called out for the pope, chanting “Francis, Francis, Francis”. On Saturday, one of the doctors treating him said the head of the Roman Catholic Church would be discharged from hospital on Sunday and would need two months of rest at the Vatican. Adblock test (Why?)
Ronaldo has ‘no problem’ with Hojlund’s ‘Siu’ celebration in Nations League
Portugal captain hopes to show Hojlund and Denmark his celebration as both sides meet in the Nations League quarters. Cristiano Ronaldo has responded to Rasmus Hojlund’s imitation of his famous “Siu” celebration, saying it was an honour to see the Denmark striker mimic it during their UEFA Nations League clash. “For me, it was not a problem,” Ronaldo said on Saturday, before the second leg of their quarterfinal. “I knew that this was not because he did not have respect for me. “I’m smart enough to understand that not only him but around the world people from other sports also do my celebration,” the Portuguese star told reporters before the clash on Sunday. “For me, it is an honour. “But [on Sunday] I hope that he can see my celebration. It is OK for me. If I score, it’s good for me, but if I don’t score and someone else scores, that’s fine with me.” Hojlund scored the winning goal against Portugal in the first leg of their quarterfinal on Thursday and leapt up in the air for his own version of the “Siu” celebration but said he was not trying to make fun of his “idol”. The Manchester United forward’s 78th-minute strike earned Denmark a 1-0 first-leg win over Ronaldo’s Portugal, with the 40-year-old veteran striker completely frozen out at the other end on a frustrating night. Advertisement “I’m playing against the world’s best footballer, my idol, and to score and become the [match] winner, it couldn’t be better,” Hojlund told Denmark’s TV2. “It was not to mock him or anything, I’ve always said he has had great importance for me and my football career. “Scoring against him and Portugal is huge, I went to see him in 2009, where he scored from a free kick, and I’ve been a fan ever since.” Rasmus Hojlund, right, celebrates after scoring for Denmark during the first leg of their UEFA Nations League quarterfinal against Portugal at the Parken Stadium in Copenhagen on March 20, 2025 [Jonathan Nackstrand/AFP] ‘No need to be nervous’ Meanwhile, Ronaldo acknowledged the pressure surrounding Portugal as they look to overturn the deficit. The Al-Nassr striker was highly critical of himself and his team’s performance in the first leg in Copenhagen but he is confident the home crowd can play a key role in turning the tie around. “The air is more tense. I’m not hiding it. We’re in a tense moment because we need to win, but that’s the beautiful thing about football,” Ronaldo told reporters on Saturday. “Tomorrow, I’m calling on the fans to be with us. Let them give us their strength, because we’re going to try to do our best. “I’ve lost games in 90 minutes, but I’ve never lost in the first leg. There are games like that, there are bad days. I didn’t play at all the other day, the team didn’t play at all, but it’s part of life. “Tomorrow I want to leave the Alvalade Stadium with my head held high. If I score, I’ll be happy, but if I don’t score, let someone else score, what I want is for Portugal to win.” Advertisement Ronaldo denied any lack of attitude in the team and was confident they could unite and progress to the semifinals. “There’s always attitude in the national team. Technical aspects, of course, but other things were lacking too. That’s football, you can’t always play well,” he said. “There’s no need to be nervous. The past is the past. I know there are a lot of people who want us to lose, but if the few who are there are united and have good energy, I’m sure we’ll get a great result tomorrow. “We lost the game and played badly, but we have the second leg tomorrow. Calm down. Think positive and think that things will go well.” Adblock test (Why?)
Why are there protests in Turkiye? What to know
Tens of thousands in cities around Turkiye protested on Saturday against the arrest of a prominent opposition politician. Citizens defied a ban on gathering and took to the streets, with supporters of the opposition politician describing the charges as politicised. These are Turkiye’s largest protests in more than a decade. Here’s what you need to know about the mass protests and what’s happening in Turkiye. Protesters gather outside the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality building on March 19, 2025 [Murad Sezer/Reuters] Why are there protests in Turkiye? People took to the streets over the arrest of Ekrem Imamoglu, Istanbul’s mayor and a potential opposition candidate in the upcoming Turkish presidential election. His supporters say the charges are politicised and aimed at blocking him from running for president in three years. Some protesters however say this is bigger than Imamoglu and represents wider struggles, including concerns with democracy, the economy, education, and healthcare systems. Advertisement When did the protests start? The protests began on Wednesday, the same day Imamoglu was arrested, with thousands gathering at Istanbul University to decry the arrest. They have continued since, with the largest protest to date on Saturday evening. Who is Ekrem Imamoglu and what happened to him? He is the mayor of Istanbul and a potential candidate in the next presidential election with the Republican People’s Party (CHP). The 53-year-old took office in 2019 and was re-elected in 2024. On March 19, Imamoglu was arrested, with more than 100 other people, by Turkish police on charges of corruption and allegedly aiding an outlawed political group. A day earlier, Istanbul University had revoked his degree, which would make him ineligible for running for president. He had a bachelor’s in business administration and a master’s in human resource management. The university claimed there were irregularities in his diploma after he transferred from a private university in northern Cyprus. The move came just days before the CHP was set to choose its candidate in the 2028 presidential election. Imamoglu has been jailed for corruption charges that supporters dispute [Murad Sezer/Reuters] What has he been charged with? Imamoglu was initially charged with corruption, bribery and “terrorism”. Istanbul prosecutors said Imamoglu led a criminal organisation engaging in systematic fraud, bid-rigging, embezzlement, and bribery, according to Anadolu Agency (AA), the Turkish newswire. He was also accused of aiding the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which Turkiye, the United States and the European Union consider a terrorist group. Advertisement “Prosecutors allege that Imamoglu took part in an ‘urban consensus’ initiative tied to the People’s Democratic Congress [HDK], a pro-terrorist PKK entity, before Turkiye’s March 2024 local elections,” AA reported. According to Turkish media, the “urban consensus” was an effort to give Kurdish actors more influence in municipal politics. On Sunday, the court ruled that Imamoglu be jailed without bail pending trial on the corruption charges. The “terrorism” charges, however, were dropped. A Turkish court held up the corruption charges, saying: “Although there is a strong suspicion of aiding an armed terrorist organisation, since it has already been decided that he will be arrested for financial crimes, (his arrest) is not deemed necessary at this stage.” Since Imamoglu was not charged with “terror” charges, the court won’t be able to appoint a government trustee to the municipality of Istanbul, Al Jazeera’s Sinem Koseoglu reported, adding that the mayor will be elected from within the municipal council. A police officer uses crowd control spray to disperse demonstrators during a protest against the detention of Imamoglu, in Istanbul, Turkiye, March 22, 2025 [Murad Sezer/Reuters] What did he say about these charges so far? Imamoglu denied the charges. “I see today during my interrogation that I and my colleagues are faced with unimaginable accusations and slanders,” Imamoglu said Saturday in his defence during a hearing, according to a document seen by the Reuters news agency. “I strongly reject all allegations.” Advertisement He has posted on his page on X, formerly Twitter, thanking international actors for supporting him and the protesters who have taken to the streets. A mother’s heart speaks the deepest truth. For all the mothers and the children of Türkiye and their future, we must persevere. pic.twitter.com/lto9h8TCcd — Ekrem İmamoğlu (International) (@imamoglu_int) March 20, 2025 What did President Erdogan say? On Friday, Turkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan delivered a public speech where he said the justice system should be allowed to do its job without interference. He denounced the protests, labelling them as “street terror” and saying: “We will not accept the disruption of public order. “Pointing to the streets instead of courtrooms to defend theft, plunder, lawlessness and fraud is a grave irresponsibility,” Erdogan said. “Just as we have not surrendered to street terrorism until now, we will not bow to vandalism in the future, either.” CHP’ye çökmüş bir avuç paragözün asırlık partiyi parmağında oynatması, “Gazi’nin emaneti” diyerek CHP’ye oy veren insanlarımızı da üzüyor. Emin olun, samimi CHP’li vatandaşlarımız da İSKİ skandalından 32 yıl sonra aynı rezilliklere tekrar şahit olmayı içlerine sindiremiyor. pic.twitter.com/1D4UVCWoOe — Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (@RTErdogan) March 22, 2025 Translation: The fact that a handful of greedy people who have become attached to the CHP are manipulating the century-old party is also upsetting our people who voted for the CHP, saying it is “the legacy of the Ghazi”. Be assured, our sincere CHP citizens cannot stomach witnessing the same disgrace again 32 years after the İSKİ scandal. How big are the protests? At least tens of thousands have taken to Istanbul’s streets. Opposition leader Ozgur Ozel said more than 300,000 people had joined the protest, and they had gathered at several places across the country’s largest city due to the road and bridge closures preventing people from all being in one place. Advertisement These are Istanbul’s biggest anti-government protests since the Gezi Park demonstrations in 2013. Protesters threw stones and flares at Turkish police, who responded with pepper spray. In Turkiye’s capital Ankara, protesters were met with police water cannons and tear gas. Ali Yerlikaya, Turkiye’s interior minister, said 323 people had been
Bengaluru: One dead, several injured as 100-feet chariot falls during festival; video surfaces
The incident took place around 6 pm on Saturday during the Madduramma temple festival.
Waltz tells Iran to give up nuclear program or ‘there will be consequences’
The Trump administration is calling on Iran to give up its entire nuclear program or face the consequences, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz said Sunday. Waltz said it was time for Iran to “walk away completely” from its pursuit of nuclear weapons, pushing for a “full dismantlement” during an appearance on CBS’ “Face the Nation.” “This isn’t some kind of, you know, kind of tit-for-tat that we had under the Obama administration or Biden,” Waltz said. “This is the full program. Give it up or there will be consequences.” Waltz did not specify what kind of consequences Iran could face, though he said President Donald Trump is keeping “all options on the table,” including diplomacy. IRAN’S LEADER WARNS US COULD RECEIVE ‘SEVERE SLAPS’ FOLLOWING TRUMP’S THREATS TO HOUTHIS Waltz said the Trump administration wants Iran to give up its nuclear program “in a way that the entire world can see.” “If [Iran] had nuclear weapons, the entire Middle East would explode in an arms race,” he said. “That is completely unacceptable to our national security. I won’t get into what the back-and-forth has been, but Iran is in the worst place it has been from its own national security since 1979.” Tensions between Tehran and Washington have been high since Iran’s proxies, Hamas and Hezbollah, launched attacks on Israel in the past few years. Iran directly traded fire with Israel twice last year. Trump has threatened U.S. military action if Iran doesn’t negotiate a new agreement on its nuclear program. TRUMP VINDICATED AS EXPLOSIVE REPORT CONFIRMS IRAN SUPERVISES HOUTHI ‘POLITICAL AND MILITARY AFFAIRS’ Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has said he isn’t interested in talks with a “bullying government,” though Iranian diplomats, including Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, previously suggested that talks could be possible. Araghchi later toughened his stance, following Khamenei’s lead. The original 2015 nuclear deal negotiated under former President Barack Obama allowed Iran to enrich uranium up to only 3.67% purity and to maintain a uranium stockpile of 661 pounds. The International Atomic Energy Agency’s last report on Iran’s program put its stockpile at 18,286 pounds as it enriches a fraction of it to 60% purity. U.S. intelligence agencies assess that Iran has yet to begin a weapons program, but has “undertaken activities that better position it to produce a nuclear device, if it chooses to do so.” The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Trump envoy doesn’t believe Putin wants to take over Europe
President Donald Trump’s envoy to Russia and Ukraine says he doesn’t believe Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to invade Europe. Envoy Steve Witkoff made the statement during a Sunday morning appearance on “Fox News Sunday,” commenting on Putin’s motives on a “larger scale.” “Now I’ve been asked my opinion about what President Putin’s motives are on a larger scale. And I simply have said that I just don’t see that he wants to take all of Europe,” Witkoff said. “This is a much different situation than it was in World War II. There was no NATO,” he added. “I take him at his word in this sense.” WHAT’S NEXT IN THE RUSSIA, UKRAINE CEASEFIRE TALKS? The comments come just before Witkoff is set to meet with Russian and Ukrainian delegations for indirect ceasefire talks in Saudia Arabia. Trump’s administration hopes to mediate a larger peace deal. “I think you’re going to see in Saudi Arabia on Monday some real progress, particularly as it affects a Black Sea ceasefire on ships between both countries. And from that you’ll naturally gravitate to a full-on shooting ceasefire,” he said Sunday. Moscow spokesman Dmitry Peskov emphasized that there are many roadblocks that could prevent a peace deal, however. “We are only at the beginning of this path,” he told reporters this weekend. Russia launched a massive drone attack targeting Kyiv and other major cities in Ukraine overnight on Sunday, highlighting just how far there is to go before a peace agreement can be made. MILITARY LEADERS TO MEET ON UK-FRANCE ‘COALITION OF THE WILLING’ PLAN FOR UKRAINE Ukraine’s air force says the Russian attack involved 147 drones, 97 of which were shot down and 25 others failed to reach their targets. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Ukrainians at the scene of the attacks in Kyiv surveyed the damage done to their homes and neighborhoods on Sunday morning. Many were disparaging of the upcoming ceasefire talks, pointing to the burned-out homes destroyed in the drone attack, saying these were more indicative of Russia’s true intentions.
Trump makes endorsement in ‘important’ Wisconsin Supreme Court race
President Donald Trump has issued an endorsement in Wisconsin’s upcoming state Supreme Court race, as the formally bipartisan contest draws mega-donor dollars over its potential national implications. Trump threw his support behind conservative Brad Schimel, the former Wisconsin Attorney General who is currently a Waukesha County judge. Republicans have warned that Schimel’s opponent, Dane County’s Susan Crawford, a liberal considered the Democrats’ preferred candidate, could support efforts to “draw out” two U.S. House Republicans in future redistricting maps. “In the Great State of Wisconsin, a Radical Left Democrat, one who is insistent on bringing hardened CRIMINALS, that we removed to far away places, back into our Country, allowing men into women’s sports, Open Borders, and more, is running against a strong, Common Sense Republican, JUST CALL HIM BRAD, for the Wisconsin Supreme Court,” Trump wrote on TRUTH Social on Sunday. MUSK PAC STEPS DEEPER INTO WISCONSIN SUPREME COURT ELECTION WITH $100 OFFER TO VOTERS “It’s a really big and important race, and could have much to do with the future of our Country. Get out and VOTE, NOW, for the Republican Candidate — BRAD!!!” Trump said. It’s not the first time Trump has voiced support for Schimel. The Wisconsin Supreme Court election is scheduled for April 1, but Trump called supporters to turn out Saturday, as early voting had already begun. “Brad Schimel is running against Radical Left Liberal Susan Crawford, who has repeatedly given child molesters, rapists, women beaters, and domestic abusers ‘light’ sentences,” Trump wrote Saturday on his social media platform. “She is the handpicked voice of the Leftists who are out to destroy your State, and our Country — And if she wins, the Movement to restore our Nation will bypass Wisconsin. All Voters who believe in Common Sense should GET OUT TO VOTE EARLY for Brad Schimel.” “By turning out and VOTING EARLY, you will be helping to Uphold the Rule of Law, Protect our Incredible Police, Secure our Beloved Constitution, Safeguard our Inalienable Rights, and PRESERVE LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL,” Trump said. Democrats and Republicans have traded barbs on billionaires’ influence in the election. George Soros, the far-left Hungarian American billionaire, poured $1 million into Wisconsin Democrats’ coffers last month to benefit Crawford’s campaign. Tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, who is leading the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has funded two groups that have together spent more than $10 million to promote Schimel, according to the Associated Press. BIG-MONEY WI HIGH COURT RACE WILL HAVE NATIONAL EFFECTS, AS REDISTRICTING, UNIONS, TRANS ISSUES AT STAKE Both sides have been boosted by additional mega-money. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker – whose family owns Hyatt Hotels – dumped $500,000 into WisDems coffers, and other six-figure pitches came from Lynde Uihlein – a Schlitz Beer heiress – LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman and the mother of a Google co-founder. Meanwhile, Joe Ricketts – co-owner of the Chicago Cubs and father of Nebraska’s GOP governor – was listed as a top donor to Wisconsin Republicans ahead of the election – as well as Liz Uihlein, a cousin-by-marriage of Lynde Uihlein and president of Uline shipping supply company. Donald Trump Jr. notably held an event for Schimel last week. Republicans are branding Crawford as “dangerously liberal,” citing support from Soros, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, as well as activist groups who support gender-transition surgeries for minors and allowing biological men to compete in women’s sports. A source familiar with the race warned of Crawford’s candidacy as part of an ongoing “radical” shift in Wisconsin – both with liberal Justice Janet Protasiewicz’ similarly contentious election in 2023 and Gov. Tony Evers’ move to replace “mother” in the state budget dozens of times with “inseminated person.” Republicans also accuse Crawford of signaling a willingness to “legislate from the bench,” citing her past role in challenging the state’s voter ID law and her appearance at a January event hosted by a liberal donor group aiming to unseat Reps. Bryan Steil of Janesville and Derrick Van Orden of Prairie du Chien. In January, Wisconsin Republicans also claimed that Crawford would seek “selling two of Wisconsin seats” after a New York Times report cited donors hoping that Crawford’s win would lead to Steil’s and Van Orden’s ouster. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP The Associated Press contributed to this report.
US wants to negotiate with Iran on nuclear programme: US envoy
Tehran accuses US of bullying tactics as nuclear deal uncertainty deepens under Trump’s renewed pressure campaign. US President Donald Trump’s outreach to Iran’s Supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on a possible new nuclear deal is an attempt to avoid direct military action, US special envoy Steve Witkoff has said. “We don’t need to solve everything militarily,” Witkoff told Fox News on Sunday. “Our signal to Iran is ‘Let’s sit down and see if we can, through dialogue, through diplomacy, get to the right place’. If we can, we are prepared to do that. And if we can’t, the alternative is not a great alternative.” Witkoff’s comments come after Trump said on March 7 that he sent a letter to the Iranian leadership seeking to engage in talks over Iran’s nuclear activities and warning of potential military action if it refused. The approach was slammed by Khamenei, who said Iran was not going to engage with a “bully”. Trump has also threatened Tehran over any support for the Iran-aligned Houthis in Yemen, who have resumed their military support for Palestinians by targeting Israel after it blockaded aid and then resumed its war in Gaza. Advertisement Amid intense US air strikes on Yemen last week, Trump said the US will hold Tehran responsible for any attacks by Yemen’s Houthis, dismissing Iran’s insistence that the group operates independently. Talks with the US are impossible unless Washington changes its pressure policy the Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Sunday. On Thursday, he said that the letter was “actually more of a threat”, and that Tehran would respond soon. There is little trust in Iran in US negotiation commitments after Trump in 2018 pulled the US out of a landmark nuclear deal – the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) – imposing instead additional sanctions on Iran. The JCOPA was signed with world powers in 2015 to curb Iran’s nuclear deal in exchange for sanctions relief. Since Trump’s unilateral withdrawal from the accord, Iran has accelerated its enrichment of uranium to up to 60 percent purity – a step away from the 90 percent level needed for weapons-grade uranium. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which carries out inspections of Iranian nuclear sites, Iran has amassed enough fissile material for multiple bombs, but has made no effort to build one. While Trump has hinted at the desire to negotiate with Iran since returning to the White House earlier this year, he has reinstated a “maximum pressure” campaign against Tehran. And on Wednesday, senior White House officials again said Iran must do away with its nuclear programme entirely, leaving all uranium enrichment activity, even at low levels. Advertisement That, along with Trump’s threats of military action against Iran, has prompted calls from within Iran to abandon its officially stated policy that it will never pursue nuclear weapons. Adblock test (Why?)