News of the World

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USA

Trump accuses Zelensky of trying to ‘back out’ of minerals deal

President Trump accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of trying to “back out” of signing a critical minerals deal with the US — warning of “big problems” if he does.

“He’s trying to back out of the rare earth deal and if he does that he’s got some problems, big, big problems,” Trump told reporters on Sunday on Air Force One.

“He wants to be a member of NATO, but he’s never going to be a member of NATO. He understands that.”

The White House has been pushing Kyiv to accept the agreement, which would see Ukraine share its rich mineral deposits, oil and gas with the US.

Trump has characterized the deal as a repayment for the billions in aid the US has given Ukraine over the past three years to support the country’s war with Russia.

Last week, the two countries issued a joint statement saying they had agreed to conclude a comprehensive agreement as soon as possible.

The development was a sharp turnaround from Trump and Zelensky’s widely publicized dust-up in the Oval Office last month when their meeting threw the deal into limbo.

Zelensky, for his part, has said Kyiv’s lawyers need to review the draft agreement before he can say more about the US offer.

“It’s too early to talk about the agreement, which has been changed several times,” the Ukrainian president said last week.

“But I would not want the US to have a feeling that Ukraine is against it in general. We have consistently shown our positive signals. We are for cooperation with the United States.”

The commander in chief’s latest warning comes after he – for the first time – directly criticized and openly expressed his frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the Kremlin’s repeated delays in enacting limited cease-fires.

John Roberts Sides With Supreme Court Liberals Against Donald Trump

The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday sided with the Trump administration, allowing it to proceed with cutting hundreds of millions of dollars in teacher-training funds while a legal challenge continues.

The decision, a 5-4 ruling, marks a significant development in the administration's broader effort to dismantle diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Chief Justice John Roberts broke from the court's conservative majority, joining the three liberal justices in dissent.
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Friday's decision comes amid a litany of challenges to the Trump administration's sweeping changes to the federal government since the January 20 inauguration, with the president expressing displeasure at District Court judges who have attempted to, and in some cases succeeded in, blocking various policies from immigration to education.

What To Know

At issue are two federal grant programs—the Teacher Quality Partnership and Supporting Effective Educator Development—which provide over $600 million annually to support teacher preparation, particularly in critical fields like math, science and special education. Eight Democratic-led states challenging the cuts argue that the programs have boosted teacher retention and helped address the national teacher shortage.

The administration halted the funding abruptly in February, without public notice. U.S. District Judge Myong Joun, appointed by President Joe Biden, temporarily blocked the move, ruling that it likely violated federal law by failing to offer a clear justification. The 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston upheld the block, rejecting the Trump administration's request to lift the pause.

The Supreme Court's decision to grant the emergency appeal now allows the administration to proceed with the cuts while the case plays out. The majority reasoned that the states could continue funding the programs with their own resources in the interim and noted that the federal government likely wouldn't be able to recover the funds if it eventually prevails.

Roberts siding with his liberal colleagues comes after he rebuked the president a few weeks ago when Trump sought the removal of another judge who placed a Temporary Restraining Order on his use of the Alien Enemies Act.

The case is one of several in which the Justice Department argues that lower courts are improperly obstructing Trump's policy agenda. The administration has been aggressive in dismantling what it characterizes as "woke" programs, including canceling dozens of Education Department contracts it deemed unnecessary. Trump has also signed an executive order to dismantle the department altogether.

Joun's restraining order was sought by California and seven other states—Massachusetts, New Jersey, Colorado, Illinois, Maryland, New York and Wisconsin—which allege that the cuts are politically motivated and part of a broader effort to eliminate DEI-related initiatives in education.

Trump Firing Mike Waltz Staffers After Laura Loomer's White House Visit

President Donald Trump has dismissed several officials from the White House National Security Council (NSC), acting shortly after far-right activist Laura Loomer urged him to remove staffers she claimed were not sufficiently loyal to his "Make America Great Again" agenda, multiple sources familiar with the matter told the Associated Press.

When reached for comment via email by Newsweek on Thursday, NSC spokesman Brian Hughes replied, "NSC doesn't comment on personnel matters."

Why It Matters

The shake-up comes as National Security Adviser Mike Waltz faces criticism over using the encrypted messaging app Signal to coordinate planning for a sensitive March 15 military operation against Houthi militants in Yemen.
Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, was mistakenly added to the Signal chat, which included sensitive details such as strike timing and aircraft deployment. Waltz accepted responsibility for organizing the group but claimed he did not know how Goldberg was added.

What to Know

Loomer met with Trump in the Oval Office on Wednesday to present information advocating for the firings. Vice President JD Vance, Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, and Serio Gor, Director of the Presidential Personnel Office, also attended the meeting, the sources said.

The NSC officials fired include Brian Walsh, a director for intelligence; Thomas Boodry, a senior director for legislative affairs; and David Feith, a senior director for technology and national security, according two people familiar with the matter.

NSC spokesperson Brian Hughes declined to comment on the firings or the meeting to the AP, stating that the White House does not discuss personnel matters.

Later Thursday, Trump acknowledged that Loomer "recommended certain people for jobs" during their Wednesday conversation at the White House

"Sometimes I listen to those recommendations, like I do with everybody," Trump said.

Asked if Loomer had anything to do with aides being ousted from their jobs at the National Security Council, Trump replied, "no."

Loomer, who has previously promoted 9/11 conspiracy theories and was a visible figure during Trump's 2024 campaign, has recently criticized members of the national security team on social media, claiming they cannot be trusted.

F-35 Map Shows Who Is Buying US Stealth Fighter Jets

America's most controversial warplane, the F-35 Lightning II, is back in the spotlight as several allies reevaluate their purchases amid shifting politics and budgetary pressures.
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Who Has the F-35

The United States remains the program's anchor customer, with over 600 aircraft across three variants: the Air Force's F-35A, the Marine Corps' short takeoff and vertical landing F-35B and the F-35Cs kept onboard Navy aircraft carriers.

Among U.S. allies, Japan is set to become the second-largest operator, with 147 jets, including 42 F-35Bs expected to deploy aboard its modified Izumo-class helicopter destroyers—effectively transforming them into aircraft carriers. The move is part of Tokyo's broader defense buildup to counter China's regional ambitions.

South Korea is expanding its current fleet of 40 F-35As to 60, while Australia has already taken delivery of all 72 jets it ordered.

Israel remains the only Middle Eastern operator, while NATO members like the U.K., Italy, the Netherlands, Denmark and Norway have received units and await additional deliveries. Other NATO countries, including Germany and Belgium, have also placed orders.

A Fraught Legacy

The F-35 program has been plagued by delays, technical setbacks and ballooning costs since its inception. Developed over nearly two decades, its projected lifetime cost now exceeds $2 trillion, more than double the entire U.S. defense budget for 2024, according to an April 2024 report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office.

Despite reliability concerns and Pentagon efforts to stretch airframe mileage, the U.S. still plans to operate roughly 2,500 jets through the 2080s.

Some air forces are exploring alternatives. The upgraded General Dynamics F-16V Block 70/72, though less advanced, offers a more affordable and proven alternative for countries prioritizing cost-effectiveness over stealth.

Donald Trump Personally Decided His New Tariff Rates: Report

President Donald Trump personally selected a widely criticized formula that his administration used to impose sweeping tariffs on 185 countries this week, The Washington Post reported Friday, citing two sources who requested anonymity to discuss internal deliberations.

Why It Matters

Trump sent Wall Street and the global economy into a tailspin when he announced on Wednesday that the U.S. would impose a 10 percent "baseline" tariff on virtually all imports and singled out roughly 60 countries for what he described as "discounted reciprocal tariffs."

He explained that the "reciprocal" tariffs were based on tariffs those countries imposed on the United States. The numbers Trump cited, however, were inaccurate and the White House clarified later on that the formula it used was based on just two variables: the U.S.'s trade deficit with a foreign country divided by that country's exports to the U.S.

Trump then halved that number to arrive at his "discounted reciprocal tariff," which he said he was doing to be "kind."

What To Know

The Post reported Friday that the final tariff rates Trump displayed on a chart he held up during a widely televised Rose Garden speech were set just three hours before the address.

The president's decision to use his simplified formula also scuttled weeks of efforts by government officials across federal agencies, who had deliberated over how to set the tariffs while taking into account a wide range of tariff and non-tariff barriers and global trade practices, the report said.

Trump's tariffs—which Trump says will bring manufacturing jobs back to the U.S.—encompassed a broad swath of countries: a 34 percent tariff on Chinese imports (in addition to a 20 percent tariff China already faces), 20 percent on the European Union, 25 percent on South Korea, 24 percent on Japan, 32 percent on Taiwanese goods and 26 percent on Indian imports.

Some of the world's poorest countries will also face some of the highest tariffs, including Lesotho (50 percent), Cambodia (49 percent), Vietnam (46 percent), Laos (48 percent) and more.

Trump insisted that markets will "boom" as a result of his trade war, despite the fact that Wall Street on Thursday experienced its single worst day since 2020 and the U.S. dollar wiped out all its gains from Trump's reelection.

Vice President JD Vance also told Newsmax Thursday evening, as stock futures continued dropping, that things "could be worse."

Curiously, the report failed to mention that some of the "poor countries" it mentioned were communist.  On the other hand, Lesotho has been accused of disrespecting human rights.  How else do you explain that their detainees die while in custody?

Trump Administration Revokes All Visas for South Sudan's Citizens

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Saturday the revocation of all U.S. visas held by South Sudanese passport holders and will restrict future visa issuance, citing South Sudan's failure to accept the return of its citizens when the United States seeks to remove them.
This marks the first measure under the second Trump administration that singles out all passport holders from a specific country since Trump returned to the White House in January.

This latest measure comes amid a broader immigration crackdown that includes the administration's move last month to revoke Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuelans, which was temporarily blocked by U.S. District Judge Edward Chen.
What Is Temporary Protected Status?
TPS is a program administered by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that offers protection to eligible foreign nationals who cannot safely return to their home countries due to extraordinary circumstances.

The Secretary of Homeland Security may designate a country for TPS due to ongoing armed conflict, environmental disasters, or other extraordinary conditions.

During a designated TPS period, beneficiaries:

• Cannot be removed from the United States
  
• Can obtain work authorization
  
• May be granted travel authorization
  
• Cannot be detained by DHS based on immigration status
  
• TPS is temporary and does not lead to permanent residency, though recipients can apply for other immigration benefits for which they might qualify.
  

What To Know

South Sudanese nationals had been granted TPS by former President Joe Biden's administration, with protections set to expire on May 3, 2025. According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), approximately 133 South Sudanese were in the U.S. under this program, with another 140 eligible to apply as of September 2023.

Currently, 17 countries have TPS designations, including Afghanistan, Burma (Myanmar), Cameroon, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Haiti, Honduras, Lebanon, Nepal, Nicaragua, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine, Venezuela, and Yemen.

A federal judge temporarily blocked the administration's move to end TPS for Venezuelans in March, just one week before protections were set to expire on April 7. U.S. District Judge Chen criticized the decision by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, saying the government failed to show any "real countervailing harm in continuing TPS for Venezuelan beneficiaries."

South Sudan, the world's newest internationally recognized country and one of its poorest, continues to face political tensions that some observers fear could reignite the civil war that killed 400,000 people between 2013 and 2018.

Judge orders Trump administration to return man Maryland mistakenly deported to El Salvador prison

A federal judge on Friday ordered the Trump administration to immediately make arrangements for the return of a Maryland man who was mistakenly deported to an El Salvador prison.

U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis said that Kilmar Abrego Garcia had been illegally deported to El Salvador and said he must be returned by Monday before midnight.

Xinis ruled that the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's March 15th expulsion of Garcia violated the Administrative Procedures Act, since it occurred without a judicial proceeding.

The U.S. Justice Department said Friday that it plans to immediately appeal the judge's order.

The Trump administration has acknowledged Garcia's removal was an "administrative error," but has also defended it, alleging that Garcia has ties to MS-13. 

"This individual is an illegal criminal who broke our nation’s immigration laws. He is a leader in the brutal MS-13 gang, and he is involved in human trafficking," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a briefing on Tuesday.

"And now MS-13 is a designated foreign terrorist organization. Foreign terrorists have no legal protections in the United States of America. And this administration is going to continue to deport foreign terrorists and illegal criminals from our nation’s interior," she added.

DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told Fox News after the ruling: "The American people should know who this individual is. He's not some American father as the mainstream media will make you believe, he's actually a member of MS-13, and was involved in trafficking. It's unbelievable the framing of this. Whether this man is in El Salvador or in a U.S. detention center, he should be locked up."

An immigration judge five years ago said Garcia, who came to the U.S. illegally in 2011 and asked for asylum, could not be deported to his home country, over concerns he would become a victim of local El Salvador gang members.

His request for asylum was denied, but he was given protection from deportation and ICE didn't appeal the decision.

Garcia's wife, Jennifer Vasquez Sura, who is a U.S. citizen, has vigorously campaigned for his return.

CANADA

Mark Carney Under Pressure Over Liberal MP's China Bounty Comments

Mark Carney, Canadian prime minister and Liberal leader, is under pressure to drop a candidate over his comments suggesting people claim China's bounty on a Conservative politician.

Paul Chiang, a Liberal MP running for reelection in Markham-Unionville, apologized for making the comments about Joe Tay on Friday, saying they were "deplorable and a complete lapse of judgment."

A spokesperson for Carney's campaign told the daily newspaper Toronto Star that Chiang would remain a candidate.
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The furor comes as Carney, who replaced Justin Trudeau as Canadian prime minister last month, recently announced a five-week election campaign before a vote on April 28.

The governing Liberals had appeared poised for a historic defeat, but polls indicate that Carney has recently opened up a lead over Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre.

The relationship between the U.S. and Canada has soured over President Donald Trump's trade war and his repeated suggestion that Canada should become the 51st U.S. state.

What To Know

Hong Kong announced arrest warrants for Tay and several other activists based overseas in December, with bounties set at HK $1 million [$130,000] for information leading to their arrests, in an attempt to crack down on vocal critics abroad, The Associated Press reported.

Chiang reportedly told a Chinese-language media conference in January that people should take Tay to the Chinese consulate in Toronto to collect the bounty. "If anyone here can take him to the Chinese Consulate General in Toronto, you can get the million-dollar reward," Chiang said, according to Chinese-language newspaper Ming Pao.

Tay, the co-founder of Canada-based NGO HongKonger Station, who was born in Hong Kong before immigrating to Canada, has been an activist for democracy in China. At the time of Chiang's comments, he was running for the Conservative nomination in Markham-Unionville, but he is now the Conservative candidate for Toronto's Don Valley North.

Conservatives and several Hongkonger-Canadian organizations are calling for Carney to remove Chiang as a candidate over the remarks.

Canada Air Force General Issues Warning Over 'Irresponsible' F-35 Purchase

Canada should reconsider its planned purchase of U.S.-made F-35 advanced fighter jets, the former head of Ottawa's air force has said, after the new Canadian government suggested it was weighing up its commitment to the American-led fighter program.

Why It Matters

During little over two months in office, President Donald Trump's administration has ripped up decades of trans-Atlantic relationships with European NATO members and started a trade war with Canada, leaving America's traditional allies to reorientate to an unpleasant new security landscape littered with doubts over how reliable Washington's military pledges are.

Canada's new Prime Minister, Mark Carney, is already reviewing Ottawa's commitment to the F-35 advanced fighter jet program, Defense Minister Bill Blair said last month.

"We are currently in the early stages of scoping the review in a way that is both efficient and thorough," a spokesperson for the Canadian Defense Ministry told Newsweek in a statement. "The review would take into account the work already done to replace Canada's current fighter jet fleet."

"To be clear, we are not cancelling the F-35 procurement at this time," the spokesperson added, saying the government "continues to review all procurement approaches to align with the best interests of Canadians and the Canadian Armed Forces."

Portugal's previous government had also floated a reevaluation of planned F-35 purchases.

What To Know

Retired Lieutenant General Yvan Blondin, who previously served as the commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force, said in a blog post that he had recommended in 2012 to then-Canadian Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, that the F-35 was "the best choice for Canada."

The F-35 is the most advanced Western fighter jet currently in operation, billed by U.S. defense firm Lockheed Martin as the "most lethal, survivable and connected fighter jet in the world." It is a fifth-generation stealth aircraft, kitted out with advanced avionics and sensors.

A total of 20 countries have signed up to the U.S.-led F-35 program, including Canada, the U.K., Israel and South Korea, as well as several European NATO countries.

But "in this incredibly damaging period, we owe our political leaders our best military expert advice, and reviewing all our current weapon acquisition decisions will be an essential step," Blondin said. "Building Canada's future fighter force solely on the F-35 today, hoping for the best, would be irresponsible."

Eyes have quickly turned to the F-35, with reports suggesting the stealth fighters contained an inbuilt "kill switch" which could be used at Washington's whim to effectively control the aircraft bought and operated by allied countries.

Experts and officials have downplayed these concerns, but concede that the U.S. could have a noticeable impact on how well these aircraft could operate, should it choose to influence software upgrades or change access to intelligence.

"The reality is that, without U.S. consent, no country can hope to operate the F-35 for long: the U.S. controls its operating software, updates, upgrades, maintenance, parts and armament," Blondin said.

But there are no real fifth-generation alternatives to the F-35 for Western militaries, retired Air Marshal Greg Bagwell, former senior commander in the U.K.'s Royal Air Force, previously told Newsweek.

Experts have said there are fourth-generation options, like the Eurofighter Typhoon, Sweden's Gripen jet or the French-made Rafale, that could be used differently to make up some gaps left by the F-35, if needed.

"Those who buy the F-35, we must offer them the Rafale," French President Emmanuel Macron said last month.

"There are mitigating alternatives to the current F-35 risk to consider, and this is what our political leaders are asking of us, military experts, before Canada puts all its eggs in the F-35 basket," Blondin said.

Canada announced in January 2023 that it would purchase 88 F-35s under "the largest investment in our Royal Canadian Air Force in 30 years." An initial 16 aircraft are scheduled to be delivered by 2028.

The first deliveries are expected in 2026, the Canadian Defense Ministry spokesperson said.

Honestly, I can't get rid of the impression that the retired general is just complaining about the F-35 fighter jets because of the ongoing tariffs conflict and him disliking Trump instead of offering a technical advice at all.  

Mark Carney Warns 'Pain' and 'Damage' Coming for Americans

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney warned that Americans will experience "damage" and "pain," during a Thursday announcement that his country will impose retaliatory tariffs on U.S. vehicle imports in response to President Donald Trump's newly implemented 25 percent auto tariffs.
Canada, one of the closest U.S. trading partners, announced retaliatory tariffs on Thursday in response to Trump's "Liberation Day" tariffs the day prior, which included a 25 percent auto tariff on Canada.

Trump has argued that the dozens of global tariffs he imposed Wednesday are necessary to restore U.S. manufacturing, while economists have warned that companies will pass off the prices to American consumers, resulting in higher prices.
The stock market tumbled Thursday morning as investors grappled with the economic impact of the tariffs.

What To Know

In a Thursday announcement, Carney, who has served in the role since March after succeeding Justin Trudeau, said Canada will match U.S. tariffs. Carney for years worked in central banking.

He clarified that the Canadian tariffs will target vehicle imports rather than auto parts, which are included in the American measures. Autos are the country's second-largest export.

"Given the prospective damage to their own people, the American administration should eventually change course," Carney said.

However, he added:"Although their policy will hurt American families, until that pain becomes impossible to ignore, I do not believe they will change direction, so the road to that point may indeed be long. And will be hard on Canadians just as it will be on other partners of the United States."

The tariffs' impacts are already being felt, Carney argued. In a video posted on social media, he called out the U.S. and said Canada would pick up the leadership slack, saying: "We believe in international cooperation. We believe in the free and open exchange of goods, services and ideas. And if the United States no longer wants to lead, Canada will."

Car manufacturer Stellantis told Newsweek in a statement Thursday that the changing economic trade policies have impacted the company, saying: "As a result of pausing production at several of Stellantis' Canadian and Mexican plants, there will be temporary layoffs at the Warren Stamping and Sterling Stamping plants [Michigan] as well as the Indiana Transmission Plant, Kokomo Transmission Plant and Kokomo Casting Plant [Indiana]."

Canada Updates Travel Warning for US Again

Canadian citizens have been told to "expect scrutiny" when crossing into the United States, according to updated online travel advice by Ottawa.

On Friday, Canada's government updated its online travel advice which said that U.S. Border Patrol officers had "significant" discretion in deciding who enters the country and travelers could expect stringent searches of their electronic devices.

Canada's government had already updated its advice in March by asking its citizens staying in the U.S. for more than 30 days to register with U.S. authorities and warning that a failure to do so could result in fines or misdemeanor charges.

Several reports of people having their phones searched at the border , and a French researcher being denied entry reportedly due to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) finding messages on his phone criticizing President Donald Trump.
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Canadian media reported that the updated travel advice came as the nations' friendly relationship is breaking down under the pressure of the Trump administration's war on trade. Reminding Canadians of the strictness of U.S. border rules could be seen as Ottawa's increasing wariness of Washington's policy toward its neighbor.

What to Know

Agents with U.S. Border Patrol have long been able to ask to search travelers' belongings, but the Canadian government updated its online guidance on Friday suggesting that the rules were being followed more stringently.

It said that the Canadian government "cannot intervene on your behalf" if travelers do not meet entry or exit requirements for the U.S. and that individual border agents had "significant discretion" in making those determinations.

The advice included an extra warning that U.S. officers can search phones and laptops and, if denied entry, travelers could be detained while awaiting deportation.

RUSSIA

'Putin Motorcade' Limo Burns Down in Central Moscow: What To Know

A limousine said to be part of Vladimir Putin's presidential fleet has been gutted by fire.

Social-media users viewed the viral footage of the burning Aurus Senat car, which is believed to be worth around $350,000. The incident took place near the headquarters of Russia's main intelligence agency, the FSB, according to reports.
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With over 1.7 million views on one social-media account, footage of the burning car has gone viral and prompted much speculation. The cause of the fire is not known, and it is not clear whether the vehicle had been personally used by Putin, but the Russian leader has reportedly displayed paranoia about assassination plots.

What To Know

The Aurus limousine blew up on Sretenka Street just north of the FSB headquarters in Lubyanka on Saturday night, with video footage showing the fire spreading to the vehicle's interior.

Onlookers can be seen watching back smoke billowing out of the front of the destroyed vehicle, and the rear of the car also seemed to be damaged.

It is not clear who was using the car, but it is said to be owned by Putin's Presidential Property Management Department, British newspaper The Sun reported. Putin reportedly ordered the sewers in the area and his own security staff to be checked.

There were no reports of injuries and no details about the cause of the fire, according to German outlet Bild. The story of the incident was also widely picked up by media outlets including those in Ukraine.

The German newspaper said that the incident had caused panic in the Kremlin, noting that security is tight around the Russian president when he travels.

Putin Launches Largest Military Draft in Years Despite Ceasefire Talks

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered the conscription of 160,000 men into the army, state media reported, marking the largest draft initiative in years, even as ceasefire talks with Ukraine continue under U.S. mediation.
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The timing and scale of the draft raise doubts about Russia's commitment to diplomacy. Ukraine has accused the Kremlin of using negotiations to delay while reinforcing its position on the battlefield, particularly in the Sumy, Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia regions.

On Sunday, U.S. President Donald Trump said he would issue secondary tariffs on Russian oil if he believed Moscow was standing in the way of a peace deal.

What To Know

Putin's order, effective April 1 through July 15, calls up Russian citizens aged 18 to 30 for military service, according to state news agency TASS.

The spring conscription campaign will not only add fresh troops but also replace conscripts who have completed their service.

It is the largest conscription draft in 14 years, according to Ukraine's Center for Countering Disinformation, as well as since the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

In 2022, in the spring, 134,500 people were sent to the service, and in the fall another 120,000 were conscripted, according to the center. In 2023, in the spring, 147,000 were drafted, as were another 130,000 in the fall. In 2024, there were again two waves of conscription, of 150,000 and 133,000 people.

The draft follows years of steady military losses, and independent Russian journalists have verified more than 100,000 Russian soldiers have been killed since Putin launched his invasion, according to Politico.

Ukrainian officials estimate that, including those wounded, Russia lost 430,790 troops in 2024. In March, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine said Moscow had lost 895,450 troops since the beginning of the invasion.

Kyiv's losses have also been substantial. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in February that more than 46,000 Ukrainian soldiers had been killed and more than 380,000 wounded.

Russia's Tu-22M Strategic Nuclear Bomber Crashes in Siberia

A Russian Tu-22M3 supersonic bomber aircraft crashed in Siberia, killing the pilot, the Russian Defense Ministry said.

The aircraft was conducting a scheduled flight when it crashed in Siberia's Irkutsk region, the ministry was cited by state-run news agency Tass as saying. The crash is believed to have been caused by a technical malfunction.

Why It Matters

Russia's air force has suffered extensive casualties throughout the war in Ukraine, and a large number of its losses have been self-inflicted.

General Christopher Cavoli, the head of the U.S. European Command, told American lawmakers that by April 2024, Russia had lost around 10 percent of its aircraft fleet since Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

What To Know

Four crew members on board the nuclear bomber ejected.

Irkutsk region governor Igor Kobzev said on his Telegram channel that the aircraft struck a power line when it crashed, meaning hundreds of local residents are without electricity.

Russia has used the Tu-22M3 aircraft to fire Kh-22 cruise missiles at Ukrainian territory, according to Ukraine's air force.

Both Russia and Ukraine have lost significant numbers of aircraft in the war. Dutch open-source intelligence defense analysis website Oryx has visually confirmed that 120 Russian planes have been destroyed and 17 damaged since the start of the conflict in Ukraine in February 2022.

Oryx has also visually confirmed that 100 Ukrainian aircraft have been destroyed since the beginning of the war, with four damaged and one captured.

Kyiv's military said in an update on Thursday that Moscow had lost 370 aircraft since Russia launched its full-scale invasion.

Russia, like Ukraine, rarely divulges information on the number of casualties or equipment losses it has sustained in the war.

Russian State TV Mocks Donald Trump's 'Psychological Deadline' Remark

Russian State TV appears to be turning on President Donald Trump in its recent coverage, with Kremlin propagandists mocking the president over remarks he and his administration have made on a possible ceasefire in the Ukraine war.

Kremlin propagandist Vladimir Solovyov, an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin and one of the most prominent figures in state-backed media, tore into Trump after he said late Sunday that there is a "psychological deadline" for Moscow to agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine.

Why It Matters

It marks a notable shift in rhetoric from Russia's state TV pundits. In early February, Kremlin propagandists reacted with glee to decisions made by Trump since he took office for a second term on January 20, with one guest saying the administration's stance on geopolitics even chimed with Moscow's.

What To Know

Julia Davis, founder of the Russia Media Monitor watchdog group, posted a segment on X, formerly Twitter, from the Russia-1 channel, featuring host Solovyov.

"Meanwhile in Russia: state TV pundits have been obviously given permission from above to shred Donald Trump for his failure to immediately deliver everything the Kremlin was anticipating—and Vladimir Solovyov's guests have unloaded upon Trump with gusto," Davis wrote.

Solovyov and his guests were reacting to Trump's remarks aboard Air Force One on Sunday when he said that Putin had a "psychological deadline" to agree to a deal on a Ukraine ceasefire.

The host also criticized White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt's comments on March 31 that Trump "has expressed displeasure" with both Russian and Ukrainian leaders amid his efforts to broker a ceasefire in the conflict.

"You know the wording itself, President Trump has expressed displeasure, towards whom? Just the wording itself, that someone is expressing displeasure towards great Russia? It's their problem and not ours," Solovyov told his audience.

"[The West] should be trembling from the thought of our president expressing displeasure and what would happen next," he said, before warning that Russia could retaliate at any moment.

"Let me remind you that Russia has the most powerful and modern arsenal of strategic weapons that can solve the problem of any displeasure with colossal speed," added Solovyov.

Satellite Images Reportedly Show Russia's Huge New Black Sea Flagship

Newly released satellite images show that Russia is racing to build a vessel that dwarfs the Moskva missile cruiser, the flagship of the Black Sea Fleet destroyed by Ukraine in the early days of the war.

Ukrainian military publication Defense Express published satellite images showing the progress Russia is making on one of its two Project 23900 Ivan Rogov-class amphibious assault ships. These vessels are reportedly capable of carrying up to 90 pieces of military equipment, including 15 helicopters.

Why It Matters

The destruction of the Moskva dealt an embarrassing blow to Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Ivan Rogov-class vessel currently under construction is reported to be much larger, suggesting Moscow aims to restore its naval credibility amid a string of losses suffered by the Black Sea Fleet in the war.

The Moskva sank shortly after Ukraine claimed to have struck the vessel with missiles in 2022, inflicting substantial damage. At the time, Russia dismissed Ukraine's claims, attributing the incident instead to a fire onboard that triggered an ammunition explosion.

What To Know

Russia is behind schedule in building its Ivan Rogov-class ship, which was laid down at the Zaliv shipyard in Kerch in the annexed Crimean Peninsula in July 2020.

Defense Express reported that based on recent satellite imagery, the vessel will be about 220 meters in length and 40 meters wide.

It compared recent images to ones published in July 2024 by open-source intelligence OSINT researcher MT Anderson on X (formerly Twitter).
[X Posts]
"At that time, the ship's hull was only beginning to take shape, meaning that russians have significantly advanced this project in less than a year," Defense Express said.

According to the outlet, the Ivan Rogov-class amphibious assault ship surpasses the Moskva cruiser in size and capability.

Putin's Top Negotiator Gives Update After Washington Peace Talks

Kirill Dmitriev, the head of Russia's sovereign wealth fund and President Vladimir Putin's special envoy for international economic and investment cooperation, expressed optimism Thursday about the improving relationship between Moscow and Washington, noting a "positive dynamic" and praising the Trump administration's approach.
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Efforts by Putin and President Donald Trump to rebuild U.S.-Russia relations have raised concerns in Ukraine and among its European allies, who fear the two leaders might strike a deal to end the war that excludes them and jeopardizes their security.
Dmitriev's arrival in Washington marks the first official visit of a Russian official to the United States since Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

What to Know

Dmitriev, in Washington for meetings with U.S. officials amid ongoing peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, emphasized that although further meetings are necessary to resolve remaining issues, there is a commitment to finding compromises.

Putin's envoy also highlighted that some forces are attempting to sow tension between Russia and the United States by distorting Russia's true position.

Today, numerous forces interested in maintaining tension stand in the way of restoring constructive cooperation... These forces are deliberately distorting Russia's position, trying to disrupt any steps towards dialogue, sparing neither money nor resources for this," Dmitriev said on Telegram.

"Opponents of the rapprochement are afraid that Russia and the United States will find common ground, begin to understand each other better and build cooperation both in international affairs and in the economy," he said.

While he did not reveal any specifics about a potential ceasefire agreement, Dmitriev said the Trump administration is "listening to the position of the Russian Federation" and that the timing for the next round of negotiations will be decided "in the near future."

"Significant progress has been made on the ceasefire agreement in Ukraine," Dmitriev said.

Key discussion topics included cooperation in rare earth metals production and Arctic affairs. Dmitriev also said efforts are underway to restore direct air links between Russia and the United States.

Russia calls Trump threats to bomb Iran 'illegal and unacceptable'

Russia is pushing back against President Donald Trump's threats to bomb Iran, calling them "illegal and unacceptable."

Trump in recent days has increased his threats against Iran and warned that there could be direct conflict if the Islamic Republic doesn’t stop arming the Houthi terrorist group or halt its nuclear program. Russia, meanwhile, said Thursday that it’s committed to finding solutions to Iran’s nuclear program that respects its rights to peaceful nuclear energy, according to Reuters.

"The use of military force by Iran's opponents in the context of the settlement is illegal and unacceptable," Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova was quoted by the news agency as saying.

"Threats from outside to bomb Iran's nuclear infrastructure facilities will inevitably lead to an irreversible global catastrophe. These threats are simply unacceptable," she reportedly added.

Rebekah Koffler, a former DIA intelligence officer specializing in Russia’s war-fighting strategy and Putin’s thinking, told Fox News Digital on Thursday that "Russia’s statement is consistent with the diplomatic posture that it's trying to project of being Iran’s strategic partner."

"In reality, Russia and Iran are not natural allies. They share a very turbulent history and there’s plenty of distrust in the relationship. The Russians don’t trust Iranians to have a fully operational militarized nuclear capability," she continued. "But they would never admit it in public. At one point, during the Obama administration, Moscow was siding with Washington in terms of economic sanctions on Iran and complied with Washington’s request not to sell S-300s air defense missiles to Tehran.

"Putin is angling to serve as a broker between the Trump administration and the Iranian government on the nuclear issue," she also said.

Trump’s overtures via a letter to Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, to jump-start talks on dismantling Tehran’s illicit nuclear weapons program, were met with rejection on Sunday.

Trump told NBC the day before, "If they don't make a deal, there will be bombing."

"But there's a chance that if they don't make a deal, that I will do secondary tariffs on them like I did four years ago," he added.

Secondary "tariffs," or sanctions, would mean slapping financial penalties on any country that does business with Iran.

Trump 'Stopped World War 3' Says Russian Envoy: Ukraine Update for April 4

As diplomatic maneuvering continues over the future of the Russia-Ukraine war, officials from Moscow and Washington have issued statements about the direction of peace efforts, NATO's stability and the scope of recent ceasefire agreements.

Here is the daily briefing.

Trump 'Stopped World War 3,' Russian Envoy Says

Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev credited U.S. President Donald Trump's diplomatic team with preventing an escalation in the ongoing conflict, saying the Trump administration had already made "sizable progress" in negotiations to end the war.

"There is no question that President Trump's team not only stopped World War III from happening but also had already achieved sizable progress on Ukraine resolution," Dmitriev said in an interview with Fox News on Thursday.

Dmitriev made the remarks amid a high-profile visit to Washington, where he met with officials involved in ongoing ceasefire negotiations. He is the most senior-level Russian official to visit the United States since Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Rubio Reassures Europe on Ukraine Red Lines

In Brussels, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio attempted to assuage concerns among NATO allies over Washington's commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty and NATO cohesion, reiterating that the Biden-era principle of "nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine" remained intact.

"It was stressed that nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine, and of course Ukraine and Europe need to be agreeing to whatever is discussed because this is all happening in Europe," Kaja Kallas, the European Union's foreign policy chief, told reporters on Friday. "So, yes, he was giving us assurances about this."

Rubio, who led the U.S. delegation to a NATO summit, also called on allies to raise defense spending to 5 percent of their gross domestic product. "President Trump has made clear he supports NATO. We're gonna remain in NATO. He's made clear," Rubio told reporters.

I can't give any credit to what this Russian envoy has said here after having read the article on Russia's stance on the Iran issue.  

EUROPE

NATO Country Hails New US Fighter Jets as 'Symbol' Amid Russia-Ukraine War

Bulgaria on Wednesday received the first of 16 new F-16 fighter jets from the United States, marking a major step in modernizing its air force and aligning its military capabilities with NATO standards.

Why It Matters

Members of the North Atlantic Trade Organization (NATO) have looked to improve their defense spending in the face of Russia's aggression and invasion of Ukraine. Bulgaria in 2024 finally exceeded the 2 percent threshold that NATO members agreed to meet.

President Donald Trump in his first term pushed NATO members to invest more in their defenses per the agreement and threatened member states with various punishments unless they increased their allocations—even refusing to enforce Article 5, the collective defense clause, if they fall short on funding.

Bulgaria does not border Russia but sits along the Black Sea, where Russia has remained active throughout its war with Ukraine.

What To Know

Bulgarian Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov applauded the delivery of the first of 16 fighter jets the U.S. agreed to deliver following multiple deals to acquire the planes.

Zhelyazkov said the jet served as "a symbol and embodiment of Bulgaria's strategic partnership with the United States," adding that the partnership "offers a new perspective for the Bulgarian Army."

Bulgaria initially signed a $1.3 billion deal in July 2019 to purchase eight multi-role F-16 Block 70 jets. Delivery was originally scheduled for 2023 but was delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Fourth US Army Soldier Found Dead in Lithuania

The fourth U.S. Army soldier who went missing in Lithuania last week during a training exercise was found dead on Tuesday, the Army said in a statement.

"The Soldier was found after a search by hundreds of rescue workers from the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, Lithuanian Armed Forces, Polish Armed Forces, Estonian Armed Forces, and many other elements of the Lithuanian government and civilian agencies," the statement said.

On Monday, the U.S. Army confirmed the deaths of the other three soldiers.

Maj. Gen. Christopher Norrie, 3rd Inf. Div. commanding general, in a statement on Monday said: "Our hearts are heavy with a sorrow that echoes across the whole Marne Division, both forward and at home. We stand in grief with the families and loved ones of these extraordinary 'Dogface Soldiers' during this unimaginable time."

Maj. Gen. Curtis Taylor, commander of Task Force Iron and the 1st Armored Division, said it is "a very sad and tragic day."

"The loss of these soldiers weighs heavy on me, the hearts of all Task Force Iron service members, and the 3rd Infantry Division. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of these brave Soldiers," he said in a statement.

"I'd like to personally commend the heroic efforts of the search parties, and especially our Lithuanian allies who were instrumental in the recovery efforts.

"Their courage and commitment to this operation will always be remembered and demonstrates the strong relationship between our countries."

U.S. Soldiers on Training Exercise in Lithuania

The soldiers, all from 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, were conducting tactical training when they went missing in Lithuania, a Baltic ally in the NATO defense alliance.

They were on an exercise at the General Silvestras Žukauskas training ground in the town of Pabradė when they, along with their vehicle, were reported missing in the early hours of March 25, the U.S. Army said.

Hundreds of Lithuanian and U.S. soldiers and rescuers took part in the search through the thick forests and swampy terrain around Pabradė, which lies 10 kilometers (6 miles) west of the border with Belarus.

Rubio Stressed Trump Won't Cross Ukraine's Red Lines With Putin: Kallas

Secretary of State Marco Rubio gave assurances that the U.S. will not make concessions to Russia's Vladimir Putin that cross the red lines of Ukraine and Europe, the European Union's (EU) High Representative Kaja Kallas said.

Rubio is in Brussels for a meeting of NATO foreign ministers. Kallas was asked if Rubio had given such assurances in his discussions with European NATO allies so far.

"It was stressed that nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine, and of course Ukraine and Europe need to be agreeing to whatever is discussed because this is all happening in Europe," Kallas told reporters on Friday morning.

"So, yes, he was giving us assurances about this."

A State Department spokesperson told Newsweek the U.S. is working to advance a negotiated end to the war because the "death and destruction must stop".

"We're committed to continuing our work with Russia and Ukraine to bring them to the negotiating table.  Negotiations will require both countries to make tough decisions and compromises," the spokesperson said.

"Until recently, it was inconceivable to expect a partial ceasefire in this conflict.  We have made significant progress toward peace. A lot of work remains to be done, and we're committed to trying to achieve peace as long as it takes."

They added: "The Secretary is in frequent contact with his European counterparts about their efforts to support Ukraine."

Ukraine's Red Lines

Ukraine has said no decisions on its future should be made without it, using the refrain "nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine". Its European allies uphold that policy, and so did the U.S. under the Biden Administration.

For Ukraine, another red line is recognizing Moscow's sovereignty over territory it has taken from Kyiv, as is setting any limits on the size of its armed forces, or restricting Kyiv's ability to join international groups such as the EU.

U.S. President Donald Trump has made ending Russia's war on Ukraine an urgent priority of his administration, which is brokering ceasefire agreements he hopes will lead to a full peace deal.

Russia Fires Missile at Children's Playground in Deadly Strike

Russia has faced international condemnation for a missile attack on President Volodymyr Zelensky's hometown, in which a children's playground was hit, killing nine children.

Ukraine's General Staff said Russian forces struck a residential part of the city of Kryvyi Rih, in central Ukraine, with an Iskander-M ballistic missile on Friday night as well as Iranian-made Shahed drones.

At least 19 people were killed and 68 injured, according to Ukrainian media. The same evening, the Russians attacked Kryvyi Rih again, causing a fire in a residential area, Ukrainska Pravda reported.

The attack follows U.S.-led shuttle diplomacy with Russian and Ukrainian delegations, which was hoped would usher a breakthrough in the three-year-long war. The strike on Zelensky's hometown deals a blow to any immediate prospect of peace.

What to Know

A combined missile and drone attack on the city in the Dnipropetrovsk region set buildings ablaze in residential districts on Friday and a children's playground was located near the scene of the strike.

There were nine children killed in the strike, according to Ukrainian media. Among the dead was a 3-year-old named by local media as Tymofii. Reports said that attempts to resuscitate the boy had failed.

At the time of the explosion, the boy and his grandmother were returning home from the playground.

European Commission Vice President Kaja Kallas called the strike "tragic and inhumane" as the continent's leaders said it showed the need for greater military support for Ukraine.

Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans wrote on X that compared with the rest of Europe, "Ukrainians are living in a different reality." Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said it showed that Russia seeks war, with such attacks against civilians, which include children.

Thee days of mourning have been declared in the city starting Monday, with Oleksandr Vilkul, head of the Kryvyi Rih City Defense Council, saying it was "nothing more than a massacre of civilians."

MIDDLE EAST

Iran mulls preemptive strike on US base after Trump bomb threats

Iranian military commanders are considering a preemptive strike on a joint U.S.-U.K. base on the Chagos Island located in the Indian Ocean in an apparent attempt to deter President Donald Trump from launching a military attack on Iran, a report by the Telegraph first said.

"Like any Iranian military threat, the art is to determine what is bluster and what is real," Behnam Ben Taleblu, an Iran expert and senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told Fox News Digital when asked about the strategy behind the alleged threats against the U.S. base.

"Deception is a propaganda tool used to bolster deterrence and prevent a conventionally weak regime from having to fight," he added. "By threatening everywhere, the regime hopes to have to fight nowhere – meaning its revolutionary foreign policy gets to remain uncontested.

Fox News Digital has not been able to independently confirm the threat of attack on the Diego Garcia base, positioned some 2,400 miles south of Iran, but experts on Iranian security have been sounding the alarm that Tehran likely has, if not direct missile capabilities, options to position its arms that will enable it to hit U.S. strategic interests farther away.

Iran has a "self-imposed" range of roughly 1,200 miles on its ballistic capabilities, though it is suspected that the IRGC has a ballistic strike capability of hitting up to 1,800 miles away using its Khorramshahr-2 medium-range ballistic missile, Ben Taleblu explained in a post on X.

Tehran also has the updated version of the missile known as Khorramshahr-4, also referred to as the Kheibar missile, which is suspected of being able to exceed Iran’s other strike range options, though the extent of its capabilities has not been fully tested.

But even if it is incapable of hitting a U.S. target some 2,400 miles from its most southern border, Iran has proven it is crafty when it comes to expanding its strike range – including through the use of merchant ships and oil tankers converted to warships to expand its long-range strike capabilities.

"There’s always the chance of using a foreign-procured container launched cruise missile from even an unconverted tanker or commercial vessel at sea," Ben Taleblu explained in his post, referring to its use of both Russian and Chinese procured cruise missiles following its war with Iraq in the 1980s.

In addition, Iran could again turn to its close ties to terrorist networks to transfer missile capabilities to war-torn areas like Yemen, which could enable it to strike further south into the Indian Ocean by some 800 miles.

"While all these options would make Iran’s launch platforms, especially at sea, easy targets for a counterstrike, they mean that Tehran does have options to strike further afield than expected," Ben Taleblu said.

Trump in recent days has increased his threats against Iran and warned there could be direct conflict if it doesn’t stop arming the Houthi terrorist group, or halt its nuclear program.

But it remains unclear at what level the U.S. would respond to a direct attack on its military, which could prove catastrophic for Tehran given its revealed defense capabilities when faced with strikes from Israel.

Israeli military operation in Gaza expanding to seize 'large areas': 'Expanding to crush and clean the area'

Israel’s military offensive in the Gaza Strip is expanding to "crush" the area of Hamas terrorists and seize "large areas," Defense Minister Israel Katz said Wednesday.

Katz said in a statement that the military operation was "expanding to crush and clean the area of terrorists and terrorist infrastructure and seizing large areas that will be added to the security zones of the State of Israel."

Israel's security perimeter, which runs along the border with Israel in northern and eastern Gaza, has been used for decades as a way to protect its citizens residing near the territory.

It is unclear which areas of Gaza will be seized in the expanded operation, which Katz says includes the "extensive evacuation" of people from areas where fighting is happening.

The minister called on Gaza's population to "expel Hamas and return all hostages." The terror group still has 59 hostages, including 24 who are believed to still be alive. Most of the other captives were released in ceasefire agreements or other deals.

"This is the only way to end the war," Katz said.

The Hostage Families Forum, which represents most of the hostages’ families, said it was "horrified to wake up this morning to the Defense Minister's announcement about expanding military operations in Gaza."

The Israeli government "has an obligation to free all 59 hostages from Hamas captivity — to pursue every possible channel to advance a deal for their release," the group said, emphasizing that every passing day puts the captives' lives at increased risk.

"Their lives hang in the balance as more and more disturbing details continue to emerge about the horrific conditions they’re being held in — chained, abused, and in desperate need of medical attention," the group said.

"Our highest priority must be an immediate deal to bring ALL hostages back home — the living for rehabilitation and those killed for proper burial — and end this war," it added.

The forum also called on the Trump administration and other mediators to "continue exerting pressure on Hamas for the immediate release of our loved ones."

"Our highest priority must be an immediate deal to bring ALL hostages back home—the living for rehabilitation and those killed for proper burial—and end this war," the group said.

Israel continued to attack the Gaza Strip, including with overnight airstrikes that killed 17 people in the southern city of Khan Younis, according to hospital officials.

In warning to Turkey, Israel hits strategic targets in Syria amid rising tensions

Israel launched a wave of airstrikes on Syrian military airfields this week, in what officials confirmed to Fox News Digital was "intended to send a clear message to Turkey not to interfere with Israeli aerial operations in Syrian airspace."

The escalation marks a turning point in Jerusalem’s stance toward Ankara, as Turkey attempts to expand its military presence in Syria amid regional instability.

The Israeli Defense Forces struck strategic assets at both the Hama military airport and the T-4 airbase, including runways, fuel storage sites, radar systems and weapons caches. The strikes follow weeks of intelligence gathering by the Israeli air force, which tracked military assets in the targeted bases.

The airbases, which had been under the control of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime, are now reportedly being eyed by Turkey for expanded use and the deployment of air defense systems.

Turkey has signaled growing ambitions in Syria. Reports from Middle East Eye indicate that Turkish forces have begun moves to take control of the T-4 base and are planning to install air defense systems there. Since the fall of Assad in December, Ankara has accelerated negotiations with Syria’s interim government over a potential defense pact.

Turkey’s Foreign Ministry reacted sharply to the Israeli strikes, labeling Israel’s government as "racist and fundamentalist," accusing it of expansionist ambitions. "Israel’s attacks in Syria, without any provocation, are inconceivable and indicate a policy that thrives on conflict," a ministry spokesperson said. The statement further condemned Israel’s military operations as a threat to regional security.

Fox News Digital requests for comment to the Turkish embassy spokesman in Washington, D.C., were not returned.

Dr. Sinan Ciddi, a Turkey expert at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told Fox News Digital that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is attempting to capitalize on the regional vacuum left by Russia and Iran.

"Erdogan is trying to reignite Turkey’s influence in the region as a sort of neo-Ottoman power," said Ciddi. "He sees Iran’s proxies weakened, Russia overstretched, and is positioning Turkey to dominate the region — particularly through military footholds like the airbases."

Ciddi said Erdogan’s long game includes projecting power in Syria, currying favor with the new government in Damascus and convincing the U.S. to grant Turkey access to F-35 fighter jets in exchange for "managing" Syria.

"Erdogan wants to go to Trump and say, ‘I’m the big guy here. Leave Syria to me, just give me the F-35s,’" Ciddi said. "But Israel sees this as a direct threat. Bombing the T-4 runway was a clear message: you’re not welcome here."

The Turkish leader’s recent inflammatory rhetoric — including prayers for the destruction of Israel during a Ramadan service — has further alarmed Israeli and American observers.

During a recent webinar hosted by the Jewish Institute for National Security of America (JINSA), former U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Eric Edelman called for urgent diplomatic intervention.

"There ought to be some quiet discussions with Turkey about toning down the rhetoric about Israel — threats to destroy it, whether coming from the president or his son at rallies," said Edelman. "There needs to be some kind of effort to deconflict over Syrian airspace."

Edelman also warned that renewed F-35 sales to Turkey must come with conditions: "If Turkey is actually going to possess the F-35, there has to be some very clear understandings about where they can use it."

State-controlled Iranian newspaper calls for firing bullets into Trump’s ‘empty skull’

The Islamist revolutionary newspaper that is widely considered the voice of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on Saturday stoked a targeted assassination of President Donald Trump.

According to the Persian language article published in the mouthpiece Kayhan newspaper of Khamenei, "He’s way out of line! Any day now, in revenge for the blood of Martyr Soleimani, a few bullets are going to be fired into that empty skull of his and he’ll be drinking from the chalice of a cursed death."

Trump ordered a drone strike in January 2020, which eliminated the U.S. global Iranian regime terrorist Lt. Gen. Qassem Soleimani. Iran has repeatedly vowed revenge assassinations targeting Trump and former officials from his first administration.

According to the Trump administration, Soleimani oversaw the murders of more than 600 American military personnel.

The Kayhan article comes days after Trump said he would launch bombing attacks against Iran’s regime if they refused to dismantle their illicit atomic weapons program.

Trump said that "If they don't make a deal, there will be bombing," he said. "But there's a chance that if they don't make a deal, that I will do secondary tariffs on them like I did four years ago."

Trump added the U.S. and officials from the Islamic Republic are "talking."

Kayhan lashed out at Trump’s policies in the Saturday article, writing "He makes threats and then backs down! The result? The situation in America gets worse by the day. Just yesterday, it was announced that his actions have caused $3 trillion in damage to the US economy, American exports are facing serious problems, and top officials in the military, CIA, and elsewhere have either resigned or been dismissed[.]"

Jason Brodsky, the policy director of United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), told Fox News Digital that "Kayhan has repeatedly threatened to assassinate President Trump for years. Kayhan’s editor Hossein Shariatmadari is a personal representative of Iran’s supreme leader."

"Such threats ring hollow the demands of Iranian officials for there to be ‘mutual respect’ during future negotiations with the United States," Brodsky continued. "At times Kayhan comes out ahead of the Iranian establishment on foreign policy issues, namely the nuclear file. For instance, Kayhan has called for years for Tehran to exit the Non-Proliferation Treaty, but it has not done so to date. However, in calls to kill President Trump, Kayhan has been in alignment with the regime given the past Iranian plots that U.S. law enforcement has disrupted."

Brodsky added, "The Trump administration should make clear that there can be no negotiations while Iran’s regime is threatening and plotting to kill American citizens. The halting of those plots should be a prerequisite to any negotiating process. The U.S. should also sanction Hossein Shariatmadari and Kayhan. The U.S. Treasury Department previously designated Iranian media networks like PressTV and Tasnim. It should do so with Kayhan as well. Canada has already sanctioned Kayhan given its record of threats."

Iranian-born Israeli Beni Sabti, an expert on Iran and a research fellow for the Institute for National Security Studies, said Iran’s regime "wants to unite the world against Trump and wants someone to shoot Trump, and also they want to bring the economic issue against him."