Trump Administration Threatens Smithsonian Support Over Leadership Dispute 
US Strikes Iran as Tehran Retaliates, Oil Prices Surge 
Two Palestinian Teenagers Killed in West Bank Violence 
Augusto Cury Surges in Brazil Presidential Polls 
U.S., New Zealand Fund $60M Cook Islands Port Upgrade 
Pacific Islands Forum Seeks Unified Condemnation of China Missile Test 
Bessent Urges Japan on Fiscal Discipline, BOJ Rate Hikes 
US-Iran Exchange Strikes as Hormuz Tensions Escalate 
Australia, US Move to Expand Defence Ties in Indo-Pacific 
US-Iran Conflict Escalates With New Strikes Near Hormuz 
Trump Reviews U.S. Position on Falkland Islands 
Honduras Court Drops Charges Against Ex-President Juan Orlando Hernandez 
South Korea Unveils Record $597 Billion 2027 Budget to Boost AI and Chips 
Ed Markey Wins Massachusetts Democratic Senate Primary 
Trump Says ExxonMobil Among Oil Majors Planning Venezuela Return 
US Strikes Iran IRGC Targets as Conflict Escalates 
China Warns Over Taiwan’s Pacific Islands Forum Presence 
Add as a preferred source on Google
Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iranian foreign minister, accused Donald Trump of trying to fabricate a pretext to attack Iran. He then declared that Tehran doesn’t seek war, but it will defend itself forcefully.
Iran believes Trump is setting up a war with them
Iran’s former defense minister, Hossein Dehghan, also warned Donald Trump not to make New Year a mourning day for the Americans. Moreover, Zarif stated that he received an intelligence report that the US president is plotting to manufacture an excuse to wage war before the anniversary of military commander Qassem Soleimani’s killing. It can be recalled that his death caused great tensions between the U.S. and Iran early last year.
The Iranian foreign minister made the accusation via social media. On Dec. 31, he also directly tagged Donald Trump in his post.
“Instead of fighting Covid in US, @realDonaldTrump & cohorts waste billions to fly B52s & send armadas to OUR region,” he tweeted. Iran doesn't seek war but will OPENLY & DIRECTLY defend its people, security & vital interests.”
Mohammad Javad Zarif’s tweet came after two nuclear-capable American B-52 bombers flew over the Persian Gulf on Dec. 30. Non-stop flights to the region from US-based hangars were also detected. Moreover, it was said that this was actually the third time that American bombers were seen conducting long-range flights off the Iranian coast in just six weeks.
As per The Guardian, the flying of the bombers was for a “show of force to Iran.” Aside from the aircraft, a nuclear submarine also landed in the Gulf. Then again, it was said that the bombers have already left the area and headed back to its home port.
Trump’s warning as Soleimani’s death anniversary approaches
Donald Trump has yet to respond to Zarif’s allegations. But while he has yet to address the issue, he said last week that in case a fatal attack on Americans occurred in Iraq, he would hold Iran responsible.
“Some friendly health advice to Iran: if one American is killed, I will hold Iran responsible,” Trump tweeted after the US embassy in Baghdad got hit by rockets. “Think it over."
