Ukraine-U.S. Peace Talks Resume in Florida Amid Ongoing Russia-Ukraine War 
Taiwan Strengthens Deterrence Amid Ongoing Chinese Military Threat 
Trump Signals U.S. Nearing End of Military Goals in Iran War, Shifts Hormuz Responsibility to Regional Nations 
U.S. Prosecutors Scrutinize Colombian President Petro in Drug Trafficking Probes 
TSA Absences Surge During Government Shutdown as ICE Agents Prepare Airport Deployment 
Trump Administration Quietly Approves $7 Billion in Unannounced Weapons Sales to UAE 
Iran-Israel War Escalates: Long-Range Missiles, Nuclear Site Strikes, and Global Energy Crisis 
Trump Presses Japan to Support Iran War Effort, Cites Pearl Harbor in Surprise Defense 
Ukraine-U.S. Peace Talks Continue in Florida as Zelenskiy Pushes for Diplomatic Progress 
Trump Links DHS Funding to Voter ID Legislation 
Trump Signals End of U.S. Military Campaign Against Iran as Markets Rally 
Cuba Rejects U.S. Demands to Remove President Diaz-Canel Amid Ongoing Negotiations 
Federal Reserve Crisis: DOJ Standoff Threatens Powell's Succession and Rate Stability 
Brazil's Haddad Leaves Finance Ministry to Run for São Paulo Governor 
Cuba-U.S. Military Tensions: Havana Warns It Is Ready to Defend Itself Against Potential American Aggression 
Australian PM Albanese Heckled at Sydney Mosque During Eid al-Fitr Prayers 
Federal Judge Blocks Pentagon's Restrictive Press Access Policy 
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."
