Kazakh President Tokayev Accepts Invitation to Join Trump-Proposed “Board of Peace” 
Guatemala Declares State of Siege After Deadly Gang Violence and Prison Hostage Crisis 
Trump Says $2,000 Tariff Dividend Possible Without Congress Approval 
Russia Says Ukraine Peace Talks With U.S. Show Progress 
Trump Says Greenland Is Key to Global Security After Call With NATO Chief 
Trump Revives Greenland Ownership Push Ahead of World Economic Forum in Davos 
Trump Rejects Talks With Maduro Amid Election Interference Allegations 
Trump Declines G7 Paris Meeting Amid Rising Tensions With European Allies Over Greenland Remarks 
Syrian Government Consolidates Control as Kurdish Forces Withdraw from Key Regions 
Minnesota U.S. Citizen Detained by ICE in Armed Raid Sparks Outrage and Civil Rights Concerns 
Trump Administration Appeals Judge’s Order Limiting ICE Tactics in Minneapolis 
Trump Signals Possible Harvard Deal Amid Ongoing Tensions 
U.S. Plans NATO Staff Reductions, Raising Fresh Concerns Over Alliance Commitment 
Trump Says U.S. Will Soon Target Land Routes for Drug Trafficking 
France Nears 2026 Budget Deal as Government Offers Concessions to Avoid No-Confidence Vote 
Ukraine Unveils New Drone-Based Air Defence Strategy Amid Rising Russian Threats 
The situation between the US and Iran centers on the nuclear deal, even as relations between both countries have been incredibly strained over recent years. With Iran pushing through on its nuclear program, US President Joe Biden has assured the outgoing Israeli President that he will not tolerate a nuclear Iran.
Biden hosted outgoing Israeli President Reuven Rivlin at the White House this week, where he assured Rivlin that he would not tolerate Iran going nuclear. Biden’s comments follow his recent directives of ordering airstrikes on facilities that are operated by Iran-backed militia. It also comes as Israel is set to usher in a new presidential administration and government.
There have also been concerns from Israel regarding the US re-entering the nuclear deal, that would see Iran’s economic sanctions lifted should denuclearization happen. Nevertheless, Biden’s comments are a sign that he would still be tough on Iran despite also seeking a diplomatic approach to stem the nuclear program.
“What I can say to you is that Iran will never get a nuclear weapon on my watch,” Biden assured Rivlin during their meeting. Rivlin is currently on his final engagements as the outgoing Israeli President, ending the term of Benjamin Netanyahu. Naftali Bennett was sworn in as Israel’s new Prime Minister with Isaac Herzog as the new President.
Biden also brought up the topic of the recent conflict in Gaza that left dozens of Palestinians dead from Israeli airstrikes. 13 Israelis have also counted as casualties in the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Meanwhile, Biden may not be attending the upcoming Tokyo Olympics that was originally set for 2020 but was postponed due to the pandemic. However, first lady Dr. Jill Biden may be making the trip for her husband instead. Dr. Biden may lead the US delegation in Tokyo, but the White House has yet to make an official announcement.
“The president is not planning to attend the games. He will certainly be rooting for the athletes,” said White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki. “We will have a delegation from the United States as we have historically had, but we will continue to also convey the public health guidelines and guidance that we’ve been delivering out there about only essential travel.”
