NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has informed officials from several member countries that U.S. President Donald Trump wants visible and specific commitments from the alliance within the next few days to help secure the Hormuz Strait. Two European diplomats told Reuters on Thursday that Rutte met Trump in Washington on Wednesday as tensions within NATO grew over the ongoing conflict involving Iran.

One of the diplomats said that Washington’s frustration and dissatisfaction are understood in Europe, but the United States did not consult its allies either before or after the war began. Trump wrote on Truth Social that none of the allies, including Americans, seemed particularly disappointed, adding that NATO understands nothing unless pressure is applied.

The report comes as regional tensions remain high, with Iran’s deputy foreign minister describing the coming hours as extremely critical and Iranian officials accusing Israel of violating a ceasefire agreement.

A recent analysis discusses several major conflicts where the United States faced strategic or moral setbacks despite its military strength. The report notes that after threatening Iran with total destruction, President Donald Trump eventually backed down, marking what is described as a moral defeat against Iran’s strategic resilience. The article further identifies Afghanistan, Iraq, and Vietnam as key examples of U.S. military engagements that ended without achieving their intended political goals.

The Vietnam War (1955–1975) ended with the fall of Saigon and reunification under communist rule, despite U.S. military superiority. In Iraq (2003–2011), the U.S. quickly toppled Saddam Hussein but failed to ensure postwar stability, leading to prolonged unrest. The Afghanistan War (2001–2021) concluded with the Taliban’s return to power after two decades of conflict. Analysts cited inadequate presidential preparedness and overconfidence in military superiority as major causes of these failures.

The article concludes that these repeated misjudgments have left U.S. leaders with limited good options in future conflicts, particularly regarding Iran, which could define Trump’s presidency as one of difficult strategic choices.

Meta on Wednesday launched a new artificial intelligence model named 'Muse Spark', following a major overhaul of its Super Intelligence Labs unit. According to a company blog post cited by AFP from San Francisco, the lab has rebuilt Meta’s AI framework from scratch over the past nine months. The model, currently available only in the United States, is described as smaller but faster, capable of solving complex questions in science, mathematics, and health.

'Muse Spark' succeeds Meta’s earlier model 'Llama 4' and will be integrated across Meta’s AI applications, smart glasses, and platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger. It is the first in Meta’s new 'Muse' series, with work already underway on its next generation.

The launch follows significant leadership and structural changes within Meta’s AI division. CEO Mark Zuckerberg reorganized the team after 'Llama 4' lagged behind competitors from China, France, and the United States. He appointed Scale AI co-founder Alexandr Wang to lead the new lab and recruited senior executives from rival firms including OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google.

US President Donald Trump announced that American military forces will remain inside and around Iran until the terms of what he called a 'real deal' are completely implemented. In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump said the deployment includes warships, aircraft, and personnel, along with additional ammunition and equipment to support potential operations against what he described as an already weakened enemy.

Trump stated that the likelihood of the agreement being violated is very low but warned that any breach would trigger an unprecedented military response, larger and more powerful than before. He claimed that an understanding had already been reached under which Iran would not develop nuclear weapons and the Strait of Hormuz would remain open and secure.

He concluded his message by saying that the US military is replenishing supplies and resting, preparing for its next victory, declaring that 'America is back.'

Two people were killed when a small aircraft crashed at a local airport in Arizona, United States. Local officials confirmed the incident on Wednesday, stating that the plane veered off the runway and caught fire. The crash occurred at an airport in Marana, and both occupants of the aircraft died at the scene.

According to Marana Mayor Jon Post, the aircraft ignited after leaving the runway. City spokesperson Vic Hathaway said the plane carried two people whose identities have not yet been confirmed. The Marana Police Department reported that no one else was injured and no other aircraft were involved in the accident.

The National Transportation Safety Board has begun an investigation into the crash. The agency identified the downed aircraft as a Piper PA-32 model. Further details about the cause of the crash have not yet been released.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte stated that U.S. President Donald Trump appeared clearly frustrated with many of the alliance’s partner countries. Following a closed-door meeting at the White House, Trump sharply criticized NATO, claiming that the alliance was not supportive when the United States needed it and would not be in the future either.

In an interview with CNN after the meeting, Rutte declined to confirm whether Trump had mentioned leaving NATO but acknowledged that Trump’s frustration with several allies was evident and partly understandable. Rutte emphasized that most European countries were contributing in various ways, including providing bases, logistical support, and airspace access, and were fulfilling their commitments. He also noted that weakening Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities was crucial and that, at present, only the United States had the capacity to do so effectively.

Rutte described his discussion with Trump as very open and straightforward, suggesting a candid exchange between the two leaders.

U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to impose an immediate 50 percent tariff on all goods from any country that supplies military weapons to Iran. The warning came just hours after Washington and Tehran agreed to a two-week ceasefire, according to Al Jazeera. Trump made the announcement in a social media post, stating that there would be no exemptions or exceptions to the measure.

The U.S. president did not name any specific countries in his statement. In the past, China and Russia have supported Iran’s military capabilities by providing missiles, air defense systems, and dual-use technologies that help Tehran counter pressure from the United States and Israel. However, both Beijing and Moscow have recently denied supplying weapons to Iran, though allegations against Russia have not fully subsided.

The announcement signals renewed U.S. pressure on countries maintaining defense ties with Iran, potentially heightening tensions in global trade and diplomatic relations.

A new public opinion poll has found that most Americans want Congress to begin impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump without delay. The survey, conducted among 790 registered voters, revealed that 52 percent favored impeachment while 40 percent opposed it. The poll, sponsored by progressive activist groups 'Impeach Trump. Again.' and 'Free Speech for People,' also showed that one in seven Republicans supported Trump’s removal.

The poll’s findings carry political significance as Trump was impeached twice during his first term but acquitted both times in the Senate. His second impeachment followed the January 6 Capitol riot, when 57 senators, including seven Republicans, voted to convict him—short of the required two-thirds majority. The latest impeachment calls have intensified following Trump’s recent military action against Iran, which has reshaped political dynamics in Washington and among voters.

The survey, led by Free Speech for People president John Bonifaz with pollster Celinda Lake’s firm, had a margin of error of 3.9 percent. Bonifaz described the early-stage results as unprecedented, noting that public opinion against Trump has shifted faster than it did during Richard Nixon’s presidency.

US President Donald Trump announced that American warships, aircraft, and military personnel will remain positioned around Iran. In a post on social media platform X on Wednesday night, he warned that if Iran fails to fully comply with its agreement with the United States, the country could face a devastating attack. Trump reiterated that the US military presence will continue until the signed agreement is completely observed.

Trump stated that if Iran does not adhere to the deal, severe military action would follow, describing it as more powerful than any previous response. He also said both sides agreed that Iran would not develop nuclear weapons and that the Strait of Hormuz would remain open and safe for commercial shipping. According to him, the US military is currently in a state of readiness and awaiting its next mission.

The statement underscores Trump’s emphasis on enforcing compliance with the Iran agreement and maintaining security in the Strait of Hormuz, a key global trade route.

US President Donald Trump has again threatened to launch attacks on Iran, warning that any violation of what he called the 'real agreement' would trigger unprecedented military action. He announced that American warships, aircraft, and personnel would remain stationed in and around Iran until Tehran fully complies with the signed deal. Trump made the remarks on his social media platform, Truth Social, emphasizing that any breach would lead to severe consequences.

According to Trump, both sides have agreed that Iran will not develop nuclear weapons and that the Strait of Hormuz will remain open and safe for commercial shipping. He added that the US military is already prepared and awaiting its next victory, concluding his message with the declaration, 'America is back!'

The statements, reported by CNBC, underscore renewed tensions between Washington and Tehran, with US military presence in the region set to continue until compliance with the agreement is verified.

US crude oil prices rose again after a steep drop triggered by the announcement of a ceasefire between the United States and Iran. On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump declared a two-week ceasefire with Iran, which initially caused oil prices to fall sharply. As the market began to stabilize later, prices recovered moderately.

According to the report, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures increased by $2.68, or 2.84 percent, reaching $97.09 per barrel at 22:18 GMT. Earlier in the day, global stock markets surged on the ceasefire news, while oil prices dropped nearly 14 percent to around $95 per barrel, at one point falling as low as $90.40.

The report indicates that the oil market showed signs of recovery after the initial reaction to the ceasefire announcement, suggesting a gradual return to stability.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that Iran accepted a ceasefire under intense pressure, avoiding further escalation. He said that if Tehran had rejected Washington’s conditions, the next targets would have been Iran’s power plants, bridges, and oil and energy infrastructure. According to Hegseth, such strikes would have delayed Iran’s reconstruction by decades, but the country’s leadership realized that an agreement was the better option.

Hegseth added that President Donald Trump had the capability to cripple Iran’s entire economy within minutes but chose to show mercy instead. The ceasefire announcement came less than two hours before the deadline Trump had set for Iran, which he revealed on social media. The report cited BBC as its source.

The statements highlight the US administration’s portrayal of the ceasefire as a result of strategic pressure rather than concession, emphasizing Trump’s decision to restrain from harsher measures.

Ahead of peace talks scheduled for Friday in Islamabad, U.S. President Donald Trump clarified his stance on Iran’s nuclear program. He stated that Iran would no longer be allowed to enrich uranium, but sanctions on the country would be lifted if a deal is reached. Trump made the remarks in a post on Truth Social on Wednesday.

In his message, Trump said the United States would work closely with Iran and claimed that a “highly productive regime change” had already taken place there. He added that the two countries would cooperate to remove all buried nuclear waste or materials. Trump also mentioned that Iran would be freed from tariffs and sanctions and asserted that many of the 15 points proposed by the United States to end the war had already reached consensus.

The statement comes as preparations continue for the upcoming Islamabad peace discussions, where Iran’s nuclear activities are expected to be a key topic.

White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt stated that Lebanon is not included in the ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran. She made the clarification during a briefing on Wednesday, noting that US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had discussed the ceasefire the previous night. According to Leavitt, Netanyahu supported the initiative and remains an important partner in the discussions.

When asked whether Lebanon might be included in the agreement in the future, Leavitt said discussions on the matter are ongoing. On the same day, Netanyahu emphasized that Hezbollah is not part of the ceasefire with Iran and that Israel will continue its operations against the group.

The report added that on the first day of the US-Iran ceasefire, Israeli attacks in Lebanon killed 254 people and injured 1,165, even though Hezbollah had halted its attacks on Israel in respect of the truce.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that countries supplying military weapons to Iran will face a 50 percent tariff on all goods sold to the United States. The declaration was made through a post on the social media platform Truth Social, where Trump stated that the measure would take effect immediately and that no exemptions or exceptions would be allowed.

The announcement marks a new trade restriction targeting nations involved in arms transactions with Iran. Trump emphasized that the policy applies to any country providing military equipment to Iran, signaling a strong economic response from Washington. The statement did not specify which countries might be affected or how enforcement would be carried out.

The post comes amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East, including reports of Israeli strikes in Gaza and diplomatic discussions involving Lebanon and Iran, though the tariff decision was presented as a separate U.S. policy move.