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Trump Signals Near End to Iran Conflict Amid Conflicting Messages

  President Donald Trump has suggested that the United States is “very close” to winding down its military campaign in Iran, even as the conflict continues to escalate across the region. Speaking to reporters, Trump said the U.S. could end its operations within “two to three weeks,” emphasizing that Iran does not need to agree to a deal for the war to conclude. The remarks come as the administration prepares a national address on the Iran conflict, now entering its second month. The war has caused widespread destruction, disrupted global energy markets, and driven oil prices sharply upward. Despite Trump’s statements about de‑escalation, U.S. troop deployments have increased, with thousands of additional Marines sent to the Middle East.  Trump’s messaging has been inconsistent. While he has publicly hinted at a drawdown, he has also positioned U.S. forces for potential expanded operations and delayed major strikes in hopes of diplomatic progress—progress Iran denies is occu...

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Israel Approves New Parcel of West Bank Land for Settlement

 

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has declared 800 hectares in the occupied West Bank as state land. This move aims to facilitate the use of the ground for settlement building. The announcement comes on the same day that U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Israel for talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Despite growing international opposition, the Israeli government remains determined to press ahead with settlement construction in the West Bank.

The designation of 1,976 acres of land in the Jordan Valley as state land follows a similar decision regarding 300 hectares (740 acres) in the Maale Adumim area of the West Bank. The latter area is crucial to the Palestinians’ vision of a future independent state.

Last month, the United States stated that Israel’s expansion of settlements in the West Bank was inconsistent with international law, aligning with the global consensus that considers these settlements illegal. Israel, however, disputes this view, citing historical and Biblical ties to the land. Meanwhile, the Palestinians view the expansion of settlements as a deliberate Israeli policy aimed at undermining their aspiration for an independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned this latest move, describing it as “a continuation of the extermination and displacement of our people from their homeland.”

Despite the controversy, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich’s declaration underscores the government’s commitment to settlement building in the West Bank. The situation remains highly contentious, with implications for regional stability and peace efforts.

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