The Trump administration is continuing to increase the pressure on Iran and its proxies throughout the region.
Today, President Trump warned countries that his administration will be intensifying efforts to crack down on Iran's illicit oil trade:
"ALERT: All purchases of Iranian Oil, or Petrochemical products, must stop, NOW! Any Country or person who buys ANY AMOUNT of OIL or PETROCHEMICALS from Iran will be subject to, immediately, Secondary Sanctions. They will not be allowed to do business with the United States of America in any way, shape, or form."
Iran's oil exports, primarily to China, are a key source of revenue for the regime, funding its nuclear program and enabling its support of terrorist groups across the Middle East, including Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis.
Trump's announcement came the day after Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth warned Iran of additional consequences for its continued support for the Houthis:
"Message to IRAN:
"We see your LETHAL support to The Houthis. We know exactly what you are doing.
"You know very well what the U.S. Military is capable of — and you were warned. You will pay the CONSEQUENCE at the time and place of our choosing."
Also this week, the Pentagon announced that U.S. forces have struck more than 1,000 Houthi targets in Yemen since March 15, degrading the Iran-backed terror group's capabilities.
And the United States has continued to impose additional sanctions on Iran and its proxies. The State Department yesterday sanctioned seven entities engaged in Iranian oil smuggling, generating "hundreds of millions of dollars in illicit funds for Iran’s destabilizing activities."
AIPAC thanks the administration for taking these important steps.
America must continue to implement the President's maximum-pressure campaign and cut off the cash flow to the Iranian regime.
Iran nuclear negotiations postponed
Iran announced that the next round of nuclear negotiations, previously scheduled to take place in Rome on Saturday, are being postponed.
State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce told reporters that, "We expect another round of talks that will take place in the near future."
Time-bound talks to verifiably and permanently dismantle Iran’s nuclear program must be coupled with the continued implementation of maximum pressure and a credible threat of military force to be effective.
Israel continuing to strike Hezbollah as Lebanon claims progress
The IDF confirmed today that it eliminated two Hezbollah operatives in separate strikes in southern Lebanon.
One of the terrorists was a member of Hezbollah's elite Radwan force, and the other was operating in the border area gathering intelligence for Hezbollah.
Meanwhile, a Lebanese security official claimed that the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) has "dismantled over 90 percent of the [Hezbollah] infrastructure in the area south of the Litani," and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said in an interview that the LAF was now in control of over 85% of southern Lebanon.
The United States must continue to stand with Israel and increase the pressure on Hezbollah and Lebanon to fully comply with the terms of the November 2024 ceasefire agreement.
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Israel still combating major fires around Jerusalem
Israeli firefighting teams continued to battle major blazes around Jerusalem today, working to bring the fires under control.
Israeli authorities reopened roads and trains around Jerusalem, and allowed many evacuated residents to return home.
While the origins of the fires are still being investigated, arson is suspected as a possible cause.
Several individuals have been arrested by Israeli police on suspicion of attempting to ignite fires, and Hamas had posted on social media a call for Palestinians to "burn whatever you can of groves, forests, and settler homes."
NSA Waltz nominated to U.N. post
President Trump announced today that Mike Waltz, currently serving as National Security Adviser, will be leaving his post and is nominated to serve as the next U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio will serve as interim national security adviser.
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