DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Israel kept up its campaign of targeting Iran’s leaders in an effort to weaken the country’s ruling theocracy, killing its third top official in two days. An Iranian offshore natural gas field was struck in a sign of the war’s mounting pressure – from both sides — on the region’s economic lifeblood: energy. Oil prices surged 6% above $109 a barrel, pushing up the price of gasoline around the world. An Israeli strike killed Iran’s intelligence minister overnight, with Iranian state television confirmed the death of Esmail Khatib. Iran lashed out early on Wednesday with multiple attacks on its Persian Gulf neighbors and Israel. Israel says three private aircraft were damaged in recent days by fragments of Iranian missiles that were intercepted.
Trump’s failed strong-arming of allies on Iran shows that pressure is losing its effect
PARIS (AP) — We’ve long had your back, now it’s our turn. That is how the famously transactional U.S. President Donald Trump is framing his demands that allies help him with the Iran war. He wants to call in IOUs for decades of U.S. security guarantees. The string of refusals indicates that his stock of European goodwill is low. Trump has put allies through the wringer since his return to the White House, bullying them over tariffs, Greenland and other issues, and now demanding — not just requesting — assistance with the Iran war. This time, they’re punching back.
