RSS
America Must Stand Up to Iran’s Nuclear Threat — Before It’s Too Late
Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov shakes hands with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi during a meeting in Tehran, Iran, Feb. 25, 2025. Photo: Russian Foreign Ministry/Handout via REUTERS
The specter of a nuclear-armed Iran looms larger than ever, with Tehran aggressively advancing its uranium enrichment program and openly defying international pressure.
Despite previous diplomatic efforts and economic sanctions, Iran’s nuclear ambitions remain unchecked, posing a dire threat to regional stability and global security. At the heart of this crisis lies an urgent question: will the United States stand firmly against this threat — and stand firmly beside its closest Middle Eastern ally, Israel, to prevent an existential catastrophe?
Iran’s nuclear program has entered a dangerous new phase, with intelligence reports indicating uranium enrichment nearing weapons-grade levels. The Islamic Republic has long claimed that its nuclear activities are for peaceful purposes, but the evidence suggests otherwise. The fact that Iran continues to develop ballistic missile technology — capable of carrying nuclear warheads — only reinforces the fears of its adversaries.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has dismissed military threats against Iran’s nuclear facilities, asserting that “Iran’s nuclear program cannot be destroyed through military operations. .. this is a technology that we have achieved, and the technology is in the brains and cannot be bombed.” Such rhetoric reflects Iran’s growing confidence in its ability to defy the international community, while steadily advancing its nuclear capabilities.
Israel has never shied away from taking decisive action against hostile nations seeking nuclear weapons. In 1981, Israeli fighter jets carried out Operation Opera, destroying Iraq’s Osirak nuclear reactor. A similar strike was executed in 2007, when Israel bombed Syria’s nuclear reactor in Deir ez-Zor. These operations were not just acts of military aggression, but calculated moves to protect Israel’s very survival — and the security of the entire region.
Now, with Iran inching closer to nuclear breakout capacity, Israeli officials are signaling that time is running out. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reiterated that Israel will not allow Iran to obtain nuclear weapons, even if it means launching a unilateral military strike. The stakes are clear: a nuclear-armed Iran would embolden its proxies — Hezbollah, Hamas, and other terrorist organizations — to escalate attacks on Israel, destabilizing the entire region. And, of course, Iran has promised to destroy Israel, and complete a complete genocide against its people.
For decades, the United States has been Israel’s most steadfast ally, providing military aid, intelligence-sharing, and diplomatic backing. However, Iran’s nuclear advancements present a new test for Washington. President Donald Trump’s recent letter to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, offering negotiations for a nuclear deal, has been met with outright rejection. While diplomatic solutions should always be explored, history has shown that Iran only responds to strength, not appeasement.
Speaking in the Oval Office, Trump laid out the stark choice facing Tehran. “There are two ways Iran can be handled, militarily or you make a deal,” he told Fox News. “I would prefer to make a deal, because I’m not looking to hurt Iran. They’re great people. I know so many Iranians from this country.”
However, Iran’s Supreme Leader dismissed the offer, stating that “the insistence of some bullying governments to negotiate is not to solve problems, but to impose their own expectations.” His rejection signals that Iran remains uninterested in direct negotiations with Washington, a stance that further complicates efforts to curb its nuclear ambitions.
Yet, there is a small window for engagement. Iran’s UN mission recently indicated a willingness to discuss the “militarization” of its nuclear program, while rejecting outright dismantlement. This ambiguous position suggests Tehran may be open to negotiations only on its own terms — terms unlikely to satisfy the United States or Israel.
The consequences of failing to counter Iran’s nuclear ambitions extend far beyond Israel. A nuclear-armed Iran could trigger a regional arms race, with countries like Saudi Arabia and Turkey seeking their own nuclear capabilities in response. This would dismantle decades of non-proliferation efforts and heighten the risk of nuclear conflict in an already volatile region.
Moreover, an emboldened Iran would pose a direct threat to American interests. Iran has already demonstrated its willingness to attack US military bases and disrupt global energy markets through proxy warfare. If Iran acquires nuclear weapons, these threats would become exponentially more dangerous, as the country would operate with the ultimate deterrent against any retaliation.
The US must move beyond empty diplomatic gestures and take decisive action to counter Iran’s nuclear threat. This means strengthening Israel’s military capabilities, enforcing crippling economic sanctions on Iran, and ensuring that all options — including military intervention — remain on the table.
Backing Israel in this critical moment is not just about supporting an ally — it is about safeguarding global security and preventing a nuclear-armed rogue state from dictating the balance of power in the Middle East. A failure to act decisively now could lead to irreversible consequences, not only for Israel but for the entire world.
Iran’s nuclear ambitions must be met with an unequivocal response. The United States must do whatever it takes to prevent a nuclear-armed Iran, using every means necessary to ensure Tehran does not cross the red line. While diplomacy has a role to play, history has shown that only a firm, unwavering stance backed by credible military deterrence can force Iran to abandon its nuclear aspirations. Time is running out, and hesitation is not an option.
Amine Ayoub, a Middle East Forum fellow, is a policy analyst and writer based in Morocco.
The post America Must Stand Up to Iran’s Nuclear Threat — Before It’s Too Late first appeared on Algemeiner.com.
RSS
Antisemites Target Synagogues in Spain, France Amid Surge in Jew Hatred Across Europe
The exterior wall of a synagogue in Girona, Spain, vandalized with antisemitic graffiti. Photo: Screenshot
Pro-Palestinian activists have vandalized synagogues in Spain and France in recent days, sparking public outrage and calls for authorities to step up protections.
These are only the latest incidents in a troubling wave of anti-Jewish hate crimes targeting Jewish communities across Europe which continues unabated.
On Thursday, the Jewish community of Girona, a city in Spain’s northeastern Catalonia region, filed a police complaint and urged authorities to take action after the outer wall of the city’s synagogue was defaced with an antisemitic slogan.
Unknown perpetrators defaced the synagogue’s walls with antisemitic graffiti, scrawling messages such as “Israel is a genocidal state, silence = complicity.”
The city’s Jewish community strongly condemned the incident, urging authorities to conduct a swift investigation, impose exemplary sanctions, and ensure robust security measures.
“Disguised as political activism, [this attack] seeks to stigmatize citizens for their faith — something intolerable in a democratic society,” the statement reads. “Tolerance and respect are values we must defend together.”
The European Jewish Association (EJA) also condemned the incident as a hate crime, urging the Spanish government to ensure the safety and protection of its Jewish citizens.
“This is yet another antisemitic attack, part of a wave we’ve seen daily for nearly two years,” the EJA wrote in a post on X.
This is what members of the Jewish community in Girona found this morning when they arrived at their synagogue to pray.
Antisemitic vandals had defaced the synagogue’s outer wall with the words:
“ISRAEL ESTAT GENOCIDA, SILENCI = CÒMPLICE”
Translation: “Israel is a genocidal… pic.twitter.com/ERj4z1hKOP— EJA – EIPA (@EJAssociation) September 4, 2025
In a separate incident, three pro-Palestinian activists were arrested on Thursday after trying to force their way into a synagogue in Nice, southeastern France, during an informational meeting on aliyah, the process of Jews immigrating to Israel.
According to local reports, several individuals attempted to forcibly enter the place of worship, sparking violent clashes and insults that left a pregnant woman injured.
Shortly after the incident, law enforcement arrested two women in their forties and a man in his sixties, taking them into custody as part of an investigation into aggravated violence.
The charges involve attacks on a vulnerable person, actions carried out by a group, religious motivation, and public religious insults.
Local authorities strongly condemned the act and announced that police officers would remain stationed outside the synagogue for as long as necessary.
Since the Hamas-led invasion of and massacre across southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, antisemitic incidents have surged to alarming levels across Europe.
Jewish individuals have been facing a surge in hostility and targeted attacks, including vandalism of murals and businesses, as well as physical assaults.
RSS
Iran’s Alliances With China, Russia Falter as Regime Faces Growing Isolation, Study Finds
Chinese Foreign Minister Wag Yi stands with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov and Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazeem Gharibabadi before a meeting regarding the Iranian nuclear issue at Diaoyutai State Guest House on March 14, 2025 in Beijing, China. Photo: Pool via REUTERS
As Iran continues to face major crises both at home and abroad, its ties to China and Russia are proving far weaker than they seem, leaving the regime to confront the fallout largely on its own, according to a new study.
The Institute for National Security Studies (INSS), an Israeli think tank, has released a report examining how the 12-day war with Israel in June exposed the limits of Iran’s alliances with China and Russia.
In the study, authors Raz Zimmt and Danny Citrinowicz note that both China and Russia favored cautious diplomacy over direct support at a time when the Iranian regime was most vulnerable.
“The policy of Moscow and Beijing, which consisted of fairly mild condemnations of the Israeli and US strikes in Iran, sparked criticism and disappointment in Tehran,” the report explains.
“It also reinforced the Iranian assessment that its reliance on Russia and China remains limited, particularly in the event of a military confrontation with Israel and the United States,” it continues.
Earlier this week, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian traveled to Beijing, joining Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, as the three nations aim to project a united front against the West.
The high-profile gathering came after Pezeshkian and Putin held talks in China on Monday on the sidelines of the 25th Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Tianjin.
During a joint press conference, the Iranian president hailed Tehran’s cooperation with Moscow as “highly valuable,” adding that continued implementation of their 20-year treaty signed earlier this year would further strengthen ties and expand collaboration.
Putin also noted that the relationship between the two countries is “growing increasingly friendly and expanding” amid mounting pressure and sanctions from Western countries.
According to Zimmt and Citrinowicz, Iran has little room to maneuver, even more so now as the regime faces the imminent threat of UN sanctions being reimposed due to efforts by Britain, France, and Germany, forcing it to rely on its fragile alliances with Russia and China.
“It is clear that for now, Iran has no viable alternative to continuing its political, economic, and security partnership, as limited as it may be, with Russia and China, especially given the escalating tensions between Tehran and Europe,” the paper explains.
“Likewise, Russia and China, who view Iran as a junior partner in a coalition against the West and the United States, have no real alternative to Tehran, and they are expected to continue the partnership as long as it serves their interests,” it adds.
The authors argue that China and Russia could readily sacrifice Iran to further their strategic goals, including strengthening ties with Washington.
The study comes just days after an Iranian official accused Russia without evidence of providing intelligence to Israel during the 12-day Middle Eastern war in June which allegedly helped the Jewish state target and destroy Iran’s air defense systems.
Mohammad Sadr, a member of Iran’s Expediency Discernment Council and close adviser to former President Mohammad Khatami, claimed Israel’s precise strikes on Iranian air defense systems were suspicious.
He noted Russia’s refusal to support Iran during the war, saying that Moscow had shown a “bias in favor of Israel” and that the recent conflict demonstrated the “strategic agreement with Russia is nonsense.”
“This war proved that the strategic alliance with Moscow is worthless,” Sadr said during an interview with BBC Persian, referring to the 12-day war between Iran and Israel.
“We must not think that Russia will come to Iran’s aid when the time comes,” he continued.
At the SCO summit in Tianjin earlier this week, Tehran also described its ties with China as “flourishing,” pointing to a strategic pact similar to the one it signed with Russia.
According to some reports, China may be helping Iran rebuild its decimated air defenses following the 12-day war with Israel.
China is the largest importer of Iranian oil, with nearly 90 percent of Iran’s crude and condensate exports going to Beijing. The two sides also recently signed a 25-year cooperation agreement, held joint naval drills, and continued to trade Iranian oil despite US sanctions.
“It should be noted that despite the 25-year cooperation agreement signed between Tehran and Beijing in March 2021, the partnership between the two countries remains very limited, and China does not provide solutions to most of Iran’s economic difficulties, including the need for infrastructure investment,” the INSS study explains.
RSS
US Lawmakers Urge Trump to Restrict Visas for Iran’s President, Other Regime Officials Ahead of UN General Assembly
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian speaks during a meeting in Ilam, Iran, June 12, 2025. Photo: Iran’s Presidential website/WANA (West Asia News Agency)/Handout via REUTERS
A bipartisan group of US lawmakers is urging President Donald Trump to block or sharply restrict visas for Iran’s president, Masoud Pezeshkian, and other top Iranian officials traveling to New York this month for the United Nations General Assembly, warning that Tehran will use the global platform to disguise its escalating repression at home.
In a letter sent to Trump on Thursday, 40 members of Congress pointed to Iran’s recent human rights record, which includes nearly 1,500 executions in the past year, and accused Pezeshkian’s government of openly threatening to repeat the mass killings of dissidents that scarred the country in 1988.
“Immediately following the recent 12-day war between Israel and Iran, the Iranian regime escalated its widespread internal crackdown, arbitrarily arresting hundreds of ethnic minorities, civil society leaders, women’s rights activists, and others,” the lawmakers wrote. They described Iran’s leaders as “criminals” who “support terrorism” and “sow hatred and instability across the Middle East.”
The letter was signed by an unusually broad coalition of Republicans and Democrats, including House GOP Conference Chair Elise Stefanik (NY), as well as Reps. Dan Crenshaw (R-TX), Deborah Ross (R-NC), and Val Hoyle (D-OR), underscoring how concern about Iran’s hostility toward the US and its allies continues to cut across party lines.
Drawing a distinction between the regime and the Iranian people who support democracy, the lawmakers asked Trump to make a strong statement against a country that US intelligence agencies have long labeled the world’s foremost state sponsor of terrorism.
“We respectfully urge you to restrict the Iranian delegation’s freedom of movement, and, to the extent possible, refrain from issuing visas to key delegation members, including for its President, Masoud Pezeshkian,” the letter stated.
It continued, “We urge you to take a strong stand against the Iranian regime’s ongoing support for terrorism and human rights abuses, in line with your dedication toward ‘Peace through Strength’ and the maximum pressure campaign against the regime. We look forward to working you to further
oppose the destructive and destabilizing influence of the government of Iran and support the
Iranian people on the world stage.”
The lawmakers’ request comes as the Trump administration weighs new restrictions on several UN delegations ahead of the annual gathering. According to a State Department memo obtained by the Associated Press, the US is considering limiting the movements of officials not just from Iran, but also from Sudan and Zimbabwe. The department is also considering limiting the movements of officials from Brazil, whose president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, traditionally opens the General Assembly.
The proposals also suggest that Iranian diplomats be barred from shopping at Costco or Sam’s Club without explicit permission from the State Department, according to the AP report. Diplomats from Iran have historically relied on those stores to buy affordable goods unavailable in their home country. By contrast, the memo indicates that delegates from Syria may be granted a waiver, reflecting shifting US priorities in the region.
Under the UN Headquarters Agreement, the US is obligated to grant visas to foreign officials attending UN functions. But successive administrations have imposed restrictions on the travel of adversarial delegations, typically confining them to Manhattan and surrounding boroughs. The latest proposals would go further, potentially requiring advance State Department approval for movements and limiting access to certain businesses.