After meeting Xi Jinping in Beijing, Donald Trump said the US and China agreed Iran cannot be allowed to have nuclear weapons. He also claimed the Strait of Hormuz must reopen for global shipping, citing Xi’s opposition to militarising or tolling the waterway. Trump warned his patience is “running out” as US attacks pause but a port blockade continues, with talks stalled over Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile. Incidents include a sunk cargo vessel and unauthorised boarding near Fujairah.
As the year closes, President Vladimir Putin says Russia will deploy the new Sarmat nuclear missile. After repeated delays, the long-awaited system is being framed as the world’s most formidable missile, capable of striking targets thousands of miles away. The rollout signals a step up in Russia’s nuclear strategy and geopolitical leverage.
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Vladimir Putin called the US-Iran conflict in West Asia “very difficult,” while insisting Moscow has seen no evidence that Iran is pursuing nuclear weapons. He cited Russia’s role in the 2015 nuclear deal and referenced Iran’s Bushehr project, arguing existing cooperation and implementation undercut fears of hidden nuclear aims.
Donald Trump predicts any potential conflict with Iran would end quickly, arguing U.S. actions are driven by a single overriding purpose: stopping Tehran from obtaining nuclear weapons. Speaking at a tele-rally, he expressed confidence that the situation will be resolved fast, framing the current posture as aimed at preventing a critical security outcome.
US President Donald Trump sharply criticized German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, accusing him of misunderstanding Iran’s situation. The backlash follows Merz’s rebuke of the US over its handling of the conflict, with Trump taking aim at Merz’s comments suggesting Iran could have nuclear weapons. The sharp exchange underscores widening foreign-policy friction between Washington and Berlin.
A UN panel is sounding the alarm over the risk of a catastrophic nuclear escalation, pointing to the scale of global stockpiles. In January 2025, nine nuclear-armed states reported owning 12,241 nuclear warheads, including major powers and regional players. The warning raises concern that rising tensions could quickly spiral beyond control.
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Donald Trump said the US would never use nuclear weapons in a war with Iran, even as he warned that military action could follow if negotiations fail. He claimed the US would control the Strait of Hormuz and keep it closed to pressure Iran for a deal. Trump also said Iran agreed to halt executions of women and that funding to Hezbollah must stop.
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