Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich insisted on Monday in an interview with Radio Galey Israel that “returning the hostages is not the most important thing.” “It is obviously a very important goal, but if you want to destroy Hamas so that there can’t be another October 7, you need to understand that there can’t be a situation where Hamas remains in Gaza,” Smotrich stressed. The minister said that the government’s main objective is to “eliminate” the Gaza problem and destroy Hamas. “The excuses are gone, there is no [former US President Joe] Biden, there is no [former US Secretary of State Antony] Blinken, there is no [former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav] Gallant,” he pointed out, adding that the only alternative to Hamas’ surrender is occupying the Gaza Strip.
Euro hits highest level against US dollar since 2021……. Gold climbs to new all-time high of $3,361
The euro continued to gain ground against the US dollar, surging 1.23% over $1.1500 for the first time since November 2021. Trade tensions between the United States and China continued to affect markets, sparking fears of long-term economic uncertainty and US economy plunging into recession. The euro surged 1.19% against the dollar at 5:14 am CET, changing hands at $1.15073.
Gold climbs to new all-time high of $3,361
The price of gold regained its upward momentum after briefly falling last week, with gold hitting a fresh all-time high of $3,361, indicating continued demand for safe-haven assets amid lingering economic uncertainty. United States President Donald Trump’s tariffs and China’s retaliatory measures, which erupted into a trade war between the world’s largest economies remained in investors’ focus. Meanwhile, Trump declared the world is aware that Washington is “serious” about duties, adding that the “one who has the gold makes the rules.” Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s comments about tariffs potentially preventing the bank from reaching its goals and harming the economy also affected the market mood. Gold jumped 1.01% at 9:54 pm ET, selling for $3,361.01 per ounce. Silver added 0.25% a minute later to sell for $32.66 per ounce while Platinum increased 0.17% and sold for $973.19 per ounce at 9:56 pm ET. Palladium traded flat, exchanging for $946.07 per ounce a minute after.
nn: everything is in a state of flux. when the trade deals start to me made the dollar will soar and gold will crash
Iran, US task experts with framework for a nuclear deal after ‘progress’ in talks
Iran and the United States agreed on Saturday to begin drawing up a framework for a potential nuclear deal, Iran’s foreign minister said, after talks that a U.S. official described as yielding “very good progress.” The Omani Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Saturday that negotiations between the United States and Iran should lead to a nuclear-free Iran. The two sides “have agreed to enter into the next phase of their discussions that aim to seal a fair, enduring and binding deal which will ensure Iran completely free of nuclear weapons and sanctions, and maintaining its ability to develop peaceful nuclear energy,” the ministry noted. Meanwhile, Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, who acted as mediator during today’s talks in Rome, praised the US and Iranian delegations for their constructive approach, claiming that “these talks are gaining momentum and now even the unlikely is possible.”
nn: this will be regarded as the worst deal America has ever made
Oman: Nuclear talks aiming for nuke-free Iran…… Iran Will Nuke You
The Omani Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Saturday that negotiations between the United States and Iran should lead to a nuclear-free Iran. The two sides “have agreed to enter into the next phase of their discussions that aim to seal a fair, enduring and binding deal which will ensure Iran completely free of nuclear weapons and sanctions, and maintaining its ability to develop peaceful nuclear energy,” the ministry noted. Meanwhile, Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, who acted as mediator during today’s talks in Rome, praised the US and Iranian delegations for their constructive approach, claiming that “these talks are gaining momentum and now even the unlikely is possible.”
NN: fool me twice all over again
BlackMask Pod Cast: Iran Will Nuke You
In High Level Talks Netanyahu, WH advisers allegedly push for tougher line on Iran……Israel Hasn’t Ruled Out Attack on Iran Nuclear Facilities
US President Donald Trump’s team is divided over how to stop Iran from developing nuclear weapons, according to a report published Wednesday by Walla. According to the media, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer are aligned with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Adviser Mike Walz in urging a more forceful approach. They argue that Iran’s current weakness should be used to justify military action, not diplomacy as Trump is doing. While Israeli sources described the conversation between Netanyahu and Trump as cordial, US officials said it was difficult, especially as direct US-Iran talks begin, the media said. The second round of nuclear discussions between the US and Iran is set for April 19 in Rome. While the US insists that Iran must cease its nuclear enrichment and weapons development, Iran has reiterated that its right to enrich uranium is not up for negotiation.
nn: this pig needs to be slaughtered. before its to late. Even if Israel goes it alone
Israel Hasn’t Ruled Out Attack on Iran Nuclear Facilities
Israel has not ruled out an attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities in the coming months, “despite Trump losing his balls” an unidentified Israeli official and two people familiar with the matter. Israeli officials privately stated their military could launch a limited strike on Iran that would require less support from the US. Parts of the plans were previously presented last year to the Biden administration, citing two former senior officials. US President Donald Trump on Thursday told reporters he has stopped Israel from an attack but that he was not “in a rush” to support military action against Tehran. An unidentified senior Israeli official told Reuters no decision had been yet made on a strike.
nn: Israel is facing another holocaust. Lest we forgot who shot 300 hypersonic missiles at them and wakes up everyday screaming death to israel. its a matter of their survival that they take out Iran’s nuclear capabilities before its to late
For a fact Israeli special forces are training for a combined air land assault on Iran’s underground nuclear sights
Trump: I am stopping Iran from getting nuclear weapon…. Don’t be so sure…….. Rubio: We’d prefer peaceful resolution to Iran issue
United States President Donald Trump said on Friday that he is working on preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, warning that lives will be in danger if the Middle Eastern country manages to obtain them. “They can’t have a nuclear weapon. I want Iran to be great, prosperous, and terrific. I stopped them once, they were broke and they didn’t have any money for Hamas, for Hezbollah,” Trump told reporters. “If they have a nuclear weapon, you’ll all be very unhappy, cause your life will be in great danger,” he added. The US president’s comments come one day before his country’s delegation is set to meet Iranian officials in Rome for a second round of negotiations on Tehran’s nuclear program.
NN: Their is no negotiating with Iran. Trump is flirting with nuclear disaster here. He needs to bomb them into oblivion.
Rubio: We’d prefer peaceful resolution to Iran issue
United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Friday that everyone would “prefer a peaceful resolution” to the Iran nuclear issue, stressing the US wants to ensure that any deal prevents Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon now, as well as in the future. Speaking on talks with European allies on the matter, Rubio stressed it is now up to France, Germany and the United Kingdom to decide whether they want to reimpose sanctions on Tehran, but insisted that they will soon see the latest report from he International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that will show Iran is “dangerously close” to acquiring a nuclear weapon and stressed it should face sanctions if it is not in compliance with the nuclear deal.
On Thursday, IAEA head Rafael Grossi warned after a visit to Iran that it is “not far off” from having a nuclear weapon.
U.S. President Donald Trump blocked an Israeli strike on Iran’s nuclear program;
A bombshell New York Times report claims U.S. President Donald Trump blocked an Israeli strike on Iran’s nuclear program
U.S. President Donald Trump blocked a planned Israeli strike on Iranian nuclear sites in favor of negotiating a deal with Iran to limit its nuclear program, the New York Times reported on Wednesday, citing administration officials and others.
Israel had developed plans to attack the sites in May, according to the newspaper, which added that the goal was to set back Iran’s ability to develop a nuclear weapon by a year or more. The New York Times said U.S. assistance was required not just to defend Israel from Iranian retaliation but also ensure the attack was successful. After months of internal debate, Trump made the decision to seek negotiations with Iran rather than support military action.
The U.S. and Iran held talks in Oman last Saturday – the first time during a Trump administration, including his 2017-2021 first term. Both countries described the talks as “positive” and “constructive”. A second round is scheduled for Saturday, and a source briefed on the planning said the meeting was likely to be held in Rome.
US strike on Houthi oil port kills 17….. Death toll of US attack on Houthi oil port up to 38
The United States reportedly conducted a strike on the Ras Issa post in the Salif district of the Hodeidah Governorate in Yemen, killing 17 people and injuring several others, Al Masirah TV reported. The US military’s Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that it targeted the port because it supplied fuel to the Houthis. A video of the port burning was posted to X.
Death toll of US attack on Houthi oil port up to 38
The death toll from the overnight United States airstrike on the Ras Issa oil port in Yemen climbed to 38, Houthi-controlled Al-Masirah TV reported on Friday. According to the outlet, another 102 people were wounded in the US attack. Earlier, the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said it targeted the oil field to “eliminate this source of fuel for the Iran-backed Houthi terrorists and deprive them of illegal revenue that has funded Houthi efforts to terrorize the entire region for over 10 years.”
Oil up by 2% as Middle East turmoil continues
The prices of oil futures kept rising on Thursday as Israel once again threatened to intervene in case Iran obtained a nuclear weapon. Meanwhile, Tehran reiterated its dedication to the relations with Russia. Additionally, the United States sanctioned a Chinese refinery for allegedly using Iranian oil. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) for May’s settlements surged by at 1:00 Pm ET to sell for $64.77 per barrel. Simultaneously, Brent for June’s deliveries jumped to $68. per barrel.
NN: WAIT TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN ISRAEL BOMBS THE SHIT OUT OF THEIR OIL INFASTUCTURE
Trump Says Powell’s Termination Can’t Happen Fast Enough
President Donald Trump said Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s termination from his position can’t come quickly enough, arguing that the US central bank should have lowered interest rates already this year, and in any case should do so now. Trump, derisively nicknaming the Fed chairman he nominated in his first term as “Too Late,” wrote in a post on the Truth Social platform Thursday morning that “Powell’s termination cannot come fast enough!”
Powell’s term as chair runs into May 2026, while his term as a governor lasts until February 2028. Trump’s comments come a day after Powell, speaking in Chicago, reiterated that the Fed isn’t in a rush to cut rates and instead is awaiting greater clarity on the economy.
The president’s ability to remove top officials at agencies that had long been viewed as having a measure of independence from the White House has come into acute focus in recent months, after the administration dismissed senior officials at the Federal Trade Commission, the National Labor Relations Board and Merit Systems Protection Board.
The firings are the most direct challenge yet to a 1935 Supreme Court decision that paved the way for agency independence. Powell made reference Wednesday to a current Supreme Court case with regard to the removal of the NLRB and MSPB officials.
Trump’s remarks came just before the European Central Bank lowered their deposit rate by a quarter point to 2.25%. Trump mentioned the ECB’s repeated cuts in his post. “And yet, ‘Too Late’ Jerome Powell of the Fed, who is always TOO LATE AND WRONG, yesterday issued a report which was another, and typical, complete ‘mess!’ Trump wrote.
NN: These 2 hate each others guts. They are at loggerheads. This will end badly