International

The United States accuses a man linked to the Iranian government of plotting a plan to kill Trump

The United States Department of Justice accused on Friday a man linked to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard of plotting a plan to assassinate the then Republican candidate Donald Trump before the elections.

In a statement, Attorney General Merrick Garland explained that the Iranian regime commissioned the accused to “direct a network of criminal partners to promote Iran’s assassination plots against its targets, including President-elect Donald Trump.”

The accused of the plan against Trump

The main defendant is Farhad Shakeri, 51, described in the lawsuit as an Afghan resident in Tehran who spent a decade in prison in New York, where he met his partners, before being deported – he is now supposed to be in Iran – and who is an “active” member of the Revolutionary Guard.

The Department of Justice assures that Shakeri voluntarily participated in a telephone conversation with the FBI, to whom he assured that on October 7 he was commissioned to prepare a plan to kill Donald Trump the following week, but that he never thought of preparing that plan “within the time frame proposed by the Revolutionary Guard,” without that contradiction being very clear.

Iranian link

If Shakeri did not have that plan ready at the time, as he assured that was his case, the Iranian militia would pause its mission until after the elections because they believed that Trump would lose them and that “later it would be easier” to kill him, he adds.

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The accusation comes after the Trump campaign said in September that US intelligence officials had warned the then candidate “about real and specific threats from Iran with the aim of assassinating him.”

FBI director Christopher Wray said in the note that the lawsuit “exposes Iran’s flagrant attempts against US citizens, including President-elect Donald Trump, other government leaders and dissidents who criticize the Iranian regime.”

International

Oil prices surge again as Middle East tensions persist

Oil prices climbed again on Friday for a second consecutive session, as markets remained concerned about a prolonged conflict in the Middle East with no tangible diplomatic progress.

North Sea Brent crude for May delivery rose 4.22% to close at $112.57 per barrel.

Meanwhile, U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) approached the $100 mark, settling at $99.64, up 5.46%.

The decision by U.S. President Donald Trump to delay by ten days his ultimatum for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz failed to reassure market participants.

“It means there will be ten additional days of disruptions in the Middle East for crude and refined product flows,” said Andy Lipow, of Lipow Oil Associates.

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“For prices to come down, a resolution to the conflict is necessary,” Lipow added. “And even in the event of a ceasefire, it is not certain that Iran would allow oil shipments to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.”

International

Young Spanish Woman Receives Euthanasia After Legal Battle, Sparking Debate

A 25-year-old Spanish woman, Noelia Castillo, received euthanasia on Thursday following a prolonged legal dispute with her father.

She passed away at a care center in Sant Pere de Ribes, about 40 kilometers from Barcelona, where she had been living for some time, according to Spanish media reports.

In an interview broadcast a day earlier on Antena 3, Castillo expressed her exhaustion after enduring prolonged suffering. She indicated that her decision was influenced by a combination of personal circumstances and health-related challenges, including family conflicts and a condition of paraplegia following a previous incident that left her with lasting physical consequences.

Spain legalized euthanasia in 2021, becoming one of the few countries that allow patients under strict conditions to seek medical assistance to end their lives in order to avoid what the law defines as unbearable suffering.

The case has reignited debate in Spain over the ethical, legal, and family dimensions surrounding euthanasia, as well as the broader issue of support for individuals in vulnerable situations.

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International

Over 300 U.S. Troops Wounded Since Start of Iran Conflict, CENTCOM Says

More than 300 U.S. service members have been injured since the start of the conflict with Iran on February 28, the United States Central Command confirmed on Friday.

“Since the beginning of Operation Epic Fury, approximately 303 U.S. service members have been wounded. The vast majority of these injuries are minor, and 273 troops have already returned to duty,” said U.S. Navy Captain Tim Hawkins.

A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity to AFP, indicated that 10 American troops remain seriously injured.

According to the latest figures, an additional 13 U.S. service members have been killed since the conflict began, including seven in the Gulf region and six in Iraq.

Meanwhile, Iran’s armed forces warned on Friday that hotels hosting U.S. troops in the region could be considered legitimate military targets.

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“When U.S. forces enter a hotel, from our perspective that hotel becomes American,” said armed forces spokesperson Abolfazl Shekarchi in remarks broadcast on state television.