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

US panel backs Trump-themed coin amid controversy

The United States Department of the Treasury confirmed to AFP that the Commission of Fine Arts approved the design of a new collectible coin featuring Donald Trump, with members of the commission appointed by the current administration.

According to the proposal, the coin will feature an image of Trump standing with clenched fists over a desk on the obverse, while the reverse will display an eagle, a traditional symbol of the United States.

The sale price of the collectible has not yet been disclosed, although the United States Mint typically offers similar items for more than $1,000.

“There is no more iconic portrait for the front of these coins than that of our president Donald Trump,” U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach said in a statement sent to AFP. He added that two additional coins — a $1 piece and a one-ounce gold coin — are also under consideration.

However, the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC), another body responsible for reviewing new coin proposals, declined to discuss the Trump design in late February.

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“Only nations governed by kings or dictators place the image of a sitting leader on their currency,” said Donald Scarinciat the time. “No country in the world has minted coins featuring a democratically elected leader during their term in office,” he added.

When contacted by AFP, the Treasury Department did not immediately respond to requests for further comment.

International

Fed’s Waller warns of rising inflation risks amid Middle East conflict

Christopher Waller, a governor at the Federal Reserve, said Friday that he is increasingly concerned about the inflationary impact of the ongoing conflict involving United States and Israel against Iran, particularly due to the prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Waller, who had supported interest rate cuts over the past year amid concerns about the labor market, said he has shifted his stance in recent weeks due to rising inflation risks.

“Since the Strait of Hormuz was closed, it suggests this conflict could be much more prolonged and that oil prices will remain elevated for longer,” Waller said in an interview with CNBC.

“Therefore, this indicates that inflation is a greater concern than I had previously assessed,” he added.

Waller also backed the Federal Reserve’s decision earlier this week to keep interest rates unchanged, signaling a more cautious approach as global geopolitical tensions continue to affect economic outlooks.

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International

Brazil offers to mediate Colombia-Ecuador tensions, calls for restraint

The government of Brazil has offered to mediate in the ongoing tensions between Colombia and Ecuador, while calling on both nations to exercise restraint.

In a statement released Wednesday, Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged the parties involved to act with moderation and seek a peaceful resolution to the dispute.

“Brazil encourages all sides to act with moderation in order to find a peaceful solution to the controversy. It stands ready to support dialogue efforts aimed at preserving peace and security in the region,” the statement said.

Brazil also expressed “serious concern” over reports of deaths in the border area between Colombia and Ecuador, noting that the circumstances surrounding the incidents have not yet been clarified.

The diplomatic move comes amid rising tensions between the neighboring countries, increasing regional concern over stability and security along their shared border.