The US is demanding that Iran abandon its nuclear program, scale back its missile forces, and end support for proxy groups — effectively total surrender.

Iran has already rejected the nuclear and missile demands.

Source: NYT

All EU member states have agreed to designate Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization.

Source: WSJ

Venezuelan Opposition Leader María Corina Machado:

We have huge resources that we want American companies to come and invest.

Venezuelan Opposition Leader María Corina Machado:

I think no one has faith in Delcy Rodríguez.

Everybody knows what this regime is all about. We’re talking about criminals.

The Israeli Ambassador to the UN brought a Houthi flag to work.

Senator Graham on Syria:

You can't have a one Syria policy by force of arms.

I worry about the Druze. I worry about the Christians.

Nicki Minaj on Trump:

He really wants change. He doesn’t want to just talk about it.

This is a different President. This is a different kind of leader.

This is a businessman and an authentic human being.

Macron:

Our children's and our teens' brains are not for sale.

Our children's and our teens' emotions are not for sale, and they are not available for manipulation by U.S. platforms or by Chinese algorithms.

Senator Graham on YPG/PKK terror group in Syria:

Pray for our Kurdish allies. They have been great to Israel. They have been great to us.

I’m talking to Saudi Arabia. I’m talking to Türkiye. We need to hold them accountable if things go bad.

Senator Graham says he opposes the idea of “one, united Syria”:

We have to understand that this idea that all these people are going to live together happily is a long way away.

Interviewer: It goes against the vast amount of history of that region. I mean, this idea of the nation-state is a relatively new one.

Graham: Yeah, kind of a fiction. This is a religious war.

Senator Graham:

This is a religious war. People on radical Islam, Sunni and Shia, want all of us to bend to their will.

They are all drunk on their religion; they will kill in the name of God. This is very dangerous.

The U.S. has added new high-end military assets to its Middle East buildup, including a guided-missile destroyer and an RC-135V Rivet Joint electronic surveillance aircraft, boosting missile defense and intelligence-gathering capabilities as tensions with Iran rise.

The U.S. Navy now has 10 warships in the CENTCOM area of responsibility.

Source

Trump is considering new U.S. airstrikes on Iran after quiet diplomatic contacts failed to produce progress.

The U.S. and Iran exchanged messages through Omani mediators and between Steve Witkoff and Iran’s Foreign Minister, and briefly discussed a possible in-person meeting that never happened. Trump now believes his military options have expanded with a U.S. carrier strike group in the region.

Officials say potential targets include Iranian leaders, security officials linked to protester killings, nuclear facilities and government institutions. U.S. intelligence also indicates Iran is rebuilding its nuclear sites deeper underground and blocking UN inspections.

Washington has demanded Iran permanently end uranium enrichment, limit its ballistic missile program and stop supporting regional proxy groups, but Tehran has rejected missile limits and will only discuss nuclear issues.

Source: CNN

Keir Starmer met Xi Jinping in Beijing, calling for a “more sophisticated” relationship despite ongoing disagreements.

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Speaker of Iran’s Parliament:

Trump may be able to start a war, but he does not have control over how it will end.

We are ready to negotiate with the United States if the talks are genuine and conducted in good faith.

Iran will respond if it is attacked, and thousands of American soldiers will be within range of danger.

China's Xi to UK's Starmer:

In the past year, the China-UK relationship had been troublesome.

Currently, the international landscape is intertwined with challenges.

China and the UK, as permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and major world economies, regardless of world peace and stability, it's necessary to strengthen dialogue and cooperation.

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China's Xi to UK's Starmer:

The next year will be the year of the "Horse" in China. I believe that your visit at this time is a good sign.

The cooperation between the two countries will surely reach a higher level.

For the relationship between China and the UK and the cooperation between the two countries, a new chapter will be opened.

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Keir Starmer to Xi Jinping:

The UK and China need a long-term, consistent and comprehensive strategic partnership.

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China’s Ambassador to Russia Zhang Hanhui accused the U.S. of destabilizing the Arctic over Greenland, warning Washington is trying to control key shipping routes.

What the Americans are doing — they are seeking to block, close all of these passages — is not merely against our will and our interests, it is undermining stability and peace in the world.

These moves harm the interests of many countries and undermine worldwide stability.

We should ensure the safe and free movement of goods and oppose unilateral actions.

Iraq’s Kurdistan Region cable operator Mix Media has suspended Al Jazeera, Al Arabiya and Al Hadath, accusing them of spreading “false news” and content “hostile to the Kurdish people.”