Trump Open to Iran Keeping Missiles, Warns Against 'Herbert Hoover' Presidency
Former President Donald Trump said he is open to allowing Iran to keep its ballistic missiles, arguing it would be "unfair" for the country to lack them if neighboring nations have similar weapons [175576]. The remark came as Trump criticized comparisons to Herbert Hoover, a U.S. president often associated with economic hardship [175576]. The statement signals a potential shift in his approach to Iran's military capabilities, though he did not specify limits or conditions for the missile stockpile [175576].
In a separate development, Trump urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to "stop blowing up buildings" during a phone call about Israel's military campaign in Lebanon, according to the Wall Street Journal [175529]. The relationship between the two leaders has grown increasingly hostile as the conflict continued [175529]. Trump has repeatedly called on Israel to act "more responsible" in Lebanon, saying Israel's campaign against Hezbollah has been too violent and caused too many deaths [175084][174255][174250].
Trump also proposed that Israel let Syria "deal with Hezbollah," arguing that Damascus would do a "better job" [174804]. The suggestion touches on deep fears in Lebanon, where many worry about Syria's long history of interfering in their country's affairs [174804]. Hezbollah is a powerful Lebanese militant group backed by Iran [174804].
Meanwhile, a United Nations report has singled out both warring factions in Sudan for serious violations, accusing them of crimes that may amount to war crimes [175538]. The report documents attacks on civilians, use of heavy weapons in populated areas, and obstruction of aid, warning that the conflict is pushing the country toward a full-scale humanitarian catastrophe [175538].
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, more than 180 people have died in an Ebola outbreak, and Doctors Without Borders (MSF) warned that "dangerous gaps" remain in efforts to control the spread of the virus [174755]. Human Rights Watch (HRW) said the government and international partners must prioritize community engagement and limit the role of security forces in fighting the outbreak [171539]. Years of conflict, abuse, and neglect have strained healthcare systems and eroded public trust, which risks complicating the response [171539].
The United Nations Security Council condemned the killing of a Serbian peacekeeper serving in Lebanon, calling the death a tragic example of ongoing threats against UN personnel [171719]. The Council said such killings "represent the most tragic instances in a pattern of intimidation, endangerment, and attempts to undermine mandated activities of UN peacekeepers" [171719].