Trump threatens Cuba again, says island nation may face ‘friendly takeover’
Al Jazeera
The US president repeats claims that Cuba is ready to negotiate as it faces a spiralling energy and economic crisis.
United States President Donald Trump has signalled that his administration is still pursuing a government overthrow in Cuba even as the US-Israeli war on Iran enters its second week.
Trump said on Monday that the US Department of State is still focused on Cuba, where plans by the White House may or may not include “a friendly takeover” of the island, according to the Reuters news agency.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is “dealing” with Cuba, the president told reporters in Florida.
“He’s dealing [with it], and it may be a friendly takeover, it may not be a friendly takeover. Wouldn’t really matter because they’re really down to … as they say, fumes. They have no energy, they have no money,” Trump said.
“They are going to make either a deal or we’ll do it just as easy, anyway,” he said.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says his country has shown it is ready to take the war “as far as necessary”.
Oil and gas price hikes due to the war have rattled the global economy.
Airline says limited number of flights will operate as of March 18 between Qatari capital and dozens of destinations.
Iranian state media calls for turning fire festival into a symbolic protest by burning figures of US President Trump and Israeli PM Netanyahu.
Pushback comes as US President Donald Trump says NATO allies should help secure key waterway amid soaring oil prices.
Qatari foreign ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari accuses Iran of targeting civilian areas as he calls for de-escalation.
Kenyan foreign minister meets Russian counterpart amid reports that hundreds of Kenyans were recruited to fight in Russia and Ukraine.
Despite degraded launch capabilities, Iran has enough missiles to fire strategically and keep the region on edge, experts say.
Every aspect of Iran’s ability to project regional power is being successfully degraded.
Tehran allows a small number of ships from certain countries to pass through waterway.
Israel is using military occupation of southern Lebanon and displacement crisis to dictate ceasefire terms, say experts.
Neighbourhoods in Beirut’s southern suburbs have been left in ruins by Israeli bombing attacks.