Search This Blog

Tuesday, June 2, 2026

Trump Can Close Hamas’s Front Office

 

Twenty-five U.S. senators and more than 90 representatives have urged President Trump to “take decisive action to fully dismantle UNRWA.” The United Nations Relief and Works Agency has supported Palestinian radicalism for many decades, in the process becoming Hamas’s front office.

Mr. Trump cut Unrwa’s funding in 2018 and again in 2025, citing revelations that a dozen employees participated in the Hamas invasion of Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. But U.N. agencies, and Unrwa especially, are designed to be insulated from accountability. Unrwa was created by the General Assembly in 1949 as a temporary mechanism to assist Arabs displaced during Israel’s War of Independence. While it can be closed only by the General Assembly, strategically applied pressure from the U.S. could go a long way.

The Palestinians are the only people with their own U.N. agency. The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, responsible for the rest of the world, has long stopped dealing with refugees from the many wars and dislocations of the 1940s. Unrwa’s rolls, on the other hand, have swollen from 750,000 to six million because Unrwa invented a unique definition for Palestinian refugees. Lifelong, patrilineal, hereditary status in Unrwa can never be extinguished by settling elsewhere or even acquiring citizenship.

Unrwa’s facilities were used as covers for Hamas tunnels, as weapons caches and, reportedly, as places to hold hostages. It became a “subsidiary” of Hamas, as Secretary of State Marco Rubio put it. Mr. Trump’s 20-Point Plan calls for Hamas to be purged from Gaza. But that can’t happen while Unrwa remains one of the biggest employers in the strip, the primary provider of municipal services and author of school curricula.

The U.S. can make Unrwa pay for the harms it has caused. Lawsuits have been brought against the agency in U.S. federal courts, including by American families whose relatives were murdered or kidnapped on Oct. 7, but Unrwa has enjoyed total immunity as a U.N. “subsidiary organ.” The Trump administration has filed cogent briefs arguing why Unrwa doesn’t qualify for that status, but the only court to rule so far has upheld immunity, relying on the Biden administration’s position. Appeals could take years.

There is a faster route. Recognition of foreign entities is a core executive power. If the State Department issued a formal policy statement that the U.S. doesn’t recognize Unrwa as a “subsidiary” of the U.N., it would be binding on courts in a way legal briefs aren’t. In Zivotofsky v. Kerry (2015), the Supreme Court held that the president’s foreign-affairs power gives him absolute discretion to decide what the U.S. considers constituent parts of the countries it recognizes. If the president can deem Jerusalem not part of Israel even when Congress disagrees, as Barack Obama did, he can deem Unrwa not part of the U.N. when Turtle Bay disagrees.

Another pressure point is the U.N. budget. Secretary-General António Guterres has warned the international body faces “imminent financial collapse.” Unrwa’s commissioner-general serves at the secretary-general’s will. That means Mr. Guterres can ensure Unrwa has a leader who will abandon its baleful policies. The U.S. should condition any payment of arrears to the U.N. on three steps: Unrwa’s eliminating the hereditability of enrollee status, which comes solely from its internal regulations; its closing its Gaza operations (perhaps in favor of the Board of Peace); and the U.N. secretary-general’s waiving Unrwa’s immunity when it comes to material support of terror and atrocities. Under the U.N. Convention on Privileges and Immunities, he can do so whenever “the immunity would impede the course of justice.”

Unrwa’s leaders accepted working with Hamas as the price of doing business in Gaza. That makes it possible to impose sanctions against them for supporting a designated foreign terror organization. The sanctions should cover officials who ran the organization on Oct. 7, including Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini, whose term ends in June. Closing Unrwa’s Gaza operations and changing the mandate could be rewarded by lifting those sanctions.

Finally, Unrwa pays its Gaza staff in U.S. dollars wired from a New York bank account. Those dollars need to be converted into Israeli shekels, Gaza’s de facto currency. Hamas takes a substantial cut on every money exchange, turning Unrwa’s payroll into a revenue stream. The U.S. Treasury can block the dollar transfers under existing sanction authorities.

For 76 years Unrwa has perpetuated the problem it was created to remedy. Now it’s time to resolve the problem of Unrwa.

Eugene Kontorovich is a professor at George Mason Scalia Law School and a senior legal fellow at Advancing American Freedom.

https://www.wsj.com/opinion/trump-can-close-hamass-front-office-c96bb3d8

Posted by at No comments:

Iran Sends Missiles, Drones Targeting Airbases Across Gulf After US Nighttime Attack On Qeshm Island

 

Summary:

  • Two bases come under fresh missile attack in Kuwait, Fars and Reuters report. Iran state media says retaliation for night US attack on Qeshm Island.
  • Explosions & air raid sirens also being reported in Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Bahrain. It seems that war is popping off once again.
  • rump insists reports that Iran & US have not been talking for days is 'fake news'; Rubio also tells Congress talks are ongoing, despite fresh Iranian denials, and even claims the nuclear file is part of it.
  • Washington has seen the Lebanon partial truce as opportunity enough to press forward on broader talks, with Trump saying he expects a broader Iran deal "over the next week".
  • But Fars denies this Tuesday: "exchange of messages between Iran & the US has been stopped for at least a few days" on MOU.

*  *  *

War Returns? More Missiles Fired On Kuwait, Sirens & Explosions In KSA, UAE

In the overnight hours local time, Kuwait is reporting inbound missiles and drones, with Fars reporting that two American bases were targeted. Explosions and air raid sirens also being reported in Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Bahrain. It seems that war is popping off once again.

Per a breaking Reuters report:

Kuwait’s army says that air defenses are intercepting hostile missile and drone attacks and urges the public to follow security and safety instructions issued by the relevant authorities.

Any sounds of explosions heard are the result of interceptions, the army adds.

Tasnim: "Blasts reported at Kuwait's Ali al-Salem US airbase" after three missiles were fired. And the latest from CNN:

Kuwait says it is intercepting enemy missile and drone attacks. While it has not yet identified who it believes is behind the attack, the news comes shortly after Iranian media reported “explosion-like sounds” near Iran’s Qeshm island. Meanwhile, the US military said it “disabled” an oil tanker heading for an Iranian port by striking it with a Hellfire missile.

Unconfirmed emerging footage:

Sirens have also been activated in Bahrain, for unknown cause. New IRGC statement:

US Military Fires on Non-compliant vessel

In fresh action CENTCOM has announced it has fired on another vessel which was non-compliant to the US blockade:

  • CENTCOM SAYS DISABLED NON-COMPLIANT VESSEL IN ARABIAN GULF
  • CENTCOM: DISABLED VESSEL W/ HELLFIRE MISSILE TO ENGINE ROOM

Trump: It's 'Fake News' That Iran & US Stopped Speaking Days Ago

President Trump in a fresh Truth Social post has again insisted that Washington and Tehran are talking again. "The conversations between us have been going on continuously... where they lead, one never knows, but as I told Iran, 'It's time, one way or another, for you to make a Deal.'"

Throughout the morning Secretary of State Marco Rubio was fielding questions on Capitol Hill. He too insisted that talks are ongoing, despite a Tuesday Iranian denial. He claimed the regime is 'fragmented' and because of this, back-and-forth messaging is extremely slow-going. "Iranian people would make a deal tomorrow if it were up to them," Rubio said. "The Supreme Leader and the IRGC are a bit more immune to pressures."

He also generally acknowledged that Iran has effectively shut down the Strait of Hormuz, and then said this justified the US naval blockade of Iranian ports in turn. There was also this interesting exchange when he echoed Trump's line that the war is actually 'over' at this point...

Hawks like Ted Cruz want to know of any other regime change tactics going on...

A potential new nuclear framework regarding Iran was also a central topic to Tuesday's Congressional testimony:

Big if true, there is still too much smoke and noise:

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Tuesday that Iran has agreed to discuss previously off-limits aspects of its nuclear program, raising hopes that ongoing negotiations could pave the way for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and a broader diplomatic breakthrough.

Speaking at a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on the State Department's budget request, Rubio said: "We are in talks... There is the prospect before us, which could happen today, it could happen tomorrow, it could happen next week, that for the first time, certainly in my memory, they have agreed to negotiate aspects of their nuclear program."

He said the U.S. hopes such negotiations could lead to a broader understanding that would include the reopening of the strategic waterway.

"We're hopeful that something like that could happen, in which the straits would reopen, we would enter into a period of negotiations on very specific topics, delineated negotiations, in the hope of reaching an outcome that's acceptable to us and something they would be able to do as well," he said.

The above was spoken with a few too many caveats... "which could happen today, it could happen tomorrow, it could happen next week..."

Rubio in the hot seat over Iran war:

Iran Denies Progress, Halt in Talks Still in Effect

State media has belatedly responded to Trump's Monday claim that talks between the US and Iran are back on. Trump has even said Tuesday that he expects an agreement for an extended ceasefire to take place "over the next week" - along with the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. 

"An informed source says that the exchange of messages between Iran and the US has been stopped for at least a few days for what is called the initial memorandum of understanding between Tehran and Washington," Fars reports. So this is Iran in effect saying 'not so fast' - as it seeks to 'hold the cards' and maintain some leverage. Trump has not indicated a willingness to resume bombing the Islamic Republic, but his patience has seemed to be wearing thin over the last several days, as the White House is boxed in to only choosing among several 'bad options' in the wake of launching a war of choice 95 days ago.

Oil spikes on the negative news from Tehran, extends:

And more confirmation via newswires:

An Iranian source says there is currently no message exchange with the U.S., contradicting claims of ongoing progress. The source reports talks on an initial understanding have stalled for several days. It also noted Iran’s last communication with Washington concerned Lebanon and drew international attention, despite President Trump stating negotiations are advancing rapidly.

Latest on the Lebanon front:

"American sources for AI Hadath: Proposal for a 60-day plan during which Israel withdraws gradually from southern Lebanon": AI Hadath reports.

  • "Negotiations propose the deployment of the Lebanese army and UNIFIL in southern Lebanon after Israel's withdrawal."
  • "Lebanon seeks to resolve Hezbollah's weapons file politically, but after Israel's complete withdrawal."

Lebanon Fighting Persists Amid Nominal Ceasefire

Various regional and international reports have documented serious ongoing fighting in Lebanon, despite President Trump the day prior having declared that the shooting will cease and that Hezbollah and Israel were forging a limited ceasefire. Trump had said of both sides that "they agreed that all shooting will stop" - after Iran announcing it had suspended peace talks with the US over Israeli military action in Lebanon.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did affirm he would adhere to the agreement, and reports say that planned new airstrikes on Beirut were called off, but he also warned the attacks on the capital would go ahead "if Hezbollah does not stop attacking our cities and civilians" - and that forces in the south would continue operating.

BBC has freshly written that "While the ceasefire appears to be largely holding, there was further violence overnight." The same report details:

Hezbollah said its fighters had targeted Israeli tanks in the southern Lebanese towns of Haddatha and Bayada with missiles and shells. The Israeli military said it had intercepted two projectiles that had been fired from Lebanon in the early hours of Tuesday. No injuries have been reported.

Lebanon's state-run National News Agency reported Israeli strikes on several southern areas and said a "very violent" explosion from a large-scale demolition rocked the town of Debbine.

Tuesday has witnessed some ongoing attacks on south Lebanon, as well as Hezbollah drone attacks on Israeli troop positions, wounding some. According to some of the latest from Al Jazeera:

Israeli forces have carried out multiple air raids on the city of Nabatieh, one of the largest in southern Lebanon, our colleagues on the ground report. The city, a strategic hub for Hezbollah, has been encircled by Israeli forces in recent days as troops continue pushing north.

Israeli attacks were also reported across the wider Nabatieh district as Israel deepens its occupation of surrounding areas. Drones hit the towns of Kafr Sir and Aabba, while a strike targeted the road leading to Houmine al-Fawqa. The outskirts of Yahmour al-Shaqif were also hit.

There's also been a lot of explosions in the southern city of Tyre, with Israeli jets active in the airspace above on Tuesday. And rescuers have recovered six bodies from another town, with Lebanese civil defense agency having said in a statement: "Since yesterday evening and continuing until this morning … personnel have been carrying out search and rescue operations in a residential building that was targeted in the town of Marwaniyah – Sidon district."

Hezbollah's fiber-optic drone attacks have at the same time not ceased: "Two Israeli soldiers have been wounded in a Hezbollah drone attack in southern Lebanon, the military says, describing their injuries as minor," Al Jazeera reports Tuesday. This is after "Two other Israeli soldiers were killed over the weekend, also in drone attacks, bringing to 26 the number of soldiers killed since fighting escalated three months ago. Four Israeli civilians have also been killed."

Impact of Trump's 'Steamrolling' Netanyahu in Monday Call

President Trump's angry dressing down of Netanyahu may have had very limited effect, it appears. To review, per Axios during a Monday call Trump was reportedly heard cussing at the Israeli leader and essentially 'steamrolled' him - angry over breaking the Lebanon truce and demanding that Israel's military not attack Beirut.

Trump is said to have told Netanyahu "you’re fucking crazy’" while demanding Lebanon truce: "I’m saving your ass," he also reportedly said. Iran early Monday said it halted talks with Washington because of Israel's escalation in Lebanon. 

There's been some reaction from Iran to the Axios report, with Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi having remarked, "In this regard, the US president’s claim of having dissuaded Netanyahu from launching a major attack on Beirut is more than a sign of Washington’s peace-seeking, it’s confirmation of America’s direct role in managing the Zionist regime’s aggressions."

The Iranian official continued to offer Tehran's vew: "If the decision to attack the capital of an independent state can be changed with a single phone call the main question is: why did months of ceasefire violations, aggression against Lebanon, the displacement of its people, and threats to this country’s sovereignty – backed by Western political and military support – continue unabated?" he remarked.

Mark Levin rages over White House leaks of Trump-Netanyahu call...

Trump Returns to Optimism: Agreement 'Over the Next Week'

But Washington has seen the Lebanon partial truce as opportunity enough to press forward on broader talks. While there's hasn't been full confirmation from Tehran's side, Trump has declared the talks as back on:

US President Trump told ABC News he thinks he will have an agreement with Iran to extend the ceasefire and reopen the Strait of Hormuz over the next week, while he also stated that a peace agreement with Iran could be better than a military victory. Trump also stated that it's not simple for both sides, but they're getting what they need to get and that he still has to get a few more points.

The very same network points on Tuesday morning:

Israeli and Hezbollah forces continued their attacks on Tuesday despite President Donald Trump's claim that the warring sides had "stopped shooting each other" after his intervention to prevent escalation on Monday.

Lebanon's state-run news agency, NNA, reported three Israeli strikes in separate areas in southern Lebanon. One person was killed, NNA reported. ABC News has contacted the Israel Defense Forces to request comment.

So, once again Trump touting the likelihood of a deal to reopen Hormuz by next week seems extremely wishful and ambitious, to say the least. And we've heard all this before, and been here many times over the past 95 days of war.

https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/hezbollah-idf-trade-fire-amid-nominal-ceasefire-trump-says-iran-deal-coming-over-next

Posted by at No comments:

US Bill Would Prevent Chinese Connected Cars In Canada From Entering United States

 by Olivia Gomm via The Epoch Times,

Two U.S. lawmakers are set to introduce a bill aimed at preventing Chinese-connected vehicles from entering the United States via Canada and Mexico, amid growing concerns over Chinese-made electric vehicles entering the Canadian market.

U.S. Representative Haley Stevens and Senator Elissa Slotkin, both Democrats, announced the Protecting America from Chinese Cars Act last week at a conference in Michigan.

The bill would prohibit connected vehicles from China and other "adversarial nations" from entering the United States, including vehicles made or designed in China, as well as vehicles made by a Chinese company or an entity more than 15 percent owned by Chinese companies, according to a May 28 press release from Stevens's office.

It would also establish a process for vehicle manufacturers to apply for specific authorization to allow otherwise prohibited vehicles to enter the United States. Authorization would only be granted under "strict conditions, with both transparency and congressional oversight."

Federal authorities in Canada have also raised concerns that connected vehicles could pose security and privacy risks if the data they collect falls into the wrong hands.

In a memo, Public Safety Canada said Canada must expand its economy in response to a changing geopolitical environment, but warned that opening its markets to "new players" could also "amplify the presence of high-risk vendors."

The department said unauthorized access to data and connected vehicle systems "could be used to establish patterns of life or conduct surveillance on sensitive sites." It also said national security laws in countries such as China can compel manufacturers and suppliers to share data with their home governments or police, increasing the risk that Canadian data could be exploited.

A one-page readout on the U.S. bill says connected vehicles would threaten U.S. national security if the information collected "were to fall into the hands of our adversaries."

"Vehicles today can collect and transmit massive amounts of data - geolocation of drivers, mapping of critical infrastructure, full-motion video, and more," the readout says.

Connected vehicles could also be "remotely accessed and tampered with," presenting a "tremendous" risk to U.S. safety and security, the readout says, noting the Chinese auto industry is heavily subsidized, allowing Beijing to "undercut competitors and quickly flood new markets."

"The Chinese Communist Party should never have access to sensitive information about American drivers, roads, or critical infrastructure," Stevens said in a statement, adding that the bill would "close dangerous loopholes" that currently allow Chinese connected vehicles to enter the United States through Canada and Mexico.

Canada's Auto Sector

Recent data from Global Affairs Canada indicates 2,910 Chinese EVs were allowed into Canada for the first time in May, after Prime Minister Mark Carney agreed in January to allow up to 49,000 Chinese EVs into Canada at a reduced tariff rate of 6.1 percent, from the previous 100 percent rate.

Ottawa has said 49,000 EVs represent less than 3 percent of Canada's auto market, but the quota represents nearly half of Canada's battery electric sales in 2025.

According to data tabled in the House of Commons on May 29 by International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu in response to a question by Conservative MP Rhonda Kirkland, the initial 49,000-unit quota will grow 6.5 percent, exceeding 63,000 units by February 2031.

Sidhu said at least 10 percent of the quota volume must be reserved for lower-cost EVs by the second quota year, increasing on an annual basis to reach 50 percent of the total quota volume by year five.

The minister also said the arrangement is expected to catalyze new Chinese joint-venture investment in Canada to create new automotive manufacturing jobs for Canadians.

Chinese electric vehicle company BYD said last week that it plans to enter the Canadian market at the end of this year, and open more than 20 dealerships, including in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, and Montreal.

Canadian automotive representatives have voiced concern about Chinese EVs potentially undermining Canada's auto sector and presenting risks to the future of Canada's integrated North American automotive supply chain.

Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers' Association CEO Brian Kingston has said the future of Canada's auto sector depends on the country's trade relations with the United States - the destination of 90 percent of Canadian-made autos.

Industry Minister Mélanie Joly told MPs at a parliamentary committee meeting last month that her government's approach to Chinese EVs is "very holistic" in protecting auto workers and supply chains "while bringing in really good technologies."

Forced Labour

Human rights groups, China experts, and opposition MPs have also raised concerns that goods made with forced labour are being used to manufacture cars and parts assembled in China.

While the Canada Border Services Agency has blocked some shipments of Chinese car parts over forced labour concerns in recent years, there have been far fewer enforcement cases in Canada than in the United States.

Forced labour was raised as a concern in the United States Trade Representative's annual report on foreign trade barriers released March 31, which said Canada's enforcement measures remain limited in some areas.

Sidhu said in his May 29 response that all Chinese automotive manufacturers that intend to sell EVs in Canada must comply with Canadian laws and regulations, including those related to data governance, labour standards, and environmental requirements.

Paul Rowan Brian and The Canadian Press contributed to this report.

https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/us-bill-would-prevent-chinese-connected-cars-canada-entering-united-states

Posted by at No comments:

IAEA says it is offering UAE support after attack on nuclear plant

 

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is offering the United Arab Emirates technical and moral support after a drone attack last month on the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant, IAEA chief Rafael Grossi said on Tuesday.

Grossi said Emirati authorities reacted very quickly to the attack by shutting down a reactor after the loss of external power.

He said a number of activities would take place to complete repairs at the plant but gave no further details.

https://www.iranintl.com/en/liveblog/202605308417

Posted by at No comments:

Grossi says assessment of Iran nuclear program has changed

 

International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi said on Tuesday that the assessment of Iran's nuclear program had fundamentally changed because of the war and strikes targeting the country’s nuclear sites.

"So many nuclear activities that were taking place in Iran have now stopped," Grossi added.

https://www.iranintl.com/en/liveblog/202605308417

Posted by at No comments:

CENTCOM-disabled tanker had long history of Iranian oil shipments

 

Tanker Trackers said on Tuesday the tanker LEXIE (IMO 9203277), which it described as part of Iran’s sanctioned oil network, has shipped tens of millions of barrels of Iranian crude since 2019.

The vessel is the same tanker US Central Command said it disabled on Tuesday after it attempted to sail toward an Iranian port and ignored repeated warnings, according to earlier CENTCOM statement.

https://www.iranintl.com/en/liveblog/202605308417

Posted by at No comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)