Trump Suggests Iran May Agree to Nuclear Talks as US, Israel Boost Pressure on Terror Proxies
JERUSALEM, Israel – President Donald Trump has indicated that Iran may agree to direct talks on its nuclear program. Talk about potential negotiations is taking place while the U.S. wages a massive air campaign against the Houthis, one of Iran's main proxies in the region.
Iran is now reportedly pulling its forces out of Yemen as the U.S. attacks. The bombing campaign is designed to stop the Houthis from firing its ballistic missiles at Israel and ships in the Red Sea. The Houthis have severely disrupted global trade.
The White House believes that despite public denials, the Iranians will come around to direct talks with the U.S. President Trump is demanding Iran give up its nuclear weapons program.
The president also suggested Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may come to Washington again as soon as next week. It's another sign of improved relations after the Biden administration.
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In Gaza, Israel is continuing its aggressive new policy to strike Hamas with growing force until the terror group releases the remaining hostages, disarms, and leaves Gaza.
Israeli Army Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin stated Thursday, "We have attacked more than 600 terror targets throughout Gaza. We have eliminated more than 250 terrorists, including 12 senior members of the Hamas terrorist organization and in its government branch. All of them are terrorists. All of them took part in the October 7th massacre."
A new Israeli strategy is to control more sections of Gaza if Hamas refuses to surrender the hostages. This leaves entire cities such as Rafah cut off from the rest of the Gaza Strip.
In Washington, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) continues his efforts to break off U.S. military support for Israel. He proposed two bills to stop $8.8 billion worth of U.S. arms sales. Both bills were defeated by more than 80 votes. Only 15 Democrats stood with his efforts to prevent the sales.
About The Author
CBN News Middle East Bureau Chief
In a time where the world's attention is riveted on events in the Middle East, CBN viewers have come to appreciate Chris Mitchell's timely reports from this explosive region of the world. Mitchell brings a Biblical and prophetic perspective to these daily news events that shape our world.
Chris first began reporting on the Middle East in the mid-1990s. He repeatedly traveled there to report on the religious and political issues facing Israel and the surrounding Arab states. One of his more significant reports focused on the emigration of persecuted Christians from the Middle East.
In the past, Chris's reporting has been distinguished by award-winning coverage of revival movements and other spiritual issues. In addition to the Brownsville revival in Pensacola, Fla., he also covered an outbreak of revival in Missouri. His report on the "holy laughter" revivals in Toronto and London was named CBN's "Focus Story of the Year" in 1994.
That same year, Chris also earned a "Short Story of the Year" award for his examination of religious coverage in network news. He has also reported on such movements as the Promise Keepers and the annual "Prayer and Fasting" campaign led by the late Campus Crusade founder Dr. Bill Bright.
In addition to his reports for The 700 Club, Chris is also a regular contributor to Christian World News, a weekly 30-minute newscast that airs nationally in multiple markets.
Prior to joining CBN News in 1992, Chris worked for three years as a researcher, producer, and reporter for the Features/Testimonies department of The 700 Club.
A native of the Boston area, Chris earned a B.A. in History at the University of New Hampshire in 1975. In 1987, he graduated with honors from Regent University, earning an M.A. in Communication. While a student at Regent (then CBN University), Chris anchored "Newsight," a student-produced Christian news program.
Chris's goal at CBN News is to provide in his stories the Biblical "understanding of the times" described in I Chronicles 12:32.
