Category: International Incident

Trump Dismantles ICC to Shield Netanyahu, Putin From War Crimes

President Trump’s administration has declared official policy to dismantle the International Criminal Court “brick by brick,” targeting the institution that has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and investigated alleged U.S. war crimes in Afghanistan. The State Department announced it will impose “increased scrutiny” and sanctions on nations that refuse to reject the ICC’s authority, particularly those relying on U.S. military protection, including the UK, France, Germany, and Japan. Sanctions already imposed on ICC judges and officials include freezing personal bank accounts and blocking access to U.S.-based services including Uber, booking.com, Microsoft, and Google.

Trump’s campaign represents an alliance with authoritarian regimes, as the State Department is working with nations outside the ICC framework, suggesting coordination with Russia and China to prevent prosecution of those accused of genocide, ethnic cleansing, and war crimes. This shift abandons decades of U.S. precedent: the nation championed the post-World War II Nuremberg trials, authorized ICC investigation into Darfur genocide in 2005, and encouraged prosecution of Vladimir Putin for Ukraine war crimes under the Biden administration. Trump has consistently opposed the ICC since his first term, when he sanctioned officials investigating alleged U.S. war crimes in Afghanistan, escalating after the court issued the Netanyahu warrant.

The ICC faces internal crises that complicate its defense against Trump’s assault. Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan faces suspension and potential removal following sexual abuse allegations from two women; the court’s governing body voted to suspend him last month, with member states voting Friday on his removal. The institution has also bungled high-profile cases, including prosecutions of Kenyan politicians Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto, where witness disappearances and collusion between defendants undermined justice. Staff describe the working environment in The Hague as toxic and increasingly high-pressure.

Despite these weaknesses, the ICC’s existence carries consequences: Netanyahu and Putin remain permanently designated as indicted war criminals with restricted global movement, and former Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte faces trial for crimes against humanity during his “war on drugs.” Luis Moreno Ocampo, the court’s first chief prosecutor, directly attributes Trump’s determination to destroy the ICC to his own exposure: “Trump knows he could be a target after he leaves office. The ICC is a huge obstacle for him.”

The court’s largest donor nations must resist intimidation and maintain support, according to observers and legal experts. UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband stated upon appointment that international law faces threats unseen since World War II. Trump’s assault on the ICC enables him to escape accountability while permitting dictators and war criminals to act with impunity, fundamentally dismantling the post-1945 international rules-based order designed to ensure consequences for mass atrocities.



(Source: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jul/24/icc-international-criminal-court-trump-putin-netanyahu?fbclid=IwVERDUATQ0bZwZG9mBWZkaWQWULJ-YpidFfjBPjt05fgN9zBPq04BJGV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkCjY2Mjg1NjgzNzkAAR4ILfJkNdN72pcK7L1piyajEfd5Z16OWmoYKkSngDbF6cWfgJpgPIgo6gEutQ_aem_Bp5zpMlYaf63eWIufoz6sA)

Trump Reignites Blockade Against Iran in Strait of Hormuz

President Donald Trump declared the United States the “Guardian of the Strait of Hormuz” on Monday, announcing a blockade targeting Iranian vessels and a 20% toll on all cargo transiting the waterway. Trump stated that while other nations retain passage rights, Iranian ships and their customers will be barred from entering or leaving, framing the seizure of control over this critical international shipping lane as a matter of “fairness” for American protection costs. The announcement followed retaliatory U.S. military strikes against Iran after Iranian Revolutionary Guard forces attacked a Cyprus-flagged container ship and falsely claimed to have closed the strait.

Trump told Fox News the U.S. will “keep” and “probably run” the strait, extracting substantial revenue from global commerce while positioning American forces as enforcers. He claimed the United States had negotiated “a done deal” with Iran before Iran violated a ceasefire agreement over the weekend, stating “we’re just going to hit them very hard and keep the strait, and probably run it.” Trump asserted that Iran has a pattern of breaking agreements, citing ten previous deals he said the regime had violated.

The unilateral seizure of control over an internationally recognized waterway through which approximately one-third of global seaborne oil passes represents Trump’s assertion of military dominance over a crucial global chokepoint. By imposing a 20% toll and explicitly blocking Iranian commerce, Trump transforms a shared international passage into a revenue-generating American territory, a move that contradicts international maritime law and conventions governing freedom of navigation. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth confirmed U.S. military strikes followed Iran’s attack on the merchant vessel, but Trump’s subsequent assertion of permanent control expands the conflict beyond defensive response.

Trump’s escalation abandons the pretense of negotiation in favor of direct territorial and economic control, structuring the international order around American military power and financial extraction. Trump previously claimed the strait was open following overnight military strikes, but his Monday declarations reveal intent to monopolize control and profit from global energy transit. The president’s rhetoric conflates security provision with commercial exploitation, justifying American toll collection on international commerce as compensation for military operations initiated at his direction.

This consolidation of control over a vital international waterway exemplifies Trump’s model of authoritarian resource extraction, in which the U.S. military apparatus becomes an instrument for enriching American leadership and subordinating global commerce to Trump’s financial interests. The blockade of Iranian vessels and imposition of cargo fees establish a de facto American empire over a region critical to global trade, enforced by military force and defended through nationalist framing that obscures the seizure of international territory.



(Source: https://www.mediaite.com/media/news/trump-dubs-usa-guardian-of-the-hormuz-strait-and-relaunches-blockade-against-iran/)financial interests. The blockade of Iranian vessels and imposition of cargo fees establish a de facto American empire over a region critical to global trade, enforced by military force and defended through nationalist framing that obscures the seizure of international territory.

Trump Strikes Back At Iran After Strait of Hormuz Is Closed

Trump ordered U.S. military strikes against Iranian targets in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday after Revolutionary Guard forces fired on a Cyprus-flagged container ship and declared the strategic waterway closed. U.S. Central Command confirmed the strikes targeted air surveillance radars, missile and drone storage facilities, launch sites, and ground-to-air missile systems, marking the third round of American military action against Iran this week. The attack on the merchant vessel left one civilian crew member missing and caused significant damage, according to CENTCOM.

Iran’s state media claimed the IRGC fired “warning shots” at a vessel traveling an unapproved route, escalating tensions after Trump had threatened to occupy Iran entirely if Tehran did not reopen the strait. The blockade directly threatens global trade and fuel prices, with CNN military analyst Cedric Leighton warning the latest Iranian action could trigger further increases in gasoline costs and disrupt international commerce. Trump has previously threatened Iran with total occupation over the strait closure.

U.S. officials told CNN that diplomatic negotiations cannot resume until the strait is secured, even as mediators attempt to return both nations to the negotiating table. Leighton cited Trump’s past interest in seizing Kharg Island, a major Iranian oil hub, as potential military leverage, though he cautioned such ground operations could trigger broader escalation and economic damage Trump wants to avoid. A senior Iranian lawmaker warned that “not a single American soldier will return alive” if the United States attempted an invasion of the island.

The cycle of attacks underscores Trump’s pattern of military confrontation with Iran, following his earlier threats to annihilate Iran over ceasefire violations and his demands that gas retailers cut prices amid the conflict-driven energy crisis. Trump authorized the strikes directly, positioning himself as commander-in-chief while claiming to avoid economic damage from further escalation. The standoff demonstrates how Trump’s aggressive foreign policy and military orders are directly driving consequences for American consumers and global stability.



(Source: https://www.mediaite.com/media/news/trump-strikes-back-at-iran-after-irgc-declares-strait-of-hormuz-is-closed-again/)

Trump Pressures FIFA to Reverse Star Player’s World Cup Ban

President Donald Trump confirmed he contacted FIFA President Gianni Infantino to request a review of Folarin Balogun's red card suspension, which would have barred the U.S. Men's National Team star from Monday's World Cup match against Belgium. Trump claimed during a White House press conference that he understood sports well enough to intervene after viewing slow-motion footage of the collision, asserting that Balogun "didn't do anything wrong" and characterizing the card as unfair to the team's best player.

Trump argued the red card penalty was unjust because it prevented Balogun from playing in a future game rather than just the match in which the infraction occurred. He stated: "It's one thing to penalize somebody for the game. But how do you penalize him for a game that hasn't been played yet?" Trump also criticized the officiating, suggesting the referee was "a little bit suspect," and framed his action as simply requesting a review rather than demanding a specific outcome.

The president lavished praise on Infantino during his remarks, claiming his respect for the FIFA chief had increased "10-fold" due to the organization's handling of World Cup broadcasting, which Trump said was achieving Super Bowl-level ratings. Trump credited Infantino as "a smart, tough man" whose decision-making had proven sound, further stating that competitive integrity required fielding all available top players.

Belgium's football association formally protested the reversal, expressing being "astonished" that Balogun would participate in the match. Trump dismissed their concerns, arguing that a Belgian victory would lack legitimacy if the U.S. team played without one of its best players, framing the match as meaningless under such conditions.

The incident underscores FIFA's vulnerability to political pressure and elite interference, with a sitting U.S. president successfully leveraging his office to overturn a sporting decision through direct contact with the organization's leadership, highlighting persistent governance failures at the international body.

(Source: https://www.mediaite.com/media/news/trump-confirms-he-called-fifa-boss-to-get-star-usa-player-back-in-world-cup-thats-very-unfair/)

Trump Attacks Meloni Over Iran War Refusal, Invents Photo Claim

President Donald Trump escalated his feud with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Sunday, attacking her in a Truth Social post without naming her directly while simultaneously condemning NATO for failing to support his Iran military campaign. Trump claimed he had denied Meloni a photograph at the Group of Seven summit in France because Italy would not permit U.S. military use of its landing strips and runways, and added that Meloni sought to “be friends again in order to get her ‘numbers up.'”

Meloni directly rejected Trump’s characterization of events, calling his attacks “unprovoked” and “senseless.” She stated that her popularity rests on defending Italy’s national interests and that her country remains a sovereign nation whose military base agreements cannot be violated. Meloni emphasized that Trump’s attempts to control her political standing are not her concern, and countered by suggesting he focus on his own popularity instead.

Trump’s repeated false claims about Meloni begging for a photograph represent a continuation of his pattern of fabricating details to demean allied leaders. His invocation of Italy’s refusal to support military action against Iran contradicts his earlier demands that NATO members fund defense spending, revealing inconsistency in how he applies pressure to allied nations.

The deterioration of Trump’s relationship with Meloni marks a significant rupture with what was previously one of his closest European political relationships. Trump had publicly praised Meloni as a “beautiful young woman” during a speech last year, framing the comment as politically risky but worth the exposure. Trump has threatened withdrawal of U.S. troops from Italy and Spain, citing both nations’ refusal to participate in military action against Iran.

Trump’s broader assault on NATO reflects his demand that allied nations comply with military objectives he deems necessary, regardless of their own strategic assessments or international law. The feud with Meloni demonstrates his willingness to weaponize military presence and personal relationships as leverage against leaders who assert their nation’s sovereignty and independent judgment.



(Source: https://www.mediaite.com/politics/not-good-trump-ramps-up-feud-with-italys-prime-minister-in-scorching-new-post/)

Trump Invents False G7 Photo Claim to Attack Ally Meloni

President Donald Trump escalated his feud with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni by repeating and expanding false claims about her conduct at the Group of Seven summit in France. Trump initially claimed Meloni “begged” him to take a photograph together, stating he “felt sorry for her,” before later telling NBC News she “was a big fan” but was unhelpful regarding the Strait of Hormuz and NATO commitments.

Meloni directly refuted Trump’s fabricated account in a social media video, declaring “Neither I nor Italy ever beg” and calling his statements “completely made up.” She expressed astonishment at Trump’s behavior toward an ally, noting this was not the first instance of such conduct and contrasting it with his lenient treatment of adversarial leaders, as she had previously done when rejecting his fabrications about the G7 encounter.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani condemned Trump’s remarks as serious and offensive to all of Italy, announcing he would cancel his scheduled U.S. visit for June 21 and 22 in response. The diplomatic breach underscored the damage Trump’s unfounded accusations inflicted on U.S.-Italian relations and NATO cohesion.

The conflict reflects a broader pattern in Trump’s approach to allies. Earlier this year, Meloni criticized Trump’s attacks on Pope Leo XIV as unacceptable, prompting Trump to retaliate by claiming he was “shocked by her” and that he had been wrong about her courage, demonstrating his tendency to turn on supporters who fail to align with him completely.

Trump’s false narrative about Meloni at the G7 summit exemplifies his pattern of inventing interactions to demean political figures. His claims lacked credible basis yet were deployed to undermine a key European partner, revealing how he weaponizes unsubstantiated stories to manage personal grievances regardless of diplomatic consequences.



(Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-meloni-feud-iran-g7-b2999448.html)

Meloni Rejects Trump Fabrication About Begging for G7

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni directly contradicted President Donald Trump’s claim that she begged him for a photograph at the Group of Seven summit in Evian-les-Bains, France on June 17. Trump told Italian broadcaster La7 that Meloni “begged me to take a photo with her” and that “she wanted a photo with me so badly,” adding he “felt sorry for her.” Meloni stated the account was “totally fabricated,” declaring “I and Italy never beg,” and expressed being “stunned” by Trump’s false characterization of their interaction.

Meloni used Trump’s fabricated claim to highlight his pattern of disrespecting longstanding Western allies while treating adversaries with greater deference. “I don’t know why the president of the United States behaves this way with his own allies. It’s not, after all, the first time this has happened,” she said, referencing an April interview where Trump attacked her refusal to support U.S.-Israeli military action against Iran. Video footage from the summit showed the two in an extended seated conversation, contradicting Trump’s framing that he granted her an audience she had desperately sought.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani condemned Trump’s statements as “serious” and “offensive” to Italy, announcing he would cancel a planned trip to the United States the following week. When Trump doubled down on his false claim in a subsequent phone call with NBC News, he again attacked Meloni for insufficient NATO support during U.S. military operations, conflating the photograph dispute with geopolitical disagreements over the Strait of Hormuz and the Iran conflict.

The escalating conflict marks a sharp reversal between the two right-wing leaders, who were once considered close political allies. Meloni attended Trump’s January 2025 inauguration as the sole European leader present, and Trump previously praised her at his Mar-a-Lago resort as a “fantastic woman” reshaping Europe. Earlier tensions emerged when Meloni publicly defended Pope Leo XIV against Trump’s attacks, prompting Trump to accuse her of lacking courage.

The incident underscores Trump’s pattern of weaponizing false personal narratives against former allies who fail to demonstrate absolute loyalty, particularly when they decline to support his military ventures or defend institutions he attacks. Meloni’s refusal to validate Trump’s fabrication and her public criticism of his treatment of Western partners signal a definitive break in what was marketed as a unified alliance of right-wing populist leaders.



(Source: https://www.nbcnews.com/world/italy/trump-italy-meloni-begged-photo-fabricated-g7-summit-france-rcna350836)

Trump Attacks Pope Leo, Calls Chicago Mayor Johnson ‘Useless’

President Donald Trump attacked Pope Leo XIV on Saturday for meeting with Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, calling the mayor "useless" and renewing his assault on the pontiff's opposition to Trump's Iran military campaign. Trump posted on Truth Social that "Someone should explain to the Pope that the Mayor of Chicago is useless, and that Iran cannot have a Nuclear Weapon," responding to Johnson's photos from the Vatican showing him presenting the pope with a Chicago flag and Cubs hat. The attack marks an escalation in Trump's month-long feud with the American-born pontiff.

Trump's latest strike follows his April assault on Pope Leo for condemning Trump's threat to obliterate "a whole civilization" in Iran and for criticizing the administration's treatment of undocumented immigrants. At that time, Trump demanded the pope stop criticizing the president, declaring he was executing his "LANDSLIDE" mandate to achieve "Record Low Numbers in Crime" and the "Greatest Stock Market in History." Trump also claimed credit for Pope Leo becoming the first American pontiff, calling him "a shocking surprise" and declaring the pope should be "thankful."

Pope Leo rejected Trump's militarism directly, stating that "God does not bless any conflict" and calling Trump's Iran ultimatum "truly unacceptable." The pontiff previously condemned the Trump administration's "extremely disrespectful" treatment of immigrants. Trump responded by characterizing the pope's foreign policy views as "terrible" and branding him "WEAK" on crime and nuclear weapons.

Johnson, who met with Pope Leo on Friday, described the encounter as "one of the most awe-inspiring and humbling experiences of my life." The Chicago mayor shared images of himself with the pontiff, who was born in Chicago in 1955 and is a White Sox fan, making the Cubs hat in the photo particularly notable. Johnson's visit and positive remarks about the pope prompted Trump's hostile public rebuke.

This pattern of Trump attacking the pope over Iran policy decisions and diplomatic engagement demonstrates his intolerance for dissent from religious leaders on foreign military action. Trump's previous resort to posting AI-generated religious imagery depicting himself as Jesus after the Pope's Iran criticism underscores his demand for absolute loyalty and his conflation of personal grievance with matters of state.

(Source: https://www.mediaite.com/politics/trump-calls-out-pope-leo-for-hanging-with-useless-chicago-mayor-brandon-johnson/)

US claims it has sank six Iranian boats targeting civilian ships as Trump moves to reopen Strait of Hormuz | The Independent

The U.S. military announced it sank six Iranian boats in the Strait of Hormuz as Trump initiated “Project Freedom,” an operation to escort commercial vessels through waters Iran has blockaded since February 28. U.S. Central Command Admiral Brad Cooper claimed Iran targeted commercial and military ships with cruise missiles, though Iran’s military denied the reports and accused the U.S. of fabricating incidents to justify military action.

Trump threatened Iran would be “blown off the face of the Earth” if they attacked U.S. vessels executing Project Freedom, declaring the operation a “humanitarian” mission to free trapped ships. In a Truth Social post, Trump framed the operation as rescuing neutral parties and innocent bystanders, stating the U.S. would “guide their Ships safely out of these restricted Waterways.” Trump had rejected Iran’s 14-point peace proposal, stating Tehran had “not yet paid a big enough price.”

Iran’s military leadership directly warned the U.S. that any involvement in managing Strait of Hormuz shipping violates the ceasefire and threatened to attack foreign armed forces entering the waterway. Ali Abdollahi, head of Iran’s unified command, declared that vessel passage “needs to be coordinated with the armed forces” and that the strait’s security remains under Iranian control. Senior Iranian lawmaker Ibrahim Azizi dismissed Trump’s initiative as delusional, rejecting the idea Washington could direct the waterway.

The UAE reported coming under Iranian attack for the first time since the April ceasefire, with its defense ministry engaging 15 missiles and four drones; one drone caused a fire at an oil facility, injuring three Indian nationals. The UK Maritime Trade Organization reported two cargo vessels ablaze off the UAE, and multiple commercial ships remain stranded in the Strait of Hormuz with dwindling supplies.

Trump has reportedly received a one-month negotiation deadline from Iran regarding its proposed deal to reopen the strait. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent called on China to increase diplomatic pressure on Iran t(Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/us-military-iran-warship-missiles-strait-of-hormuz-b2970104.html)o end the blockade, signaling Washington will monitor Beijing’s response.

Iran says Strait of Hormuz ‘closed again’ until US blockade lifted | The Independent

Iran declared the Strait of Hormuz closed on Saturday in response to the Trump administration’s naval blockade of Iranian ports, with the Revolutionary Guards stating the waterway would remain shut until the US military lifts its restrictions on Iranian vessels. Two Indian-flagged tankers reported coming under gunfire in the channel shortly after Iran’s announcement, escalating tensions in one of the world’s most critical shipping routes.

Iranian supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei threatened “bitter defeats” on enemies, effectively undermining prospects for weekend peace negotiations between the nations. The threat reflects Tehran’s hardening stance as Trump administration pressure tactics intensify following the collapse of earlier diplomatic efforts in Pakistan.

Trump convened a crisis meeting to address the escalating situation in the Strait, where approximately 21 percent of global petroleum passes through daily. Iran’s Supreme National Security Council is currently evaluating new US proposals that were transmitted through Pakistani intermediaries, though the blockade remains a fundamental point of contention.

Trump publicly warned Tehran that it “can’t blackmail us,” characterizing Iran’s closure announcement as coercive rather than a legitimate response to American military aggression. The administration’s threats to eliminate Iranian vessels violating the blockade and consideration of military strikes have narrowed diplomatic pathways and intensified the crisis.

The standoff represents a significant escalation from Trump’s announcement of the blockade following failed negotiations, with both sides now locked in a direct confrontation over control of the strategic waterway and regional naval dominance.

(Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/bulletin/news/trump-iran-war-latest-strait-of-hormuz-b2960383.html)

1 2 3 … 10