U.S. President Donald Trump
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Reuters
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the withdrawal of about 5,000 troops from Germany within the next year, the Pentagon said on Friday (May 1, 2026), in the latest spat with a European leader over the West Asia war. The war on Iran and the Gulf’s shattered illusions
Mr. Trump told top U.S. lawmakers that hostilities in Iran had ended, after coming under pressure from Congress to seek authorisation for the conflict as it headed into its third month. “There has been no exchange of fire between United States Forces and Iran since April 7, 2026. The hostilities that began on February 28, 2026, have terminated,” he wrote in letters to House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate president pro tempore Chuck Grassley.
Battle of wills: On the U.S. war on Iran
Meanwhile, Lebanon’s Health Ministry said 12 people were killed Friday (May 1, 2026) in Israeli strikes on the country’s south, including in a town where Israel’s army had issued an evacuation order despite a ceasefire.
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May 02, 2026 08:24
U.S. to withdraw about 5,000 troops from Germany
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the withdrawal of about 5,000 troops from Germany within the next year, the Pentagon said, in the latest spat with a European leader over the West Asia war.
The announcement came after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened earlier this week to remove troops from NATO ally Germany amid a row with its chancellor, Friedrich Merz, who said that Iran was “humiliating” Washington at the negotiating table.
“We expect the withdrawal to be completed over the next six to twelve months,” Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement.
— AFP
May 02, 2026 08:16
U.S. Navy acting 'like pirates' in carrying out Washington’s naval blockade: Trump
Trump says U.S. Navy acting ‘like pirates’ to carry out naval blockade of Iranian ports
Trump criticizes the U.S. Navy's actions in Iran, likening their blockade to piracy amid ongoing conflict and controversy.
Published - May 02, 2026 08:16 am IST
