Trump could punish NATO as Iran vows revenge on Israel

Tehran has decried the savage massacre of civilians in Lebanon, which Washington claims was not part of the ceasefire deal

President Donald Trump is reportedly mulling ways to punish NATO members who refused to help the US in its war against Iran, which is still flaring despite the announced two-week ceasefire.

The Trump administration could pull out American troops from the European NATO member states that closed their airspace to US warplanes or limited the use of their bases for strikes on Iran, according to the Wall Street Journal sources.

Washington and Tehran agreed to a two-week suspension of warfare, but the deal seems flimsy after multiple violations ahead of talks in Pakistan. Trump said Iran’s ten-point proposal delivered via Pakistan offers a "workable basis on which to negotiate" — but due to what Vice President J.D. Vance called a "misunderstanding," Lebanon was not included in the deal.

Israel launched its "biggest yet" series of attacks on the country including its capital, Beirut, reportedly killing hundreds of civilians. Iran has decried the "savage massacre," and the commander of the IRGC Aerospace Force has pledged revenge.

Key developments:

• Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has accused the US of violating three key clauses of Tehran’s 10point proposal, including noncompliance with the Lebanon ceasefire, the intrusion of a drone into Iranian airspace, and "denial of Iran’s right to enrichment."

• The US observed an uptick in traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, according to the White House. However, a leading maritime industry source, Lloyd’s List, has reported that only three vessels have transited the Strait of Hormuz since the US-Iran ceasefire was announced early on Wednesday.

• US Vice President J.D. Vance will reportedly lead the negotiating team in talks with Iran in Islamabad, with Trump envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff also set to take part in the first round on Saturday morning.

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(RT.com)