# United%20States
Latest news and articles about United%20States
Total: 124 articles found
Saudi Neutrality Stalls U.S. Strike Plans — China’s 2023 Diplomacy Reaps Immediate Payoff
A phone call between Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, backed by a clear Saudi pledge to block use of its territory or airspace for attacks on Iran, has stalled U.S. contingency plans for strikes. China’s mediation that produced the 2023 Beijing Statement provided the communication channels that enabled the de-escalatory move, underscoring Beijing’s rising diplomatic leverage in the Middle East.
US–Iran Standoff Tightens: Naval Build‑Up, Sanctions and a Narrow Window for Diplomacy
A sharp US–Iran confrontation has intensified as Washington increases naval deployments and sanctions while Tehran vows to retaliate and seeks regional diplomatic backing. Negotiations remain possible but are constrained by US preconditions that Iran rejects and by a narrow strategic space where miscalculation could shut the Strait of Hormuz and roil global markets.
Iran Signals Willingness to Talk — But Warns of 'Firm, Forceful' Response if Attacked
Iran's foreign minister said Tehran still prefers negotiations but only if threats and pressure are removed, warning that any attack on Iran would be met with a "firm, forceful" response. The comments blend openness to diplomacy with a clear deterrent posture and come amid stalled talks over Iran's nuclear programme and heightened regional tensions.
Slovak Lawmaker Says U.S. Interest in Greenland Threatens Postwar Order, Urges European Strategic Autonomy
Michal Bartek, vice‑chair of Slovakia’s parliamentary Defence and Security Committee, said U.S. comments regarding Greenland threaten postwar international norms and amount to trade coercion. He urged Europe to pursue greater strategic autonomy and diversify partnerships, including deeper engagement with China.
Washington Clears $9bn Patriot Missile Sale to Saudi Arabia While Approving Major Arms Package for Israel
The U.S. has approved a $9 billion sale of 730 PAC-3 MSE Patriot missiles to Saudi Arabia and a separate $6.67 billion package to Israel that includes Apaches and JLTVs. Washington frames the transfers as defensive steps to protect forces and advance regional security, but the moves carry risks of prompting countermeasures and political scrutiny in Congress.
UN Warns of Cash Collapse by July as Member Arrears Mount — U.S. Now Largest Debtor
UN Secretary‑General António Guterres warned the United Nations could run out of money by July unless member states pay assessed dues or the organisation changes its financing rules. Outstanding arrears have surged to about $1.56 billion, with the United States now the largest debtor after cutting payments following President Trump’s return to office in January 2025.
On the Brink: US Carrier Group, Strike Assets and Iranian Alerts Raise Risk of Rapid Escalation
U.S. military forces have massed in the Gulf and a carrier strike group has entered the Arabian Sea as Washington signals it may be poised to strike Iran imminently. Tehran has publicly offered talks but has mobilised forces and warned that any attack would prompt regional retaliation, leaving the region dangerously close to rapid escalation.
Close Encounters Over the South China Sea: US MQ‑4C Patrols and Beijing’s Firm Response
US MQ‑4C Triton drones flew repeated reconnaissance missions near Taiwan, Guangdong and Hainan between Jan 25–28, prompting Chinese military aircraft to intercept and drive them off. The encounters underscore the information‑war advantages of persistent ISR and the rising risk of miscalculation in the crowded airspaces of the western Pacific.
On Tehran’s Streets, Normal Life and a Nation Braced for Possible American Strikes
Tehran’s streets appear outwardly normal but carry visible scars from recent unrest and the 2025 conflict, while Iranians privately fear imminent U.S. military action. Washington’s mix of threats and offers to negotiate, together with active regional mediation, has produced a high-stakes standoff whose outcome will shape regional stability, energy markets and Iran’s internal politics.
Carrier Group, Missiles and Midnight Diplomacy: Why US‑Iran Tensions Are Back on a Knife‑Edge
The US has massed naval and air assets around Iran, prompting Tehran to declare maximum readiness and Israel to enter heightened alert. While Washington appears to prefer coercive pressure and limited strikes over full‑scale invasion, the risk of miscalculation, proxy escalation and disruption to global energy and shipping routes is elevated.
A Costly Gamble: Japan’s Takaichi Retreats After US Demand for Bigger Defence Bill
Japan’s prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, quietly scaled back hawkish rhetoric after a visit from a senior US defence official who urged Tokyo to boost defence spending toward 5% of GDP. The encounter exposed the strain between Washington’s demand for greater burden‑sharing and Japan’s domestic politics, while Beijing’s export controls and military pressure limit Tokyo’s room for manoeuvre.
US Crewed Lunar Flyby Postponed as Severe Cold Grounds Launch Plans
A US crewed lunar flyby mission was postponed after an extreme cold spell compromised launch-commit criteria for cryogenic propellants and ground systems. The delay highlights technical vulnerabilities to severe weather, risks cascading schedule impacts across lunar programme milestones, and carries political and commercial consequences for U.S. space leadership.