Trump Hints at Potential 'Great Deal' with India Amidst Tensions

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has hinted at a potentially significant trade deal with India, stating it could be a "very big one". This announcement follows recent trade talks between the two nations and comes on the heels of a newly signed agreement with China.

Speaking at the 'Big Beautiful Event' at the White House, Trump stated that the U.S. is not looking to make trade deals with every nation but is focusing on forging "great deals" with select countries. According to Trump, "Everybody wants to make a deal and have a part of it. Remember a few months ago, the press was saying, 'You really have anybody of any interest? Well, we just signed with China yesterday. We are having some great deals. We have one coming up, maybe with India. Very big one. Where we're going to open up India, in the China deal, we are starting to open up China."

Negotiations between the U.S. and India have been ongoing, with both sides aiming for a "fair and equitable" agreement that benefits both economies. These discussions reportedly covered a wide array of topics, including market access for industrial and agricultural products, tariff reductions, and the removal of non-tariff barriers. The goal is to potentially increase annual bilateral trade from the current $190 billion to $500 billion by 2030.

While specific details of the potential deal remain undisclosed, it is expected to encompass digital trade, tariffs, market access, pharmaceuticals, electronics, agriculture, and defense-related supply chains. One potential sticking point in negotiations involves tariff concessions on agricultural products, particularly maize and soybean, with India reportedly cautious about opening its markets to genetically modified crops that are common in U.S. agriculture.

Israel Reportedly Sought to Eliminate Iran's Khamenei

Amidst ongoing tensions in the Middle East, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has claimed that his country's military actively sought to assassinate Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, during the recent conflict between the two nations. Katz stated that while Israel searched extensively for an opportunity, it never presented itself.

Speaking in interviews, Katz revealed that Khamenei went into hiding, severing communication with top military commanders, making an assassination unfeasible. "If he had been in our sights, we would have taken him out," Katz told Channel 13. He also stated that Israel did not need U.S. permission for such an action.

Katz has been particularly vocal about eliminating Khamenei, even referring to him as a "modern Hitler." He conveyed that Israel's goal was not necessarily regime change but rather "upsetting the regime in the middle of the operation and pressuring the Iranians." Although Israel launched airstrikes, killing Iranian commanders and nuclear scientists, Khamenei managed to evade capture. Katz has since advised Khamenei to remain in hiding, drawing a comparison to the leader of Hezbollah.

While the recent conflict between Israel and Iran has ended with a ceasefire, tensions remain high in the region.