Washington-Tehran: Europe and the Arabs

US President Donald Trump posted several messages on his Truth Social platform regarding a potential war with Iran. These posts, published Thursday evening local time and reported by Belgian media outlets in Brussels on Friday morning, included a denunciation of a "totally inaccurate report" by Fox News about the "failing Islamic Republic of Iran." Trump stated, "I don't want to meet with them, they want to. In fact, they are begging for a deal." According to Trump, Fox News host Bret Baier should severely reprimand his "aides."

Ten minutes later, Trump posted again: "Iran is a failed state!"

A few hours later, Trump also shared an overview of the US territory, commenting: "New: Strait of Hormuz."

On Thursday, President Trump revealed his administration's assessment of the internal situation in Iran, stating that Tehran is facing a severe crisis, to the point of being unable to meet its financial obligations to its armed forces. Speaking from the White House, Trump said that Iran is in "a big mess," noting that it is facing severe economic difficulties that are preventing it from paying its soldiers.

The president emphasized that his country does not want to talk to Iran and is not seeking a meeting with the Iranian leadership at this time. He stressed that the measures taken against Iran do not mean abandoning the military option.

Regarding the Strait of Hormuz, Trump said that the strait is "open," confirming that US forces have "completely" cleared it of mines and that it is "under full surveillance."

For her part, White House spokeswoman Caroline Leavitt said that Washington is not currently conducting any negotiations with Iran, according to the Brussels-based European news network Euronews.

She explained that the administration will continue to impose "intense" economic pressure until Iran demonstrates a willingness to engage in what she described as "serious and effective" negotiations.

Leavitt indicated that the administration is currently focusing on a campaign it calls "economic pariah," aimed at tightening sanctions on Tehran and restricting its sources of revenue. She added that the US assessment of the Iranian economy indicates it is in a very difficult situation.

The White House spokesperson confirmed that Trump is keeping "all options on the table," noting that previous US military operations have weakened Iran's military capabilities, according to the US narrative.

Levitt said the president's primary objective is to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. She emphasized that the naval blockade imposed on Tehran remains in place and its results are "successful."

She added that US forces effectively control the Strait of Hormuz and ensure that the shipping lane remains open. Trump Announces Renaming of Lake Ontario

Meanwhile, reports of a possible Iranian plot to assassinate Barron Trump, the 20-year-old youngest son of US President Donald Trump, are fabricated, according to Iranian security chief Mohsen Rezaei, who made the statement Thursday during an interview on Lebanon's Al-Manar TV. The US Secret Service announced Tuesday that it was "aware" of an Iranian video threatening Barron Trump. A $10 million reward was allegedly offered for information leading to his death. "We investigate all that could be interpreted as a threat to the people we protect," Secret Service spokesman Nate Herring said in an email Tuesday. In a separate move, Trump announced Thursday that he was changing the name of Lake Ontario to "Lake America," signing a decree at the White House to that effect, saying the change was "effective immediately." The White House's X account posted the announcement of the name change from "Lake Ontario" to "Lake America," confirming that the new name was effective "effective immediately." Immediately.”

Trump had paved the way for the move two days earlier, when he said the United States was “seriously” considering changing the name of Lake Ontario, directly linking it to the trade dispute with Canada and the province of Ontario.

On another note, the US president said he was not worried about the possibility of Russia attacking NATO member states, denying media reports that Washington was concerned about Moscow attacking a European country.

Trump said he had “good talks” with Russian President Vladimir Putin, adding that Putin “would not attack NATO territory.”