Iran Threatens ‘Ferocious’ Retaliation as Trump Weighs Military Action

Iran has warned that it would respond “ferociously” to any military attack by the United States, raising fears of a wider regional conflict as Donald Trump considers possible strikes amid renewed tensions over Tehran’s nuclear programme.

The warning was issued on Monday by Iran’s Foreign Ministry as Washington confirmed that indirect nuclear talks with Tehran would resume on Thursday in Geneva. The escalating rhetoric from both sides has coincided with heightened US military deployments in the Middle East and growing diplomatic anxiety across the region.

Trump said last week that he was weighing a limited military assault if Iran failed to reach an agreement within a narrow timeframe, warning that Tehran had at most 15 days to make a deal. Iran responded by stressing that any strike—regardless of scale—would be treated as an act of aggression.

“And any state would react to an act of aggression… ferociously. That is what we would do,” Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said.

Iran has indicated it is preparing to submit a draft proposal on its nuclear programme to mediators in the coming days. The talks, being conducted indirectly through Oman, follow two previous rounds of negotiations held in Switzerland.

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Tehran insists its nuclear activities are strictly for civilian purposes, including energy production and medical use. Western governments, however, believe Iran is seeking the capability to develop an atomic weapon, a claim Tehran has repeatedly denied.

Washington has also pushed to expand the talks to include Iran’s ballistic missile programme and its support for militant groups across the Middle East. Iran has rejected those demands, saying only the nuclear issue is open for negotiation.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi described the resumption of talks as “a new window of opportunity,” but warned that any attack on Iran could trigger a crisis beyond its borders.

“The consequences of any renewed aggression would not remain confined to one country, and responsibility would rest with those who initiate or support such actions,” he said.

Tensions have also been rising domestically, with student protests in Iran resurfacing at the start of a new academic semester. Demonstrators have revived slogans from nationwide protests earlier this year, which were met with a deadly crackdown.

Growing fears of conflict have prompted several countries to issue travel and security advisories. India has urged its nationals to leave Iran, joining Sweden, Serbia, Poland and Australia, as concerns grow that a breakdown in diplomacy could spark a broader confrontation.

Despite the sharp rhetoric, diplomats say both sides remain engaged, with negotiations seen as the last viable option to avert a potentially devastating Iran-US military clash.

Iran Threatens ‘Ferocious’ Retaliation as Trump Weighs Military Action

US Adds 19 More Nigerians to ‘Worst of the Worst’ Deportation List

The United States government has added 19 more Nigerian nationals to its “worst of the worst” criminal aliens list, bringing the total number of Nigerians scheduled for deportation to 113. The move targets convicted criminals who have served time in U.S. courts and are deemed a threat to public safety.

According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the newly listed Nigerians were convicted of serious crimes, including sexual assault on a minor, fraud, assault, drug trafficking, and money laundering. These individuals were arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and will be deported after completing immigration procedures.

A DHS statement highlighted the purpose of the programme:
“The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is highlighting the worst of the worst criminal aliens arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Under Secretary Kristi Noem’s leadership, ICE is carrying out deportations — starting with the worst of the worst.”

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Among those newly added to the list are Adeolu Solabu, Oladayo Agboola, Chinonso Ochie, Oluchi Jennifer Chimdimma Chime, Samuel Omorodion, Sunday Adediora, Sunday Kunkushi, Mkpouto Etukudoh, as well as Marcus Unigwe, Kehinde James, Blessing Uchanma, Victor Adebisi, Richard Ugbah, Olaniyi Ojikutu, Oluwamuyiwa Olawoye, Okechukwu Amadi, Femi Jolayemi, Anthony Asanya, Izuchukwu Okoye, and Ebele Agbasiele.

This latest addition follows a previous announcement in which 79 Nigerian nationals had already been slated for deportation for offences ranging from fraud, manslaughter, assault, robbery, to drug-related crimes. The combined total of 113 Nigerians reflects the U.S. government’s intensified focus on criminal aliens.

The move has sparked renewed discussion about U.S. immigration enforcement, diplomatic engagement with Nigeria, and the rights and welfare of deportees. Advocates have raised concerns about ensuring due process and humane treatment for those returned to Nigeria, while authorities stress that deportation is a legal measure targeting foreign nationals convicted of serious crimes.

Globally, Nigerians have faced similar deportation measures, including large-scale removals from countries like India, where thousands were repatriated for visa violations or alleged criminal activities. The ongoing deportations underscore the challenges facing Nigerian citizens abroad amid tightened international immigration and law enforcement policies.

US Adds 19 More Nigerians to ‘Worst of the Worst’ Deportation List

Armed Man Shot Dead at Trump’s Mar‑a‑Lago Residence by Secret Service

An armed man was shot and killed early Sunday after breaching the secure perimeter of Donald Trump’s Mar‑a‑Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida, the United States Secret Service confirmed. The incident occurred around 1:30 a.m. ET (06:30 GMT) while Trump and First Lady Melania Trump were in Washington, D.C.

Authorities said the suspect, later identified as Austin Tucker Martin, a 21-year-old from Cameron, North Carolina, was carrying a shotgun and a fuel canister when confronted by Secret Service agents and a Palm Beach County sheriff’s deputy. Officers ordered him to drop the items, but he raised the shotgun toward them, prompting them to fire and neutralise the threat. No law enforcement officers were injured in the incident. Martin’s family had reported him missing hours before the shooting. Moore County authorities said the missing-person report was turned over to federal investigators. Officials are examining whether he acquired the firearm during his drive from North Carolina to Florida. A box for the shotgun was later recovered from his vehicle.

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Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw described the encounter: the suspect dropped the fuel can but lifted the shotgun into a threatening position. “At that point, agents fired their weapons to neutralise the threat,” Bradshaw said. Officers involved were equipped with body cameras, which captured the incident. The FBI is leading the investigation with support from the Secret Service and local law enforcement. Officials are analyzing bodycam footage, gathering evidence, and creating a psychological profile of the suspect. Authorities have yet to determine a motive.

Mar‑a‑Lago is heavily guarded, with an outer cordon maintained by local Palm Beach deputies and an inner perimeter secured by the Secret Service. Visitors are screened, and vehicles and bags are checked with metal detectors and sniffer dogs. The shooting adds to a history of threats against Trump. In July 2024, Trump was grazed by a bullet at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where one bystander was killed and two others injured. Another would-be assassin, Ryan Routh, attempted an attack at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach and was recently sentenced to life in prison. Following the Mar‑a‑Lago shooting, Secret Service Director Sean Curran traveled to Florida to oversee “after-actions” and reinforce operational communication and response protocols.

Political violence has become a prominent topic in the US. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent criticized what he described as “normalizing violence” in politics, referencing previous assassination attempts and recent high-profile attacks, including the public shooting of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk and the fatal shootings of a Democratic lawmaker and her husband in Minnesota. The FBI and Secret Service are continuing the investigation to determine the suspect’s motive and possible affiliations, with authorities pledging to release updates as more information becomes available.

Armed Man Shot Dead at Trump’s Mar‑a‑Lago Residence by Secret Service