Why is Israel striking Lebanon as part of its war against Iran?

Israel has been launching deadly air strikes on Beirut and parts of southern Lebanon since the start of the joint US-Israeli attacks against Iran on Saturday.

Israel says it has been targeting Hezbollah sites and strongholds in Lebanon.

Here is what you need to know about Hezbollah and its ties to Tehran:

Hezbollah (Arabic for "Party of God") emerged in 1982 during the Lebanese Civil War (1975-1990) and the Israeli invasion of southern Lebanon

It is a political and militant group that is inspired by the Shiite Islamist ideology that underpinned the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran

Since its foundation, it has been supported, trained and equipped by Iran's powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)

It functions as a proxy of Iran, its largest benefactor

The US government estimated in late 2023 that Iran funds Hezbollah to the tune of around $700 million (€661 million) annually

What are Hezbollah's policies?

According to the US-based think tank the Council on Foreign Relations, Hezbollah 'violently opposes Israel and Western powers operating in the Middle East'

Part of Hezbollah's original vision also called for a religious Islamist regime in Lebanon inspired by Iran's theocratic model

Over time, Hezbollah's local objectives have softened somewhat as the group has grown more involved in mainstream politics

In 2009, it published a new manifesto acknowledging that an Islamist regime might not be suitable for Lebanon

https://www.dw.com/en/iran-war-israel-lebanon-strikes-kurdish-talks/live-76207066#liveblog-post-76210119

'You can't play Russian roulette with destiny of millions,' Spain's Sanchez tells Trump

Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Wednesday repeated his firm opposition to the escalating conflict in the Middle East triggered by the joint US-Israeli attack on Iran last weekend.

Sanchez is the only major European leader to have condemned the US-Israeli attacks on Iran.

His opposition to the large-scale military operation has drawn the ire of US President Donald Trump, who on Tuesday said he would slash trade with Spain over the Spanish government's position.

In a televised address on Wednesday, the Socialist prime minister said, "This is how ​humanity's great disasters start … You cannot play Russian roulette with the destiny ​of millions."

"The position ​of the Spanish government can be summarised in four words: 'No to the war,'" Sanchez continued, adding that the stance was "consistent and coherent" with its approach to the conflicts in Ukraine and in Gaza.

"We're not going to be ​complicit in something that is bad for the world, nor contrary to our ​values and interests, ‌simply to avoid reprisals from someone," the prime minister said, in an apparent reference to Trump's trade threats.

Sanchez pointed to the lessons of the US invasion of Iraq in 2003, which destabilized the region, triggered a rise in Islamist terrorism and caused energy prices to soar.

Sanchez had already previously denounced the US-Israeli bombings of Iran, calling them illegal and reckless. He has also refused to allow the US to use air and naval bases in southern Spain for the campaign against Iran.

https://www.dw.com/en/iran-war-israel-lebanon-strikes-kurdish-talks/live-76207066#liveblog-post-76210119

'Most powerful' N.C. state senator trails primary challenger by 2 votes despite Trump's endorsement

The Republican primary race between North Carolina's Senate president pro tempore and the Rockingham County sheriffappears headed to a recount.

North Carolina state Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger is running two votes behind his primary challenger, Sam Page, despite having the endorsement of President Donald Trump, according to unofficial state election results.

The razor thin tally will likely prompt a recount, which a candidate can request when the margin is no more than 1% of the total votes cast

Berger, who helped lead Republicans' redistricting efforts in the state, was challenged by Page, the sheriff of Rockingham County. Unofficial results indicate that Page secured 13,077 votes, while Berger trailed with 13,075 votes.

Trump waded into the race, offering Page a job — which the sheriff said in December he declined — and endorsing Berger.

"Phil Berger has served as the Highly Respected Leader of the North Carolina Senate for over a decade, helping us deliver massive and historic Victories across the State, including my six BIG WINS and Primaries in 2016, 2020, and 2024!" Trump said in a February Truth Social post.

n the same post, Trump said that Page "is GREAT," adding that the sheriff "has been a longtime supporter, but I really want him to come work for us in Washington, D.C., rather than further considering a run against Phil — Both are such outstanding people!"

Both candidates tried to tie themselves closely with the president. Berger touted Trump's endorsement and emphasized on his campaign website that he "stands with Donald Trump." Page led "Sheriffs for Trump" in 2016, and he called himself a "passionate supporter" of the president.

Former Gov. Pat McCrory, a Republican, suggested on NBC News NOW that Berger, the “most powerful” state senator, could be an example for top legislators who lose touch with their districts.

“It’s probably an example, even going back to a Mitch McConnell or some previous speakers, when you spend too much time in the State Capitol gaining power, sometimes people back home go, ‘You forgot us back home here in Rockingham County,’” McCrory said.

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-election/north-carolina-senate-primary-phil-berger-sam-page-trump-rcna261650?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-us

European Ally Turns Back On US For China Over Iran

Wars the conflict in Iran intensifies, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot spoke on the phone Monday with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi about working towards “de-escalation” together.

The phone call came days after the U.S. and Israel launched military strikes against the Islamic regime early Saturday, killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In a statement released Tuesday, the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs said both ministers agreed to “work towards de-escalation, in conjunction with the Gulf countries” and to “find a path to a political resolution guaranteeing collective security interests and provision for the Iranian people’s aspirations.”

Barrot also stated “the Iranian regime’s responsibility in the ongoing escalation, after it unjustifiably struck several countries in the region,” according to the statement.

The French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs referred the Daily Caller News Foundation to its statement from Tuesday when reached for comment.

Barrot noted that the ongoing U.S.-Israel military operations in Iran were begun “without France participating or being informed,” per the statement. He also emphasized that each of the aforementioned countries were responsible for prioritizing “international institutions to resolve disagreement” and to use force “if necessary.”

The two foreign ministers have committed to continuing their “close dialogue” on the issue, according to the statement.

Nearly all of Iran’s exported oil and over half of Venezuela’s notably went to China in 2025, Politico reported on Monday, citing data from market research firm Kpler. The Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Saturday that it was “highly concerned” by the recent attacks on Iran, the outlet reported.

February 25, 2026.

The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) wrote in a Tuesday X post that the Iranian regime is utilizing “mobile launchers to indiscriminately fire missiles in an attempt to inflict maximum harm across the region.”

“U.S. forces are hunting these threats down and without apology or hesitation, we are taking them out,” CENTCOM wrote in the social media post.

The recent U.S.-Israel military strikes in Iran have drawn mixed reactions from several major U.S. allies thus far. French President Emmanuel Macron wrote in a statement posted to X on Saturday morning that “the outbreak of war between the United States, Israel, and Iran carries grave consequences for international peace and security.”

“At this decisive moment, every measure is being taken to ensure the security of our national territory, our citizens, and our interests in the Middle East,” Macron continued. “France also stands ready to deploy the necessary resources to protect its closest partners, should they request it.”

On Monday, Greece reportedly deployed military support to the Republic of Cyprus after a drone strike hit the U.K.’s Royal Air Force base on the island. Senior Cypriot officials claimed the drone strike was conducted by an Iranian Shahed drone which was likely fired by Iran-backed terrorist group Hezbollah from Lebanon, Reuters reported.

CENTCOM confirmed Monday that six U.S. service members have been killed so far in the aftermath of the military strikes in Iran, The Hill reported. Additionally, President Donald Trump told CNN’s Jake Tapper during a phone call on Monday that a “big wave” of U.S. strikes against Iran are still forthcoming.

https://dailycaller.com/2026/03/03/european-ally-china-iran-conflict/

Bessent says global 15% tariff starts this week, predicts Trump duties will return to old levels later this year

Published Wed, Mar 4 20267:28 AM EST

Key Points

*Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said President Donald Trump’s recently announced 15% global tariff will likely be implemented this week.

• That would be an increase from currrent levels of 10%.

• Bessent predicted that U.S. tariff rates will return in five months to where they stood before the Supreme Court struck down Trump’s “reciprocal” duties.

• Treasury Sec. Bessent: Global 15% tariff starts this week, move back to prior rates within 5 months

President Donald Trump’s recently announced 15% global tariff will likely be implemented sometime this week, rising from its current rate of 10%, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Wednesday.

Bessent also predicted that U.S. tariff rates would, by August, effectively return to where they stood before the Supreme Court recently struck down the often-steeper duties that Trump unilaterally imposed on most of the world’s countries last year.

“It’s my strong belief that the tariff rates will be back to their old rate within five months,” Bessent said in an interview on CNBC’s “Squawk Box.”

https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/04/bessent-says-global-15percent-tariff-starts-this-week-move-back-to-prior-rates-within-5-months.html