Trump Responds to Iran Threats

As Iran is in the spotlight, tensions are continuing with the U.S. Tehran yesterday warning President Trump not to take action against the regime's leader there. That's right. NTD's Daniel Monaghan reports on that, plus updates on the Gaza Board of Peace. The comments from Iran come days after President Trump called for an end to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's nearly 40-year reign. Iran's foreign minister issued a direct threat against the United States, warning that if attacked again, Tehran will respond with, quote, everything we have. President Trump addressed tensions with Iran over its assassination threats against him, speaking on NewsNation. I would absolutely hit them so hard. But I have very firm instructions. Anything happens, they're going to wipe them off the face of this earth. Meanwhile, U.S. forces are repositioning toward the Middle East, including the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln. China is sure to be watching developments in Iran closely. Beijing has played a major role in sustaining Iran's economy, viewing the country as strategically vital to the Belt and Road Initiative. China committed up to $400 billion in investments under a 25-year cooperation deal, while Iran supplies oil, more than 90% of which is bought by China, despite U.S. sanctions. According to China expert Alexander Lau, this supports Beijing's push for a yuan-based energy trade and de-dollarization. The Atlantic Council think tank reports that Iran, Russia and China now trade sanctioned oil in Chinese currency. But analysts say if Iran shifts toward the West, China could lose key leverage in the Middle East. Over to Gaza. President Trump discussed the Board of Peace, which he chairs as part of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire plan between Israel and the Hamas terror group. We just created the Board of Peace, which I think is going to be amazing. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said today he had agreed to join the Board of Peace. His office earlier criticized the makeup of the Board's committee. Trump has sent invitations to dozens of countries to join. United Arab Emirates and Bahrain have confirmed their participation. Russia, China and Belarus have also been invited. French President Emmanuel Macron opted not to join the Board of Peace over concerns it could undermine the United Nations. President Trump says the Board of Peace could actually end up replacing the United Nations. I wish the United Nations could do more. I wish we didn't need a Board of Peace. But the United Nations, you know, with all the wars I settled, the United Nations never helped me on one war. When a reporter asked the president whether the Board of Peace could replace the U.N., he replied, it might. Despite criticizing the U.N., Trump didn't call for the dissolution of the international body. The president says the potential of the organization is, quote, so great. The Board of Peace will also include an international stabilization force led by U.S. Army Major General Jasper Jeffers. Daniel Monaghan, NTD News.