The suggestion was attributed to Paolo Zampolli, a U.S. special envoy for global partnerships, who according to the Financial Times raised the possibility with U.S. President Donald Trump and FIFA president Gianni Infantino as a contingency plan should Iran withdraw.

Zampolli told the Associated Press the proposal was not political and framed it as a hypothetical scenario. “My request was for the Italian people and the American-Italian people,” he said, adding that Italy’s four World Cup titles could justify its inclusion.Italian officials rejected the idea.

Sports Minister Andrea Abodi said “it’s not possible” and “not a good idea,” while Luciano Buonfiglio said participation in the tournament must be earned on merit. Finance Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti described the suggestion as “shameful.”Iran has not withdrawn from the World Cup and is preparing to play matches scheduled in U.S. cities including Los Angeles and Seattle in June.

FIFA has maintained that Iran’s fixtures will proceed as planned and has declined to comment on proposals to alter the lineup.Speaking at the White House, Trump said he had not given the matter much thought but called it “an interesting question.”

He deferred to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who said no U.S. decision had been made to bar Iranian players from entering the country.Rubio indicated that concerns, if any, would relate to non-athlete personnel accompanying the team.

“The problem with Iran would be, not their athletes. It would be some of the other people that they want to bring with them,” he said, adding that authorities might restrict entry to certain individuals.Iran’s embassy in Rome criticized the proposal, saying in a statement on X that football “belongs to the people, not to politicians,” and describing any attempt to exclude the team as unjustified.

Iran secured qualification through the Asian Football Confederation and has publicly affirmed its intention to participate. An Iranian government spokesperson said this week that the national team is preparing for “proud and successful participation.

”Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup for a third consecutive time, following a campaign that led to the resignation of its national team coach and football federation president.

FIFA regulations state that in the event of a team’s withdrawal, a replacement may be selected from another association, though the rules do not explicitly require the substitute to come from the same continental confederation.

In a social media statement, U.S. officials said they were seeking information on Al-Saraji, also known as Abu Alaa Al-Walai, citing his leadership of the group, which Washington has designated as a terrorist organization.

Authorities said the group has carried out attacks against Iraqi civilians, U.S. diplomatic facilities, and American military personnel in Iraq and Syria.The department said individuals providing credible information could be eligible for relocation in addition to the financial reward, as part of efforts to disrupt the activities of Iran-aligned militias operating in the region.

Kataeb Sayyid Al-Shuhada has been linked to attacks targeting the U.S. embassy in Baghdad, facilities at the capital’s international airport, and oil infrastructure operated by foreign companies. The group operates within Iraq’s broader network of armed factions aligned with Tehran.

Al-Saraji is also reported to hold a position within Iraq’s Coordination Framework, a Shiite political alliance that commands a parliamentary majority, underscoring the overlap between armed groups and political structures in the country.

The move comes as Iraq faces renewed instability linked to the wider regional conflict that escalated following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran in late February, drawing in Tehran-backed factions across the Middle East.

Earlier this month, Washington announced a similar reward targeting a senior figure in Kataeb Hezbollah, another powerful Iran-aligned militia, following the temporary abduction of a U.S. journalist.

U.S. officials have also increased pressure on the Iraqi government to curb the influence of such groups, with reports indicating the suspension of certain financial transfers and security-related funding as part of broader policy measures.

The Israeli military said the launcher had been used in an attack that was intercepted by its air defense systems. Hezbollah later claimed responsibility for the rocket fire.The exchange came shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire had been extended by three weeks, underscoring ongoing fragility in the truce.

Hezbollah said its attack was in retaliation for an earlier Israeli strike on the southern Lebanese village of Yater. Lebanon’s public health ministry said two people, including a child, were wounded in artillery shelling in the area.

Separately, the ministry reported that an Israeli airstrike killed three people in the Nabatieh region in southern Lebanon. The Israeli military said those killed were militants who had launched a missile toward an Israeli warplane.

Cross-border hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah have persisted intermittently despite ceasefire efforts, with both sides accusing each other of violations as tensions linked to the wider regional conflict continue.

The remarks originated from U.S. conservative radio host Michael Savage during an episode of his show “The Savage Nation,” in which he criticized birthright citizenship in the United States and referred to countries including India and China in derogatory terms.

Trump reposted a transcript of the comments on his Truth Social platform on Thursday without adding his own remarks.

India’s foreign ministry responded strongly, with spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal saying the remarks were “obviously uninformed, inappropriate and in poor taste,” and did not reflect the longstanding relationship between the two countries.

“The remarks certainly do not reflect the reality of the India-U.S. relationship, which has long been based on mutual respect and shared interests,” Jaiswal said in a statement.

The U.S. embassy in New Delhi cited Trump as having previously described India as “a great country,” seeking to underscore the broader context of ties between the two nations.The comments come amid ongoing debate in the United States over birthright citizenship, with Trump pursuing restrictions that are currently under legal challenge in the Supreme Court.

Earlier this month, he attended a hearing on the issue in a rare presidential visit to the court.India’s main opposition Indian National Congress condemned the remarks as “extremely insulting,” urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi to formally raise the issue with Washington.

Government data show approximately 5.5 million people of Indian origin reside in the United States, forming one of the largest Asian-origin communities alongside Chinese Americans.Despite the diplomatic friction, both countries have been engaged in efforts to strengthen economic ties.

Following a period of trade tensions, including the imposition of high U.S. tariffs on Indian goods last year, New Delhi and Washington are currently working toward a trade agreement aimed at boosting bilateral commerce and avoiding further tariff escalations.

A Pakistani source involved in the negotiations said discussions were “on track” for Wednesday, despite earlier indications from Iran that it might not attend. U.S. President Donald Trump could join the talks either in person or virtually if an agreement is reached, the source added.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance is expected to travel to Pakistan for the переговоры, according to media reports, while Iranian officials said Tehran was “positively reviewing” whether to send a delegation, without confirming participation.

The diplomatic push comes as a two-week ceasefire in the conflict, which began on February 28, nears its end. A Pakistani source said the truce is expected to expire late Wednesday U.S. time.Financial markets reacted to signs of renewed diplomacy, with oil prices falling more than $1 and equities rising in early Asian trading amid expectations that talks could resume.

Brent crude traded near $94 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate fell below $88.Tensions remain elevated, however, following disputes over the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports and the recent interception of an Iranian vessel.

Tehran condemned the seizure and warned Washington would bear responsibility for any escalation.Iranian officials also reiterated that they would not negotiate under pressure. Senior figures, including Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, accused Washington of attempting to force concessions through economic and military pressure.

Washington has said it seeks an agreement that would prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons while stabilizing energy markets. Tehran, for its part, is seeking relief from sanctions and an end to hostilities without compromising its nuclear program.

The strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz remains central to the negotiations, as the waterway handles a significant share of global oil and gas shipments and has been affected by restrictions imposed during the conflict.

Pakistan, acting as a mediator, has deployed nearly 20,000 security personnel in Islamabad ahead of the potential talks, underscoring the high stakes and security concerns surrounding the negotiations.

The attack targeted a unit serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon as it was traveling to an outpost isolated by ongoing hostilities between Israeli forces and Hezbollah, according to UN officials.

In a statement, Security Council members denounced the assault “in the strongest terms” and reaffirmed their full support for UNIFIL operations in the region. The council did not assign responsibility, though France has blamed Hezbollah for the attack.

The incident occurred on Saturday amid heightened tensions along the Lebanon-Israel border, where clashes have intensified in recent weeks. UNIFIL peacekeepers are mandated to monitor hostilities and support stability in southern Lebanon.

French authorities have not released further operational details about the ambush, while the United Nations has called for accountability and the protection of peacekeeping personnel under international law.

The attack underscores growing risks faced by UN forces operating in volatile regions conflict zones, as diplomatic efforts continue to prevent further escalation in Lebanon.

Speaking in an interview on NBC’s Meet the Press, Díaz-Canel said an invasion or targeted operation against Cuba would come at a high cost and trigger a strong defensive response from the island’s population.

He added that Cubans would be prepared to fight if necessary.His remarks come amid heightened tensions with United States under President Donald Trump, despite both sides acknowledging ongoing contacts aimed at addressing bilateral disputes.

Díaz-Canel accused Washington of pursuing a “hostile policy” toward Cuba and said the United States had “no moral” authority to demand political changes from Havana, while reiterating Cuba’s willingness to engage in dialogue without preconditions.

The Cuban leader linked the island’s worsening economic conditions to U.S. measures, including restrictions that have disrupted energy supplies and exacerbated shortages affecting transport, healthcare and industrial output.

Cuba produces roughly 40 percent of its fuel needs and has faced acute shortages following disruptions to oil shipments, including from Venezuela earlier this year, contributing to a deepening energy crisis.

Díaz-Canel said recent statements from Trump, including suggestions that Cuba could be targeted next, were taken by Havana as a warning, reinforcing the government’s focus on safeguarding national sovereignty and stability.

A NATO spokesperson described the trip as “long-planned,” with a White House official also confirming the visit, though no further details were disclosed.

The timing comes amid heightened tensions between Washington and its European partners over their limited support for U.S. actions in the Iran conflict.

Trump said he was weighing a U.S. exit from NATO after European members declined to contribute naval forces to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping lane disrupted during the war.

Speaking at a White House gathering, Trump criticized allies including France and the United Kingdom, describing NATO as ineffective and questioning its value to U.S. security interests. The visit by Rutte comes at a sensitive moment for the alliance, which has long been a cornerstone of transatlantic security since its founding in 1949.

Analysts say the rhetoric underscores deepening divisions within NATO over burden-sharing and strategic priorities, particularly in the context of the ongoing Iran war.

Trump’s remarks mark one of the most direct challenges to NATO’s cohesion in recent years, raising uncertainty about the future of U.S. commitment to the alliance as geopolitical tensions intensify.

During his stay in Japan, Macron signed a cooperation roadmap covering critical minerals and defense, and held talks with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, alongside a meeting with the imperial couple.

He also praised Europe’s “predictability,” in comments widely interpreted as a contrast with recent U.S. policy decisions.The remarks followed criticism from Trump, who described France as “very unhelpful” in the Iran conflict and made personal jibes at Macron.

The exchange highlights growing transatlantic friction as the war continues to reshape global alliances.Macron’s visit to South Korea comes amid heightened geopolitical and economic uncertainty, particularly linked to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global energy supplies.

The waterway’s effective closure has driven up oil prices and strained import-dependent economies across Asia.South Korean President Lee Jae Myung called for deeper cooperation with France in an opinion article, emphasizing collaboration in artificial intelligence, nuclear energy, hydrogen technologies and space.

“In an increasingly fragmented and uncertain international environment, partnerships between democratic nations are becoming strategically essential,” Lee wrote.

Seoul has already introduced a fuel price cap to cushion the economic impact of rising energy costs, marking its first such intervention since 1997.Macron’s itinerary in South Korea includes a bilateral summit with Lee, participation in an economic forum, and a visit to a Korean War memorial honoring French troops.

The trip also features cultural engagements, including a dinner with figures from the country’s film and music industries.

The visit underscores France’s effort to deepen ties in the Indo-Pacific while navigating diplomatic strains with Washington over the direction and handling of the Iran conflict.

In an interview published Monday, Trump said the United States was in talks with Qalibaf, a former Revolutionary Guard commander. Qalibaf denied the assertion in a statement, saying Washington was “promoting desires as news while threatening our nation at the same time.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry also dismissed the claim. Spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said no negotiations had taken place, though he confirmed that intermediaries had conveyed proposals to Tehran.

Baghaei said Iran would not overlook what he described as past breaches of diplomacy, referring to indirect talks in 2025 and early 2026 that were followed by military action involving the United States and Israel.

War pressure shapes diplomacy claimsThe exchange comes as Trump has increased pressure on Tehran to reach an agreement to end the ongoing conflict, now in its fifth week following joint U.S.-Israeli strikes launched in late February.

Trump warned that failure to reach a deal “shortly” could result in widespread destruction of Iran’s energy infrastructure and critical facilities, including desalination plants.

Qalibaf’s role under scrutinyQalibaf, long viewed as a pragmatic conservative within Iran’s political system, has previously been mentioned as a potential interlocutor for Western governments.

However, questions remain about his authority within Iran’s complex power structure following the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in a February airstrike.His successor, Mojtaba Khamenei, is believed to maintain ties with Qalibaf, though competing centers of power within Iran’s leadership continue to shape decision-making.

Analysts say references to Qalibaf as a negotiating channel may reflect both external pressure tactics and internal political maneuvering, as Tehran navigates wartime conditions and diplomatic isolation.