Trump Declares Emergency to Lock Down Venezuela’s Oil Funds in U.S. Treasury

President Donald Trump has signed an executive order declaring a national emergency to block courts, creditors, and private parties from seizing Venezuelan oil revenue held in U.S. Treasury accounts.

The White House said the funds—classified as Foreign Government Deposit Funds—are now fully protected from attachment, judgment, liens, or any form of legal action. The order also bans any transfer or use of the money unless explicitly authorised by the U.S. government.

According to the administration, allowing the funds to be accessed would undermine U.S. foreign policy goals, weaken efforts to stabilise Venezuela, and threaten regional security. Officials linked the decision to concerns over illegal immigration, drug trafficking, and the influence of hostile foreign actors.

The White House warned that losing control of the oil revenues could strengthen groups such as Iran and Hezbollah while crippling initiatives aimed at restoring political and economic stability in Venezuela and across the Western Hemisphere.

The move forms part of Trump’s hardline “America First” approach to Venezuela. His administration has designated several criminal groups as terrorist organisations, imposed strict measures on oil shipments, and authorised aggressive action against narcotics networks operating in the region.

Earlier on the same day, Trump met with top oil executives, revealing plans for large-scale U.S. investment in Venezuela’s energy sector. He said the deals could involve “hundreds of billions of dollars,” boost oil production, and drive prices down globally.

The White House described the executive order as a strategic step to safeguard U.S. national security interests while maintaining control over Venezuela’s most critical financial asset.

Iraq has frozen the financial assets of major Iran-backed militias — including Lebanon’s Hezbollah and Yemen’s Houthi movement — in one of Baghdad’s strongest moves yet to curb the funding networks of Tehran-aligned groups.

According to a notice published in Iraq’s official gazette, the order targets organisations long influential across the region, signalling a significant shift in Baghdad’s approach to militia financing and regional power dynamics.

#Iraq #MiddleEast #Geopolitics #Iran-backedGroups

Iraq Freezes Assets of Iran-Backed Militias, Including Hezbollah and Houthis, in Major Policy Shift

Iraq has frozen the financial assets of major Iran-backed militias—including Lebanon’s Hezbollah and Yemen’s Houthis—in one of its strongest moves yet to restrict Tehran-aligned networks. The directive, published in Iraq’s official gazette, comes amid rising regional tensions, U.S. pressure to curb Iranian influence, and intensified Israeli strikes on Iran-linked groups. Analysts say the decision highlights Baghdad’s struggle to balance ties with Washington and Tehran while navigating internal political and security pressures.

ALMA: Lebanon’s institutions are collapsing, and the Lebanese Armed Forces are struggling just to survive. The army is being kept afloat by U.S., Qatari, and French funding that covers salaries, fuel, food, and basic equipment.
But with a largely Muslim rank-and-file and deep Hezbollah penetration, the LAF has neither independence nor the capacity to confront the group. Foreign money keeps the army standing, yet does not create a force able or willing to challenge Hezbollah.

SCANDAL IN YEMEN..

For the first time, the Secretary-General of Hezbollah, Naim Qassem, indicated that Haytham Tabatabai was present in Yemen from 2015 until 2024 on missions of a military nature.

CONFIRMED: Hezbollah’s Chief of Staff and eliminated in Israeli strike. When will Isreal stop killing people like bush rate ?

Israel PM Offers ‘Phased’ Withdrawal If Lebanon Disarms Hezbollah

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel is ready to support Lebanon’s efforts to disarm Hezbollah, offering a “phased” troop withdrawal if Beirut follows through on its disarmament plan.

The pledge comes after Lebanon tasked its army with dismantling Hezbollah’s arsenal by year-end, following last year’s war and a ceasefire in November. Despite this, Israel has continued airstrikes and maintains occupation of five strategic areas in southern Lebanon.

Netanyahu said Israel would coordinate with a US-led security mechanism for a gradual military pullback if progress is made.

Hezbollah, weakened by the conflict, has vowed to resist the government’s disarmament move. Meanwhile, the UN Security Council is set to vote on extending the peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon until August 2026.

#Israel #Lebanon #Hezbollah #MiddleEast

Today’s Israeli Strike in Tripoli Kills Hamas Commander, Seen as Major Setback.

A powerful Israeli airstrike in Lebanon's northern port city of Tripoli earlier today has reportedly dealt a significant blow to Hamas operations in the region, following the confirmed elimination of a top commander long tied to cross-border rocket attacks on Israeli cities. The strike, described by Israeli Defence Forces as a targeted operation, is already being interpreted by military analysts as a strategic setback for the Gaza-based group’s foothold in Lebanon.

According to a report by The Times of Israel on Tuesday, 8 July 2025, the Israeli military confirmed that the airstrike killed Mehran Mustafa Bajur, a senior Hamas figure allegedly instrumental in orchestrating and advancing armed operations against Israel from Lebanese territory. In an official statement, the Israeli Defence Forces identified Bajur as a key commander who had spent recent years overseeing rocket fire into Israeli cities such as Nahariya and Kiryat Shmona. The military further claimed that his elimination marks a significant disruption to Hamas’s cross-border aggression from the north.

Bajur was described as a pivotal figure in Hamas’s regional operations, not only for directing attacks but also for enhancing the group’s infrastructure in Lebanon. The IDF stated that he played a leading role in the development of Hamas’s military capabilities in the country and helped facilitate weapons procurement through networks linked to other terror groups. His operational ties reportedly made him a valuable asset in Hamas’s efforts to expand its regional reach beyond Gaza. According to the IDF, his removal represents a “significant blow” to Hamas’s broader ambitions in Lebanon, particularly at a time when Israel remains engaged on multiple fronts.

This development comes amid heightened tensions along Israel’s northern border, where exchanges of fire between Israeli forces and Hezbollah-linked factions have intensified in recent weeks. Observers suggest the targeted killing may deter future rocket attacks from Lebanese soil and signal Israel’s continued resolve to eliminate high-ranking operatives perceived as threats, regardless of their geographic base.