Trump Claims Iran Needs US Approval for Nuclear Program Steps

U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Thursday that Iran cannot take any action regarding its nuclear program without American approval. "They don't do anything without our approval," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office when asked about proposals conveyed by intermediaries to Iran concerning its nuclear program's future. This statement comes amidst revelations from court documents obtained by the Associated Press, indicating that the Trump administration held secret contacts with Iran regarding the deportation of Iranian citizens, even while conflict was ongoing. These documents, unsealed on Thursday, revealed that by mid-October, the Republican administration intended to deport Iranian citizens via an unspecified third country, though no timeline was given. A judge ordered the government to provide 24 hours' notice before any final deportation plan and five days' written notice before execution.

An organization representing Iranians held by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement reported that at least 12 detainees received deportation notices to Iran in the past week, with some facing imminent departure. The organization, the Iranian American Legal Defense Fund, filed the lawsuit that led to the unsealing of these documents. Previous affidavits and emails showed the administration had discussed deportations with Tehran from the previous year and shortly before the current conflict began. The continuation of these contacts after the fighting started highlights the administration's determination to enforce its strict immigration policies, which critics argue may endanger returnees.

Separately, former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem on Thursday. These meetings, also including a session with President Yitzhak Herzog, reportedly aimed to advance President Trump's peace plan for the Gaza Strip following recent Israeli elections. Blair was also expected to meet with Gadi Eisenkot, Chairman of the National Unity Party, to establish a personal connection.

In another development, a U.S. judge has temporarily halted work on a 240-foot-tall victory arch planned by the Trump administration in Washington D.C. The National Capital Planning Commission had approved the project on Thursday, despite opposition from lawmakers like Representative Don Beyer, who argued it would disrupt traffic and pose public safety threats. The judge issued a temporary restraining order, though the Justice Department indicated that initial excavation and foundation work could begin as early as this week if court approval is granted. Construction above ground is slated to start in May 2027, with the entire project expected to take 33 to 39 months. The arch, intended to resemble Paris's Arc de Triomphe but taller, has faced significant legal challenges, including a lawsuit filed by Virginia and the District of Columbia against the National Park Service and the Department of the Interior, claiming the project lacks legal defense and was never approved by Congress.