Vance on Epstein files: Criticism of handling
US Vice President JD Vance has criticized his administration’s handling of sex offender files Jeffrey Epstein criticized. “If people want to say we mishandled the Epstein disclosure: guilty,” he said on the podcast “The Joe Rogan Experience.” His government “completely screwed up” communication in particular.
“But do I think we screwed up because we were trying to hide something? No,” Vance said. The reason is that false allegations were made. Vance cited, among other things, a well-received statement by then-Attorney General Pam Bondi, who said that a customer list of the sex offender was on her table. US President Donald Trump deposed Bondi at the beginning of April.
US Army launches new wave of attacks against Iran
The US military says it has launched the second wave of attacks of the day against Iran. This began at 3 p.m. US Eastern time (9 p.m. German time), the responsible regional command of the US military Centcom announced on the X platform. The attacks are therefore directed against Iran’s military capabilities, which were used to attack merchant ships in the Strait of Hormuz to threaten. The US military had given a similar justification for attacks in recent days.
US President Donald Trump recently threatened Iran once again with attacks on civilian infrastructure. When asked by a journalist whether he would give Iran an ultimatum before the US military would begin bombing bridges, Trump said: “I don’t like setting deadlines.”
- Attack on Pickaxe Mountain? Trump wants to strike – but he has a problem
On Tuesday, Trump said that all power plants and bridges would be destroyed next week, “unless they (the Iranians) come to the negotiating table and negotiate,” he said in an interview with the US broadcaster Fox News. Trump also announced violent attacks in the coming nights.
Insider: US attacks on Iran prepare for possible broader operations
According to insiders, the latest US attacks on Iran are intended not only to keep the Strait of Hormuz open, but also to prepare for possible broader military operations. The bombings were intended to weaken Iran’s air defenses, radar systems and missile sites, three US officials familiar with the matter told Reuters. This expands US President Donald Trump’s military options. According to one of the insiders, these are preparatory measures in the event that the US armed forces receive orders for more intensive operations. The US Department of Defense did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
