Trump urges Iran to 'get smart soon' and sign a deal — BBC News

[0:00] Let's start with the new threat to Iran from Donald Trump. [0:04] Well, as we've become used to, it came on a post on his Truth Social platform. [0:08] The president shared an AI-generated image of himself holding a gun [0:12] with explosions going off in the background. [0:15] He captioned it, no more Mr Nice Guy. [0:18] Well, President Trump wrote next to the image, [0:20] Iran can't get their act together. [0:22] They don't know how to sign a non-nuclear deal. [0:25] They'd better get smart soon. [0:26] Well, oil prices have climbed sharply after reports the United States [0:31] is planning for an extended blockade of Iranian ports and shipping. [0:35] At one point today, a barrel of the benchmark Brent crude hit $115. [0:40] That's $5 more than its price on Tuesday evening. [0:45] Iran has said it will continue to disrupt traffic traveling through the Strait of Hormuz [0:49] in response to the U.S. blockade. [0:52] About a fifth of the world's oil and gas travels through the Strait in normal times. [0:56] Well, with his assessment of Donald Trump's post, [0:59] here's our diplomatic correspondent, Paul Adams. [1:02] I've seen enough of this kind of thing to not necessarily always take it seriously, [1:06] or at least not to take it literally. [1:08] I mean, just look at the last couple of months, [1:10] the kind of language that Donald Trump has used on a regular basis [1:12] in connection with the war against Iran. [1:16] I think it's probably time to stop being surprised by this kind of rhetoric. [1:20] But I think what it does show, perhaps, behind this rather bravado, macho language, [1:26] is a frustrated president, a man who is in a quandary because Iran has still not caved. [1:31] He faces a number of options. [1:33] He could return to war, which is certainly possible. [1:36] He's got more forces at his disposal than ever. [1:38] But that's regarded as an undesirable option, [1:41] given Iran's continued ability to inflict pain. [1:44] And it could do that again. [1:45] He could simply walk away and declare the conflict over. [1:49] I think that's pretty unthinkable for Donald Trump. [1:51] Or he could do what he's doing at the moment, [1:54] which is to keep up the economic pressure [1:56] and hope that that ultimately forces Iran to come to the negotiating table. [2:00] It's making all sorts of proposals, [2:02] which would put off the crucial nuclear issue to a later date. [2:07] That's not acceptable for Donald Trump. [2:09] I think the consensus is he'll try and keep up this economic pressure [2:12] and hope that ultimately it is Iran, not the global economy, that will cave. [2:18] Well, aside from that, for the first time since the start of the war, [2:21] the US Defence Secretary, Pete Hegzeth, [2:23] is answering questions under oath about the military campaign. [2:27] He's appearing for the US House Armed Services Committee. [2:31] This is the scene live there in Washington at the moment. [2:34] The highest-ranking US military officer, Dan Cain, [2:37] is also at the hearing as the Pentagon's finance chief, [2:40] who told lawmakers the Iran war had cost the US $25 billion so far. [2:45] Well, here's just a taste of one of the early exchanges [2:48] when Pete Hegzeth faced questions from the top Democrat on the committee, Adam Smith. [2:53] What are we going to do now? [2:54] President Trump has been clear-eyed from the killing of Qasem Soleimani [2:57] to the pulling out of the Iran deal to Midnight Hammer [3:00] and now to this effort to recognize that you have to stare down this kind of enemy [3:05] who's hell-bent on getting a nuclear weapon [3:07] and get them to a point where they're at the table giving it up [3:10] in a way that issues will never have it. [3:13] So they haven't broken yet. [3:15] OK, we haven't gotten there yet. [3:16] For all of the... [3:17] Well, their nuclear facilities have been obliterated underground. [3:21] They're buried and we're watching them 24-7. [3:23] So we know where any nuclear material might be... [3:26] I'm blaming my time for just a quick second here. [3:28] We had to start this war, you just said, 60 days ago, [3:33] because the nuclear weapon was an imminent threat. [3:37] Now you're saying that it was completely obliterated? [3:40] They had not given up their nuclear ambitions [3:42] and they had a conventional shield of thousands of... [3:45] So Operation Midnight Hammer accomplished nothing of substance. [3:48] It left us at exactly the same place we were before. [3:52] So much so that we had to start a war. [3:53] Their facilities were bombed and obliterated. [3:55] Their ambitions continued. [3:58] And they're building a conventional shield of missiles... [3:59] All right, let me try again. [4:00] It's the North Korea strategy. [4:02] You know this very well. [4:03] The North Korea strategy was use conventional missiles [4:05] to prevent anybody from challenging them [4:07] so they could slow walk their way to a weapon. [4:10] President Trump saw Iran at its weakest moment, [4:13] took an action to ensure, [4:14] in a way that only the United States of America could do, [4:16] with our Israeli partners to ensure their conventional shield [4:20] was brought to the deal, which we've done. [4:23] Well, fascinating some of those exchanges. [4:27] Now the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, [4:29] General Dan Cain, also faced questions from those lawmakers. [4:34] Did the military have plans for the idea [4:37] that Iran might blockade the strait? [4:39] Sir, thanks for the question. [4:42] I'll answer it this way. [4:46] You know, in this job, I have to maintain trust [4:49] with a variety of constituents. [4:52] Okay, I'm just asking if the military had plans. [4:53] Yes, sir. [4:53] As always, my point in this is, as I explain the role, [4:57] my point in this is we always offer a full range [5:00] of military options that are carefully considered [5:03] with the associated risks with those options [5:07] and the considerations therein. [5:09] So, Mr. Secretary, did you consider this risk? [5:13] Of course. [5:13] This department has looked at all aspects of this risk. [5:17] And because this department looks... [5:19] The only minesweepers we had in the Gulf [5:20] to Singapore weeks before the war started. [5:23] We have lots of capabilities [5:24] that you may or may not be aware of at the classified level. [5:28] Well, those are the events on Capitol Hill. [5:31] Let's turn to Lebanon now, [5:32] where Israel has intensified its attacks [5:34] on the south of the country. [5:36] The Israeli military said it targeted a Hezbollah tunnel [5:39] in the town of Kantara. [5:41] The Israeli Defense Forces released video of the operation, [5:44] which it said it used over 400 tonnes of explosives [5:48] to hit the tunnel, which it said stretched for two kilometres. [5:52] The IDF said inside the tunnel, [5:54] soldiers located a large quantity of weapons, [5:56] living quarters, water tanks, [5:58] and what they described as equipment for prolonged stays. [6:02] Well, Lebanon's Ministry of Health says Israeli offensives [6:05] continue to hit civilians and first responders. [6:07] A UN-backed report says the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah [6:13] has left almost a quarter of the population facing acute hunger. [6:18] We're live to Beirut and our Middle East correspondent, [6:21] Lina Sinjab. [6:21] And Lina, tell us more about this Israeli operation, first of all. [6:24] Well, we've seen the images of this attack that Israel says [6:32] they have targeted a tunnel in the village of Kantara. [6:36] But the residents of the village, when they saw the attack, [6:39] it reminded them of the scale of the Beirut explosion in 2020. [6:45] The Israelis say they've used over 450 tonnes of explosives [6:50] to blow up the place, but they blew up the whole town. [6:54] You know, memories, houses, you know, [6:57] all the lives that was once for the residents in that village is gone. [7:03] It's just like turned into dust. [7:05] And at the same time, there was another attack in Majdal zone [7:09] where, you know, the Israelis say they targeted Hezbollah, [7:13] but Lebanese army officials were wounded and civil defence, [7:18] the three members of the civil defence were trapped under rubble [7:22] and later declared dead in the evening. [7:26] And this is really sparking a lot of, you know, [7:28] anger and frustration among the Lebanese. [7:31] Over the past few days, since the announcement of extending the ceasefire, [7:36] which actually doesn't exist now, especially in the south, [7:39] you know, more than 40 people were killed, [7:42] including women and children. [7:44] That's in the course of less than a week's time. [7:47] And, you know, Israel keeps saying that they are targeting Hezbollah structure [7:52] and personnel to defend their northern border. [7:55] Hezbollah at the same time is saying that they have the right to retaliate [7:59] as long as Israel is continuing with violations of the ceasefire. [8:04] And between these two, the country is trapped. [8:06] People are taking hostages. [8:09] The villages and towns in the south have, you know, disappeared. [8:12] Many of them disappeared with the Israeli bombardment. [8:15] And the government is trapped. [8:17] You know, the president, Josef Haun, is being accused of treason [8:20] because of this, you know, negotiations with the Israelis. [8:25] And he is putting the blame back on Hezbollah for dragging the whole country into this war. [8:30] But at the moment, this whole ceasefire, you know, supported by the Americans [8:36] seem to be close to non-existence in the south. [8:40] And it's just the situation is dragging the south into a prolonged war [8:45] that could expand further if the Israelis decided to. [8:49] Lina, thanks very much for that update. [8:53] Let's turn to some of the economic impacts of this war. [8:56] We know that rising fuel prices have been driven up because of the war. [9:00] They're having a big impact on some industries. [9:03] Well, today, the Federation of Indian Airlines warned that some carriers [9:07] are on the verge of collapse because of the massive increase [9:10] of the cost of jet fuel prices. [9:12] The Federation, which represents three major Indian airlines, [9:16] wants the government to suspend excise duty on fuel [9:18] and a reduction of other taxes. [9:22] Well, some of India's labour-intensive sectors are also being impacted. [9:26] In the north Indian city of Ferozabad, [9:28] the ongoing war is threatening its century-and-a-half-old glass industry. [9:34] Well, Arundhade Mukherjee has been to the city and sent us this report. [9:40] Known as India's glass city, Ferozabad produces 70% of the country's glass. [9:45] But its furnaces need gas sourced largely through the Strait of Hormuz [9:51] to keep them burning. [9:52] With movement choked, the Indian government has had to restrict supplies by 20%. [9:58] Our production has dipped by over 25%. [10:03] Now, with whatever gas we get, my current production will run for a few days. [10:08] Then I have to stop work for three to four days before resuming again. [10:11] Any shutdowns could deal a hard blow to the livelihood of the over 150,000 daily wagers working in the industry. [10:21] From finding work at least six times a week, workers like Umesh Babu say it's now down to four or five days. [10:27] It's a struggle to run a household. [10:31] I am unable to even pay for my children's school fees, so they're sitting at home. [10:36] I can't work anywhere else. [10:37] Working with glass is the only skill I have. [10:39] These micro, small and medium enterprises, or MSMEs, are critical to the Indian economy, making up over 30% of the country's GDP. [10:50] This sector is also the second largest employer after agriculture, which is what makes this labor-intensive sector even more vulnerable. [10:57] The Indian government says it's taking steps to ensure industrial energy needs are met, while prioritizing supply to crucial sectors. [11:06] But as factories try to absorb the shocks of war, until an end to the conflict, it's the millions of workers who will continue to feel the heat. [11:14] Arunudai Mukherjee, BBC News, Ferozabad. [11:18] Let me take you through other developments from inside Iran today. [11:22] Rallies have been held across the country by pro-government Iranians to mark the birth anniversary of Imam Reza, a revered figure in Shia Islam, and in support of the supreme leader. [11:33] There were large crowds gathered in Zanjan, among other cities, waving national flags and holding placards. [11:40] The internet blackout inside Iran is now into its third month. [11:44] The organization Netblocks says all communication channels continue to be restricted. [11:49] Whilst the Iranian currency is reported to have fallen to a record low against the U.S. dollar amid the U.S. blockade, currency tracking websites say the black market exchange rate is 1.8 million ral to the dollar. [12:05] So let's take a look now at the big picture from inside Iran. [12:10] Here with me in the studio is BBC Persian correspondent Baran Abassi. [12:13] And Baran, we are now entering into the third month of this conflict. [12:18] Give me an idea of the sorts of stories that you are hearing from on the ground inside of Iran. [12:24] Iranians are going through unprecedented economic pressure at the moment. [12:28] And Iran's economy was in shambles even before the war. [12:32] The devaluation of Iran's currency had led to the January protests. [12:36] And the situation has only got worse. [12:38] About 4 million people have lost their jobs. [12:41] Some because of the internet blackout that has entered its 61st day. [12:45] And those businesses that are reliant on the internet, on online platforms have totally shut down. [12:53] Some of Iran's factories and production plants have been shut down because of their strikes. [12:58] They have been destroyed or damaged. [13:00] And as you said, Iran's currency has devaluated even further. [13:08] And some food prices, although the official inflation rate is about 70%, some food items have doubled or tripled in price. [13:18] And although there are food items available in supermarkets, a lot of people are unable to actually buy what they need because they are very expensive. [13:27] And when it comes to personal freedoms, again, there's an intensified security situation in the country. [13:34] At least 21 people have been executed since the war started. [13:38] And hundreds of people have been arrested. [13:40] And when I talk to the people on the ground in Iran, they believe that when it comes to negotiations, [13:47] when there is talk of the negotiations, they don't have a representative who talks about them. [13:52] And it's only about the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, about Iran's nuclear program. [13:58] There's nothing about ending the executions, freeing the political prisoners or lifting the limits on personal freedoms. [14:08] Well, when it comes to the regime, let me ask you, because Donald Trump keeps posting that there are splits within the leadership, within the regime. [14:14] Is that the reality or is that wishful thinking? [14:18] Well, there are disagreements between regime officials, but it's not at a state where they are tearing each other apart, basically. [14:30] The authority at the moment lies with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the military and those close to them. [14:35] And there are basically two groups of people that are holding power at the moment, those who call themselves hardliners, [14:43] that they believe that any sort of negotiation with the West would make them weaker and would, at the end of the day, [14:51] lead to a fate for the Islamic Republic similar to that of the Soviet Union. [14:56] But there are some people who call themselves pragmatists, who believe that the regime will not survive [15:01] as long as it is at a constant state of war with Israel and the United States, [15:07] when it's the most sanctioned country on the planet, when it's isolated. [15:11] And they believe in a model like China, still a dictatorship, but one that puts its national interest, [15:18] its economic interest, above revolutionary ideology. [15:21] And so there is division between these two groups, but they both believe in the survival of the regime as a priority. [15:29] Thanks for taking us through all of that. [15:33] Well, whether you're joining us on YouTube, TikTok, Sounds, radio or TV, thanks for your time. [15:39] We'll be back at the same time tomorrow with the Iran War Today.