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Conflicting messages emerged this week regarding U.S.-Iran relations, with a high-ranking Iranian military official declaring that armed conflict with America cannot be avoided while President Donald Trump maintained optimism about reaching a diplomatic solution in the coming days.

Mohammad Jafar Asadi, who serves as deputy head of Iran’s central military command known as Khatam al-Anbiya, dismissed any possibility that his country would comply with American demands, according to reports from Iranian state television.

“The United States demands our total surrender, and the Iranian nation will never surrender,” Asadi stated. “Without surrender, war is inevitable.”

These comments stand in stark contrast to President Trump’s optimistic outlook regarding ongoing diplomatic discussions.

During a Monday telephone conversation with ABC, President Trump predicted that a peace deal with Iran could be finalized “over the next week.” He emphasized that reaching an agreement through negotiations would be more desirable than pursuing military action.

“It’s not an easy thing for them. It’s actually not easy from our standpoint either. But we’re getting what we need to get,” President Trump explained.

The president noted that while he had previously suggested on May 24 that a memorandum of understanding was close to completion, he has not yet signed off on the document because “I still have to get a few more points.”

These divergent positions emerged as hostilities persist between Washington and Tehran in the strategically important Strait of Hormuz region.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard announced Monday that it had fired a cruise missile at the MSC Sariska V, describing the targeted ship as having connections to both the United States and Israel. The organization claimed this attack served as payback for an American strike against the Iranian commercial vessel Lian Star in the Gulf of Oman. Maritime officials from Britain reported that the MSC Sariska V suffered damage from a major explosion in waters near Iraq.

This latest incident occurred as military confrontations between Iran and the United States have intensified around the crucial shipping corridor. Both nations have conducted military operations in recent days, with disagreements centered on control of the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway that handles 20% of global oil and gas transportation.

A deadly stabbing incident involving a British teenager has sparked intense discussions about law enforcement practices and racial dynamics after video emerged showing police restraining the victim while dismissing his pleas for help.

Henry Nowak, an 18-year-old student, was fatally wounded in December, but the case gained widespread attention this week following the sentencing of his attacker and the release of disturbing footage from the scene.

Vickrum Digwa, 23, who is Sikh, received a life sentence with a minimum 21-year term Monday after being convicted of murder. Digwa had falsely told responding officers that Nowak, who was white, had racially attacked him.

Law enforcement personnel responding to the scene in Southampton, a coastal community in southern England, initially accepted Digwa’s account. However, court proceedings revealed that Digwa had fabricated the racism allegations.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed his revulsion at the footage and questioned how “accusations of racism informed the decision-making in this case.”

Demonstrators assembled outside Southampton’s police headquarters to voice their outrage over Nowak’s death.

Video evidence shows the university student lying on the ground, informing officers of his stab wounds while they restrained his arms and attempted to force him upright. He repeatedly stated he was unable to breathe.

“You’ve been stabbed? Whereabouts?” an officer said in the video. “Don’t think you have, mate.”

Following the court proceedings, the victim’s father, Mark Nowak, emphasized that the tragedy wasn’t centered on racism or religion, expressing hope that his son’s death would contribute to improved street safety rather than fostering “further division, hatred or tension.”

However, Nigel Farage, leader of the anti-immigrant Reform UK party, characterized the incident Tuesday as evidence of so-called two-tier policing — a far-right assertion that ethnic minorities receive preferential treatment over white individuals.

Farage urged people to respond with “pure cold rage,” demanding an end to “anti-white prejudice” and promoting the concept “that white lives matter just as much as Black lives.”

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood dismissed claims of differential policing standards across communities and appealed to Parliament members not to “allow this murder to turn communities against one another.”

Mahmood acknowledged public shock over the tragic footage and emphasized the government’s commitment to dramatically reducing knife-related violence.

She appealed for restraint while the Independent Office for Police Conduct examines the actions of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary officers. She noted that online misinformation had resulted in death threats against an uninvolved officer.

“Misinformation and inflammatory commentary is making a dreadful situation even worse,” she said. “We must all together condemn it.”

Two years prior, a stabbing attack that claimed three young lives and injured 10 others at a dance class in northern England triggered nearly a week of widespread unrest after social media users incorrectly identified the teenage perpetrator as a Muslim asylum-seeker. The violent confrontations with law enforcement primarily targeted migrants and Muslims.

The British-born attacker’s parents were Rwandan Christians, and while investigators couldn’t determine his motivation, they ruled out terrorism. Authorities discovered materials about Nazi Germany, the Rwandan genocide and car bombs on his electronic devices.

In Nowak’s case, the first-year University of Southampton student had been socializing with friends when officers arrived at what was reported as an assault. Nowak was visible on a driveway, supported by someone who mentioned he had blood in his mouth.

Digwa stood close by and informed officers he had also sustained injuries, indicating his allegedly swollen eyelid. He alleged that Nowak had removed his turban and grabbed his hair.

Following Nowak’s restraint, officers positioned him on his side while searching for stab wounds. He appeared unconscious when an officer announced his arrest for assault and recited his legal rights.

Upon discovering his injuries, officers removed the handcuffs and began CPR, according to police statements.

Digwa faced conviction for murder at Southampton Crown Court.

Judge William Mousley told Digwa he rejected the claim that Nowak made racist remarks toward him.

“You are the only person to make that claim and it is completely at odds with his previous character,” he said.

In Britain, where firearm possession faces strict regulation, knives frequently serve as weapons in violent incidents and face similar restrictions. Generally, individuals cannot carry bladed implements except pocketknives with cutting edges under 3 inches. However, Sikhs may carry ceremonial knives called kirpans for religious purposes.

Mousley noted that Digwa possessed a small kirpan, which Sikhs are religiously required to carry, but also had an 8-inch sheathed Sikh dagger that served as the murder weapon. He stated that the religious connection of the weapons had put other Sikhs at risk.

“Your actions have stirred up racial tension in Southampton and across the country which have made many Sikhs worried about their own safety even though they have done absolutely nothing wrong,” the judge said.

Law enforcement officials apologized to Nowak’s family and stated that Digwa’s deception had misled responding officers.

“It is devastating the officers did not believe Henry when he said he’d been stabbed and couldn’t breathe,” Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones said. “The details of the police response raises serious concerns about police impartiality, fairness and judgment.”

Digwa’s mother, Kiran Kaur, 53, was found guilty of assisting an offender after attempting to conceal the murder weapon. Her sentencing is scheduled for July 17.

A diplomatic exchange between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has drawn attention after Trump expressed gratitude for Israel’s decision to cancel a planned military strike in Beirut, though private reports suggest their conversation was far more contentious.

Trump posted on Truth Social about his discussion with Netanyahu, stating he had requested the Israeli leader avoid conducting what he characterized as a significant operation in Lebanon’s capital city.

“I had a conversation with Bibi Netanyahu today, asking him not to go into a major raid of Beirut, Lebanon. He turned his Troops around. Thank you Bibi!” Trump wrote.

The president also revealed he had reached out to Hezbollah through intermediaries and stated the organization had committed to ceasing hostilities.

“I also had a conversation with representatives of the leaders of Hezbollah, and they agreed to stop shooting at Israel, and its soldiers,” Trump posted.

“Likewise, Israel agreed to stop shooting at them. Let’s see how long that lasts — Hopefully it will be for ETERNITY!” he added.

Israeli military sources indicated that no forces were actually en route to Beirut on Monday, despite earlier announcements from Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz that the Israel Defense Forces would strike Hezbollah infrastructure in and near the Lebanese capital.

Even with the ceasefire declaration, Israel noted that Hezbollah deployed drones against forces in southern Lebanon, causing alert sirens to sound in northern Israel. The IDF retaliated with attacks on Hezbollah locations.

According to an Axios report, Trump and Netanyahu had an intense disagreement about Israel’s military tactics and the ceasefire agreement. The report, citing two administration officials and another source, described Trump questioning plans to demolish buildings in Beirut to target Hezbollah commanders, asking Netanyahu: “What the f*ck are you doing?”

The report indicated Trump also mentioned his previous support for Netanyahu regarding legal matters in Israel, telling the prime minister: “You’re f*cking crazy. You’d be in jail if it weren’t for me. I’m saving your ass. Everyone hates you now, and everyone hates Israel because of this.”

Axios reported that White House frustration grew after Iran threatened to withdraw from negotiations with Washington due to Israeli activities in Lebanon. The United States and Iran are currently in talks about a comprehensive memorandum of understanding that includes provisions to end the fighting in Lebanon.

Sources indicated that US officials back Israel’s right to defend against Hezbollah attacks but have disagreements about the extent of IDF operations in Lebanon. A senior US official quoted by Axios said Netanyahu replied: “Okay, okay, just make sure everything is handled.”

The Prime Minister’s Office refused to provide an official comment on the details reported by Axios.

Netanyahu subsequently offered a different version of their conversation, stating he had told Trump that Israel would conduct strikes in Beirut if Hezbollah continued launching attacks into Israeli territory. He also indicated that operations in southern Lebanon would proceed and that Israel’s stance remained unchanged.

Multiple Israeli political leaders openly condemned the choice to abort the planned Beirut strikes. Former IDF chief of staff and Yashar! Party leader Gadi Eisenkot described Trump’s instruction as “a humiliating demand, one that is blatantly unreasonable.” Eisenkot noted that Netanyahu “is the man who preached morals to everyone about the basic need to be a prime minister and know how to say ‘no’ to the President of the United States.”

Opposition leader Yair Lapid criticized Netanyahu for behaving as if Israel were a protectorate of the United States. Lapid also demanded a “powerful response” to the rocket fire from Lebanon, stating that “the responsibility for the security of Israeli citizens lies solely with the Israeli government.”

Israeli Parliament members are scheduled to cast secret ballots this week for the nation’s next state comptroller in what has transformed from a routine selection process into a significant challenge for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition unity.

The competition features two contenders: former Supreme Court Justice Yosef Elron and attorney Michael Rabilo, who maintains strong connections to Netanyahu. The victor will take control of one of Israel’s most crucial watchdog positions, overseeing audits of government departments, public institutions, and state actions during a period when wartime choices, governmental operations, and institutional confidence face intense political examination.

During Monday’s faction gatherings, opposition leaders centered their discussions on the position’s autonomy and whether the incoming comptroller could effectively investigate the very administration currently attempting to influence the selection process.

Opposition Leader Yair Lapid stated that Elron could help rebuild the office’s reputation specifically because he isn’t associated with the left. “I believe that not only in the opposition, but also in the coalition, there will be people who say to themselves that our role in this building is to serve the State of Israel and its interests,” Lapid said.

Lapid characterized Elron as “a respected Supreme Court justice” and “someone politically identified with the right,” suggesting he could rebuild “the importance and prestige” of the State Comptroller’s Office. He drew a distinction with Rabilo, whom he labeled “Netanyahu’s personal lawyer,” and maintained that Netanyahu’s favored nominee might protect the prime minister from upcoming oversight.

Yisrael Beitenu party chairman Avigdor Liberman indicated he would honor the custom of a private, confidential vote but clearly stated he would not back Netanyahu’s selection. “We will preserve the Knesset tradition regarding personal votes,” Liberman said. “But I can already reveal one thing: I will not vote for the prime minister’s candidate.”

Yair Golan, chairman of The Democrats, avoided naming specific candidates but connected the ballot to what he characterized as a broader trend in government selections, declaring that anyone whose “loyalty is to the king and not to the kingdom will have to go home.”

The confidential voting occurs while Netanyahu’s coalition already faces tension over the military draft controversy. Should Rabilo prevail, Netanyahu can demonstrate that his alliance remains unified during crucial moments. A loss would indicate that dissatisfaction within the coalition has progressed beyond public rhetoric into concrete opposition.

The Kingdom of Bahrain has imposed an immediate ban on its citizens traveling to Iraq and Iran, according to an announcement from the country’s Ministry of Interior.

Officials from Bahrain’s Ministry of Interior made the declaration through the state news agency BNA, stating the restriction was put in place to ensure national security and protect the wellbeing of Bahraini nationals.

“Due to the continued tense security situation resulting from the repercussions of the sinful Iranian aggression, and in order to safeguard national security and the safety of all citizens, the Ministry of Interior announces the decision to ban citizens from traveling” to Iraq and Iran, the ministry said.

The travel prohibition will continue “until further notice,” according to ministry officials, who also cautioned that authorities plan to pursue enforcement action against anyone who defies the ban. Bahraini officials stated they will implement appropriate measures against “violators” of the order.

This move comes amid escalating regional instability throughout the Middle East and follows Iranian attacks that hit targets within Bahrain during the latest period of conflict.

Weapons including missiles and drones from Iran hit vital infrastructure throughout the nation, sparking significant blazes at a fuel storage facility in Muharraq Governorate and at the kingdom’s primary oil refinery located on Sitra Island.

Military installations linked to US forces were also hit during the assault. Officials from Bahrain reported that facilities housing American personnel, such as the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet headquarters and Sheikh Isa Air Base, were struck in the opening round of attacks.

Residential neighborhoods were also impacted by the strikes, Bahraini authorities confirmed. The bombardment caused deaths and forced thousands of residents from their homes.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi issued a stern warning Monday following Israel’s decision to expand military operations against Hezbollah, claiming the actions violate existing ceasefire agreements after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz authorized the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to target Hezbollah positions in and around Beirut.

Through a social media post on X, Araghchi stated: “The ceasefire between Iran and the US is unequivocally a ceasefire on all fronts, including in Lebanon,” and clarified that breaking the agreement on one front would constitute a violation across all areas.

The Iranian official cautioned, “The US and Israel are responsible for the consequences of any violation.”

These threats emerged as Israeli leadership indicated plans for expanded operations against Hezbollah. On Monday morning, Netanyahu and Katz announced that Hezbollah command centers in Beirut’s Dahieh neighborhood would no longer receive protection from Israeli military strikes.

“There will be no situation in which Hezbollah attacks our cities and citizens while the terror headquarters in Dahieh remain off-limits,” Netanyahu declared in a recorded statement.

The Prime Minister also noted that Israeli military units were broadening their activities in southern Lebanon while focusing on Hezbollah facilities.

“We are continuing to deepen our operations on the ground in southern Lebanon, eliminating Hezbollah strongholds. Hezbollah is on the run. We are determined to restore security to the residents of the north, just as we did for the residents of the south,” Netanyahu stated.

Previously, Israel had avoided attacking the Lebanese capital following requests from the Trump administration.

During a separate military event, Katz announced that the IDF was maintaining both aerial and ground campaigns against Hezbollah while making “significant gains” against the organization.

“If there is no quiet in the north, there will be no quiet in Beirut … We will not allow a situation in which our communities and citizens are harmed while calm is maintained in Beirut,” Katz declared.

Katz outlined the military’s goal to “turn the Litani area into a zone under IDF security control, free of weapons and terrorists.”

These escalating threats occurred while combat between Israel and Hezbollah persists despite ceasefire arrangements and active negotiations in Washington.

A key disagreement centers on Hezbollah’s unwillingness to surrender weapons, despite ceasefire terms mandating the armed organization relinquish its arsenal.

A member of Israel’s parliament has formed a new legislative group dedicated to exploring the possibility of future peace and diplomatic relations with Lebanon, making the case that Israel should reach out directly to Lebanese communities seeking stability and freedom from armed group control.

Dr. Akram Hasson leads the newly established Caucus for Peace Between Israel and Lebanon, which he chairs. He tells The Media Line that his motivation stems from years of observing what he views as a nation held captive by Hezbollah’s influence.

“Lebanon was taken hostage by Hezbollah,” Hasson told The Media Line. “It does whatever it wants there. It destroyed the Switzerland of the Middle East. It threatens Lebanon’s president, it threatens the government, and of course it harms the residents of northern Israel.”

The parliamentary group has modest structure but broad ambitions, calling for diplomatic, economic, and civilian cooperation, assistance for northern Israeli communities, and a wider regional approach to shared security threats. Hasson notes that his proposal to create the caucus received approval within days of submission, which he interprets as evidence that fellow lawmakers recognize the value of maintaining political dialogue beyond the current reality of rockets, evacuations, and border conflict.

His position centers on viewing Lebanon through the lens of its various communities rather than solely through its armed groups – communities he believes have genuine interests in stability, economic recovery, and reduced Iranian influence in their country.

“The Lebanese people, in the latest survey, the Druze, more than 80%, want peace and relations with the State of Israel,” Hasson said. “Seventy-two percent of the Christians also want peace with the State of Israel, and there are Sunnis there who want it too. So the time has come for us to strengthen this alliance.”

Hasson clarifies that the caucus does not replace official government diplomacy or indicate that formal negotiations are currently happening. Rather, he describes it as a political and public platform designed to provide legitimacy and visibility to Lebanese figures who might support normalization but fear retaliation from Hezbollah. His stated objective is encouraging them to speak more openly, both within Lebanon and among Lebanese communities living abroad.

“I want to encourage every person on the Lebanese side who seeks peace and believes in peace to stand up and say what he thinks, like in the latest survey, and begin to apply pressure,” Hasson said. “Because in the end, if the people want peace and security and freedom, nothing can stand in the way of that will.”

The political complexities are clear. Israel and Lebanon have no peace treaty, and Hezbollah remains the primary armed force along the Lebanese side of their shared border. For Israelis living in the north, this has created concrete challenges. The ongoing conflict has transformed border towns and surrounding communities into an active front line, featuring evacuations, missile and rocket attacks, Israeli military strikes in Lebanon, and persistent concerns about escalation.

Hasson contends that precisely because of this instability, Israel should start preparing for the possibility that border dynamics may not always remain as they are today. He mentions that his first speech in Arabic from the parliament podium was addressed to the Lebanese people and demonstrated respect for a society he characterizes as educated, sophisticated, and unwilling to be defined by terrorism.

“The Lebanese people are a people of books, a people of culture,” he said. “They do not want terrorism, and they do not want Hezbollah there. They are suffering terribly from them.”

The parliament member’s vision remains far from official policy at this point. He speaks openly about a future where embassies might operate in Beirut and Tel Aviv, connecting this concept to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s broader rhetoric about a “new Middle East.” Hasson suggests that if regional alignments continue shifting, Lebanon could eventually join a larger group of countries engaging Israel openly.

However, the most significant aspect of his proposal may not be the diplomatic end goal, but rather the comparison he makes with Israel’s existing peace agreements. When asked whether relations with Lebanon might one day mirror Israel’s relationship with Jordan, Hasson offered a more ambitious assessment.

“In my opinion, normalization with Lebanon would be better than with Jordan,” he said.

He contends that the peace with Jordan, while strategically valuable, has remained distant and unbalanced. Israel provides Jordan with water, Israeli business leaders have invested there, and Israeli tourists travel east, Hasson notes, but the relationship has not created the type of mutual public acceptance he would hope to see in a future agreement.

“You do not see one tourist from Jordan in Israel,” Hasson said. “They do not contribute anything to us. On the contrary.”

For Hasson, the key difference lies between Hezbollah and Lebanon as a whole. He highlights particularly Druze and Christian voices, as well as historical memories of contact across the border, including periods when Lebanese workers entered Israel.

“Lebanon is a completely different people,” he said. “They do not have that hatred. They do not teach jihad.”

Yet there exists a significant gap between frustration with Hezbollah and public support for normalization with Israel. In Lebanon, even people who resent Hezbollah’s power may avoid expressing anything that resembles support for peace with Israel. War memories, internal Lebanese politics, the Palestinian issue, and fear of being accused of collaboration all influence the situation.

Hasson does not claim Lebanon is prepared to sign an agreement immediately. His argument is more focused: Israel should not wait for official diplomacy to exist before communicating with Lebanese who may already be thinking differently.

The caucus documentation outlines potential areas of cooperation, including tourism, trade, infrastructure, industry, energy, agriculture, innovation, environmental collaboration, and support for local authorities in northern Israel. Hasson believes both sides could benefit from a practical peace centered on economic recovery and border stability.

“We can contribute to Lebanon’s economy,” he said. “It is win-win. Everyone, in the end, will bless this important step.”

He also frames the issue as one that should not be limited to either the Israeli right or left. Peace, he argues, can gain support across Israel’s political spectrum if presented not as rhetoric, but as a security achievement that protects Israeli citizens and weakens Iranian-backed terrorism.

“The people of Israel know how to unite and rise above themselves when there is real peace, and when they know it will bring security to all the residents of the State of Israel,” Hasson said. “I know many people in Israel, both on the left and on the right, who, when they hear about peace, real peace and not talk and slogans, will support it.”

The initiative emerges at a time when the concept of “peace” has largely vanished from Israel’s wartime political discourse, replaced by terms such as deterrence, victory, pressure, disarmament, and security control. Hasson attempts to reintroduce it, but in a format anchored less in traditional peace advocacy and more in the language of regional power, anti-Iranian alignment, and Israeli security interests.

This may represent the caucus’s political opportunity. It does not ask Israelis to ignore Hezbollah. It begins with Hezbollah as the primary obstacle. It does not present Lebanon as already prepared for peace. It argues that segments of Lebanon may be ready, or could become ready, if they are strengthened and if Hezbollah is forced to retreat from its current position.

“We are stronger,” Hasson said. “We are the only ones standing against Hezbollah. And in the end, we can eliminate this terrorism, because the Lebanese state, as a state, as a government, as a presidency, cannot do much against Hezbollah.”

The caucus remains a parliamentary initiative, not a diplomatic process. Its significance lies elsewhere: an Israeli parliament member is attempting to bring into the legislature a conversation that typically remains in private meetings, research forums, or military assessments. Hasson wants parliament to address directly the possibility that Lebanon’s future may not be permanently connected to Hezbollah’s present.

Whether that message can reach Lebanese audiences, and whether anyone there can safely respond to it, remains unclear. Hasson believes the situation is less rigid than it appears.

“We want a real Middle East,” he said. “A Middle East without terrorists, without people who believe in jihad and brainwashing, and cause enormous damage to the Arab and Muslim population in the world. That is the final goal.”

A parliamentary committee in Israel voted unanimously Monday to move forward with legislation that would dissolve the government and pave the way for early elections.

The House Committee of the Israeli parliament approved the dissolution bill by an 8-0 margin, sending the measure to the full parliament for its initial reading.

Should the full parliament approve the legislation, it would return to committee for additional preparation before undergoing second and third readings. Final passage would establish a timeline for scheduling a national election and officially begin the country’s 2026 election cycle.

Coalition Chairman Ofir Katz outlined a potential voting period spanning from September 8 to October 20. He noted that ongoing talks are focused on identifying a date within this window that all parties can accept.

Monday’s committee action follows the parliament’s initial endorsement of the dissolution measure. Lawmakers supported the bill unanimously with a 110-0 vote before sending it to the House Committee for additional legislative work.

According to the country’s legal framework, national elections must occur within five months after final approval of the dissolution legislation. Using this timeline, voting would need to happen by October 27 at the latest, making mid-to-late October the final practical window for holding elections.

Political negotiations have also addressed when elections might take place. Media reports indicate that ultra-Orthodox political parties prefer scheduling the vote for early September, during the weeks before the High Holidays.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly discouraged the ultra-Orthodox parties from pursuing a September election timeline. According to reports, he has privately cautioned that such timing would “endanger” the right-wing bloc’s prospects for electoral success.

TRUJILLO, Peru — Along Peru’s northwestern Pacific coastline, market vendor Gladys Saavedra watches warily as unfamiliar faces approach the small marketplace where she and other women workers face a grim reality: collectively pay $300 monthly to criminal extortionists or face devastating consequences.

When the women at the Trujillo market refused the demands last June, criminals torched their workplace. The vendors protested and demanded government protection in the following days, but received no help. This lack of response came as no shock to Saavedra, whose home was bombed with explosives during another extortion scheme in August 2024.

As Peruvians prepare to choose their next president in Sunday’s runoff election, this escalating gang violence has become voters’ primary concern. Many citizens will venture to polling locations with deep anxiety about becoming crime targets during their journey.

“You can’t even stick your head out for fear of being shot,” Saavedra, 49, said.

While extortion first appeared in Trujillo over two decades ago, the criminal activity has exploded across Peru during the past five years. Government statistics show extortion reports jumped fivefold to 28,948 cases in the previous year, while homicides doubled to reach 2,226 in 2025.

Law enforcement officials and security analysts link the criminal organizations’ growth in Trujillo to their connection with unlawful gold mining operations. These groups initially earned money by offering protection services to illegal miners in nearby areas, then invested those profits in hiring assassins, purchasing firearms, and expanding their urban influence.

Government figures reveal that illegal mining produces roughly $7 billion each year, significantly exceeding the approximately $1.2 billion generated annually through drug trafficking.

Transportation companies became the initial extortion targets, with drivers facing death if payments weren’t made. These workers remain prime victims, as at least 239 drivers were murdered nationwide last year, according to the independent Observatory of Crime and Violence.

More than half of those killed operated motorcycle taxis, commonly used in city outskirts where paved roads are scarce. However, bus driver murders have sparked transportation strikes and public demonstrations.

Security specialists connect organized crime’s growing influence in Peru to profits that long-established criminal organizations earn from illegal gold extraction in the Andes and Amazon regions. Peru exported 100 tons of illegally extracted gold in 2025, nearly equaling the 109 tons of legally mined gold it exported.

In a Trujillo district that produces one-fourth of the nation’s footwear, union representative Máximo Varas reported that approximately 1,500 small business operators in the shoe industry make payments to extortionists to continue operating.

“Everyone pays — even I get extorted. No one is safe,” he said.

Throughout Trujillo, numerous buses, restaurants, corner shops, nightclubs, and educational institutions display stickers on their building fronts. These markers include puma images, crosses, and Batman symbols. Law enforcement officials explained that these stickers signal businesses have made extortion payments. Authorities sometimes patrol Trujillo removing these markers and replacing them with police stickers.

Business owner Iván Díaz, 58, believes violence has grown “unreasonably” in Trujillo. Criminals disguised as law enforcement officers abducted him from his workplace in 2023, holding him captive for 11 days. To secure a $250,000 ransom, his kidnappers severed portions of two fingers on his right hand and transmitted torture videos to his relatives to “advance the payment.”

“I had to adapt to reality and keep a cool head,” Díaz said.

Courts sentenced four members of the criminal organization Los Pulpos to life imprisonment in May for Díaz’s kidnapping. This group originated in Trujillo during the 1990s and later spread operations into neighboring Chile.

The Ministry of Economy calculated in July that criminal activity costs Peruvians approximately $5 billion annually. This amount encompasses government investment in police operations plus private expenditures on surveillance equipment and security personnel.

Peru’s peripheral neighborhoods lack paved streets, clean water, and electrical service, but most critically, they lack police presence. By comparison, affluent municipalities like the capital’s San Borja, where both presidential candidates — conservative Keiko Fujimori and progressive Roberto Sánchez — reside, maintain large numbers of uniformed officers plus additional private security forces patrolling their areas.

Security professionals argue that fighting crime requires eliminating corruption within the national police force, which employs approximately 130,000 officers, plus substantial funding for investigations.

An investigator working on organized crime cases, who requested anonymity because he lacks authorization to speak with media, told The Associated Press that technology limitations prevent police from tracking phones linked to digital payment systems that criminals use for collecting extortion money.

Congressman-elect and former police officer Harvey Colchado stated that each of the nation’s 70 police investigative divisions received $29,000 monthly budgets five years ago, but currently operate without funding as the government redirected money to other purposes. He noted this problem worsens due to recent legislation supported by both Fujimori’s and Sánchez’s parties that complicates criminal prosecutions.

The legislation Colchado mentioned removed preliminary detention in specific situations and increased requirements for seizing criminal property and conducting searches.

“This is a cancer,” Saavedra said. “(Police) don’t have the resources to trace the calls, to know where the messages are coming from. That’s the only way to stop it.”

The city of Trujillo in Peru is grieving for victims lost to violent criminal activity that has swept through this urban center. Local entrepreneurs face mounting challenges as gang-related extortion spreads throughout numerous communities across this South American nation.

Public safety concerns have become a dominant issue as Peru approaches its presidential runoff election this Sunday, affecting how citizens conduct their everyday activities and view their nation’s prospects.

Statistics reveal a dramatic escalation in criminal activity over recent years. Extortion incidents have multiplied five times in the last half-decade, with nearly 29,000 cases documented in 2025. Homicides have similarly escalated, more than doubling during this timeframe, as officials report 2,226 fatalities occurred in the previous year.

Organized crime syndicates are increasingly focusing on small-scale entrepreneurs, including transportation workers, marketplace sellers, and various business operators, forcing them to make routine payments to continue their operations.

The consequences reach well beyond financial damage. Throughout Peru, citizens report experiencing persistent feelings of insecurity as explosive attacks, abductions, murders, and intimidation tactics have escalated dramatically.

Nearly every Peruvian appears to have personal connections to criminal victimization. Community members and family members have faced extortion demands to maintain their businesses, or have suffered kidnapping or murder.

Discovering bodies in public areas or recovered from remote locations has become a regular occurrence.

Certain districts see businesses posting markers showing they comply with extortion demands, while other establishments spend significant amounts on private protection services due to insufficient police coverage.

Specialists in public safety link the expansion of criminal organizations to revenue from unauthorized mining operations and additional illegal enterprises, combined with persistent underfunding of police investigative departments and obsolete equipment. They additionally cite recent legislative modifications that have complicated authorities’ ability to arrest suspects, confiscate criminal proceeds, and eliminate criminal organizations.

PARIS, June 2 – The French President and Rwanda’s leader joined together on Tuesday to dedicate a new memorial in Paris honoring those killed in the 1994 genocide targeting Tutsis in Rwanda.

The French President stated the memorial positions the Tutsi genocide “at the heart of our capital and our history,” describing it as “the culmination of a long and painstaking quest for the truth.”

During a May 2021 trip to Rwanda, the French President acknowledged his nation’s role in the Rwandan genocide and expressed hope for forgiveness, attempting to repair relations following years of Rwandan claims that France played a role in the 1994 massacre of approximately 800,000 people — primarily ethnic Tutsis. He did not, however, offer a formal apology.

This followed findings from a commission appointed by the French President that determined in March 2021 that France had been blinded by colonial perspectives regarding events preceding the genocide and carried “serious and overwhelming” responsibility for not anticipating the massacre.

The memorial, located along the Seine river in central Paris, is called “L’Archive.” Portuguese artist Grada Kilomba created the design, which features two black monuments and includes an engraved dedication to the hundreds of thousands of men, women, and children killed between April and July 1994.

MOSCOW – Russia’s major economic conference, officially called the St. Petersburg Economic Forum, begins Wednesday with an unusual mix of American attendees drawn to Moscow’s stance against what they call “anti-wokery” and its promotion of “traditional values.”

Several notable U.S. figures are scheduled to participate in the event:

CANDACE OWENS

The conservative social media personality and podcast host, known for her sharp criticism of Israel, U.S. aid to Israel, feminism and other topics, will address a panel about managing parenting responsibilities in large families while maintaining career success. The 37-year-old currently faces a prominent defamation case in the U.S. brought by French President Emmanuel Macron and his spouse Brigitte over false statements Owens made claiming Brigitte was born male.

“I have been wanting to go to St Petersburg for a very, very long time just as a Christian in general just to see some of those cathedrals and churches,” Owens stated before her journey.

STEVEN SEAGAL

The former action movie star and martial arts practitioner has maintained a longtime appreciation for President Vladimir Putin, who granted him Russian citizenship in 2016. Seagal currently serves as a special representative for Russia’s Foreign Ministry focusing on humanitarian connections with the United States and Japan.

The frequent Russia visitor endorsed Moscow’s 2014 takeover of Ukraine’s Crimea region as “very reasonable,” became a member of a pro-Kremlin political organization in 2021, and has expressed support for Russia’s military action in Ukraine. He is scheduled to participate in a cultural discussion panel.

RODNEY MIMS COOK JR.

As Chairman of the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, Cook is managing U.S. President Donald Trump’s disputed White House ballroom addition project and is leading the official American delegation to the conference.

According to the Kremlin, he represents the first U.S. official to participate since 2017/18, and the first since Russia deployed tens of thousands of soldiers into Ukraine in 2022. Cook will participate in discussions about U.S.-Russian cultural exchange.

Speaking to Russia’s TASS state news service before the conference, Cook explained he was attending as a cultural minister and Christian rather than in a political capacity. He mentioned his previous work helping restore Russian churches and on Tuesday presented a religious icon to a male monastery in St. Petersburg.

ANDREW AND TRISTAN TATE

Andrew Tate shared footage of himself and his brother receiving a musical Russian greeting at Moscow’s airport before the forum. However, the siblings, known for keeping their supporters uncertain about their plans, have not yet confirmed they will attend the conference.

Both have faced criminal investigations in Romania on allegations including human trafficking since December 2022, though neither case has reached trial. They also confront charges in Britain including rape, actual bodily harm and human trafficking. Both deny any wrongdoing.

The brothers are former kickboxers holding both U.S. and British citizenship. Andrew Tate, who describes himself as a misogynist, has attracted millions of online followers by advocating an extremely masculine lifestyle that critics argue involves degrading women.

Canada is pushing the United States and Mexico to extend their trilateral trade pact for an additional 16 years, timing the request as U.S. President Donald Trump renews his rhetoric about incorporating Canada as America’s 51st state.

On Tuesday, Dominic LeBlanc, Canada’s minister for U.S. trade, dispatched correspondence to United States Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Mexico’s Secretary of Economy Marcelo Ebrard expressing Canada’s position on the matter.

“The Agreement is highly beneficial to each of our countries and to the integrated North American economy,” LeBlanc wrote.

The correspondence arrives before the planned July assessment of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, known as USMCA, which represents the current version of a North American trade framework that has connected the three nations’ economies since the early 1990s.

Both LeBlanc and Canada’s Chief Trade Negotiator, Janice Charette, traveled to Washington on Tuesday for discussions with Greer. LeBlanc has previously cautioned that the trade pact might face yearly assessments and suggested such uncertainty could be an aim of the Trump administration.

Trump shared “51st State!” on social media Monday, linking to coverage about Canada potentially entering a technical recession. U.S. Ambassador to Canada, Pete Hoekstra, subsequently shared the same post.

“I can’t believe I have to say this again, but Canada will never be the 51st state. Canada is not for sale,” Ontario Premier Doug Ford posted in response on Tuesday.

Prime Minister Mark Carney admitted to some economic challenges in Canada while entering Cabinet meetings Tuesday. Carney noted that the U.S. maintains roughly 30 trade disputes with Canada versus nearly 60 with Mexico.

The United States has the option to exit the agreement with six months’ notice, implement yearly reviews moving forward, or approve another 16-year extension.

“There is a possibility of a new partnership there,” Carney said.

The USMCA has protected Canada and Mexico from many of Trump’s protectionist policies since numerous goods from both nations fall under the free trade framework. However, certain targeted tariffs on products like aluminum continue to harm the interconnected North American economic system.

Trump’s repeated suggestions about making Canada the 51st state have angered Canadians, leading to significant numbers canceling travel plans to the United States.

IRBIL, Iraq — A major Iran-backed armed faction in Iraq announced Tuesday that it plans to transfer its weaponry to government oversight, representing a significant development in the new administration’s push to bring independent militias under state authority.

Asaib Ahl al-Haq announced the establishment of a committee to manage this transition, which will include cataloging its personnel, armaments and equipment while coordinating with the armed forces’ commander-in-chief. The organization framed this choice as responding to appeals from Iraq’s leading Shiite religious authority and the Iran-aligned Coordination Framework, Parliament’s dominant bloc that controls Iraqi politics.

The Middle Eastern conflict has highlighted the weakness of Iraq’s governmental structures and their insufficient capacity to control these organizations. A separate standoff between Washington and the militias has intensified the situation, with groups functioning as extensions of Iran’s regional efforts and increasing attacks on U.S. interests in Iraq until a fragile ceasefire agreement was established in April.

The initial major development occurred one week prior, when prominent Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr announced his Saraya al-Salam militia, alternatively called the Peace Brigades, would separate from his political organization and merge with state institutions.

Facing Washington’s pressure, Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi has been attempting to establish state control over armaments. Al-Zaidi, a 40-year-old banker who took office last month, has positioned a state weapons monopoly as central to his agenda. The Trump administration has cautioned against any government influenced by Iran-linked groups and connected defense cooperation and funding to initiatives aimed at controlling them.

Numerous Iran-backed militias receive funding through Iraq’s state budget and are integrated within the security structure, though they remain outside government authority. This situation has attracted criticism from the United States and other nations that have suffered from their attacks and argue Baghdad has not taken sufficient action.

Multiple armed groups allied with Iraq’s Coordination Framework have adopted different positions regarding efforts to place weapons under state oversight. Two significant organizations, Kataib Hezbollah and Harakat al-Nujaba, have opposed disarmament, connecting the matter to Iraq’s sovereignty and foreign military presence.

Kataib Hezbollah praised other groups’ decisions to place weaponry under state control but stated its own military operations will persist as part of what it calls “resistance work.” In a recent statement from its Abu Mujahid al-Assaf social media channel, the organization indicated it would provide coordination with the Popular Mobilization Forces instead of surrendering weapons.

The PMF, a state-supported coalition of primarily Shiite armed organizations, was established in 2014 to combat the Islamic State group. Many of its constituent groups maintain independent command structures and Iranian connections.

A Bahrain court issued a life imprisonment sentence Tuesday for a National Intelligence Service agent connected to a detainee’s death while in government custody.

According to Bahrain’s state news agency, the verdict followed an investigation that determined the unnamed intelligence officer caused the detainee’s death. Authorities brought charges in April that included “assault resulting in death.”

While the public prosecutor’s special investigative unit withheld the victim’s identity, the timing corresponds with Mohamed al-Mousawi, a 32-year-old Shiite Muslim. Family members received his body showing bruises, burns and cuts, according to witnesses present at the morgue and funeral. An Associated Press interview with a Physicians for Human Rights forensic specialist revealed the injuries were consistent with blunt force trauma and torture.

Al-Mousawi was part of a larger group detained or prosecuted for demonstrations backing Iran or espionage-related charges during the conflict’s peak, when Iranian missiles targeted Bahrain. The Sunni-led nation with a Shiite majority hosts the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet. Officials have characterized the predominantly Shiite demonstrators as Iranian agents.

Human rights organizations criticized the arrest operations and called for a probe into Al-Mousawi’s death.

The Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy declared Tuesday that the life sentence was insufficient, calling for openness regarding the officer’s identity and the events leading to Al-Mousawi’s death.

Bahrain’s administration has rejected claims of sectarian bias, stating that officials have operated within legal bounds and that independent organizations examine abuse allegations.

HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) — A constitutional amendment proposal was presented to Zimbabwe’s Parliament on Tuesday by the nation’s justice minister, seeking to prolong the presidency of the 83-year-old leader and change the electoral system from direct public voting to legislative appointment.

The legislation would postpone upcoming 2028 elections by two years and keep President Emmerson Mnangagwa in office until 2030. Additionally, it would increase the duration of terms for the president, MPs, councilors and mayors from five years to seven years.

The proposal has intensified political discord in a nation where government opponents frequently face detention or intimidation.

Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi stated last week that he plans to finish the legislative procedures and secure Parliamentary approval by June’s conclusion, allowing Mnangagwa to enact the law afterward.

Mnangagwa has held office since 2017 after the widely-supported military-assisted removal of his former mentor and long-serving leader, Robert Mugabe, who passed away in 2019.

The governing ZANU-PF party maintains a Parliamentary majority and has developed positive relationships with a segment of the divided opposition.

Opponents maintain that lengthening presidential terms necessitates a public referendum. Advocates respond that Parliament has authority to approve these modifications since the two-term restriction would stay intact, despite each term becoming longer. Zimbabwe’s Constitutional Court has not yet decided on multiple legal challenges against the proposal.

DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — A political crisis is brewing in Senegal after dismissed Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko declared his majority party will refuse to join the newly formed government following months of disputes with President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, creating concerns about governmental paralysis in a nation already struggling with overwhelming debt burdens.

Sonko and Faye were once political partners within Pastef, which stands for Patriotes Africains du Sénégal pour le Travail, l’Éthique et la Fraternité in French. Under Sonko’s leadership, the party commands a commanding parliamentary presence with 130 seats in the 165-member legislature.

“We are entering a real opposition dynamic,” stated Babacar Ndiaye, a political analyst at the Senegal-based Wathi think tank on Tuesday, noting that Pastef could pursue a no-confidence vote against the newly installed government, potentially triggering a governance crisis.

The cabinet unveiled Monday by newly appointed Prime Minister Ahmadou Al Aminou Lo excludes any prominent members from the majority party or Sonko’s close political allies, who had previously controlled important ministerial positions.

According to Sonko, who stated that Pastef would “not participate in this government due to points of disagreement” with both Faye and Lo, he was dismissed along with all cabinet members in May after prolonged friction with the president.

Despite their previous alliance when they assumed power in April 2024, Faye and Sonko have publicly clashed over crucial policy matters in recent months, particularly regarding negotiations for International Monetary Fund financing.

The West African nation confronts an escalating debt emergency and increasing living costs, ranking among Africa’s most indebted countries by debt-to-GDP ratio. An official government review conducted last year uncovered previously unreported obligations totaling $13 billion left by the former administration.

A Scottish political party executive admitted to stealing more than $540,000 from party funds to finance personal purchases including gaming systems, luxury timepieces, and a recreational vehicle, according to court proceedings Tuesday.

Peter Murrell, 61, who previously served as chief executive of the Scottish National Party and was married to former Scottish leader Nicola Sturgeon, appeared at Edinburgh’s High Court where prosecutors outlined his elaborate theft scheme. Prosecutor Alan Cameron explained how Murrell fabricated invoices and altered financial records to conceal his crimes.

The stolen funds, taken from an account containing membership dues and member contributions, financed an extensive array of purchases. Court documents showed Murrell bought two vehicles, a recreational vehicle, and high-end merchandise including timepieces and crystal glassware. His shopping list also included ordinary household goods such as yard equipment, electric dental care devices, and bathroom cleaning tools.

Cameron explained that Murrell exploited his authority over the party’s financial accounts to conduct his spending scheme. To avoid detection, he mislabeled his purchases in the party’s financial tracking system — including recording a $4,136 robotic grass-cutting machine as “legal fees.”

Last week, Murrell entered a guilty plea to embezzlement charges covering the period from 2010 through 2022. Sturgeon, who headed the SNP for ten years, has firmly denied any involvement in Murrell’s criminal activities, stating she was “deceived, misled and betrayed.” The couple announced their divorce last year.

Authorities arrested Sturgeon in June 2023 during the financial investigation, though police later cleared her of wrongdoing. Murrell awaits sentencing later this month.

Prosecutors detailed Murrell’s purchases by category, revealing the scope of his spending. He acquired a recreational vehicle that was incorrectly invoiced as a “van” and never made available to other party members. His luxury purchases included $57,474 worth of Amazon orders using SNP credit cards, encompassing PlayStation and Nintendo gaming systems, a Super Mario video game, cutlery sets, kitchen equipment, and premium Montblanc writing instruments.

Additional high-end purchases included luxury leather products and office supplies from London’s Smythson store, an ornate silver wine coaster falsely categorized as “leadership expenses,” two premium Bremont timepieces recorded as “event merchandise,” and salt and pepper mills from Lalique.

Murrell’s vehicle purchases involved buying a Volkswagen Golf in 2016 with $22,220 in party money, later trading it for a Jaguar while claiming the expense supported party events. In 2021, he sold the luxury car and kept approximately $63,844 for himself.

LONDON (AP) — Britain’s leadership announced Tuesday its commitment to maintaining net-zero objectives while facing energy supply challenges from international conflicts, establishing a plan to slash the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions by 87% compared to 1990 levels over the coming 15 years.

Britain established a legally mandated objective in 2008 to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Legal requirements force the administration to create emission limits for upcoming five-year periods following a rigid schedule.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband announced the administration will follow recommendations from its independent Climate Change Committee regarding the 87% objective for the upcoming period spanning 2038 through 2042.

Officials contend that transitioning toward renewable energy sources will shield the nation from fuel cost volatility experienced during the Russia-Ukraine conflict and Middle Eastern tensions.

“As Britain faces the second fossil fuel shock of the decade, the only way to protect family and business finances is to drive for clean homegrown power that we control,” Miliband said.

Researchers indicated the objective positions Britain to achieve its 2050 net zero commitment, although Tuesday’s declaration lacks specific implementation details.

“I think this is very good news as a milestone to net zero at 2050. But, alongside the ambition, we need both a coherent joined-up plan to achieve it and a delivery board — independent of government, politics and the (Climate Change Committee) — tasked with making it happen,” said Martin Siegert, professor of geosciences at the University of Exeter.

Opposition Conservative and Reform UK parties contend the administration should reduce renewable energy objectives and increase North Sea oil and gas extraction to decrease Britain’s reliance on foreign energy sources.

Conservative Party energy spokeswoman Claire Coutinho said that the emissions target “will make us weaker, poorer and send everyone’s energy bills even higher.”

Defense exports from Israel soared to an unprecedented $19 billion in the past year, representing a 30% jump from the previous year, according to Tuesday’s announcement from Israel’s Defense Ministry.

The ministry reported that over half of last year’s transactions were large-scale agreements worth $100 million or higher, with total sales more than doubling over the past five years. This growth occurred amid international condemnation of Israel’s military operations in Gaza and conflicts with Hezbollah and Iran.

The ministry declined to reveal the identities of purchasing nations.

Industry officials indicate that nations publicly committed to avoiding Israeli defense contractors are still discreetly making purchases. Analysts explain that governments seek Israeli equipment because it has been proven in combat situations, allowing them to witness the effectiveness of weapons and systems in active use.

Defense Minister Israel Katz stated: “There is a clear and unmistakable thread connecting the (army’s) battlefield achievements across all fronts, the extraordinary capabilities of Israel’s defense industries, and the success of Israeli defense exports around the world.” He emphasized that these rising numbers strengthen Israel’s standing as a major defense technology leader while creating an obligation to continue advancing innovation.

The Defense Ministry highlighted anti-drone technology as a key area for future development, noting challenges faced during conflicts with Iran. These unmanned aircraft present detection difficulties for radar systems designed to track fast-moving missiles and can be confused with birds or aircraft.

The recent Defense Tech Expo held in Tel Aviv demonstrated increasing global demand for Israeli military equipment, with companies displaying weapons and gear influenced by recent military engagements. However, the event also exposed tensions between military technology promotion and political controversy over its application, as demonstrators criticized Gaza’s extensive damage as experimental testing for Israeli armaments.

Israel’s Defense Ministry maintains that its equipment serves to protect the nation and its citizens, rejecting claims that combat zones are used as testing facilities.

Missile, rocket, and air defense systems comprised over 25% of last year’s sales, matching the previous year’s pattern, according to ministry data. The ministry also noted significant growth in observation and optronics systems sales. Optronics involves electronics using optical, infrared, or ultraviolet radiation for applications including rifle targeting systems.

Research from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute published in March revealed that Israel has overtaken the United Kingdom in global arms export market share for the first time, establishing it as the world’s seventh-largest weapons supplier.

Nine students charged with orchestrating a fatal fire at a girls’ boarding school in central Kenya faced a judge Tuesday as authorities requested additional time to complete their investigation into the deadly incident.

The High Court in Naivasha, located 90 kilometers (55 miles) west of Nairobi, the capital, announced it would decide Wednesday whether to allow the detention of the accused students for an additional month while the probe continues.

The devastating blaze occurred on May 28 at Utumishi Girls School, sweeping through a dormitory that housed 202 students. According to investigators, the school matron was unable to unlock an emergency exit, forcing all students to flee through just one door.

The nine accused students have remained in police custody for five days. During questioning, authorities learned the fire began when someone used a matchstick and paraffin to ignite a mattress near the dormitory exit. Officials have not yet disclosed any motive for the attack.

DNA testing results to identify some victims whose bodies were severely burned are scheduled to be released Wednesday.

Security camera footage recovered from the destroyed dormitory captured six students igniting the fire just before other students awakened and rushed to escape the flames that ultimately injured 79 people.

Following this tragedy, five additional school fires have broken out across the nation, and the Kenya Red Cross has responded to 37 school fires since January began. None of these other incidents resulted in deaths or injuries.

School fires occur frequently in Kenya, where educational facilities often suffer from overcrowded classrooms and dormitories while lacking accessible firefighting equipment. The most devastating incident happened in 2001 when 67 students perished in Machakos County, while the latest fatal fire occurred in 2024, claiming 21 children’s lives in Nyeri County.

Previous cases have involved students deliberately setting fires at their schools due to disciplinary conflicts.

Cambodia’s leadership has submitted formal documentation to a United Nations maritime authority requesting mandatory mediation in a sea boundary conflict with Thailand, the country’s Prime Minister Hun Manet announced Tuesday.

The contested waters are thought to hold substantial reserves of natural gas and other valuable energy resources that both nations claim.

Cambodia’s move to involve the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea, known as UNCLOS, follows Thailand’s decision last month to cancel a 25-year-old agreement between the two countries designed to address competing maritime boundary claims.

Thailand withdrew from the pact unilaterally in May as diplomatic relations deteriorated following significant military confrontations along their shared land boundary last year.

The armed conflicts from the previous year generated nationalist sentiment, creating political demands for Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to end the maritime agreement.

During a live television appearance on TVK state broadcasting, Hun Manet announced that his administration had provided official notification to both Thailand and the U.N. secretary-general to initiate mandatory mediation procedures under UNCLOS protocols.

“Cambodia has never violated the sovereignty of other states,” he said.

“At the same time, we are unwaveringly determined to defend Cambodia’s sovereignty. Today, we continue to honor that responsibility, not through force, but through international law; not through unilateral action, but through peaceful engagement.”

The timeline for when the dispute might be resolved remains uncertain.

Anutin addressed the development by informing media representatives that Cambodia’s initiative did not pose concerns for Thailand. He had earlier stated that Thailand would pursue maritime boundary solutions following UNCLOS frameworks, though he disagreed with Cambodia’s approach of forcing mediation.

UNCLOS decisions do not legally bind participating nations, despite both countries having signed the international treaty.

Thailand has historically opposed allowing external parties to resolve territorial matters rather than handling them through direct bilateral negotiations. The country has maintained that a 1962 International Court of Justice decision granting Cambodia control of the mountaintop Preah Vihear temple near their border was unjust, contributing to persistent tensions between the neighboring nations.