Global flashpoints: Iran, Gaza, and European far-right
Trump threatens Iran's nuclear site as Pezeshkian denies weapons pursuit; Gaza malnutrition crisis deepens.
Global flashpoints: Iran, Gaza, and European far-right — Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian denied on Friday, during talks with the Prime Minister of Georgia in Yerevan, that his country seeks nuclear weapons, calling the accusations 'sheer lies.' [^1] 'We have always been ready for dialogue,' he added, describing US sanctions as 'unjustified and inhumane.' [^1] The denial came a day after US President Donald Trump confirmed in a Newsmax interview that the United States is considering striking Iran's Pickaxe Mountain nuclear site. [^2] 'We may have to go there. We'll take a shot at that one. We'll knock it out fast,' Trump said. [^2] The juxtaposition of Tehran's diplomatic overtures and Washington's military threat creates a familiar tension, but the specificity of the target—Pickaxe Mountain—suggests a more concrete operational posture than past rhetoric. Meanwhile, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepened. Medical sources reported on World Food Day that malnutrition and starvation have reached catastrophic levels, with 466 deaths recorded since 2024, including 157 children. [^3] UNICEF warned on Friday that gains against malnutrition remain fragile after Israel halted commercial shipments on Wednesday. [^4] UNICEF spokesperson Ricardo Pires said the flow of supplies must remain 'predictable and continuous,' warning that children will feel the impact if the situation is not resolved. [^4] The numbers are stark: 158,001 cases of acute malnutrition among children under five, and more than 1.4 million Palestinians projected to face a food crisis until the end of 2026. [^3] In Europe, two incidents highlighted rising antisemitism and political polarization. Tino Chrupalla, co-chair of Germany's AfD party, attacked Israel, stating its actions in Gaza and Lebanon are illegal. [^5] He acknowledged differing views within his party on the Middle East but emphasized that the party's commitment to protecting Jewish life in Germany does not contradict criticism of the Israeli government. [^5] Separately, in Split, Croatia, Hajduk Split fans—known as the Torcida—chanted 'Crush the Jews,' 'Rise up Adolf [Hitler],' and 'Let's go Ustasha' ahead of a match against Ajax. [^6