By Sadiq Abdulfatah

President Donald Trump suggested on Monday that the U.S. may launch an attack on Iran’s Kharg Island, though he said he prefers a diplomatic solution. Talks continue after Tehran allowed 20 oil tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz over the weekend.

Trump said the U.S. and Iran are in “serious discussions” and have made “serious progress” toward ending the conflict. He tweeted that the talks involve “a new, and more reasonable, regime” and warned that if a deal is not reached or the Strait of Hormuz is not fully open, the U.S. may destroy Iran’s electric plants, oil wells, Kharg Island, and possibly desalinization plants. He said such action would be retribution for soldiers and others killed under Iran’s previous regime.

Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces removed a battalion from the West Bank after soldiers allegedly detained and assaulted a CNN crew. Reporter Jeremy Diamond said photojournalist Cyril Theophilos was placed in a chokehold, brought to the ground, and had his camera damaged while covering an attack in the Palestinian village of Tayasir, allegedly by Israeli settlers.

Diamond said the soldiers pointed rifles at the crew and ordered them to sit, even though they posed no threat. The IDF said its inquiry found failures in soldier conduct, behavioral lapses, deviations from orders, and improper communication with the press. The battalion was immediately suspended from operations in the area. IDF Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir condemned the incident, calling the treatment of the CNN team unacceptable.

Source: Fox News