Europe raised new questions about the potential for a breakthrough with the United States by suggesting the bloc could suspend Washington’s economic sanctions on Iran if the deal to restrict Tehran’s nuclear program were improved. While European leaders have sent messages to President Trump recently encouraging him to stay in the international accord with Iran that expires in 2025, his decision to leave the deal and reimpose sanctions on Tuesday has brought renewed tensions between the two sides. Asked about the idea Wednesday, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker told reporters, “What is needed to convince you about Iran’s peaceful intentions, we have provided,” referring to the sanctions suspension option. Juncker added that “we can offer more and more, but we need clarification before we can move further.” President Trump set off an even deeper diplomatic crisis in the region on Tuesday when he ordered America’s closest ally in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia, to cut all diplomatic and trade relations with Iran. The decision outraged the Iranian government, the Palestinian Authority and the international community.
Expanding UN Security Council membership.
U.N. ambassadors urged the U.N. Security Council to approve a resolution expanding the membership of the 15-member panel to include China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Japan, Lebanon, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, South Korea and Tunisia. The group has been unable to agree on joining this quota expansion, which must receive the support of all 15 members. But the proposals do have an ally on the council, Russian U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia, who said he was in favor of the move. Many countries worry that a quota expansion could favor countries that support the Palestinian cause.
Diversity in the newsroom.
In a bid to increase its representation of minorities in its journalism workforce, BuzzFeed has announced that it will open five new full-time newsrooms in the U.S.
More noted news events.
A third of people around the world think Donald Trump has committed a crime. A new Pew Research Center survey found that, in general, more people in Europe, Latin America and Asia saw his actions as questionable than in the U.S. African Americans were among the most critical of Mr. Trump.
Kim Jong Un is reportedly sending delegations to North America.
The North Korean leader may send envoys to the U.S. in mid-June to prepare for the U.S.-North Korea summit he hopes to host next month.