Latest Truth Social post comes amid ‘delicate diplomacy’, expert says, as US and Iran indicate progress in talks.
Washington, DC – President Donald Trump has posted a photo of the United States flag covering the map of Iran, with the question: “United States of the Middle East?”
The post on Truth Social on Saturday represented another potentially incendiary message from Trump amid ongoing negotiations for a more lasting ceasefire in the US-Israeli war with Iran, experts said.
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It carries the potential to roil both regional allies and foes alike given Washington’s past intervention in the Middle East, most notably during the US invasion of Iraq from 2003 to 2011, as well as the Trump administration’s push to increase its influence abroad.
The sentiment also appears to run counter to the Trump administration’s repeated statements that it is not seeking a prolonged occupation of Iran. The US has maintained it is not seeking outright regime change in its war, which it launched alongside Israel on February 28, but that it would welcome such change as a byproduct of the military campaign.
Even for a president known for outlandish social media posts and conflicting messaging on the war, the post could have implications for ongoing negotiations aimed at a more lasting ceasefire, according to Vali Nasr, professor of international affairs and Middle East studies at Johns Hopkins University.
He pointed to Trump’s threat in early April that an “entire civilisation will die” if Iran did not agree to a deal at the time. Hours later, both sides agreed to a pause in fighting.
That pause has held since, save for a handful of flare-ups, with the US continuing to blockade Iranian ports and Tehran effectively closing the Strait of Hormuz.
“First he declared he wanted to eradicate Iran’s civilisation now he is declaring that he wants to turn Iran into an American property,” Nasr wrote on X.
“It is this kind of grotesque behaviour that undermines diplomacy and unites Iranians in defence of their country,” he added. “In the middle of delicate diplomacy he casts doubts on America’s true intentions.”
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Fragile negotiations continue
On Saturday, both US and Iranian officials indicated a new deal may be within reach.
Trump told CBS News both sides were “getting a lot closer”. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said an update could be coming shortly, the broadcaster reported.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said the two sides were “currently working to finalise” a memorandum of understanding, and that “the opinions have been converging”.
Still, there have been no official announcements related to key sticking points in the standoff, including the future of Iran’s nuclear programme, the fate of its highly enriched uranium stockpile, and its future influence over the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump regularly uses his Truth Social account, which he launched after being briefly banned from Twitter, now X, in the wake of the 2020 election, to make major announcements, attack political enemies, and post AI-generated images and videos.
The foreign policy of his second term has been defined by efforts to grow US influence abroad, particularly in the Americas. That has included the military abduction of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, continued threats against Cuba, and vows to take control of Greenland, the semi-autonomous Danish territory in the North Atlantic.
The Trump administration has adopted the term the Donroe Doctrine, a reference to the 1823 Monroe Doctrine, which sought to diminish European influence in the Western Hemisphere.
On Saturday, Trump also posted an image of his face peering over a mountain range in Greenland.
IT’S THAT time of year again when, as the weather warms up, the UK’s Blue Flag beaches have been announced.
In total 61 sites, including beaches, a marina and an inland water bathing area have been awarded the Blue Flag for 2026 across the UK.
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The Blue Flag award recognises beaches that are clean, safe, and well managed, including whether they haves services like lifeguards, first aid, educational activities and so on.
Several Devon beaches have not been included on the list, after Torbay – where previously five Blue Flag beaches were located – decided to create their own awards system.
North East
Whitley Bay on the north east coast has been awarded a Blue FlagCredit: GettyAnd so has Roker Beach in Tyne and WearCredit: Alamy
Five beaches in the North East were awarded a Blue Flag status, including:
In the North West one spot was given a Blue Flag status – Liverpool’s Albert and Salthouse docks, which is even the only Blue Flag marina in the UK.
Yorkshire and Humber
Assistant Travel Editor Sophie Swietochowski has visited Whitby in Yorkshire and says it has “typical northern charm”Credit: Alamy
In Yorkshire and Humber, three Blue Flag beaches have been named, including one visited by Assistant Travel Editor Sophie Swietochowski:
She said: “If you’re after that typical northern charm, but in a seaside setting, look no further than Whitby.
“From the shoreline, you can admire the lighthouse in the distance, or grab a pew on one of the benches by the marina to watch the boats sailing in and out to sea.
“Don’t leave without swinging by Magpie Cafe for its famous fish and chips (with curry sauce, of course) – it’s widely known for being the best chippy in the area so get there bang on opening time to avoid the queues.”
Hornsea was also awarded a Blue Flag statusCredit: Getty
The other two Blue Flag beaches in Yorkshire and Humber are:
East Midlands
Three beaches in the East Midlands were awarded the Blue Flag status and include:
Three beaches in the East Midlands were awarded the Blue Flag status, including SkegnessCredit: Getty
East of England
In the East Of England, a total of 15 beaches were awarded a Blue Flag status.
Having explored the area several times, Travel Reporter Alice Penwill said: “After visiting Cromer back in 2024 – my family and I have been back multiple times to enjoy its cute cafes and beautiful beach.
“When the sun is out, Cromer beach is a great place for laying about in the sun, or going for a dip in the sea.
“And for anyone bringing along a furry friend, dogs aren’t allowed on certain sections of the beach, specifically by the pier, but can frolic on the sand further up, just look for the signs.
Alice Penwill has visited the Blue Flag beach Cromer, which is home to a great ice cream parlourCredit: Getty
“Make sure to step off the sand for a few minutes and head to Windows Ice Cream where you can get an enormous soft serve treat from £2.”
Another Blue Flag beach she has visited in the area is Frinton on Sea.
She said: “Not only is Frinton a very pretty spot on the coast, it’s one of the sunniest.
“Along the Essex coastline, Frinton-on-Sea is known for having no noisy arcades, like its more popular neighbour of Clacton.
“I love it for the fact that it has no frills, on the front is just a sweeping sandy beach, the sea and some pretty beach huts too.
“But if you want a bit more excitement, head back to Connaught Avenue for independent shops and boutiques.”
Southwold in Suffolk has a famous pier, lighthouse and beach huts and was also awarded a Blue Flag statusCredit: Getty
She also recommend visiting Southwold in East Suffolk, commenting on how it takes her back to her childhood family holidays where she’d spend hours running about on the sand and in and out of the sea.
She added: “Its pier is 623 feet long and is dotted with shops, cafes and everyone has to head into the arcade.
“As much as I love the beach, you can’t miss a stroll into town either for its great shops and the Adnams brewery.
“At the other end of town by the harbour is my favourite chippy, the Sole Bay Fish Company.”
Other Blue Flag beaches in the East of England include:
Across the South West, a staggering 24 beaches have been awarded the Blue Flag.
Born in the South West, Travel Reporter Cyann Fielding said: “The South West is bursting with beautiful beaches so it is no surprise that many have been awarded a Blue Flag.
“In Dartmouth in Devon, Blackpool Sands has been awarded a Blue Flag for the third year in a row.
“The privately-owned shingle beach stretches across two-thirds of a mile and is often quite wide, making it a great day out even when busy.
“From the beach you can head kayaking or paddleboarding too.”
Also in Devon, one of Cyann’s more local beaches was awarded a Blue Flag for its 27th year.
Cyann Fielding has visited the Blue Flag Blackpool Sands and says it is great for watersportsCredit: AlamyDawlish Warren Beach is another spot in Devon with a Blue Flag statusCredit: Alamy
She said: “Dawlish Warren is the ultimate beach for families.
“Found on Devon’s south coast, the beach is backed by rolling dunes and fascinating wildlife habitats.
“The 1.5-mile stretch is a safer, more sheltered spot for families, compared to a lot of other beaches in the are, a and you’ll even find -go karts, golf and arcades to have fun in too.”
Sophie added: “Stretching for around three kilometres, you’ll never struggle to find a sunbathing patch at Westward Ho!.
“The main beach starts at the busy end of town, where you’ll have no trouble finding a bucket and spade, before blending into the much quieter Northam Burrows Beach, backed by a national park and an excellent links golf course.
“Keep wandering towards the northern tip to find Pebbleridge Kitchen, a tiny cafe that sells fresh crab sandwiches.”
Porthminster Beach in St Ives, Cornwall, was also awarded a Blue FlagCredit: Alamy
She said: “On a sunny day, the white sands and gloriously blue seas of Porthminster could be mistaken for the shores of a Caribbean island.
“It’s not the largest of beaches, but it’s at the quieter end of town, away from the main hustle and bustle of St Ives.
“Pedn Olva, an excellent pub with rooms, is just a short walk away.
“Try the local ales and “crabby fries”, smothered in white and brown meat and drenched in a thermidor sauce.”
She added: “I visited Widemouth Bay with my family and the dogs several years back, on a sunny April afternoon, and we had the entire sands to ourselves.
And Widemouth Bay on the north Cornwall coast near Bude gained the status as wellCredit: Alamy
“The sunset was absolutely spectacular – take advantage of the tall grassy dunes behind the beach for the best viewpoint.
“There are some lovely walks along here, too.”
And another Blue Flag spot is one of her all-time favourite beaches in Cornwall.
She said: “Polzeath is a glorious stretch of golden sands backed by fuss-free restaurants serving hearty toasties and proper Mr Whippy ice cream.
“Make sure to swing by Surfside Polzeath, a rum bar that spills out onto the beach and serves some punchy cocktails – it stays open until 11pm, with people dancing on the sands once the sun sets.”
Other Blue Flag Beaches in the South West include:
Members of Extinction Rebellion France, an environmental and social activism group, scaled the Eiffel Tower on the 78th anniversary of the Nakba, displaying a Palestinian flag in protest against Israel’s genocide in Gaza.
US President Donald Trump said Iran should ‘wave the white flag of surrender’ in the war, and accused Iran’s leaders of playing games in negotiations. He also said higher oil prices are a ‘small price to pay’ to keep Iran from having a nuclear weapon.
Banksy has unveiled a new sculpture of a man stepping off a stone base with his face obscured by a flag. The overnight installation in Waterloo Place, London, was revealed in a video shared by the artist, and has drawn fans of his politically charged works.
A Lebanese man who returned to his village in southern Lebanon after the temporary ceasefire was announced removes the Israeli flag from Beaufort Castle (Qalaat al-Shaqif). The castle which dates back to the 12th century is in the Nabatiyeh Governorate.
