US Homeland Security Adviser Says Trump Backs Demands of Iranian People

United States Homeland Security Adviser to President Donald Trump Tom Bossert. AP photo
United States Homeland Security Adviser to President Donald Trump Tom Bossert. AP photo
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US Homeland Security Adviser Says Trump Backs Demands of Iranian People

United States Homeland Security Adviser to President Donald Trump Tom Bossert. AP photo
United States Homeland Security Adviser to President Donald Trump Tom Bossert. AP photo

US Homeland Security Adviser to President Donald Trump Tom Bossert said on Thursday that Washington’s commander in chief is in full support of the demands made by the Iranian people against wasting national funds on an agenda focused on destabilizing the region.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Bossert confirmed that Iran’s behavior spurs deep concerns and destabilizes the region. He called on Tehran to stop supporting terrorism and wasting its money on destabilizing activities in other countries rather than paying attention to its citizens.

On the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Bosset said that the Iranian people have taken to the streets against Tehran’s policies, and that Trump is siding with the people not the regime.

In another context, Bossert said in a press conference that he held meetings with officials from the Middle East and the West, and discussed the Turkish military operations in northwestern Syria.

Trump's homeland security adviser suggested that Turkish troops "remove themselves" from Afrin, saying Ankara "ought to be mindful of the potential for escalation” as its troops move into Syria and Afrin.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has threatened to send Turkish troops further east along the Syrian side of the Turkish border, targeting Kurdish-held areas where US personnel are stationed.

It would be a "terrible outcome" if Turkish troops clashed with "the proxy forces that we have all been relying on to defeat ISIS, especially if there are US advisers in the region," Bossert said.

"There could be grave consequences to any miscalculation and escalation," AP cited the White House staffer as saying. 



EUROPE GAS-Prices Rise on Lower Wind Speed, Russian Gas Uncertainty

Model of natural gas pipeline and Gazprom logo, July 18, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
Model of natural gas pipeline and Gazprom logo, July 18, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
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EUROPE GAS-Prices Rise on Lower Wind Speed, Russian Gas Uncertainty

Model of natural gas pipeline and Gazprom logo, July 18, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
Model of natural gas pipeline and Gazprom logo, July 18, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo

Dutch and British wholesale gas prices rose slightly early on Monday, as they traded in a narrow range, caught between low wind speed and uncertainty over Russian gas flows to Europe when the Ukraine gas transit deal expires at the year-end.

The benchmark front-month contract at the Dutch TTF hub edged up by 0.84 euro to 44.65 euros per megawatt hour (MWh), or $14.3/mmBtu, by 1016 GMT, while the day ahead contract was up 1.08 euro at 44.38 euros/MWh.

In Britain, the day-ahead contract was 2.25 pence higher at 110.25 p per therm.

"The spot and the curve (prices) are still supported by the prospect of a non-renewal of the Russia-Ukraine gas transit deal," analysts at Engie's EnergyScan said in a daily note, according to Reuters.

The situation with European countries that buy Russian gas is very complicated and requires increased attention, the Kremlin said on Monday, after talks between President Vladimir Putin and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico.

Fico said on Sunday that Putin had confirmed Russian willingness to continue to supply gas to Slovakia, even though the Slovak leader said this was "practically impossible" once a gas transit agreement between Russia and Ukraine expires.

Russia's Gazprom said it would send 42.1 million cubic metres of gas to Europe via Ukraine on Monday, a volume in line with recent days.

Meanwhile, wind generation will drop sharply today in France and Germany and the confidence for high wind output is reduced, supporting gas for power demand, EnergyScan analysts said.

In Britain, peak wind generation is forecast at 19.1 gigawatts (GW) on Monday, falling to 15.6 GW on Tuesday, Elexon data shows.

In the European carbon market, the benchmark contract was up 0.22 euro at 67.91 euros a metric ton.