Iran condemns Israeli minister’s remarks over Gaza killings

Environmental groups and scientists have warned that early work on a luxury resort linked to the Trump family has already caused lasting damage to one of Albania’s most environmentally sensitive coastal areas. They say construction activity has affected wildlife habitats and fragile ecosystems even before the main development has begun. According to satellite images reviewed by AFP, major changes took place over a period of 25 days in May. Workers cleared a new road, removed large areas of forest and built a bridge across the channel connecting the Narta Lagoon to the Adriatic Sea. Conservationists argue that these early activities have already disrupted a protected landscape known for its rich biodiversity. Marine biologist Olsi Nika, who heads the environmental organization EcoAlbania, said heavy machinery operating on the beaches has damaged nesting areas used by endangered loggerhead sea turtles. He also said the construction of access roads through sand dunes and the removal of trees have disturbed important breeding grounds for many bird species. Environmental experts further warned that work on the water channel linking the lagoon to the sea has interfered with the natural flow of water that is essential for maintaining the surrounding wetlands. Scientists describe the impact as severe, warning that the destruction of habitats could have long term consequences for local wildlife. Ferdinand Bego, a professor at the University of Tirana, said much of the damage to the protected area cannot easily be reversed, even though some construction work has been paused following public protests. The project, valued at approximately 4.5 billion euros, was first announced in 2024 by Jared Kushner, the son in law of US President Donald Trump. Plans include the construction of luxury hotels near flamingo habitats and on a nearby uninhabited island. Trump’s daughter Ivanka has previously spoken publicly about the site’s attractive coastline, lagoon and white sand beaches, describing it as an exceptional location for tourism development. Opposition to the project has grown steadily over recent months. Local residents and environmental activists have staged daily demonstrations, with protests becoming more intense after barbed wire fencing was installed to mark the boundaries of the planned resort. Tensions increased further when private security guards confronted demonstrators during one of the protests, leading to continued public rallies against the development. Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has defended the investment, describing it as one of the country’s most important tourism projects. His government argues that the development will attract international investment, create jobs and help Albania compete with neighboring coastal destinations such as Montenegro, Greece and Croatia. Officials believe the project could significantly strengthen the country’s tourism industry and economic growth. In June, a team of scientists visited the site to assess the environmental impact of the preparatory work. Their report concluded that turtle nesting sites, bird habitats and coastal sand dunes had already been affected. Researchers warned that continued development without stronger environmental protections could place additional pressure on the area’s unique ecosystem. The campaign against the project has also received international attention. British singer Dua Lipa, whose family has roots in Kosovo, has publicly expressed support for those opposing the development. Environmental campaigners hope that growing international concern will encourage Albanian authorities to strengthen protections for the coastline. The European Union has also raised concerns as Albania continues its efforts to join the bloc by 2030. European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos recently said Albania had agreed to reverse changes made to laws governing protected areas and strategic investments. Environmental experts say such reforms will be important if the country wants to meet European environmental standards during its accession process. Professor Friedrich Schiemer of the University of Vienna, who inspected the site in June, stressed that immediate action is needed to limit further damage. He warned that large tourism developments in ecologically sensitive areas could permanently alter the region’s natural environment if stronger safeguards are not introduced before construction continues.

A senior American military commander has warned that the United States could soon struggle to maintain its support for Israel while also protecting its own military interests across the Middle East. The warning reflects increasing concern inside the Pentagon that the ongoing conflict with Iran is placing heavy pressure on US naval forces and missile defence resources. According to reports from The Washington Post and other international media outlets, General Alexus Grynkewich, who leads US European Command, has told Pentagon officials that American naval assets in the region are becoming overstretched. He reportedly said that unless another US Navy destroyer is deployed, military commanders may eventually have to choose between defending American personnel and continuing missile defence operations in support of Israel. His assessment has drawn attention because it comes from one of the senior officers directly responsible for overseeing US military operations rather than from outside analysts. It suggests that the growing demands on American forces are becoming a serious concern at the highest levels of military planning. US Navy destroyers equipped with the Aegis combat system have played a major role in helping defend Israel from Iranian missile attacks. These warships are capable of detecting incoming ballistic missiles and intercepting them using advanced SM-3 and SM-6 missile systems. However, these destroyers are also critical to American security operations around the world. They are needed in the Indo-Pacific to counter China’s growing military presence, in Europe to support NATO allies, and across the Middle East to protect US military bases and key shipping routes. Sending more of these ships to one conflict reduces the military’s ability to respond quickly to other global crises. The conflict has also placed significant pressure on America’s stockpile of advanced missile defence systems. Pentagon assessments reported by The Washington Post indicate that US forces have fired more than 200 THAAD interceptors during the fighting with Iran, which is believed to be nearly half of the country’s available inventory. In addition, US Navy ships have launched more than 100 missile interceptors. Although Israel also relied on its own defence systems, including the Arrow and David’s Sling missile shields, American support proved essential during the most intense phases of the missile exchanges. Military experts say the challenge goes beyond the number of missiles used. Advanced interceptors are highly sophisticated weapons that require considerable time and resources to manufacture. Replacing depleted stockpiles cannot happen quickly, raising concerns about America’s ability to sustain long conflicts while remaining prepared for new security threats elsewhere. Defence planners have warned that prolonged military operations could leave the United States with reduced inventories of some of its most important air defence weapons. For many years, US military strategy has been based on the ability to respond to several major conflicts at the same time. The country maintains security commitments across Europe, the Middle East, and the Indo-Pacific, requiring a constant supply of military equipment and personnel. The latest warning from US European Command suggests those assumptions are now being tested as growing global tensions demand the same resources in multiple regions. An analysis by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, cited by CNN, estimates that the US has already used a large share of its advanced missile inventory in recent weeks. The report suggests that around half of the country’s THAAD and Patriot interceptors have been consumed, while substantial numbers of Precision Strike Missiles, Tomahawk cruise missiles, Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles, and SM-3 and SM-6 interceptors have also been used. The findings highlight a broader challenge facing the US military. Although it remains one of the world’s strongest armed forces, modern warfare is consuming advanced weapons at a pace that is difficult for defence industries to match. As conflicts continue across different regions, Washington may increasingly face difficult decisions about where to deploy its military resources.