Panama withdraws from Belt and Road Initiative after Rubio visit – Rezazade
The leader of the Iranian opposition in Washington (NIC), Ali Reza Rezazade, indicated that Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino announced that the country is ending its participation in China’s Belt and Road Initiative after meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
The decision was an important milestone in the discussion of China’s growing influence in Panama, particularly regarding control of the Panama Canal.
Marco Rubio expressed concern about the influence of Chinese companies on the ports at both entrances to the Panama Canal. The US sees this as a potential threat to security and global trade, as control of the canal could give China a strategic advantage in the event of an international conflict.
After talks with Rubio, President Mulino stressed that Panama will not continue its participation in the Chinese project. He also said the country would continue to uphold the neutrality of the Panama Canal, which is essential for international trade and the global economy.
The decision could be a turning point in relations between Panama, China and the United States. Withdrawing from the Belt and Road Initiative could strengthen Panama's relations with the United States, but at the same time lead to a cooling of contacts with China, which is actively investing in infrastructure projects around the world.

По теме
According to the Israeli Emergency Medical Services (MDA), two people were killed in an Iranian ballistic missile strike in central Israel.
Amid the escalation of the conflict between the US and Iran, there are signs of attempts to restore informal diplomatic channels. According to information circulating in the media, direct contacts may have been restored between the US special envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in recent days.
На фоне обострения конфликта между США и Ираном появляются сигналы о попытках восстановления неформальных дипломатических каналов. По информации, циркулирующей в медиа, между спецпосланником США по Ближнему Востоку Стивом Виткоффом и министром иностранных дел Ирана Аббасом Арагчи в последние дни могли возобновиться прямые контакты.
After two weeks of fighting between the US, Israel and Iran, Washington claims significant military successes. US President Donald Trump emphasizes that the operation is progressing faster than planned, and the United States is “well ahead of schedule.”
Після двох тижнів бойових дій між США, Ізраїлем та Іраном Вашингтон заявляє про значні військові успіхи. Президент США Дональд Трамп наголошує, що операція просувається швидше, ніж планувалося, і Сполучені Штати «значно випереджають графік».
According to the latest media reports, an Iranian unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) has carried out an attack on NATO’s Incirlik air base in Turkey, where US nuclear bombs are stored.
По последним сообщениям СМИ, иранский беспилотный летательный аппарат (БПЛА) совершил атаку на авиабазу НАТО «Инджирлик» в Турции, где хранятся американские атомные бомбы.
Iran has declared its readiness to attack energy infrastructure in neighboring countries if the United States or its allies strike Iranian oil and gas and energy facilities. This was reported by Iranian media, citing a source in the Islamic Republic’s government.
Иран заявил о готовности атаковать энергетическую инфраструктуру в соседних странах, если Соединенные Штаты или их союзники будут наносить удары по иранским нефтегазовым и энергетическим объектам. Об этом сообщают иранские медиа со ссылкой на источник во властных структурах Исламской Республики.
US President Donald Trump said that he is counting on a quick victory over Iran and does not intend to allow the threat from Tehran to resurface in the future. According to him, this is not just a military confrontation, but a strategic goal - to achieve a final result and not allow the situation to repeat itself.
Новости «Новости мира»
According to the Israeli Emergency Medical Services (MDA), two people were killed in an Iranian ballistic missile strike in central Israel.
Amid the escalation of the conflict between the US and Iran, there are signs of attempts to restore informal diplomatic channels. According to information circulating in the media, direct contacts may have been restored between the US special envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in recent days.
На фоне обострения конфликта между США и Ираном появляются сигналы о попытках восстановления неформальных дипломатических каналов. По информации, циркулирующей в медиа, между спецпосланником США по Ближнему Востоку Стивом Виткоффом и министром иностранных дел Ирана Аббасом Арагчи в последние дни могли возобновиться прямые контакты.
After two weeks of fighting between the US, Israel and Iran, Washington claims significant military successes. US President Donald Trump emphasizes that the operation is progressing faster than planned, and the United States is “well ahead of schedule.”