North Korea has claimed the US tried to assassinate its Supreme Leader, Kim Jong-un, earlier this year.
The state-run Korea Central News Agency (KCNA) claimed the CIA attempted to use a chemical or biological poison to take out the dictator.
The alleged attempt shows the US is the �main culprit behind terrorism�, it said.
The news agency, which is seen as the propaganda wing of the country�s ruling Workers� Party, said: �In May this year, a group of heinous terrorists who infiltrated our country on the orders of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) of the US and the South Korean puppet Intelligence Service with the purpose of carrying out state-sponsored terrorism against our supreme headquarters using biological and chemical substance were caught and exposed.
America�s relationship with North Korea remains a diplomatic one, Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis said Monday, but he urged members of the military to be prepared in case the situation breaks down.
Mattis also used his keynote speech at the annual AUSA conference in Washington, D.C., to thank allies who have stood with the U.S. through the ages.
�It is right now a diplomatically, economic-sanctions-buttressed effort to try and turn North Korea off of this path,� Mattis told the audience. �What does the future hold? Neither you nor I can say.�
There is a belief among experts that North Korea will attempt some kind of launch or detonation late Monday, timed around a local holiday. As of publication, weather reports show non-ideal conditions for a launch, which may delay whatever show of force is being considered from Pyongyang.
In contrast to some of the president�s tweets, Mattis� comments represent a fairly regular baseline of the North Korea situation � that diplomacy has the lead, with the military ready to back it up.
�There is one thing the U.S. Army can do, and that is you have to be ready to ensure we have military options that our president can deploy if needed,� Mattis said. �The international community has spoken, but that means the U.S. Army must stand ready. �
The Iran nuclear agreement won't automatically collapse if the US withdraws from the multilateral deal, Iran analyst Mahan Abedin told Radio Sputnik. However, one shouldn't underestimate Washington, since it could give EU member states an ultimatum seeking to ruin the accord, the expert said, assuming that the world is moving toward a new crisis.
The Washington Post reported Thursday citing White House sources that Trump may declare Iran noncompliant with the JCPOA and "decertify" the deal. Last week the US president signaled that Tehran "has not lived up to the spirit" of the nuclear accord and accused the latter of supporting terrorism and exporting "violence, bloodshed and chaos across the Middle East."
On Saturday, speaking at a ceremony at Tehran University, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani stated that the US president cannot undermine the deal.
"In the nuclear negotiations and agreement we reached issues and benefits that are not reversible. No one can turn that back, not Mr. Trump or anyone else," Rouhani said as quoted by Reuters.
The Iranian president underscored that the JCPOA serves the best interests of the US as well. Commenting on Rouhani's notion, Abedin suggested that if Washington withdraws from the deal and the old status quo is reinstated, the US would face not one, but two major nuclear crises � in North Korea and Iran.
On the other hand, according to the expert, the Iranian leadership is very much concerned about the potential collapse of the nuclear deal, as it could undermine the Rouhani cabinet's internal positions.
The focus of the deepening clash between Catalan separatists and Spanish authorities is shifting to the regional parliament for a key session likely to include a historic declaration of independence that Spain has pledged to crush.
Catalan president Carles Puigdemont hasn't revealed the precise message he will deliver Tuesday evening with separatist politicians expecting some sort of declaration based on the results of the disputed Oct. 1 referendum on independence.
At stake is the territorial integrity of Spain, threatened by a growing separatist movement that is sorely testing the strength of its constitution and the skill of its national and regional leaders.
Some expect a strictly symbolic declaration, while others believe a risky full-scale break with Spain will be attempted, even as Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy vows he will use all lawful means to keep Spain intact.
The Spanish leader has said he is willing to use a constitutional clause that allows Madrid to take over direct control of regions if they violate Spain's constitution � a move that could apply in this case because Spain's constitutional court had suspended the referendum.
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