US Military Pressure on Iran: What’s Next for Regional Stability?

■U.S. presses Iran as cease-fire talks falter; Iran says it’s ready to respond to an invasion■ With negotiations to end the Middle East war on the verge of collapse, the U.S. took the unusual step of publicly disclosing the location of a nuclear submarine to pressure Iran. Iran replied that it has “completed preparations to respond to any invasion.” ■Former interior minister gets 9 years on appeal; sentence increased by 2 years■ Former Interior Minister Lee Sang-min was sentenced to nine years in prison on appeal for allegedly ordering power and water cuts at media outlets during the Dec. 3 “12·3” insurrection. The appellate court said the lower court’s sentence was too lenient and increased it by two years. ■President Lee to meet U.S. Treasury Secretary and China’s Vice Premier tomorrow■ President Lee Jae-myung will receive U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who is visiting South Korea ahead of the U.S.-China summit. He will also meet China’s Vice Premier He Lifeng before Secretary Bessent’s visit. ■Supreme Prosecutors’ Office seeks suspension of prosecutor over alleged coercion■ The Supreme Prosecutors’ Office filed a request today to suspend Prosecutor Park Sang-yong after allegations that he attempted to sway testimony during the investigation into a remittance case involving North Korea. The office said it confirmed he improperly pressured a confession through defense counsel. ■Samsung Electronics labor and management in final talks as May 21 strike looms■ Samsung Electronics and its union negotiated for a second day as they try to avert a strike scheduled for May 21. The union says it will begin an 18-day general strike starting on the 21st if management does not present an acceptable proposal. For Yonhap News TV inquiries and tips: KakaoTalk/LINE jebo23, Kim Su-gang (kimsookang@yna.co.kr)