Washington, April 1: US President Donald Trump said he plans to attend a US Supreme Court hearing on birthright citizenship, as the top court prepares to take up a closely watched legal challenge to his executive order on the issue.

“I think so. I do,” Trump said when asked if he would be present in court. “Because I have listened to this argument for so long.”

The case centres on Trump’s effort to end automatic citizenship for children born in the United States to non-citizen parents, a long-standing constitutional interpretation rooted in the 14th Amendment.

Trump framed his argument in historical terms, linking birthright citizenship to the post-Civil War period. “This was about slaves,” he said, adding, “It had to do with the babies of slaves and the protection of the babies of slaves.”

He argued that the current application of the policy had strayed from its original intent. “It didn’t have to do with the protection of multi-millionaires and billionaires wanting to have their children get an American citizenship,” Trump said.

Calling the existing system flawed, he said, “It is the craziest thing I’ve ever seen. It’s been so badly handled by legal people over the years.”

Trump also criticised what he described as misuse of the policy. “We’re getting all of these people… saying, congratulations, your whole family is going to be a citizen of the United States of America,” he said.

The President expressed confidence in his legal position but also voiced concerns about judicial outcomes. Referring to judges appointed by Democratic presidents, he said, “You can have the greatest case ever… they’re going to rule against you.”

He contrasted that with Republican-appointed judges, saying they often “want to show how honorable they are” by ruling independently.

The issue has become increasingly politicised in recent years, with Republicans arguing for tighter restrictions and Democrats defending the existing interpretation as a fundamental constitutional guarantee.

The 14th Amendment, ratified in 1868 after the Civil War, established birthright citizenship to ensure that formerly enslaved people and their descendants were recognised as US citizens.

Legal experts have long debated the scope of the amendment, but courts have historically upheld a broad interpretation, making any change subject to intense judicial scrutiny.

Baghdad, April 1: An American journalist has been kidnapped in Baghdad by a suspected Iran-backed Iraqi armed group, the US Department of State confirmed, raising fresh concerns over the safety of foreign nationals in the region.

The State Department said it is actively working to secure the journalist’s release at the earliest.

“The US Department of State is aware of the reported kidnapping of an American journalist in Baghdad, Iraq. The State Department previously fulfilled our duty to warn this individual of threats against them, and we will continue to coordinate with the FBI to ensure their release as quickly as possible,” Dylan Johnson, Assistant Secretary of State for Global Public Affairs, said in a post on X.

He further stated, “An individual with ties to the Iranian-aligned militia group Kataib Hizballah believed to be involved in the kidnapping has been taken into custody by Iraqi authorities.”

Johnson also reiterated that Iraq remains under a Level 4 travel advisory, cautioning that Americans should not travel to the country under any circumstances and advising those present to leave immediately.

“The State Department strongly advise all Americans, including members of the press, to adhere to all travel advisories,” he added.

Earlier, the Iraqi Ministry of Interior confirmed in a statement on Tuesday that the journalist had been abducted by “unknown individuals” in Baghdad, according to the Iraqi News Agency.

Security forces have arrested one suspect and seized a vehicle allegedly used in the kidnapping following a pursuit operation, the ministry said, adding that efforts are ongoing to apprehend other individuals involved and ensure the journalist’s safe recovery.

The abducted journalist has been identified as Shelly Kittleson, a freelance reporter, by media advocacy organisations and Al-Monitor, one of the outlets where she has contributed.

Kittleson is known for her extensive reporting from conflict zones, particularly in Syria and Iraq, and has been working as a freelancer in the region for several years.

In a statement, Al-Monitor said it was “deeply alarmed” by her abduction and called for her “safe and immediate release.”

“We stand by her vital reporting from the region and call for her swift return to continue her important work,” the organisation said.

According to the International Women’s Media Foundation, Kittleson is a “legitimate journalist” with significant experience in the Middle East and is currently based in Rome.

Tehran, April 1: Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has sent a message to Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem, pledging continued support for the resistance against the United States and Israel, the semi-official Fars news agency reported early Wednesday.

In his message, Iran’s supreme leader appreciated Qassem’s condolences and sympathy for the “martyrdom” of his father, Iran’s former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in a US-Israeli airstrike in Tehran on February 28.

Khamenei said steadfastness and resistance against the Muslim world’s “most stubborn enemies,” namely, the United States and Israel, were among the most prominent characteristics of Iran’s former supreme leader, Xinhua news agency reported.

He praised late Hezbollah leaders for their fights, bravery and sacrifices.

Khamenei said he has confidence in Qassem’s wisdom, intelligence and courage to thwart the plans of Israel and restore honor and prosperity to the Lebanese people.

Iran’s Assembly of Experts on March 8 announced the selection of Mojtaba Khamenei as the country’s new supreme leader.

Meanwhile, Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) said that it had hit an Israeli container ship in the Persian Gulf with ballistic missiles during a new wave of attacks against US and Israeli targets, Tasnim news agency reported.

The IRGC warned that companies it accused of involvement in “terrorist espionage” could be targeted, naming several major US technology firms and urging employees and nearby residents to leave the areas. It also said that its forces have launched drone attacks on “important and strategic” communication, telecommunication, and industrial centers affiliated with the Israeli army.

Iran executed two “armed terrorists” affiliated with the Mujahedin-e Khalq Organization (MKO) for their involvement in several “terror operations” in Tehran aimed at toppling the country’s establishment.

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi called reports that Iran fired a missile toward Türkiye “completely baseless.”