Iran's parliament approves bill to suspend cooperation with UN nuclear agency

Iran’s parliament (Majlis) has approved a bill to suspend Tehran’s cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) following its politically-motivated resolution against the Islamic Republic.

The general and specific provisions of the bill to suspend cooperation with the IAEA have been approved by lawmakers, said Alireza Salimi, a member of the parliament’s presiding board, on Wednesday.

According to the parliament’s resolution, IAEA inspectors will not be permitted to enter Iran unless the security of the country's nuclear facilities and that of peaceful nuclear activities is guaranteed, which is subject to the approval of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council.

Before Wednesday’s voting, Iran's parliament speaker, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, denounced the IAEA for failing to condemn US strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities.

“The IAEA, which did not even formally condemn the attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities, has put its international credibility up for sale; for this reason, the AEOI will suspend its cooperation with the Agency until the security of its nuclear facilities is guaranteed, and Iran’s peaceful nuclear program will proceed at an even faster pace,” he stated.

“With the utmost skepticism, we will not be deceived by any promise, and more prepared than ever, with our finger on the trigger, we will respond forcefully to any aggressor.”

The speaker also stressed that Israel not only failed to stop Iran’s enrichment and limit its missile program but also suffered unprecedented damage to its military infrastructure, with cities across the occupied territories becoming unsafe and the myth of the Iron Dome shattered.

He further emphasized that Iran’s offensive capabilities have made the occupiers restless, destroying any sense of security or hope for the future there. Touching on the ongoing ceasefire, he stressed that Washington sought a truce after Iran’s response targeted the US’s military base in Qatar with advanced missiles.

Qalibaf added that Iran has yet to use its full capabilities, including influence over the global energy economy.

“Backed by the support of all Iranians at home and abroad, the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran made the Zionist regime miserable by aggravating its existential crisis and deterred the US from further aggression against Iran, fulfilling the true promise of the wise Leader of the Revolution,” he asserted.

The vote comes a few days after Qalibaf said the top legislative body was considering a bill to suspend Tehran’s cooperation with the UN agency.

“Majlis (the Iranian Parliament) is drafting a plan to suspend cooperation with the agency until tangible guarantees regarding the professional attitude of this international organization are received,” Qalibaf said during an open session of the parliament on Monday.

Iran is also considering an entry ban on the IAEA chief, Rafael Grossi, who has come under fire for facilitating the Israeli-American aggression against Iran.

Kowsari, a senior lawmaker, said on Monday that he has urged the Supreme National Security Council to impose an entry ban on Grossi.

Based on Grossi’s politically-motivated reports, the IAEA Board of Governors passed an anti-Iran resolution days ahead of the Israeli aggression against the Islamic Republic.

It was the first claim of non-compliance against Iran in nearly 20 years, falsely accusing the country of violating safeguards obligations, with the measure adopted by 19 votes in favor, 11 abstentions, and 3 countries opposed (Russia, China, and Burkina Faso).

The controversial resolution, pushed by the European troika – Britain, France and Germany - and backed by the United States, prompted strong condemnations from the Islamic Republic and led to announcements of a new nuclear facility and upgradation of centrifuges to an advanced level at the Fordow enrichment plant.

Grossi’s political and biased report and the subsequent resolution, according to analysts, facilitated the Israeli regime’s brutal aggression on June 13, leading to the assassination of several nuclear scientists as well as high-ranking military commanders.

After the Israeli aggression, including against the Natanz nuclear plant in central Iran, the UN nuclear agency chief stopped short of unequivocally condemning the terrorist act, which was in brazen violation of international law.

He also refused to condemn the American aggression against three key Iranian nuclear sites—Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan—using B-2 stealth bombers armed with Massive Ordnance Penetrators and cruise missiles.

While Israel and the White House claimed that the strikes destroyed the facilities, a preliminary intelligence report by the US Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) said that the strikes caused less damage than publicly claimed by US President Donald Trump and his administration.

The initial assessment also said that the strikes likely set Tehran’s nuclear program back by only a matter of months.

Iran’s deputy foreign minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, said the head of the UN nuclear watchdog has become "a tool in the hands of the Zionist regime and the US” and thus an accomplice in their crimes against the Iranian nation.

Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said Grossi has "betrayed" the non-proliferation regime and made the IAEA "a partner to an unjust war of aggression."

The head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), Mohammad Eslami, stressed that Tehran will take all necessary legal measures to defend its rights and hold the IAEA chief responsible for failing to act in the face of the Israeli onslaught on the country.

In a letter to Grossi last Thursday, Eslami addressed the issue of the IAEA’s lack of action over continued Israeli aggression against the country, including attacks on nuclear sites.

He said the Israeli regime’s attacks on Iranian nuclear sites constitute a clear violation of Geneva Convention and related protocols, UN Charter and United Nations Scientific Committee on the Works of Atomic Weapons, Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, the Comprehensive Non-Proliferation Agreement between Iran and the UN agency, the safety standards of the UN agency and other relevant international conventions.

Former Iranian foreign minister Javad Zarif also took to X to denounce Grossi’s “irresponsible and fallacious" IAEA report, which he said caused “irreparable damage to the agency.”

“He must be held accountable for his complicity in the death of innocents in Iran caused by Israeli aggression using his report as a pretext," Zarif wrote.

US intelligence disputes Trump, confirms Iran's nuclear sites remain undamaged after strikes

US airstrikes did not destroy Iran’s nuclear capability and only set it back by a few months, according to a preliminary US intelligence assessment, as a shaky ceasefire brokered by President Donald Trump took hold between Iran and Israel.

Earlier on Tuesday, both Iran and Israel signaled that the air war between the two nations had ended, at least for now, after Trump publicly scolded them for violating a ceasefire he announced at 0500 GMT.

As the two countries lifted civilian restrictions after 12 days of war – which the US joined with an attack on Iran’s uranium-enrichment facilities – each sought to claim victory.

Trump said over the weekend that the US deployment of 30,000-pound bombs had “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear program.

But that claim appeared to be contradicted by an initial assessment by one of his administration’s intelligence agencies, according to three people familiar with the matter.

Trump says both Israel, Iran have breached truce

U.S. President Donald Trump accused both Israel and Iran of violating a ceasefire on Tuesday hours after he announced it, expressing particular frustration with Israel which had announced major new strikes on Tehran.

“Israel. Do not drop those bombs. If you do it it is a major violation. Bring your pilots home, now!” Trump wrote on Truth Social shortly after he left the White House for a trip to a NATO summit in The Hague.

Before boarding, he told reporters he was “not happy” with either side for violating the truce, particularly with Israel.

“I’ve got to get Israel to calm down now,” Trump said as he left the White House. “Israel, as soon as we made the deal, they came out and they dropped a load of bombs, the likes of which I’ve never seen before, the biggest load that we’ve seen.”

Iran and Israel had been fighting “so long and so hard that they don’t know what the f**k they’re doing,” he said before turning away from cameras and heading to his helicopter.

Trump says Iran-Israel ceasefire ‘now in effect’

US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the ceasefire between Iran and Israel is “NOW IN EFFECT.”

“THE CEASEFIRE IS NOW IN EFFECT. PLEASE DO NOT VIOLATE IT!” he wrote on his Truth Social platform.

The US leader had earlier said the truce would be a phased 24-hour process beginning at around 0400 GMT Tuesday, with Iran unilaterally halting all operations first. He said Israel would follow suit 12 hours later.

Earlier, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi expressed gratitude toward the Iranian armed forces who punished Israel for its aggression until the very last minute.

Iranian military denies launching new missiles at Israel

Iran has firmly denied reports about any new missile launches from the Islamic Republic toward the occupied territories after the regime ceased its aggression early on Tuesday.

In a statement on Tuesday, the General Staff of the Armed Forces denied any missile launches from Iran toward the occupied territories after the regime was forced to halt its aggression against the Islamic Republic after 12 days.

The statement noted that some sources affiliated with the Zionist regime claimed that Iranian missiles had been fired at the regime's territory, but it wasn’t true.

Hours after the regime was forced to halt its aggression against Iran as part of a deal with US President Donald Trump, Israeli war affairs minister Israel Katz said he had instructed the Israeli military to “respond forcefully” to what he claimed to be Iran’s violation of the "truce."

A well-informed source told Press TV that the claim was just a pretext to initiate the breach of the so-called "truce" agreement reached between the Israeli regime and Washington.

He said Iran is still in the process of assessing the evolving situation and whether or not the Israeli regime will adhere to the agreement it reached with Trump on halting its aggression.

The source said it was the Israeli regime that approached Trump with an offer to halt its attacks against the Islamic Republic after the American president hinted that the US would stay away from the war following Iranian missile strikes on a US base in Qatar.

After the Iranian retaliation, Trump took to social media to declare "peace" with Iran. According to US media, he had decided not to escalate any further after Iranian response.

Iranian retaliatory measures dubbed 'Operation Tidings of Victory' came in response to the American aggression against Iranian nuclear sites early on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Iranian officials have warned that any breach of the agreement between Tel Aviv and Washington on cessation of hostilities would be met with stronger retaliation.

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) chief commander, Major General Mohammad Pakpour, in a statement early on Tuesday warned that any renewed aggression against Iran would prompt the Islamic Republic to teach Washington a "historic lesson."

Pakpour also denounced Trump's decision to order the aggression in line with Washington's unfaltering support for the "nefarious and child-killing" Israeli regime.

He said such efforts amounted to the US president "sacrificing the interests and security of the American people for the survival of the Israeli regime."

The aggression on the Islamic Republic ended after 12 days. On June 13, the Israeli regime launched unprovoked and unlawful attacks across Iran, claiming the lives of top-ranking military commanders, nuclear scientists and ordinary citizens.

In response, Iranian armed forces launched multiple waves of missile and drone strikes at the occupied territories, targeting key military, intelligence and industrial facilities.

The retaliatory operations debunked the myth of Israeli military prowess, and forced the United States to intervene on behalf of the regime at Netanyahu's request.

Iran hits occupied territories ahead of truce

Iranian armed forces fired almost a dozen missiles towards different targets in the occupied territories as part of retaliatory strikes just before the regime halted its aggression, after overnight Israeli aggression against Iran.

Israeli media reported that at least 11 missiles were launched from Iran in five salvos on Tuesday morning.

At least 8 people were killed and 30 others injured in Iran’s attacks on Beersheba.

Air raid sirens also sounded in Haifa and areas in the northern part of the occupied lands.

Meanwhile, explosions were also heard in Tel Aviv and central occupied territories.

The ceasefire came into effect on Tuesday. Earlier, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said there was currently no truce agreement with Tel Aviv, but Tehran would halt its retaliatory attacks “provided that the Israeli regime stops its illegal aggression against the Iranian people.”

He also thanked the country’s armed forces for “punishing” the regime.

On June 13, Israel launched a blatant aggression against Iran, killing military commanders, nuclear scientists, and ordinary civilians.

On June 22, the United States joined the Israeli regime in the assault and bombed three Iranian nuclear sites in a grave violation of the United Nations Charter, international law, and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

The Iranian armed forces promised to “open the gates of hell” to Israel and began waves of punitive missile and drone strikes on sensitive sites across the occupied territories.

A day later, Iran launched a wave of missiles at al-Udeid air base in Qatar — the largest American military base in West Asia.

In a statement following the successful retaliatory operation codenamed 'Tidings of Victory', Iranian armed forces said it came in response to the “blatant military aggression by the criminal regime of the United States” against the nuclear facilities of the Islamic Republic.

This base serves as the headquarters of the US Air Force Command and represents the most strategic asset of the American military in West Asia.

WhatsApp use prohibited on congressional devices, says House Memo

Meta Platforms' WhatsApp messaging service has been banned from all United States House of Representatives devices, according to a memo sent to all House staff on Monday.

The notice said the "Office of Cybersecurity has deemed WhatsApp a high risk to users due to the lack of transparency in how it protects user data, absence of stored data encryption, and potential security risks involved with its use."

The memo, from the chief administrative officer, recommended using other messaging apps, including Microsoft Corp's Teams platform, Amazon.com's Wickr, Signal, and Apple's iMessage and FaceTime.

Meta disagreed with the move "in the strongest possible terms," a company spokesperson said, noting that the platform provides a higher level of security than the other approved apps.

In January, a WhatsApp official said Israeli spyware company Paragon Solutions had targeted scores of its users, including journalists and members of civil society.

The House has banned other apps from staff devices in the past, including the short video app TikTok in 2022 due to security issues.

Iran-Israel ceasefire is now active, says Trump

US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the ceasefire between Iran and Israel is “NOW IN EFFECT.” “THE CEASEFIRE IS NOW IN EFFECT. PLEASE DO NOT VIOLATE IT!” he wrote on his Truth Social platform.

The US leader had earlier said the truce would be a phased 24-hour process beginning at around 0400 GMT Tuesday, with Iran unilaterally halting all operations first. He said Israel would follow suit 12 hours later.

Earlier, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi expressed gratitude toward the Iranian armed forces who punished Israel for its aggression until the very last minute.

“The military operations of our powerful Armed Forces to punish Israel for its aggression continued until the very last minute, at 4am,” Araghchi wrote on X social media platform.

“Together with all Iranians, I thank our brave Armed Forces who remain ready to defend our dear country until their last drop of blood, and who responded to any attack by the enemy until the very last minute.”

US President Donald Trump announced on Monday a complete ceasefire between Israel and Iran, potentially ending the 12-day war.

But there was no confirmation from Israel and the Israeli military said two volleys of missiles were launched from Iran towards Israel in the early hours of Tuesday.

Witnesses later heard explosions near Tel Aviv and Beersheba in central Israel. Israel media said a building had been struck and three people were killed in the missile strike on Beersheba.

Israel, joined by the United States on the weekend, has carried out attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities, after alleging Tehran was getting close to obtaining a nuclear weapon.

“On the assumption that everything works as it should, which it will, I would like to congratulate both Countries, Israel and Iran, on having the Stamina, Courage, and Intelligence to end, what should be called, ‘THE 12 DAY WAR’,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social site.

Iran and Israel traded fire Tuesday, unleashing salvos of missiles in the final moments leading up to a ceasefire deadline announced by US President Donald Trump.

Global Peace Index Report Warns: India’s Militarization in Kashmir may Ignite Regional War

The Global Peace Index 2025 identifies the Kashmir conflict as a major nuclear flashpoint, highlighting Indian brutalities since 1989 that killed 40,000 people. It notes that India has turned IIOJK into the world’s most militarized zone, while Pakistan’s AJK hosts only around 60,000 troops.Punchlines

India’s unprovoked missile strike on Pakistan in May 2025 over Pahalgam exposed its reckless militarism, risking a nuclear conflict that could escalate far beyond Kashmir.

The report’s use of the term “gunmen” for the 22 April Pahalgam attack reflects global refusal to label Kashmiri freedom fighters as terrorists, challenging India’s narrative. According to report, India deployed hundreds of thousands of troops, turning the Himalayas into one of the world’s most militarized zones. More than 40,000 people have died since 1989.

In August 2019, India illegally revoked Kashmir’s special status under Articles 370 and 35A, splitting the region into two Union territories.
India’s scrapping of Article 370 led to mass arrests, blackouts, and troop surge, deepening Kashmir’s alienation and human rights violations.
The report highlights that India has deployed around 500,000 troops in IIOJK, making it a heavily militarized zone, while Pakistan maintains only 60,000 along the LoC, showing a stark contrast in approaches.

Local police forces in IIOJK have swelled to an alarming 130,000, while peaceful AJK under Pakistan shows no signs of such militarization, highlighting the stark disparity.
India has used its Kashmir policy to fuel nationalist sentiment, portraying the August 2019 revocation of autonomy as fulfilling a long-standing promise of national integration.

The Kashmir conflict risks escalating into full-scale war, with potential unrest in both India and Pakistan, including a serious threat of anti-Muslim violence within India.
With half a million troops, local police, Rashtriya Rifles, and other forces, India has turned Kashmir into a military cage exposing its fascist control and the people’s ongoing struggle. The report warns that conflict in the region is highly likely within the next year.

Iran’s top general vows non-stop operations until Netanyahu is brought to his knees

Iran’s top military general has vowed to continue retaliatory operations against the Israeli regime “with full force” until Benjamin Netanyahu is brought to “utter helplessness.”

In a video statement on Monday, shortly after the 21st phase of Operation True Promise III was launched by the Iranian armed forces, Chief of Staff of Iran’s Armed Forces, Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi, said the operations will continue uninterrupted.

Major General Mousavi said the crimes committed by the Israeli regime and the United States “will not go unanswered” regardless of the extent of damage inflicted by the enemy.

“The very nature of this criminal act will not remain without a response, irrespective of the level of destruction,” the top general said, referring to the American aggression against Iranian nuclear facilities early on Sunday in brazen violation of international law.

He characterized US President Donald Trump’s involvement in the war against the Islamic Republic as a desperate effort to rescue the Zionist regime, particularly Netanyahu, whom he described as America’s “failing proxy” in the region.

“Trump, having witnessed Netanyahu’s collapse under the weight of defeat, decided to give him artificial respiration through this reckless act,” Major General Mousavi said.

US bombers, on the direct orders of Trump, targeted three nuclear facilities across Iran – Isfahan, Natanz and Fordow – on Sunday morning, drawing widespread outrage.

The aggression came amid the Israeli regime’s aggression that started last Friday. In response Iranian armed forces have inflicted heavy blows on the regime and its military infrastructure with its retaliatory operations under True Promise III.

Iranian officials have warned that the American aggression will not go unpunished.

True Promise III: Iran unleashes several new-generation missiles in fresh wave

Iran carried out the new phase of Operation True Promise III with a barrage of new-generation missiles, which made direct impacts across occupied territories.

The 21st phase kicked off at around 12:00 pm local time on Monday, with informed sources saying many new-generation missiles were used in today's retaliatory operation.

In a statement, the public relations department of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) said the 21st wave of Operation True Promise III was launched in response to the continued aggression of the criminal Zionist regime.

The latest phase of the operation began with the firing of both solid- and liquid-fueled missiles and a combined assault using smart drones.

In this phase, the statement noted, for the first time, the multi-warhead Kheibar (Qadr-H) ballistic missile was used, employing new and surprising tactics to achieve greater precision, destructiveness, and effectiveness.

The missiles successfully struck strategic targets across the occupied territories, from north to south and central areas of the Zionist regime.

The IRGC statement emphasized that this “impact-driven operation” will continue with new special tactics, exploiting weaknesses in the enemy’s air defense systems, and will grow stronger and more powerful.

It added that drone combat operations “will not cease for a moment,” prompting the occupiers of the occupied territories “to constantly endure sirens, fleeing, and seeking shelter.”

Some sections of Israeli media reported widespread destruction of streets in several cities due to powerful blast waves on Monday that sent settlers back into the underground shelters.

For the first time, air raid sirens blared across the occupied territories for 35 minutes, reports said, indicating the massive wave of Iranian missiles used on Monday.

Once again, the multi-tier Israeli air defense systems failed to intercept the new-generation Iranian missiles, which made their way to intended targets across the occupied territories.

According to the source, Kheibar Shekan, Emad, Qadr, and Fattah-1 missiles were used in Monday's operation, which struck important Israeli military facilities across the occupied territories, including in Safed, Lachish, Ashkelon, Ashdod, and Beit She’an.

The missiles directly targeted the Ashdod power plant, causing widespread power outages across the occupied territories, reports said.

These operations are in response to the continued Israeli military aggression against Iran, which has led to the martyrdom of more than 400 people since June 13, including top-ranking military commanders, nuclear scientists, professors, athletes and students.

In response Iranian armed forces have carried out 21 waves of missiles and drones against the occupied territories as part of Operation True Promise III, inflicting heavy blows on the regime and its military intelligence infrastructure.

On Sunday, the multi-warhead Kheibar Shekan ballistic missile was used for the first time during the 20th wave of Operation True Promise III.

The twentieth wave came just hours after the United States claimed to have struck three Iranian nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.

According to the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), a total of 40 solid- and liquid-fueled missiles were launched at strategic targets across the occupied Palestinian territories on Sunday.

“In this operation, for the first time, the IRGC Aerospace Force deployed the third-generation Kheibar Shekan multi-warhead ballistic missile, employing new and surprising tactics to achieve greater precision, destructive power, and effectiveness,” the statement said.

The Iranian armed forces have used many new-generation missiles in Operation True Promise III, including Kheibar Shekan, Fattah, Emad and Hajj Qassem.

Iran asserts its “full and legitimate right” to respond to US aggression, says UN envoy

Iran’s permanent representative to the United Nations, speaking at an emergency session of the UN Security Council on Monday, strongly condemned the US military aggression on Iranian soil, saying Tehran reserves the complete and lawful right to defend itself under international law.

In a fiery speech, Amir Saeid Iravani said today marks yet another “shameful chapter in the political history of the United States,” referring to the early Sunday attacks on three peaceful Iranian nuclear facilities in Isfahan, Natanz and Fordow.

He said US President Donald Trump “personally carried out the most disgraceful part of this wicked scenario,” referring to Trump ordering the aggression and brazenly announcing it on his social media platforms, taking all and sundry by surprise.

Describing the Islamic Republic of Iran as an “independent and peace-seeking nation,” the envoy said the country had repeatedly warned the “warmongering US regime” against any aggressive actions prior to Sunday’s acts of aggression.

“Now, based on international law, Iran retains its complete and lawful right to respond to this blatant act of aggression,” Iravani declared, condemning the “premeditated and unprovoked” assault by Washington and linking it to the Israeli aggression against the people of Iran that started last Friday and has claimed more than 400 innocent lives so far.

“This attack (by the US) follows extensive military aggression by the Israeli regime,” the diplomat noted, branding the US justification as “false, absurd, and legally void.”

He slammed the US Security Council and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for their “selective behavior and double standards” on the Israeli and American attacks on Iran’s nuclear sites, calling it a “moral, political, and legal disgrace.”

The Iranian envoy also referenced the 2020 assassination of top anti-terror commander General Qassem Soleimani, calling it a “cowardly and gruesome act of terrorism carried out on the direct orders of the US president,” showing long-standing US hostility and impunity.

Iravani accused Israel of fabricating a deceptive narrative for over two decades, despite being a nuclear-armed regime operating outside international legal frameworks.

“Iran’s actions are fully consistent with Article 51 of the UN Charter, which recognizes the inherent right to self-defense,” he stated.

He urged the Security Council to act immediately under Chapter VII of the UN Charter to address the injustice and flagrant violations stemming from the U.S. and Israeli actions.

Humiliation of the international community

In his remarks, Russia’s representative to the United Nations also delivered a sharp condemnation of both American and Israeli aggression against Iran, calling it a blatant insult to international norms and a direct affront to the global community.

“We strongly condemn the US’s irresponsible and provocative actions against Iran,” Vasily Nebenzya asserted. “The attacks carried out by the United States and Israel constitute a complete humiliation of the international community.”

The diplomat criticized certain UN Security Council members for their silence and inaction, accusing them of lacking the courage to denounce Washington's aggression.

“Some members of this Council do not have the courage to condemn these attacks. The United States has shown time and again that it does not value diplomacy,” he remarked.

He further pointed out the glaring double standards regarding nuclear non-proliferation.

“Israel has yet to join the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), while Iran remains the most heavily inspected country in the world under the oversight of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA),” the Russian representative said.

Dangerous violation of UN Charter

In his speech, the Chinese envoy to the United States also condemned the US military attacks against Iran’s nuclear facilities as a grave breach of international law, warning that such actions undermine global peace and stability.

“The actions of the United States constitute a dangerous violation of the United Nations Charter, international law, and Iran’s sovereignty,” Fu Cong stated.

He warned that the strikes have inflicted serious damage on the international nuclear non-proliferation regime.

“The US attacks have dealt a major blow to the global framework for preventing the spread of nuclear weapons,” he emphasized.

Clear violation of international law

Pakistani envoy to the United Nations, in his address to the emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, voiced strong concern over the Israeli and American acts of aggression, calling them a breach of international law and urging the UN Security Council to take immediate action.

“We express our deep concern over the rising tensions following Israel’s aggression against Iran,” said Pakistan’s representative Iftikhar Ahmad. “The Security Council must reject the attacks on Iran and recognize them as a clear violation of international law.”

Pakistan also appealed to fellow Security Council members to support a proposed resolution calling for an unconditional ceasefire and the resumption of dialogue.

“We urge Council members to endorse a draft resolution that demands an immediate ceasefire without preconditions and a return to meaningful talks,” he noted.

Iran rules out diplomacy after US strikes nuclear sites

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has slammed the United States for sabotaging ongoing diplomatic efforts by launching airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.

Speaking at a press conference during the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) summit in Istanbul, Araghchi urged the international community to take a clear stance, saying "global norms and diplomacy are under direct threat."

"We were in the middle of negotiations," FM Araghchi said. "It was not Iran that walked away. The US abandoned diplomacy with missiles, not words," he added.

"They crossed a very big red line by attacking [Iran’s] nuclear facilities," Araghchi said.

The United States on Sunday bombed multiple nuclear facilities in Iran, with President Donald Trump calling the action "a spectacular military success."

Three Iranian nuclear sites — Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan — were struck using the US Air Force's B-2 Spirit stealth bombers.

Araghchi warned that the implications go beyond bilateral relations. "This is not just about Iran. It’s about the credibility of international law itself. The United Nations Charter is being challenged," he said.

The foreign minister also called on the UN Security Council to respond, urging it to formally denounce this act of aggression and reaffirm the principles of state sovereignty.

While emphasising Iran’s right to defend itself, Araghchi dismissed any suggestion that diplomacy could proceed under the current conditions. “You cannot bomb a negotiating partner and ask them to talk peace the next day.”

The foreign minister is scheduled to visit Moscow on Monday for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, where the recent developments will be high on the agenda.

'US not seeking regime change in Iran'

Separately, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said that Washington was not seeking regime change in Tehran.

The Pentagon chief urged Iran's leaders to find an off-ramp to the conflict after President Donald Trump announced the strikes on key underground uranium enrichment site at Fordow, along with nuclear facilities in Isfahan and Natanz.

"We devastated the Iranian nuclear programme," Hegseth told a Pentagon press briefing, adding that the operation "did not target Iranian troops or the Iranian people."

Trump "seeks peace, and Iran should take that path," Hegseth continued. "This mission was not, and has not, been about regime change," he added.

Trump's intervention — despite his past pledges to avoid another "forever war" — threatens to dramatically widen the conflict after Israel launched an unprecedented bombing campaign against Iran last week, with Tehran vowing to retaliate if Washington joined in.

From Tianjin to Gwadar: Can CPEC’s Flagship Port Replicate China’s Green Miracle?

They say, “不积跬步，无以至千里” a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. That morning, as our bus made its way through the quiet roads of Tianjin, rain began to fall softly not heavy, but enough to cast a dreamlike haze over everything. We were about to take a step not just into a port, but into the future.

I’m here in China as part of the CIPCC program, alongside fellow journalists from across the world. We've been traveling, learning, and reporting for over two months now and we still have twenty more days to go. Each day reveals a new dimension of China’s transformation, but few experiences have matched the impact of our visit to Tianjin Port, arranged under the “China Up Close: Tianjin Tour”, co-hosted by CGTN and the Tianjin Municipal People’s Government.

As we stepped out into the rain, the view that met us was nothing short of cinematic. Raindrops tapped gently on solar panels. Wind turbines loomed like watchful giants through the mist. Massive cranes moved with quiet precision, and the air which in any ordinary industrial zone would reek of fuel was crisp and fresh. This wasn’t just a port. It was a living statement of what’s possible when ambition aligns with responsibility.

Tianjin Port, once known mainly for its colossal scale over 121 square kilometers is now making history as the world’s first zero-carbon port. Over 30 million kilowatt-hours of clean energy power its operations annually, sparing the planet from almost 20,000 tons of carbon emissions every year. Instead of diesel-fueled machines, we saw automated electric cranes and driverless electric trucks moving containers with stunning grace and coordination.

What truly stayed with me was the AI-powered control center, where operators monitor fleets of over 100 self-driving trucks in real time. One operator can guide multiple vehicles from a single desk. It felt like watching a symphony of technology precise, silent, and deeply efficient.

The Chinese proverb “授人以鱼不如授人以渔” don’t just give a man a fish, teach him how to fish came alive here. Tianjin isn’t just fixing one port; it’s offering the world a blueprint. With an annual handling capacity of 22 million TEUs and over 500 million tons of general cargo, it proves that economic ambition and environmental integrity are not mutually exclusive they can, and must, coexist.

As a Pakistani journalist, I couldn’t help but think of Gwadar Port another vital node in the region’s maritime future. While Gwadar continues to develop under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), there is much we can learn from Tianjin. Not just in terms of infrastructure, but in adopting smart logistics, AI-based systems, and a long-term green vision. Gwadar’s potential is immense, and Tianjin offers a roadmap showing us that ports can be engines of both progress and preservation.

A heartfelt note of appreciation is due to the CGTN team, whose thoughtful organization and warm hospitality turned our visit into more than a media tour. Their professionalism, storytelling approach, and genuine openness created a space for real engagement not just with the infrastructure, but with the ideas behind it. They made sure we didn’t just observe; we understood.

The visit also deepened my personal appreciation for China’s approach to development. As someone trained to observe critically, I’ve seen how projects here are not only large scale and well-planned, but executed with a clear purpose blending tradition with futuristic thinking. Whether in the transport networks, urban planning, or climate-conscious initiatives, there’s a certain confidence in China’s progress. It is not loud or boastful it’s methodical, practical, and visible in everyday function. This is something any observer, regardless of background, cannot ignore.

As we left the port, the rain continued quiet and persistent, like the change happening at Tianjin. Through the misted windows of the bus, I took one last glance at the turbines turning steadily in the distance. It felt symbolic the rain washing the past, the port welcoming the future.

And as our journey in China continues for the next few weeks, one phrase keeps echoing in my mind:
“行胜于言” actions speak louder than words.

Tianjin Port isn’t talking about change. It is change.

India’s Mossad Connection: Iran Must Reconsider Who Its True Allies Are

Recent revelations have once again exposed India’s deep involvement in foreign espionage activities. This time within Iran’s own borders. A high-level raid by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards near Chabahar Port led to the arrest of 141 Mossad-linked agents, including 121 Indian nationals.

This is not the first incident of its kind. Just weeks ago, 72 Indian nationals were apprehended during the current conflict, exposing a growing pattern of India’s covert role in destabilizing the region, not only against Pakistan but now against Iran as well.

The discovery of encrypted documents, secret communication equipment, and links to militant networks like the BLA and BYC should compel Tehran to reassess its assumptions about India’s “friendship.” What has now come to light is a betrayal masked under the guise of diplomacy and trade.

India’s so-called “strategic autonomy” is a smokescreen. It acts as Mossad’s regional proxy, penetrating allies like Iran with covert ops.

121 Indians arrested on Iranian soil is not a diplomatic blunder; it’s a strategic violation of Iran’s sovereignty.
The “Project Gidon-Esha” slides found in Chabahar prove India’s joint involvement with Israel in orchestrating terrorism in Balochistan.

India’s intelligence agency RAW is laundering money, supplying arms, and creating digital propaganda cells, all exposed from Iranian servers.

India masquerades as Iran’s trade partner while using Mumbai-based shell companies to fund anti-Iran proxies like BYC.

Rajesh Singh a.k.a. “Ramzan,” an Indian CFO, funnelled $3.2 million to destabilize both Iran and Pakistan, while posing as a tech exporter.

Indian nationals operating under Mossad directives violated Iran’s trust, a proof that Delhi’s interests lie with Tel Aviv, not Tehran.

While Iran fights for regional independence, India secretly advances Israeli influence right under its nose.

From funding fake human rights campaigns to arming separatist rebels, India plays the long game of deception in West Asia.

If Iran wishes to secure its strategic depth, it must rethink its tolerance for Indian presence in sensitive zones like Chabahar.
Tehran must ask: Is India a partner or a parasite attached to Western and Zionist agendas?

Iran’s nuclear program struck hard, further attacks on the table: President Trump

President Donald Trump on Sunday said US air strikes had "completely and totally obliterated" Iran's main nuclear enrichment facilities, and warned of more attacks to come if Tehran does not seek peace.

In a televised address to the nation from the White House after the United States joined Israel's air campaign against Tehran, Trump called the US attacks a "spectacular military success."

Trump had earlier stunned the world by announcing on social media that US aircraft had struck Iran's Fordo nuclear enrichment plant, plus the Natanz and Isfahan facilities.

But the fresh US military entanglement comes despite Trump's promises to avoid another "forever war" in the Middle East — Iran has vowed to retaliate against US forces in the region if Washington got involved.

"Iran's key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated. Iran [...] must now make peace," said Trump.

"If they do not, future attacks will be far greater, and a lot easier," added Trump, who was flanked by Vice President JD Vance, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio for his address on Saturday evening for US audiences.

Trump said earlier on his Truth Social site that a "full payload of BOMBS" was dropped on the underground facility at Fordo, describing it as the "primary site."

Trump added that "all planes are safely on their way home. Congratulations to our great American Warriors."

Iranian confirmation

Earlier Saturday there were reports that US B-2 bombers —which carry so-called "bunker buster" bombs — were headed out of the US across the Pacific.

Trump did not say what kind of US planes or munitions were involved.

Iranian media confirmed that part of the Fordo plant as well as the Isfahan and Natanz nuclear sites were attacked.

Trump spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after the attacks, while the United States also gave key ally Israel a "heads up" before the strikes, a senior White House official told AFP.

Netanyahu congratulated Trump on the strikes, saying that "America has been truly unsurpassed."

Trump had said on Thursday that he would decide "within two weeks" whether to join Israel's campaign — but the decision came far sooner.

The US president had also stepped up his rhetoric against Iran in recent days, repeating his insistence that it could never have a nuclear weapon.

Israel and Iran have traded wave after wave of devastating strikes since Israel launched its aerial campaign on June 13, saying Tehran was on the verge of developing a nuclear weapon.

Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian had warned earlier Saturday of a "more devastating" retaliation should Israel's nine-day bombing campaign continue, saying Iran would not halt its nuclear programme "under any circumstances".

On Saturday, Israel said it had attacked Isfahan for a second time, with the UN nuclear watchdog reporting that a centrifuge manufacturing workshop had been hit.

Iran's Revolutionary Guard meanwhile announced early Sunday that "suicide drones" had been launched against "strategic targets" across Israel.

Iran denies seeking an atomic bomb, and on Saturday Pezeshkian said its right to pursue a civilian nuclear programme "cannot be taken away [...] by threats or war".

Israel says it has pushed back Iran’s suspected nuclear programme by two years

Israel claimed on Saturday it has already set back Iran's presumed nuclear programme by at least two years, a day after US President Donald Trump warned that Tehran has a "maximum" of two weeks to avoid possible American air strikes.

Trump has been mulling whether to involve the United States in Israel's bombing campaign, indicating in his latest comments that he could take a decision before the two week deadline he set this week.

Israel said Saturday it's air force had launched fresh airstrikes against missile storage and launch sites in central Iran, as it kept up a wave of attacks it says are aimed at preventing their rival from developing nuclear weapons — an ambition Tehran has denied.

"According to the assessment we hear, we already delayed for at least two or three years the possibility for them to have a nuclear bomb," Israel's foreign minister Gideon Saar said in an interview published Saturday.

Saar said Israel's week-long onslaught will continue. "We will do everything that we can do there in order to remove this threat," he told German newspaper Bild.

Top diplomats from Britain, France and Germany met their Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi in Geneva on Friday and urged him to resume talks with the United States that had been derailed by Israel's attacks.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said "we invited the Iranian minister to consider negotiations with all sides, including the United States, without awaiting the cessation of strikes, which we also hope for."

But Araghchi told NBC News after the meeting that "we're not prepared to negotiate with them (the United States) anymore, as long as the aggression continues."

Trump was dismissive of European diplomacy efforts, telling reporters, "Iran doesn't want to speak to Europe. They want to speak to us. Europe is not going to be able to help in this."

Trump also said he's unlikely to ask Israel to stop its attacks to get Iran back to the table.

"If somebody's winning, it's a little bit harder to do," he said.

Any US involvement would likely feature powerful bunker-busting bombs that no other country possesses to destroy an underground uranium enrichment facility in Fordo.

On the streets of Tehran, many shops were closed and normally busting markets largely abandoned on Friday.

450 missiles

A US-based NGO, the Human Rights Activists News Agency, said on Friday based on its sources and media reports that at least 657 people have been killed in Iran, including 263 civilians.

Iran has not updated its tolls since Sunday, when it said that Israeli strikes had killed at least 224 people, including military commanders, nuclear scientists and civilians.

Since Israel launched its offensive on June 13, targeting nuclear and military sites but also hitting residential areas, Iran has responded with barrages which Israeli authorities say have killed at least 25 people.

A hospital in the Israeli port of Haifa reported 19 wounded, including one person in a serious condition, after the latest Iranian salvo.

Israel's National Public Diplomacy Directorate said more than 450 missiles have been fired at the country so far, along with about 400 drones.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they had targeted military sites and air force bases.

Madness

Western powers have repeatedly expressed concerns about the rapid expansion of Iran's nuclear programme, questioning in particular the country's accelerated uranium enrichment.

The International Atomic Energy Agency said that Iran is the only country without nuclear weapons to enrich uranium to 60%.

However, it added that there was no evidence it had all the components to make a functioning nuclear warhead.

The agency's chief Rafael Grossi told CNN it was "pure speculation" to say how long it would take Iran to develop weapons.

Britain's Foreign Secretary David Lammy said the conflict was at a "perilous moment" and it was "hugely important that we don't see regional escalation".

Arab League foreign ministers gathered in Istanbul late Friday to discuss the war, Turkish state news agency Anadolu said, on the eve of a weekend gathering of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

Switzerland announced it was temporarily closing its embassy in Tehran, adding that it would continue to fulfil its role representing US interests in Iran.

Iranians rally nationwide in support of armed forces amid Israeli aggression

Massive rallies were held in cities across Iran on Friday, following congregational prayers, to protest against Israeli-American aggression against the country and express solidarity with the Iranian armed forces.

In the capital, Tehran, tens of thousands of people marched from the University of Tehran in Enghelab Square to the iconic Azadi Tower in western Tehran.

Similar demonstrations took place in cities including Mashhad, Isfahan, Tabriz, Qom, Shiraz, Qazvin, Yazd, and Gilan, with participants reaffirming their unwavering support for the country’s armed forces

Demonstrators defied threats, carrying photos of martyrs and chanting vociferous against the Zionist regime and its Western backers, particularly the United States.

Slogans including “Death to the Zionist regime,” “Death to American arrogance,” and “Long live the martyrs” reverberated in the air as a mark of unity against the arrogant enemy.

People from all walks of life, representing all age groups, demonstrated a renewed determination to confront the Zionist regime and its imperialist allies.

“I am here for Iran, for the sacred soil of this land, for the martyrs, for the Leader. I pledge to stand by my country until my last breath and last drop of blood,” one young protester told the Press TV website in Tehran.

"People across the country are united today against the enemy because the red line has been crossed. We will avenge the sacred blood of our great martyrs," said another protester.

The rallies followed last Friday’s unprovoked Israeli aggression, which resulted in the martyrdom of many senior Iranian military commanders, nuclear scientists, and civilians, including children and women, prompting Iran’s retaliatory Operation True Promise III.

In the fifteen phases of the operation so far, Iranian armed forces – led by the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) – have successfully targeted and decimated sensitive and strategic Israeli military and intelligence facilities in the occupied Palestinian territories.

Military experts say the missile and drone strikes have further exposed the ineffectiveness of the Israeli regime’s air defense systems, forcing illegal settlers and regime officials to flee their homes and seek shelter underground.

On Friday, massive rallies were also held in Iraq and Yemen in solidarity with Iran amid the Israeli regime's aggression, with participants condemning the regime's war crimes.

China pushes 4-Point peace plan Amid Iran-Israel escalation

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday put forward a four-point proposal to help end the Iran-Israel conflict in the Middle East, according to Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning.

Chinese President Xi Jinping held phone talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, during which the two leaders exchanged views regarding the situation in the Middle East.

In a statement shared on social media, Mao Ning said that Xi’s proposal emphasizes four key points: an urgent ceasefire must be a priority; ensuring civilian safety must be a top concern; dialogue and negotiation are the fundamental solutions; and the international community’s peacemaking efforts are indispensable.

Chinese President said that the use of force is not the right way to resolve international disputes. He urged the conflicting parties, especially Israel, to cease fire as soon as possible, Xinhua reported.

The Chinese president said that protecting civilians’ safety is the top priority amid the Iran-Israel tensions, calling on the conflicting parties to strictly follow international law, and resolutely avoid harming innocent civilians.

Dialogue and negotiation are the fundamental way out, he said, calling on the international community, particularly major countries that have a special influence on the parties to the conflict, to make efforts to cool down the situation.

China stands ready to continue to strengthen communication and coordination with all parties, pool their efforts, and uphold justice, so as to play a constructive role in restoring peace in the Middle East, he said.

Israel-Iran aerial conflict rages into second week

Israel and Iran’s air war entered a second week on Friday and European officials sought to draw Tehran back to the negotiating table after President Donald Trump said any decision on potential U.S. involvement would be made within two weeks.

Israel began attacking Iran last Friday, saying it aimed to prevent its longtime enemy from developing nuclear weapons.

Iran retaliated with missile and drone strikes on Israel. It says its nuclear programme is peaceful.

Israeli air attacks have killed 639 people in Iran, said the Human Rights Activists News Agency.

Those killed include the military’s top echelon and nuclear scientists.

Israel has said at least two dozen Israeli civilians have died in Iranian missile attacks.

Reuters could not independently verify the death toll from either side.

Trump to decide on US action in Israel-Iran conflict within 2 weeks, White House says

The White House said on Thursday that President Donald Trump will make a decision on whether the U.S. will get involved in the Israel-Iran conflict in the next two weeks.

Citing a message from Trump, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters: “Based on the fact that there’s a substantial chance of negotiations that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future, I will make my decision whether or not to go within the next two weeks.”

Leavitt told a regular briefing that Trump was interested in pursuing a diplomatic solution with Iran, but his top priority was ensuring that Iran could not obtain a nuclear weapon.

She said any deal would have to prohibit enrichment of uranium by Tehran and eliminate Iran’s ability to achieve a nuclear weapon.

“The president is always interested in a diplomatic solution …he is a peacemaker in chief. He is the peace through strength president. And so if there’s a chance for diplomacy, the president’s always going to grab it,” Leavitt said. “But he’s not afraid to use strength as well I will add.”

Iran held direct talks with US amid intensifying conflict with Israel, diplomats say

U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi have spoken by phone several times since Israel began its strikes on Iran last week, in a bid to find a diplomatic end to the crisis, three diplomats told Reuters.

According to the diplomats, who asked not to be identified due to the sensitivity of the matter, Araqchi said Tehran would not return to negotiations unless Israel stopped the attacks, which began on June 13.

They said the talks included a brief discussion of a U.S. proposal given to Iran at the end of May that aims to create a regional consortium that would enrich uranium outside of Iran, an offer Tehran has so far rejected.

U.S. and Iranians officials did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment on the matter.

China opposes ‘use of force’ after Trump Iran warning

China said Thursday it opposed the “use of force”, in response to a question about US President Donald Trump warning he was weighing US military action in the Israel-Iran conflict.

Beijing “opposes any act that… infringes upon the sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of other countries, and opposes the use or threat of use of force in international relations”, foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told a regular press briefing.

China urged countries in the Middle East, “especially Israel”, to cease fighting on Thursday after fresh exchanges of fire with Iran, and as US President Donald Trump warned he was weighing US military action in the conflict.

“China strongly calls on all parties involved in the conflict, especially Israel, to put the interests of the region’s people first, immediately cease fire and stop fighting,” foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said.

Trump approves Iran attack plan: WSJ

President Trump told senior aides late Tuesday that he approved of attack plans for Iran, but was holding off to see if Tehran would abandon its nuclear program, people familiar with the deliberations said, ARY News reported quoting the Wall Street Journal.

Iran’s well-defended Fordow enrichment facility is a possible U.S. target; it is buried under a mountain and generally considered by military experts to be out of reach of all but the most powerful bombs.

In a separate development earlier the New York Times reported, citing a senior Iranian official that Iran would accept US President Donald Trump’s offer to meet soon.

Explosions reported in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem as Iran fires fresh salvo of missiles

Iranian media reported a new salvo of missiles fired at Israel Thursday, as the rivals traded fire for seventh day of the conflict after Israeli strikes on Iran on last Friday.

“The missiles roared over Tel Aviv,” the Iranian news agency Fars reported, while state television broadcast live images of the commercial hub.

Sirens sounded across Israel early Thursday as the Israeli military said it detected incoming missiles from Iran.

“A short while ago, sirens sounded in several areas across Israel following the identification of missiles launched from Iran toward Israel,” the military said in a post on Telegram.

Russia offers nuclear fuel to Iran for civil energy program from its enriched uranium

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday said Iran has the right to peaceful nuclear power.

Putin told senior news agency editors in the northern Russian city of St Petersburg that Moscow had “a very good relationship with Iran” and that Russia could ensure Iran’s interests in nuclear energy.

Russia has offered to take enriched uranium from Iran and to supply nuclear fuel to the country’s civil energy programme.

Questioned about possible regime change in Iran, Putin said that before getting into something, one should always look at whether or not the main aim is being achieved before starting something.

European ministers to hold nuclear talks with Iran on Friday in Geneva, source says

The foreign ministers of Germany, France and Britain plan to hold nuclear talks with their Iranian counterpart on Friday in Geneva, a German diplomatic source told Reuters.

The ministers will first meet with the European Union’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, at the German consulate in Geneva before holding a joint meeting with the Iranian foreign minister, the source said.

The plan has been agreed with the United States, the source added.

Iran and Israel launched new missile strikes at each other on Wednesday as the air war between the two longtime enemies entered a sixth day amid a call from U.S. President Donald Trump for Tehran’s unconditional surrender.

The Israeli military said two barrages of Iranian missiles were launched toward Israel in the first two hours of Wednesday morning.

Explosions were heard over Tel Aviv.

Israel told residents in a southwestern area of Tehran to evacuate so its air force could strike Iranian military installations.

Iranian news websites said Israel was attacking a university linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards in the east of the capital.

Iranian news websites said Israel was also attacking a university linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards in the country’s east, and the Khojir ballistic missile facility near Tehran, which was also targeted by Israeli airstrikes last October.

Turkiye’s Erdogan says Iran acting in self-defence

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has accused Israel of waging “crazed” attacks against Iran that amount to “state terrorism”.

Iran’s response, Erdogan said, is natural, legal and legitimate.

Speaking to members of his ruling Justice and Development Party in parliament, Erdogan said Turkiye wants to see the crisis resolved diplomatically and Ankara could play a constructive role.

True Promise III: A massive missile, drone barrage rips through occupied territories

In the latest phase of Operation True Promise III on Thursday, Iranian armed forces launched a massive barrage of ballistic missiles at targets in the Zionist entity.

In a statement, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) said the fifteenth phase of the retaliatory operation against the Zionist entity involves both missiles and drones.

The target of this phase, the statement noted, are military and industrial facilities affiliated with the Israeli military-industrial complex in both Tel Aviv and Haifa.

The IRGC statement further said the drone operation earlier on Thursday involved more than hundred types of combat and suicide drones against Israeli military targets, especially anti-missile interceptors in Tel Aviv and Haifa.

It added that the more effective missile operations against Israeli military and industrial targets is on the agenda of Iranian armed forces.

Earlier, some Israeli media outlets reported "the largest barrage of missiles" in the latest and fifteenth phase of Operation True Promise III, which was launched on Friday hours after the Zionist regime carried out an unprovoked aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran.

The Israeli regime has imposed a sweeping ban on publication of images and videos related to Iran's retaliatory operations. Even the aerial live feeds have been banned by the regime.

The latest wave of Operation True Promise III came only hours after Iranian armed forces unleashed a barrage of strategic missiles and suicide drones on the occupied territories, targeting and destroying a key command and intelligence center of the Israeli occupation military near one of the hospitals.

In the past few days, Iranian armed forces have employed different innovative tactics to evade the US-supported Israeli missile interceptors with tremendous success.

Among the new-generation missiles put to use by the Iranian armed forces in Operation True Promise III include Khaiber-Shekan, Fattah and Sejjil.

In his video statement on Wednesday, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said the Iranian nation will “firmly stand" against an imposed war and will never surrender to “any form of imposition.”

SpaceX Starship explodes during routine test

One of Elon Musk's SpaceX Starships exploded during a routine test late Wednesday in Texas, law enforcement said, in the latest setback to the billionaire's dream of turning humanity into an interplanetary species.

The Starship 36 suffered "catastrophic failure and exploded" at the Starbase launch facility shortly after 11:00pm (0400 GMT Thursday), a Facebook post by the Cameron County authorities said.

A video shared with the post showed the megarocket attached to the launch arm, and then a flash and a towering, fiery explosion.

Musk's Space X said the rocket was preparing for the tenth flight test when it "experienced a major anomaly while on a test stand at Starbase," without elaborating on the nature of the complication.

"A safety clear area around the site was maintained throughout the operation and all personnel are safe and accounted for," Space X added on social media.

"There are no hazards to residents in surrounding communities, and we ask that individuals do not attempt to approach the area while safing operations continue."

The Starship was not scheduled for launch on Wednesday evening when the explosion occurred during a "routine static fire test," according to the Cameron County authorities.

During a static fire, part of the procedures preceding a launch, the Starship's Super Heavy booster would be anchored to the ground to prevent it from lifting off during the test-firing.

Starbase on the south Texas coast, near the border with Mexico, is the headquarters for Musk's space project.

Standing 403 feet (123 metres) tall, Starship is the world's largest and most powerful rocket and central to Musk's long-term vision of colonising Mars.

The Starship is billed as a fully reusable rocket with a payload capacity of up to 150 metric tonnes.

The latest setback follows an explosion of a prototype Starship over the Indian Ocean in late May.

The biggest and most powerful launch vehicle ever built had lifted off on May 27 from the Starbase facility, but the first-stage Super Heavy booster blew up instead of executing its planned splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico.

The previous two outings also ended poorly, with the upper stage disintegrating over the Caribbean.

But the failures will likely do little to dent Musk's spacefaring ambitions.

SpaceX has been betting that its "fail fast, learn fast" ethos, which has helped it dominate commercial spaceflight, will eventually pay off.

Putin refuses to comment on Khamenei’s possible assassination by Israel

President Vladimir Putin has declined to comment on whether Israel and the United States might try to kill Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, stressing that the Iranian people were standing behind the leadership in Tehran.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has openly speculated that Israel’s military attacks could result in regime change in Iran, while US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that the US knew where Khamenei was “hiding” but that Washington was not going to kill him “for now”.

Asked what his reaction would be if Israel did kill Khamenei with the assistance of the United States, Putin said: “I do not even want to discuss this possibility. I do not want to.”

When pressed, Putin acknowledged he had heard the remarks about possibly killing Khamenei but repeated that he did not want to discuss them.

“We see that today in Iran, with all the complexity of the internal political processes taking place there... that there is a consolidation of society around the country’s political leadership,” Putin told senior news agency editors in the northern Russian city of St Petersburg.

Putin said all sides should look for ways to end hostilities in a manner that ensured both Iran’s right to peaceful nuclear power and Israel’s right to the unconditional security of the Jewish state.

Putin was speaking as Trump kept the world guessing whether the US would join Israel’s bombardment of Iranian nuclear and missile sites, while residents of Iran’s capital streamed out of the city on the sixth day of the air assault.

He said he had been in touch with both Trump and Netanyahu, and that Moscow had shared its ideas on resolving the conflict while ensuring Iran’s continued access to civil nuclear energy.

Iranian nuclear facilities
Questioned about the prospect of regime change in Iran, Putin said that before embarking on such a path, one must assess whether the core objective was truly being achieved.

He added that Iran’s underground uranium enrichment facilities remained untouched.

“These underground factories, they exist, nothing has happened to them,” Putin said.

“It seems to me that it would be right for everyone to look for ways to end hostilities and find paths for all parties to this conflict to reach an agreement,” he said. “In my opinion, in general, such a solution can be found.”

Asked whether Russia was prepared to provide Iran with modern weapons to defend against Israeli strikes, Putin said the strategic partnership treaty signed with Tehran in January did not include military cooperation, and Iran had not submitted any formal request for assistance.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Wednesday that Moscow was urging the United States not to strike Iran, warning that such action would radically destabilise the Middle East.

A spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry also warned that Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities risked triggering a nuclear catastrophe.

Putin said Israel had assured Moscow that Russian specialists helping to build two additional reactors at the Bushehr nuclear power plant in Iran would not be harmed in any air strikes.

He added that Moscow had “a very good relationship with Iran” and that Russia could safeguard Iran’s interests in the nuclear energy field.

Russia has offered to take enriched uranium from Iran and to supply nuclear fuel for its civil energy programme.

“It is possible to ensure Iran’s interests in the field of peaceful nuclear energy, and at the same time, to address Israel’s concerns about its security,” Putin said. “We have outlined them (our ideas) to our partners from the USA, Israel and Iran.”

Iran stands firmly against imposed war; US intervention to cause ‘irreparable damage’: Khamenei

Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, in a message on Wednesday, said the Iranian nation will “firmly stand against” an imposed war.

In a televised message, amid the continued Israeli aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ayatollah Khamenei said the Iranian nation will never surrender to “any form of imposition.”

In the wake of continued Israeli aggression against the Islamic Republic, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution commended the Iranian people for their “composed, courageous, and timely” conduct.

He said the brave response of people reflected the nation’s growing maturity, as well as its spiritual and intellectual strength.

“The Iranian nation will firmly stand against an imposed war, just as it will resolutely resist an imposed peace,” he said in a televised message.

“This is a nation that will never surrender to any form of imposition.”

Referring to the recent war-mongering rhetoric of US President Donald Trump, Ayatollah Khamenei warned against any American military intervention.

“Those with wisdom, who truly understand Iran, its people, and its long history, never speak to this nation with the language of threats. Iran will not yield,” he asserted.

“The Americans must understand—any US military incursion will undoubtedly lead to irreversible consequences.”

Leader's latest message came as the Israeli-imposed war against the Iranian nation entered its sixth day on Wednesday. The unprovoked war was launched on Friday. leading to the assassination of many senior-ranking military commanders, nuclear scientists and civilians.

The wanton aggression has only continued and escalated in the past five days.

Iranian retaliatory operation, dubbed 'True Promise III', was launched on Friday evening, targeting numerous strategic and sensitive military intelligence targets of the Israeli regime.

The eleven phases of the operation have caused heavy blows to the regime, and instilled a sense of fear among settlers who have been hiding in underground tunnels.

On Tuesday, Trump again resorted to saber-rattling against Iran, accusing it of pursuing nuclear weapons. Iranian officials maintain that the country is not in the race for nuclear arms but stands ready to defend the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Islamic Republic.

 

Shelters closed to Palestinians as Israel-Iran war escalates

When Iranian missiles began raining down on Israel, many residents scrambled for cover. Sirens wailed across the country as people rushed into bomb shelters, Al Jazeera news reported.

But for some Palestinian citizens of Israel – two million people, or roughly 21 percent of the population – doors were slammed shut, not by the force of the blasts and not by enemies, but by neighbours and fellow citizens.

Mostly living in cities, towns, and villages within Israel’s internationally recognised borders, many Palestinian citizens of Israel found themselves excluded from life-saving infrastructure during the worst nights of the Iran-Israel conflict to date.

Al Jazeera news reported that for Samar al-Rashed, a 29-year-old single mother living in a mostly Jewish apartment complex near Acre, the reality of that exclusion came on Friday night.

Samar was at home with her five-year-old daughter, Jihan. As sirens pierced the air, warning of incoming missiles, she grabbed her daughter and rushed for the building’s shelter.

“I didn’t have time to pack anything,” she recalled. “Just water, our phones, and my daughter’s hand in mine.”

The panicking mother tried to ease her daughter’s fear, while hiding her own, gently encouraging her in soft-spoken Arabic to keep up with her rushed steps towards the shelter, as other neighbours climbed down the stairs, too.

But at the shelter door, she said, an Israeli resident, having heard her speak Arabic, blocked their entry – and shut it in their faces.

“I was stunned,” she said. “I speak Hebrew fluently. I tried to explain. But he looked at me with contempt and just said, ‘Not for you.’”

In that moment, Samar said, the deep fault lines of Israeli society were laid bare.

Climbing back to her flat and looking at the distant missiles lighting up the skies, and occasionally colliding with the ground, she was terrified by both the sight, and by her neighbours.

A history of exclusion

Palestinian citizens of Israel have long faced systemic discrimination – in housing, education, employment, and state services.

Despite holding Israeli citizenship, they are often treated as second-class citizens, and their loyalty is routinely questioned in public discourse.

According to Adalah-The Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel, more than 65 laws directly or indirectly discriminate against Palestinian citizens.

The nation-state law passed in 2018 cemented this disparity by defining Israel as the “nation-state of the Jewish people”, a move critics say institutionalised apartheid.

In times of war, that discrimination often intensifies.

Palestinian citizens of Israel are frequently subjected to discriminatory policing and restrictions during periods of conflict, including arrest for social media posts, denial of access to shelters, and verbal abuse in mixed cities.

Many have already reported experiencing such discrimination.

In Haifa, 33-year-old Mohammed Dabdoob was working at his mobile repair shop Saturday evening when phones simultaneously all rang with the sound of alerts, triggering his anxiety. He tried to finish fixing a broken phone, which delayed him.

He then rushed to close the shop and ran towards the nearest public shelter, beneath a building behind his shop. Approaching the shelter, he found its sturdy door locked.

“I tried the code. It didn’t work. I banged on the door, called on those inside to open – in Hebrew – and waited. No one opened,” he said. Moments later, a missile exploded nearby, shattering glass across the street. “I thought I was going to die.”

“There was smoke and screaming, and after a quarter of an hour, all we could hear were the sounds of the police and the ambulance.

The scene was terrifying, as if I were living a nightmare similar to what happened at the Port of Beirut,” he added, referring to the 2020 Beirut port explosion.

Frozen by sheer fear and shock, Mohammed watched from his hiding place in a nearby parking lot as the chaos unfolded, and soon enough, the shelter’s door opened. As those who were inside the shelter began trickling out, he looked at them silently.

“There’s no real safety for us,” he said. “Not from the missiles, and not from the people who are supposed to be our neighbours.”

Discrimination in shelter access

In theory, all citizens of Israel should have equal access to public safety measures – including bomb shelters. In practice, the picture is very different.

Palestinian towns and villages in Israel have significantly fewer protected spaces than Jewish localities. According to a 2022 report by Israel’s State Comptroller quoted by the newspaper Haaretz, more than 70 percent of homes in Palestinian communities in Israel lack a safe room or space that is up to code, compared to 25 percent of Jewish homes. Municipalities often receive less funding for civil defence, and older buildings go without the required reinforcements.

Even in mixed cities like Lydd (Lod), where Jewish and Palestinian residents live side by side, inequality is pronounced.

Yara Srour, a 22-year-old nursing student at Hebrew University, lives in the neglected neighbourhood of al-Mahatta in Lydd. Her family’s three-storey building, which is around four decades old, lacks official permits and a shelter.

Following the heavy Iranian bombardment they witnessed on Saturday evening, which shocked the world around them, the family tried early on Sunday to flee to a safer part of the city.

“We went to the new part of Lydd where there are proper shelters,” Yara said, adding that her 48-year-old mother, who suffers from weak knees, was struggling to move. “Yet, they wouldn’t let us in. Jews from poorer areas were also turned away.

It was only for the ‘new residents’ — those in the modern buildings, mostly middle-class Jewish families.”

Yara recalls the horror vividly.

“My mother has joint problems and couldn’t run like the rest of us,” she said. “We were begging, knocking on doors. But people just looked at us through peepholes and ignored us, while we saw the sky light up with fires of intercepted rockets.”

Fear, trauma and anger

Samar said the experience of being turned away from a shelter with her daughter left a psychological scar.

“That night, I felt completely alone,” she said. “I didn’t report it to the police – what’s the point? They wouldn’t have done anything.”

Later that evening, a villa in Tamra was hit, killing four women from the same family. From her balcony, Samar watched smoke rise into the sky.

“It felt like the end of the world,” she said. “And still, even under attack, we’re treated as a threat, not as people.”

She has since moved with her daughter to her parents’ home in Daburiyya, a village in the Lower Galilee. Together, they can now huddle in a reinforced room. With the alerts coming every few hours, Samar is thinking of fleeing to Jordan.

“I wanted to protect Jihan. She doesn’t know this world yet. But I also didn’t want to leave my land. That’s the dilemma for us – survive, or stay and suffer.”

While Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated after the attacks that “Iran’s missiles target all of Israel – Jews and Arabs alike,” the reality on the ground told a different story.

Even before the war, Palestinian citizens of Israel were disproportionately arrested for expressing political views or reacting to the attacks.

Some were detained merely for posting emojis on social media. In contrast, calls for vigilante violence against Palestinians in online forums were largely ignored.

“The state expects our loyalty in war,” said Mohammed Dabdoob. “But when it’s time to protect us, we’re invisible.”

For Samar, Yara, Mohammed, and thousands like them, the message is clear: they are citizens on paper, but strangers in practice.

“I want safety like anyone else,” said Yara. “I’m studying to become a nurse. I want to help people. But how can I serve a country that won’t protect my mother?”

WhatsApp rolls out its first major ad features

WhatsApp announced Monday it will introduce its boldest advertising features yet, marking a significant shift for the messaging platform that has largely remained ad-free since its launch.

The move is a sensitive one for WhatsApp, whose chief firmly denied a report in 2023 that said the Meta-owned app was exploring advertisements as it sought to boost revenue.

Unlike Facebook, Instagram, and other social platforms, WhatsApp has maintained minimal advertising since Meta acquired it in 2014.

Users and regulators have kept a close watch on whether the social media giant would seek to monetise an app that was primarily used to chat with friends and family, and was appreciated for its privacy.

Until now, the platform’s advertising consisted primarily of WhatsApp Business promotional messages to opted-in customers and some limited Status ad testing in select markets.

The messaging app has no display ads in chat feeds or conversations.

The company said it will roll out three new monetisation features exclusively within its Updates tab, which houses both Channels and Status features used by 1.5 billion people daily and became widely available last year.

The company stressed that users who only use WhatsApp for personal messaging will see no changes to their experience, as all new features are confined to the Updates tab that can be deactivated in the settings.

“We’ve been talking about our plans to build a business that does not interrupt your personal chats for years and we believe the Updates tab is the right place for these new features to work,” WhatsApp said.

The new features include paid channel subscriptions, promoted channels in the Discovery directory, and advertisements within Status, WhatsApp’s version of Instagram Stories.

WhatsApp emphasised that the new advertising features are designed with privacy safeguards.

“I want to be really clear about one thing: Your personal messages, calls and statuses will remain end-to-end encrypted. This means no one, not even us, can see or hear them, and they cannot be used for ads,” Nikila Srinivasan, vice president of product management at Meta, told reporters.

The company committed to never selling or sharing phone numbers to advertisers and said personal messages, calls, and group memberships will not influence ad targeting.

“To show ads in Status or Channels, we’re going to use basic information like your country or city, your device language and your activity in the Updates tab,” Srinivasan said.

The introduction of advertising represents Meta’s effort to monetise WhatsApp’s massive user base of over two billion monthly active users.

Industry analysts have long speculated that Meta would eventually bring advertising to WhatsApp given its scale and engagement rates.

The timeline for these features was not specified in the announcement.

“They’re going to be rolling out slowly over the next few months, so it might be a while until you see them in your countries,” Srinivasan said.