Author: Admin

by Admin 22/6/2025 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has confirmed the recovery of the bodies of two hostages and an Israeli soldier from the Gaza Strip during a military operation carried out on Saturday. The remains of Yonatan Samrano, Ofra Keidar, and Staff Sergeant Shai Levinson were retrieved by Israeli forces.  “I thank our commanders and fighters for a successful operation, for their determination and courage,” Netanyahu said in a statement. According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), this brings the total number of hostages’ bodies recovered from Gaza this month to eight. Netanyahu emphasized the continued efforts to recover all those abducted during the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023.  “The campaign to return the abductees continues alongside the campaign against Iran. We will not rest until all our abductees, both the living and the fallen, are brought home,” he said. The IDF did not disclose the specific location in Gaza where the latest remains were found.  Ofra Keidar, 71, was killed during the October 7 attack at a kibbutz, with her body subsequently taken into Gaza.  Staff Sgt. Shai Levinson, 19, was killed in combat while engaging Hamas militants that same morning. Earlier on Sunday, Yonatan Samrano’s father, Kobi Samrano, shared the news of his son’s recovery via Instagram.  “Yesterday was Yonati’s Hebrew birthday. On his 23rd birthday, the very day he was born, Yonati was brought back in a heroic operation by the brave soldiers of the IDF and Shin Bet,” he wrote. In response to the announcement, Israel’s Hostages and Missing Families Forum expressed both sorrow and a measure of relief. “Our hearts are with the Keidar, Samrano, and Levinson families today.  Alongside the grief and pain, the return of their corpses brings some comfort to families who have endured 625 days of anguish, uncertainty, and doubt,” the statement read. The forum also stressed the importance of continuing efforts to rescue the remaining 50 hostages, stating, “There will be no victory until the last hostage returns.” The October 7 attack by Hamas resulted in the deaths of around 1,200 Israelis and the abduction of 251 others.  In response to Hamas’ assault, Israel launched a military campaign in Gaza, which has since resulted in the deaths of at least 54,677 people, according to Gaza’s health ministry.  Of the original hostages, 54 are still believed to be in captivity, including 31 who the IDF believes are no longer alive.

by Admin 22/6/2025 The United States has launched airstrikes on three nuclear sites in Iran, intensifying the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran.  President Donald Trump confirmed the strikes late Saturday, declaring that U.S. air forces had “obliterated” Iranian nuclear facilities in Fordow, Isfahan, and Natanz.  The attack was carried out on Saturday midnight by two SU Steaith bombers dropping 30,000 tons of bombs on the three Iranian nuclear enrichment sites. He warned of further military action if Tehran “does not make peace,” vowing to dismantle Iran’s nuclear enrichment capabilities. Iran acknowledged the attacks but said personnel at the sites had been safely evacuated beforehand. Several Iranian news media claimed that the nuclear sites at Fordow had been emptied before the attack on the nuclear sites, with no substantial damage. The U.S. strikes follow more than a week of escalating military exchanges between Israel and Iran. The conflict has already resulted in hundreds of casualties on both sides. Global Reactions Iran Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the U.S. strikes, accusing Washington of violating international law. “As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, the U.S. has committed a grave breach of the UN Charter, international law, and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty,” Araghchi said in a statement. “These attacks are outrageous and will have lasting consequences. Iran reserves all options to defend its sovereignty, interests, and people.” Israel Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the U.S. move. “Congratulations, President Trump,” he said in a televised address. “Your bold action to neutralize Iran’s nuclear sites will change history. The world’s most dangerous regime must not obtain the world’s most dangerous weapons.” United Nations UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed deep concern, calling the U.S. action “a dangerous escalation.” “This conflict risks spiraling out of control, with catastrophic consequences for civilians, the region, and the world,” Guterres warned. He urged all parties to de-escalate and recommit to diplomacy. “There is no military solution. The only path forward is peace.” Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia expressed its “deep concern” about the strikes in a statement posted on X. The foreign ministry called for restraint and a political resolution. “The Kingdom urges the international community to intensify efforts to de-escalate and avoid further conflict in this highly sensitive context,” the statement read. Qatar Qatar’s foreign ministry warned of “serious repercussions” from the U.S. strikes. “This dangerous escalation could lead to catastrophic consequences at both regional and global levels,” it said, calling on all parties to exercise restraint and prioritize diplomacy. Oman Oman, a mediator in previous U.S.-Iran nuclear talks, strongly condemned the airstrikes. “The Sultanate expresses deep concern and denounces the escalation caused by the U.S. attacks on Iranian territory,” said the Oman News Agency. Iraq Iraq warned the strikes could destabilize the entire Middle East. “This military escalation poses a grave threat to peace and regional security,” government spokesperson Basim Alawadi stated. European Union EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas called for immediate de-escalation and renewed dialogue. “I urge all sides to step back and return to the negotiating table,” she posted on X. “Iran must never be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon. EU foreign ministers will meet on Monday to discuss the situation.” United Kingdom UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer supported the U.S. action. “Iran’s nuclear ambitions are a serious threat to global security,” he said. “The United States has acted to prevent a nuclear-armed Iran.” U.S. Democrats Top Democrat Hakeem Jeffries criticized President Trump’s unilateral decision. “Trump misled the public, bypassed Congress, and has pushed the U.S. toward a potentially disastrous war,” Jeffries said. “He bears full responsibility for any consequences resulting from this reckless military action.” American Advocacy Groups The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) condemned the strikes, calling them “illegal and unjustified,” and blaming pressure from “the out-of-control Israeli government.” CAIR noted that U.S. intelligence has repeatedly found no evidence of an Iranian nuclear weapons program. In contrast, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) praised the decision. “The U.S. must now work with its allies to defend American troops and interests against Iranian retaliation,” AIPAC said.

by Admin 21/6/2025 Mahmoud Khalil, a former Columbia University student and a leading voice in pro-Palestinian campus protests was released on Friday from a federal immigration detention center in Jena, Louisiana, after spending over three months in custody. Khalil, a legal U.S. permanent resident married to an American citizen and father to a U.S.-born son, had been detained since March by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), facing possible deportation.  Speaking to the media shortly after his release, Khalil, wearing a Palestinian keffiyeh, criticized the Trump administration’s handling of his case. “This shouldn’t have taken three months,” he said. “There’s no right person to detain for protesting genocide. And they picked the wrong one.” At 30 years old, Khalil had emerged as a prominent spokesperson and negotiator for the student-led protest encampment at Columbia University, which aimed to draw attention to the war in Gaza.  The university invited the police to clear the site after some protesters occupied an administration building, Khalil was neither involved in the occupation nor charged with any crimes in connection with the demonstrations. Despite this, his arrest and subsequent transfer to a detention facility nearly 2,000 kilometers from New York became a flashpoint in the broader crackdown on pro-Palestinian student activism.  His case drew national attention and became symbolic of what critics say is a government effort to silence dissent under the guise of national security. In a statement Friday, the Department of Homeland Security slammed the decision by District Judge Michael Farbiarz to release Khalil, calling it a dangerous example of judicial overreach that “undermines national security.” Khalil remains under tight restrictions. He is barred from leaving the country except for voluntary departure and faces limits on his domestic travel. Khalil’s wife, Michigan-born dentist Noor Abdalla, welcomed the ruling. “Our family can finally breathe a sigh of relief,” she said.  “But this decision doesn’t erase the trauma or the injustice. My husband was detained for peacefully protesting, and I gave birth to our son while he was locked away.” Khalil, who was born in Syria to Palestinian parents, was arrested on March 8.  His detention came amid a wider wave of immigration enforcement actions targeting foreign students engaged in pro-Palestinian activism.  Some students have reported having their visas revoked for minor crimes or even for publishing opinion articles critical of U.S. foreign policy. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has defended the crackdown, citing a Cold War-era law that grants the government broad authority to deport non-citizens deemed hostile to U.S. interests.  Rubio argued that constitutional free speech protections don’t extend to foreign nationals and insisted he could make such determinations without court review. Civil liberties advocates, however, warn that Khalil’s case sets a dangerous precedent for political repression and raises serious questions about freedom of expression and due process in the United States.

by Admin 21/6/2025 An Israeli airstrike targeted a key nuclear facility in Iran’s Isfahan province early Saturday morning thereby escalating tensions between the two nations as their conflict entered its second week.  Iranian authorities confirmed the strike but reported no casualties or radiation leaks. Social media footage released by Israeli air forces showed smoke rising from the mountainous area near the Isfahan site, which is used for uranium conversion.  Israel’s military said its air force targeted both the main facility and nearby buildings associated with centrifuge production. “This is the nuclear facility in Isfahan, which plays a central role in Iran’s uranium conversion process, a step towards producing nuclear weapons,” said Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee. “We continue striking the Iranian nuclear project.” The UN’s International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed that a centrifuge manufacturing workshop at the Isfahan site was hit.  IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi stated the facility did not contain nuclear materials, meaning there were “no radiological consequences” from the strike. The Isfahan attack marks the second such airstrike on the city in a week.  According to Iran’s health ministry, Israeli airstrikes have killed at least 430 people and injured nearly 3,500 across the country since hostilities began on June 13. Iran’s Deputy Health Minister Ali Jafarian said emergency teams are on standby in case of future nuclear-related incidents.  “There are no current reports of unconventional weapons use, but we are prepared to respond to any potential nuclear leaks,” he said. Iranian media also reported that Israeli forces struck a military installation in Shiraz, located in the southern Fars province. On the Israeli side, the conflict has also intensified. Explosions were heard over Tel Aviv, with falling debris from intercepted Iranian missiles sparking fires.  In central Israel, emergency services responded to a blaze on the roof of a high-rise residential building.  Local authorities say at least 24 people have been killed in Iranian missile strikes, the deadliest cross-border exchange between the two nations in decades. Meanwhile, Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced the killing of Saeed Izadi, a senior commander of the Quds Force’s Palestine Corps, in an Israeli strike on an apartment in the Iranian city of Qom.  Izadi was reportedly instrumental in supplying Hamas with weapons and funds before its October 7, 2023, attack on Israel.  Israel called his death a “major intelligence and operational success.” Iranian media confirmed five members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) were killed in recent Israeli strikes, but did not mention Izadi. The current conflict between the two countries began when Israel launched coordinated airstrikes on Iranian military and nuclear sites, claiming it struck to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Iran responded with missile strikes across Israeli territory. Despite the escalation, Iran has been engaged in negotiations with the U.S. aimed at limiting its uranium enrichment in exchange for sanctions relief.  Both the IAEA and U.S. intelligence agencies have said there is no conclusive evidence that Iran is actively building a nuclear bomb. However, Iran’s uranium enrichment has exceeded levels needed for civilian energy production.

by Admin 20/6/2025 Iran announced on Friday it would not engage in discussions about its nuclear program while under military assault from Israel.  The statement came as European nations pushed for renewed negotiations, and the United States weighed whether to step into the escalating conflict. One week into its offensive, Israel reported targeting numerous military sites across Iran.  These included missile production facilities, a research center in Tehran allegedly tied to nuclear weapons development, and various military installations in central and western Iran. Later, the Israeli military said it had launched strikes against surface-to-air missile systems in Iran’s southwestern region, aiming to establish air superiority.  Loud explosions were heard in Khuzestan province, where at least four people were killed, according to Iran’s IRNA news agency. In Tehran, an Israeli airstrike destroyed a five-story building housing a bakery and a hair salon, injuring at least five people, Fars news agency reported.  Iranian air defenses were also activated on Friday evening in response to the escalating attacks. In retaliation, Iran launched missile strikes on Beersheba in southern Israel and Haifa in the north.  Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said a historic Ottoman-era mosque in Haifa was damaged, along with a nearby high-rise building housing a branch of Israel’s Interior Ministry.  Haifa is a strategic location, home to the country’s busiest seaport and a major naval base. Iranian military sources told Fars news agency that Friday’s counterattacks involved long-range and heavy missiles targeting Israeli military bases, defense industries, and command centers.  An Israeli military official confirmed that around 20 missiles were fired, injuring two people. At the United Nations, Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon declared that Israel would continue its offensive “until Iran’s nuclear threat is dismantled.”  In response, Iran’s U.N. envoy Amir Saeid Iravani urged the Security Council to intervene and expressed concern over reports that the U.S. might join the conflict. The head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog, Rafael Grossi, issued a stark warning about the risks of attacking nuclear facilities, cautioning that such actions could lead to severe radioactive consequences beyond national borders.  His comments followed confusion over whether Israel had struck the Russian-built Bushehr nuclear power plant on Iran’s Gulf coast—an Israeli official later said it was a “mistake” to claim it had been hit.  Iran has acknowledged it activated its air defenses in the area but offered no further details. Israel has restated its aim to neutralize Iran’s nuclear capabilities, while emphasizing it wants to avoid a nuclear catastrophe. U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres, also speaking at the Security Council, warned that the Iran-Israel conflict could spiral out of control.  He urged all sides to “give peace a chance” before it’s too late.

by Admin 20/6/2025 Iran will meet with representatives from the United Kingdom, France, and Germany in Geneva on Friday, as part of diplomatic efforts to defuse growing tensions with Israel amid the threat of possible U.S. military action. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed the meeting, declaring that the decision followed recent discussions with European counterparts aimed at preventing further escalation. His remarks were reported by Iran’s state news agency, IRNA. European officials have also confirmed the meeting, including French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.  The European trio, known as the E3, engaged in earlier talks with Araghchi this week, stressing the urgent need to revive negotiations and explore diplomatic solutions.  The face-to-face meeting in Geneva was proposed by Iran. French President Emmanuel Macron has instructed his foreign minister to work closely with European allies to propose a diplomatic resolution to the conflict.  Speaking in Paris after meeting with Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, Barrot said the three European powers are prepared to contribute their expertise to the process. “We are ready to take part in negotiations aimed at securing a permanent rollback of Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programmes,” Barrot said. British Foreign Secretary Lammy will travel to Geneva after concluding meetings in Washington with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and White House Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.  He said, “We are determined to ensure Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon,” Lammy said. “There is a critical window over the next two weeks to pursue a diplomatic solution.” Kaja Kallas reflected his view, emphasizing that diplomacy remains the most effective path forward to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Israel has described its recent military actions as preemptive strikes to stop Iran from acquiring nuclear capabilities.  Iran continues to refute the Israeli claims that it is pursuing nuclear weapons, maintaining that its nuclear programme is solely for peaceful purposes.  The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has stated that it has found no conclusive evidence of an Iranian nuclear weapons programme. These intensified diplomatic efforts come as U.S. President Donald Trump announced he is considering direct military intervention.  On Thursday, he said he would decide within two weeks whether the U.S. will strike Iran’s nuclear facilities, citing what he called a “substantial chance” for a diplomatic breakthrough. Trump’s administration has previously expressed concern about Iran’s heavily fortified Fordow enrichment facility, which lies deep underground and is considered impervious to all but advanced U.S. “bunker-buster” bombs. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu voiced confidence in Trump’s decision-making. “I trust he’ll do what’s best for America. They’re already providing significant support,” he told reporters in Beersheba. The upcoming Geneva talks will take place at a symbolic venue, where the initial 2013 nuclear accord between Iran and world powers was forged, paving the way for the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).  Diplomats hope Friday’s meeting will rekindle efforts to prevent the crisis from spiraling into a broader conflict.

by Temitope Oladeji 17/6/2025 The Group of Seven (G7) nations have expressed their support for Israel in a joint statement released late Monday while accusing Iran of fueling instability in the Middle East.  The leaders further called for a broader de-escalation of hostilities in the region. Tensions escalated sharply after Israel launched a series of missiles and drone strikes on Iran last Friday, marking the beginning of an aerial conflict that has added to an already volatile situation since Israel’s military operations in Gaza since October 2023. “We affirm that Israel has a right to defend itself and reiterate our support for its security,” the G7 statement said.  The leaders also declared, “Iran is the principal source of regional instability and terror,” and emphasized that Tehran must never acquire a nuclear weapon. Israel described Friday’s strikes as a preemptive move to block Iran from advancing its nuclear program.  Since then, both countries have exchanged attacks. Iranian officials report over 220 fatalities, mostly civilians, while Israel claims 24 of its civilians have been killed. Iran has denied seeking nuclear weapons, asserting its right to develop nuclear technology for peaceful use, including uranium enrichment, under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), to which it is a signatory.  Israel, which is not a party to the NPT, possesses nuclear weapons, although it neither confirms nor denies this. Amid the escalating crisis, U.S. President Donald Trump announced his early departure to leave the G7 summit in Canada and return to Washington.  While the U.S. maintains it is not directly involved in the Israeli attacks, Trump acknowledged prior knowledge of the strikes and described them as “excellent.”  Washington has also warned Iran against targeting American interests or personnel. The G7 leaders urged a resolution to the crisis that could lead to a wider reduction in violence across the Middle East, including a ceasefire in Gaza.  They also expressed readiness to coordinate efforts to ensure stability in global energy markets. On Monday, an Israeli airstrike targeted Iran’s state broadcasting service. In a social media post, Trump advised civilians to evacuate Tehran immediately. Meanwhile, the U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held phone discussions with counterparts from the United Kingdom, France, and the European Union to address the Israel-Iran conflict.  Despite the current hostilities, Washington stated that the U.S. remains open to pursuing a nuclear agreement with Iran.