The Trump administration is seeking a major military funding increase, including hundreds of millions of dollars aimed at countering Iran's nuclear ambitions. The proposal highlights Washington's continued focus on defense modernization, regional deterrence and strategic security priorities amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.

Money Now, Dust Later: Trump Wants $672 Million to 'Capture' Iranian Nuclear Material

Iran has claimed a new strike in the area of the Bushehr nuclear power plant, according to International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the UN nuclear watchdog. This is the third incident of strike on an Iranian nuclear plant in 10 days. However, the attack did not lead to any damage to the operating reactor and no radiation release was reported, said Iranian authorities to IAEA. The nuke plant continues to operate normally.&nbsp;IAEA chief Rafael Grossi has reiterated that any strike damaging a reactor could lead to a major radiological incident, urging “maximum military restraint.”<h2>US preparing ground invasion?</h2>&nbsp;Meanwhile, the US President Donald Trump is gearing up to deploy troops from the 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East. A possible ground operation in the Kharg Island is also on the cards.Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) immediately reacted to the news by sending a stern warning to the US-Israel forces on the possibility of ground operation within Iranian territory. In an address to the American people, the IRGC appealed not to be "misled by warmongers Trump and Netanyahu".&nbsp;"Don't send your children to hell with the deceit of Netanyahu and Trump. The invading soldiers will be deeply drowned and disappear in the million-strong sea of the Iranian nation," read the statement by IRGC.&nbsp;"The truth of the war you must observe at American gas stations, on the streets of Iran, and in the skies of Tel Aviv and Haifa," the statement read further.&nbsp;Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations, and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos, and videos.

This is the third incident of strike on an Iranian nuclear plant and the IAEA chief has urged for maximum military restraint.

Iran has claimed a new strike in the area of the Bushehr nuclear power plant, according to International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the UN nuclear watchdog. This is the third incident of strike on an Iranian nuclear plant in 10 days. However, the attack did not lead to any damage to the operating reactor and no radiation release was reported, said Iranian authorities to IAEA. The nuke plant continues to operate normally. IAEA chief Rafael Grossi has reiterated that any strike damaging a reactor could lead to a major radiological incident, urging “maximum military restraint.” US preparing ground invasion? Meanwhile, the US President Donald Trump is gearing up to deploy troops from the 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East. A possible ground operation in the Kharg Island is also on the cards. Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) immediately reacted to the news by sending a stern warning to the US-Israel forces on the possibility of ground operation within Iranian territory. In an address to the American people, the IRGC appealed not to be "misled by warmongers Trump and Netanyahu". "Don't send your children to hell with the deceit of Netanyahu and Trump. The invading soldiers will be deeply drowned and disappear in the million-strong sea of the Iranian nation," read the statement by IRGC. "The truth of the war you must observe at American gas stations, on the streets of Iran, and in the skies of Tel Aviv and Haifa," the statement read further. Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations, and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos, and videos.

This is the third incident of strike on an Iranian nuclear plant and the IAEA chief has urged for maximum military restraint.

Iran reports attack near Bushehr nuclear plant again, IAEA urges military restraint

Israel asked the Biden administration last week to speed up the delivery of refuelling tankers that could prove critical to striking Iran’s nuclear facilities, but it was told that the aircraft were back-ordered and it was unlikely that its first one would be ready until late 2024, according to US&nbsp;and Israeli officials.

The Israeli defence minister, Benny Gantz, made the request last week when he met with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and other senior officials in Washington. Details were reported earlier by Yedioth Ahronoth, an Israeli newspaper.

While US&nbsp;officials told Gantz that they would work to alleviate a production backlog, the timing of the delivery is a crucial issue: Biden administration officials are concerned that Prime Minister Naftali Bennett of Israel is trying to revive the threat of a military strike against Iran, after arguing that diplomacy has failed and that the country is closer than ever to a threshold capability of building a nuclear weapon.

The request came amid new tensions between Washington and Jerusalem over how to deal with Iran’s nuclear program. Since mid-2018, when President Donald Trump pulled out of a deal aimed at limiting Iran’s nuclear activities, Tehran has made significant gains in its nuclear fuel production, despite repeated operations by Israeli intelligence services to sabotage uranium-enrichment sites and a factory that produced nuclear centrifuges.

Bennett, Israeli officials say, created a substantial budget for exercises to rehearse an aerial attack and argued that any effort to restore the nuclear agreement would lead to a flawed deal that would allow Iran to speed ahead toward making a bomb.

In March, Israel ordered the new KC-46 tankers, which would be used to refuel its bombers in the air, allowing them to reach their targets in Iran and return. Boeing is expected to provide eight of the aircraft, for $2.4 billion, with the first delivery scheduled for late 2024. But the US&nbsp;Air Force is also eager for the planes, which are critical to its effort to focus forces on the Indo-Pacific, and to create a larger military presence to counter China in the region.

Israel’s current fleet of tankers is more than 50 years old and based on the Boeing 707. While they still fly, the new fleet of KC-46 tankers would give Israel far more range and ability, because it can refuel fighter jets and bombers and also receive fuel itself while in flight.

The ability to refuel is critical — otherwise Israeli planes would have to depend on the aging tankers or land in the United Arab Emirates or Saudi Arabia. Both countries are rivals of Iran, but neither wants to be implicated in assisting an attack.

Funding for these aerial gas stations would ultimately come from U.S. taxpayers; the Boeing tankers would be paid for from the annual military aid package to Israel.

The debate over what kind of capability to give to Israel — and how quickly — is an old one in Washington. In 2008, President George W. Bush deflected requests from Prime Minister Ehud Olmert for specialized bunker-busting bombs and the B-2 bomber, and to rent about 10 flying tankers, which Olmert said would be needed in any Israeli attack on Iran’s main nuclear complex at Natanz. Part of the operation would have involved borrowing US&nbsp;refueling capabilities.

Vice President Dick Cheney argued at the time that the United States should give Israel exactly what it sought, but he lost the argument, Bush administration officials later said. Bush and Cheney allude to the episode in their memoirs, but they do not mention that they told the Israelis that they were authorizing covert action intended to sabotage Iran’s effort with a new generation of cyberweapons.

That program, code-named Olympic Games, ultimately became the joint Israeli-American effort that produced the Stuxnet worm and ultimately destroyed more than a thousand Iranian centrifuges.

Israel later developed other capabilities and trained for them. On several occasions during the Obama administration, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel was on the brink of ordering a strike, according to Israeli officials and a Times interview with Netanyahu in 2019. But the prime minister backed off at the last minute, in large part because of fear of an irreparable breach with Washington.

But in 2017, when the Israeli air force determined that it needed to replace its refuelling planes, Netanyahu’s government did not immediately place an order. Iran’s nuclear program seemed under control — largely because it had shipped 97% of its nuclear fuel out of the country under the 2015 agreement that Netanyahu had vociferously opposed. Training for strikes against Iran slowed.

They have been revived. Israeli planners, according to several current and former officials, believe that if they do conduct an attack, it will take many repeated bombings of some of the facilities — especially Fordow, a fuel enrichment center buried deep in a mountain on an Iranian military base. But time will be short, they contend, and so they would have to refuel quickly.

U.S. officials say that they do not believe an attack is imminent and that they think Bennett, in so publicly preparing for military action, may be seeking far tougher terms in an ultimate deal between Iran and the West.

Israel asked the Biden administration last week to speed up the delivery of refuelling tankers that could prove critical to striking Iran’s nuclear facilities, but it was told that the aircraft were back-ordered and it was unlikely that its first one would be ready until late 2024, according to US and Israeli officials.

Israel asked the Biden administration last week to speed up the delivery of refuelling tankers that could prove critical to striking Iran’s nuclear facilities, but it was told that the aircraft were back-ordered and it was unlikely that its first one would be ready until late 2024, according to US and Israeli officials. The Israeli defence minister, Benny Gantz, made the request last week when he met with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and other senior officials in Washington. Details were reported earlier by Yedioth Ahronoth, an Israeli newspaper. While US officials told Gantz that they would work to alleviate a production backlog, the timing of the delivery is a crucial issue: Biden administration officials are concerned that Prime Minister Naftali Bennett of Israel is trying to revive the threat of a military strike against Iran, after arguing that diplomacy has failed and that the country is closer than ever to a threshold capability of building a nuclear weapon. The request came amid new tensions between Washington and Jerusalem over how to deal with Iran’s nuclear program. Since mid-2018, when President Donald Trump pulled out of a deal aimed at limiting Iran’s nuclear activities, Tehran has made significant gains in its nuclear fuel production, despite repeated operations by Israeli intelligence services to sabotage uranium-enrichment sites and a factory that produced nuclear centrifuges. Bennett, Israeli officials say, created a substantial budget for exercises to rehearse an aerial attack and argued that any effort to restore the nuclear agreement would lead to a flawed deal that would allow Iran to speed ahead toward making a bomb. In March, Israel ordered the new KC-46 tankers, which would be used to refuel its bombers in the air, allowing them to reach their targets in Iran and return. Boeing is expected to provide eight of the aircraft, for $2.4 billion, with the first delivery scheduled for late 2024. But the US Air Force is also eager for the planes, which are critical to its effort to focus forces on the Indo-Pacific, and to create a larger military presence to counter China in the region. Israel’s current fleet of tankers is more than 50 years old and based on the Boeing 707. While they still fly, the new fleet of KC-46 tankers would give Israel far more range and ability, because it can refuel fighter jets and bombers and also receive fuel itself while in flight. The ability to refuel is critical — otherwise Israeli planes would have to depend on the aging tankers or land in the United Arab Emirates or Saudi Arabia. Both countries are rivals of Iran, but neither wants to be implicated in assisting an attack. Funding for these aerial gas stations would ultimately come from U.S. taxpayers; the Boeing tankers would be paid for from the annual military aid package to Israel. The debate over what kind of capability to give to Israel — and how quickly — is an old one in Washington. In 2008, President George W. Bush deflected requests from Prime Minister Ehud Olmert for specialized bunker-busting bombs and the B-2 bomber, and to rent about 10 flying tankers, which Olmert said would be needed in any Israeli attack on Iran’s main nuclear complex at Natanz. Part of the operation would have involved borrowing US refueling capabilities. Vice President Dick Cheney argued at the time that the United States should give Israel exactly what it sought, but he lost the argument, Bush administration officials later said. Bush and Cheney allude to the episode in their memoirs, but they do not mention that they told the Israelis that they were authorizing covert action intended to sabotage Iran’s effort with a new generation of cyberweapons. That program, code-named Olympic Games, ultimately became the joint Israeli-American effort that produced the Stuxnet worm and ultimately destroyed more than a thousand Iranian centrifuges. Israel later developed other capabilities and trained for them. On several occasions during the Obama administration, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel was on the brink of ordering a strike, according to Israeli officials and a Times interview with Netanyahu in 2019. But the prime minister backed off at the last minute, in large part because of fear of an irreparable breach with Washington. But in 2017, when the Israeli air force determined that it needed to replace its refuelling planes, Netanyahu’s government did not immediately place an order. Iran’s nuclear program seemed under control — largely because it had shipped 97% of its nuclear fuel out of the country under the 2015 agreement that Netanyahu had vociferously opposed. Training for strikes against Iran slowed. They have been revived. Israeli planners, according to several current and former officials, believe that if they do conduct an attack, it will take many repeated bombings of some of the facilities — especially Fordow, a fuel enrichment center buried deep in a mountain on an Iranian military base. But time will be short, they contend, and so they would have to refuel quickly. U.S. officials say that they do not believe an attack is imminent and that they think Bennett, in so publicly preparing for military action, may be seeking far tougher terms in an ultimate deal between Iran and the West.

Israel finds planes that could be key to a strike on Iran badly back-ordered

As Iran engages with Western powers over reviewing the 2015 nuclear deal, Israeli media reported that the Israel Defense Forces(IDF) has asked for a major budget increase to prepare for a potential attack against Iran’s nuclear programme.

Israel's army chief Lt. Gen. Aviv Kohavi had earlier hailed "unprecedented" cooperation with the US even as Iran said it had sabotaged an attack on an atomic energy agency building.

Israel has vehemently resisted the revival of the nuclear deal with the US and Western powers. Israel's new government is in the process of finalising the budget.

Defence minister Benny Gantz called for expansion of force build-up in view of "Iran arming itself with a nuclear weapon" as he called on the government to ensure Israel&nbsp;maintains "military superiority, which ensures our secure existence and advances peace.”

In April Iran had accused Israel of sabotage at the Natanz nuclear facility after a small explosion was reported.

Iran had stepped up away its nuclear programme after the former Trump administration withdrew from the nuclear deal and imposed sanctions on the country. President Biden&nbsp;has however signalled his intention to renter the deal with Iran subject to full compliance with nuclear obligations.

UN's nuclear watchdog IAEA had earlier expressed concern over Iran's undeclared nuclear activity stating that&nbsp;"a clear indication that nuclear material and/or equipment contaminated by nuclear material has been present" at three undeclared locations.

IAEA said had said Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium was around 16 times the limit laid down under the 2015 deal nuclear agreement.

Meanwhile, Iran's outgoing President Hassan Rouhani said he hoped his successor Ebrahim Raisi will be able to conclude the nuclear talks and lift sanctions against the country.

Last month Raisi had said that negotiations should not be for negotiations' sake while asking for "results" even as the United States and France warned Iran that time was running out to revive the deal.

(With inputs from Agencies)&nbsp;

As Iran engages with Western powers over reviewing the 2015 nuclear deal, Israeli media reported that the Israel Defense Forces(IDF) has asked for a major budget increase to prepare for a potential attack against Iran’s nuclear programme.

As Iran engages with Western powers over reviewing the 2015 nuclear deal, Israeli media reported that the Israel Defense Forces(IDF) has asked for a major budget increase to prepare for a potential attack against Iran’s nuclear programme. Israel's army chief Lt. Gen. Aviv Kohavi had earlier hailed "unprecedented" cooperation with the US even as Iran said it had sabotaged an attack on an atomic energy agency building. Israel has vehemently resisted the revival of the nuclear deal with the US and Western powers. Israel's new government is in the process of finalising the budget. Defence minister Benny Gantz called for expansion of force build-up in view of "Iran arming itself with a nuclear weapon" as he called on the government to ensure Israel maintains "military superiority, which ensures our secure existence and advances peace.” In April Iran had accused Israel of sabotage at the Natanz nuclear facility after a small explosion was reported. Iran had stepped up away its nuclear programme after the former Trump administration withdrew from the nuclear deal and imposed sanctions on the country. President Biden has however signalled his intention to renter the deal with Iran subject to full compliance with nuclear obligations. UN's nuclear watchdog IAEA had earlier expressed concern over Iran's undeclared nuclear activity stating that "a clear indication that nuclear material and/or equipment contaminated by nuclear material has been present" at three undeclared locations. IAEA said had said Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium was around 16 times the limit laid down under the 2015 deal nuclear agreement. Meanwhile, Iran's outgoing President Hassan Rouhani said he hoped his successor Ebrahim Raisi will be able to conclude the nuclear talks and lift sanctions against the country. Last month Raisi had said that negotiations should not be for negotiations' sake while asking for "results" even as the United States and France warned Iran that time was running out to revive the deal. (With inputs from Agencies)

Israel's defence forces ask for budget increase to prepare potential attack against Iran’s nuclear programme: Report

Iran has begun the process of producing enriched uranium metal. Iran's decision drew criticism from the United States, which called them an 'unfortunate step backwards'.

Iran takes steps to make enriched Uranium metal, decision draws criticism

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/wont-allow-negotiations-for-sake-of-it-says-raisi-on-iran-nuclear-talks-392965">Iran</a> shut its nuclear Bushehr power plant on the southern coast on Sunday.

The country's atomic energy body said the shutdown was due to a "technical fault". Iran's state television said it was due to a "technical overhaul" and it was taken off the power grid.

Watch:

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Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation said the issue will be resolved in a week but did not specify the exact nature of the problem.

The state electric company said repairs will last till Friday. The plant is monitored by the United Nations’ International Atomic Energy Agency(IAEA) with uranium which fuels the plant being produced in Russia.

The power plant located south of the capital Tehran was built by Russia and&nbsp;handed over to Iran in 2013 after years of delay. The work was initially started by a German company but was stalled after the 1979 Islamic revolution.

Russia and Iran pledged to two new nuclear reactors at the Bushehr site.

In April, the area where the nuclear plant is located was rocked by an earthquake but authorities had said there was no damage to the complex.

The country was hit by a series of power blackout in May which the government blamed on rising temperatures and drought&nbsp;causing a drop in hydropower generation.

The government had earlier announced plans to build twenty nuclear power plants in order to fulfil the energy demand of the country.

The latest development comes as Iran has been negotiating&nbsp;with officials in Vienna to kickstart the 2015 nuclear deal after the former Trump administration pulled out the deal citing violations by Iran.

Although the Biden administration has expressed its willingness to re-enter the deal but US officials insist Iran must agree to a series of nuclear compliance.

(With inputs from Agencies)

Iran shut its nuclear Bushehr power plant on the southern coast on Sunday. The country's atomic energy body said the shutdown was due to a "technical fault". Iran's state television said it was due to a "technical overhaul" and it was taken off the power grid.

Iran shut its nuclear Bushehr power plant on the southern coast on Sunday. The country's atomic energy body said the shutdown was due to a "technical fault". Iran's state television said it was due to a "technical overhaul" and it was taken off the power grid. Watch: Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation said the issue will be resolved in a week but did not specify the exact nature of the problem. The state electric company said repairs will last till Friday. The plant is monitored by the United Nations’ International Atomic Energy Agency(IAEA) with uranium which fuels the plant being produced in Russia. The power plant located south of the capital Tehran was built by Russia and handed over to Iran in 2013 after years of delay. The work was initially started by a German company but was stalled after the 1979 Islamic revolution. Russia and Iran pledged to two new nuclear reactors at the Bushehr site. In April, the area where the nuclear plant is located was rocked by an earthquake but authorities had said there was no damage to the complex. The country was hit by a series of power blackout in May which the government blamed on rising temperatures and drought causing a drop in hydropower generation. The government had earlier announced plans to build twenty nuclear power plants in order to fulfil the energy demand of the country. The latest development comes as Iran has been negotiating with officials in Vienna to kickstart the 2015 nuclear deal after the former Trump administration pulled out the deal citing violations by Iran. Although the Biden administration has expressed its willingness to re-enter the deal but US officials insist Iran must agree to a series of nuclear compliance. (With inputs from Agencies)

Iran detects 'technical fault' in Bushehr nuclear power plant

Bushehr is fuelled by uranium produced in Russia, not Iran, and is monitored by the United Nations’ International Atomic Energy Agency.

Iran's nuclear power plant undergoes emergency shutdown