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The spectre of the global nuclear black market is rising again in the wake of the bombing of Iranian nuclear sites by Israel and the US B2 bombers in the just-concluded 12-day war. Iran has benefited in the past from the nuclear black market led by the Pakistani AQ Khan network. Recent news reports and studies show that the nuclear black market is alive and thriving, both offline and on the dark web, and could become a source for future nuclear weapon programmes of countries, including possibly Iran.&nbsp;<h2>Recent incidents show the nuclear black market is alive</h2>An article in the Harvard International Review in 2024 noted that there were 146 incidents involving the transfer of items related to illicit nuclear weapons development in 2021 alone. Illicit nuclear goods are becoming available to terrorist networks, with groups like Al-Qaeda expected to continue their attempts to acquire the bomb, it said.&nbsp;It pointed out that the US and NATO store 20 B-61 gravity bombs at Incirlik Air Base in Turkey. "In 2010, activists easily entered the compound and walked freely through the nuclear vaults for over an hour before security arrived. If an unarmed group can get inside a military compound, what will happen if a small army of dangerous actors knocks on the door?"&nbsp;The UN reported in 2023 that 2.3 tonnes of uranium went missing in Libya. In the hands with technical know-how, that could be turned into 12 pounds of weapons-grade material, the HIR article noted. The uranium barrels were later found in Chad.&nbsp;<h2>Nuclear manuals sold on the dark web, material smuggled by ex-Soviet networks</h2>A study in March 2021 by Roderic G Broadhurst of Australian National University noted that DIY manuals were available on the darknet for nuclear and radiological weapons. In 2015, the Moldovan government said that the FBI had helped the former Soviet republic three times in the previous five years to thwart potential smuggling of nuclear and radioactive material. There were fears that the smugglers would try to sell the material to terrorists like ISIS.&nbsp;In April 2009, three Ukrainians were arrested for trying to sell nuclear materials. They tried to sell a metal container of what they said contained some 3.7 kg of plutonium-239 for $10, according to the Ukrainian Security Service, the SBU.&nbsp;In 2010, nuclear bomb material was found for sale on the Georgia black market. The highly enriched uranium had been smuggled through train inside lead-lined cigarette box.&nbsp;<h2>The global nuclear black market, explained</h2>The nuclear black market, where illicit trade of nuclear materials, technologies and expertise takes place, involves both states and non-state actors. There are three main participants: buyers, sellers and transit points. The aim of the buyers is to acquire nuclear capabilities outside the purview of international regulations.<h2>What is traded in the nuclear black market?</h2>Items and tech needed for nuclear weapons are sold in the black market, such as uranium enrichment technology like gas centrifuge components, and designs including digitised warhead blueprints. Fissile materials, like uranium hexafluoride and enriched uranium are highly coveted. Also on demand are dual-use equipment like high-precision machine tools, aluminium tubes and nuclear application software. Those with technical expertise are sought for consultancy on centrifuge assembly and warhead integration.Various other pieces of the puzzle have been traded in the nuclear black market, such as infrastructure components like piping, electrical systems, and uranium feed/withdrawal equipment for enrichment facilities.<h2>State-linked entities are allegedly involved in the nuclear black market</h2>It has been reported in the past that state-affiliated entities in Pakistan, Iran, North Korea, and Libya, were allegedly involved in the nuclear black market as buyers or sellers. Chinese state-owned companies have been implicated in providing expertise and equipment to North Korea and Iran. Pakistan was once the centre of the AQ Khan network, of which Iran was a major recipient, specifically centrifuge designs and components. North Korea is both a seller and buyer in the global nuclear black market. It has done both arms exports and procurement through front companies. Libya had sought a centrifuge facility through the Khan’s network until it abandoned its nuclear programme in 2003. Syria is reported to have sought nuclear-related materials through intermediaries.&nbsp;<h2>Intermediary countries</h2>Studies on the nuclear black market have named more than 20 countries as having been involved as transit points or places of intermediary activities. These include Malaysia, Singapore, Turkey, South Africa, Switzerland, South Korea, and the UAE. These countries were either transit hubs or supplier locations for components and expertise.&nbsp;<h2>AQ Khan network</h2>Abdul Qadeer Khan, the Pakistani scientist, led a proliferation network in the 1980s and 1990s, whose material and technology transfers went to Iran, Libya, North Korea, and other countries. The father of Pakistan’s nuclear bomb, Khan confessed publicly in 2004 to transferring nuclear technology to multiple countries. It was a sophisticated network of middlemen, front companies, academics, banks, businessmen and bureaucrats across Europe, West Asia, and Asia.&nbsp;<h2>Iran was a big client of the nuclear black market</h2>Iran's clandestine nuclear weapons programme, the AMAD Project that ran from 1999–2003, is recorded to have procured warhead designs from the AQ Khan network and elsewhere in the nuclear black market. These included re-engineered Pakistani designs. In this period and subsequent years, Iran is thought to have sourced materials, equipment, technology, designs, and expertise from the global nuclear black market.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-strikes-iran-s-nuclear-sites-wion-speaks-to-experts-on-israel-iran-war-escalation-1750687603061/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-strikes-iran-s-nuclear-sites-wion-speaks-to-experts-on-israel-iran-war-escalation-1750687603061/embed</a>&nbsp;Centrifuge blueprints, components, and technical drawings it acquired from the black market were used to establish secret enrichment workshops, such as the Kalaye Electric Company in Tehran. Uranium hexafluoride feedstock and equipment for Natanz were also bought in the black market, with centrifuge designs resembling those from Pakistan’s Kahuta facility, which again is based on stolen European technology.&nbsp;With its current nuclear capabilities bombed back by several months if not years, Iran might be tempted to dial the nuclear black market once again.&nbsp;

Recent news reports and studies show that the nuclear black market is alive and thriving, both offline and on the dark web, and could become a source for future nuclear weapon programmes of countries, including possibly Iran.

The spectre of the global nuclear black market is rising again in the wake of the bombing of Iranian nuclear sites by Israel and the US B2 bombers in the just-concluded 12-day war. Iran has benefited in the past from the nuclear black market led by the Pakistani AQ Khan network. Recent news reports and studies show that the nuclear black market is alive and thriving, both offline and on the dark web, and could become a source for future nuclear weapon programmes of countries, including possibly Iran. Recent incidents show the nuclear black market is alive An article in the Harvard International Review in 2024 noted that there were 146 incidents involving the transfer of items related to illicit nuclear weapons development in 2021 alone. Illicit nuclear goods are becoming available to terrorist networks, with groups like Al-Qaeda expected to continue their attempts to acquire the bomb, it said. It pointed out that the US and NATO store 20 B-61 gravity bombs at Incirlik Air Base in Turkey. "In 2010, activists easily entered the compound and walked freely through the nuclear vaults for over an hour before security arrived. If an unarmed group can get inside a military compound, what will happen if a small army of dangerous actors knocks on the door?" The UN reported in 2023 that 2.3 tonnes of uranium went missing in Libya. In the hands with technical know-how, that could be turned into 12 pounds of weapons-grade material, the HIR article noted. The uranium barrels were later found in Chad. Nuclear manuals sold on the dark web, material smuggled by ex-Soviet networks A study in March 2021 by Roderic G Broadhurst of Australian National University noted that DIY manuals were available on the darknet for nuclear and radiological weapons. In 2015, the Moldovan government said that the FBI had helped the former Soviet republic three times in the previous five years to thwart potential smuggling of nuclear and radioactive material. There were fears that the smugglers would try to sell the material to terrorists like ISIS. In April 2009, three Ukrainians were arrested for trying to sell nuclear materials. They tried to sell a metal container of what they said contained some 3.7 kg of plutonium-239 for $10, according to the Ukrainian Security Service, the SBU. In 2010, nuclear bomb material was found for sale on the Georgia black market. The highly enriched uranium had been smuggled through train inside lead-lined cigarette box. The global nuclear black market, explained The nuclear black market, where illicit trade of nuclear materials, technologies and expertise takes place, involves both states and non-state actors. There are three main participants: buyers, sellers and transit points. The aim of the buyers is to acquire nuclear capabilities outside the purview of international regulations. What is traded in the nuclear black market? Items and tech needed for nuclear weapons are sold in the black market, such as uranium enrichment technology like gas centrifuge components, and designs including digitised warhead blueprints. Fissile materials, like uranium hexafluoride and enriched uranium are highly coveted. Also on demand are dual-use equipment like high-precision machine tools, aluminium tubes and nuclear application software. Those with technical expertise are sought for consultancy on centrifuge assembly and warhead integration. Various other pieces of the puzzle have been traded in the nuclear black market, such as infrastructure components like piping, electrical systems, and uranium feed/withdrawal equipment for enrichment facilities. State-linked entities are allegedly involved in the nuclear black market It has been reported in the past that state-affiliated entities in Pakistan, Iran, North Korea, and Libya, were allegedly involved in the nuclear black market as buyers or sellers. Chinese state-owned companies have been implicated in providing expertise and equipment to North Korea and Iran. Pakistan was once the centre of the AQ Khan network, of which Iran was a major recipient, specifically centrifuge designs and components. North Korea is both a seller and buyer in the global nuclear black market. It has done both arms exports and procurement through front companies. Libya had sought a centrifuge facility through the Khan’s network until it abandoned its nuclear programme in 2003. Syria is reported to have sought nuclear-related materials through intermediaries. Intermediary countries Studies on the nuclear black market have named more than 20 countries as having been involved as transit points or places of intermediary activities. These include Malaysia, Singapore, Turkey, South Africa, Switzerland, South Korea, and the UAE. These countries were either transit hubs or supplier locations for components and expertise. AQ Khan network Abdul Qadeer Khan, the Pakistani scientist, led a proliferation network in the 1980s and 1990s, whose material and technology transfers went to Iran, Libya, North Korea, and other countries. The father of Pakistan’s nuclear bomb, Khan confessed publicly in 2004 to transferring nuclear technology to multiple countries. It was a sophisticated network of middlemen, front companies, academics, banks, businessmen and bureaucrats across Europe, West Asia, and Asia. Iran was a big client of the nuclear black market Iran's clandestine nuclear weapons programme, the AMAD Project that ran from 1999–2003, is recorded to have procured warhead designs from the AQ Khan network and elsewhere in the nuclear black market. These included re-engineered Pakistani designs. In this period and subsequent years, Iran is thought to have sourced materials, equipment, technology, designs, and expertise from the global nuclear black market. https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-strikes-iran-s-nuclear-sites-wion-speaks-to-experts-on-israel-iran-war-escalation-1750687603061/embed Centrifuge blueprints, components, and technical drawings it acquired from the black market were used to establish secret enrichment workshops, such as the Kalaye Electric Company in Tehran. Uranium hexafluoride feedstock and equipment for Natanz were also bought in the black market, with centrifuge designs resembling those from Pakistan’s Kahuta facility, which again is based on stolen European technology. With its current nuclear capabilities bombed back by several months if not years, Iran might be tempted to dial the nuclear black market once again.

Recent news reports and studies show that the nuclear black market is alive and thriving, both offline and on the dark web, and could become a source for future nuclear weapon programmes of countries, including possibly Iran.

Nuclear black market still exists, and Iran might dial again: Inside the murky trade of radioactive material, designs and tech

NATO, or The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, is also seen written with the letters switched backwards - OTAN. While it might look like NATO has simply been written as OTAN for some diplomatic or official reason, that is not the case. NATO is an intergovernmental transnational military alliance that came into existence on 4 April 1949. It has 32 member states—30 European and 2 North American-and the defence bloc works for the collective security of all nations that are a part of the alliance. Its main aim was to create a safe environment during the Cold War and defend countries against the threat posed by the Soviet Union. However, it continues to remain active long after the dissolution of the Soviet Union.NATO-OTAN are not letters merely arranged backwards. While NATO stands for North Atlantic Treaty Organization, OTAN is the abbreviation of its French name - Organisation du traité de l'Atlantique nord.&nbsp;<h2>Why does NATO have a French name?</h2>The reason for having a French name also for NATO is that France was one of the original twelve founding members of NATO in 1949. Also, the bloc has two official languages - English and French. So the defence bloc's name is written both in English and French. Besides, French has held a prominent place as a language in international diplomacy.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/-the-daddy-thing-i-didn-t-embarrassed-nato-chief-rutte-backtracks-on-calling-trump-daddy-1750917489349">'The daddy thing, I didn't...': Embarrassed NATO chief Rutte does an about-turn on Trump 'daddy' remark</a>&nbsp;Having started with 12 members, NATO has grown over the years, with new members being added ten times. Sweden was the most recent addition, having joined the alliance on 7 March 2024. There are four aspiring members: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, and Ukraine. Kyiv has been vying to become a member of NATO for years now. It urged to hasten its application after Russia attacked Ukraine in February 2022. NATO's expansion has become a reason for increasing tensions with countries like Russia.The bloc doesn't meet every year but only when new policies or new member nations are set to be introduced. To date, 34 NATO summits have happened. The most recent one was held in The Hague, Netherlands, on June 24 and 25. In this edition, it was decided to increase defence spending by each country. According to the new language, "allies commit to invest 5 per cent of GDP annually on core defence requirements as well as defence-and security-related spending by 2035." Most of the member nations agreed, while Spain said it would only invest two per cent.&nbsp;

NATO is also written as OTAN. It looks like the letters are reversed for some official reason, but that's not the case. Here is why the official sign carries both the words NATO and OTAN.

NATO, or The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, is also seen written with the letters switched backwards - OTAN. While it might look like NATO has simply been written as OTAN for some diplomatic or official reason, that is not the case. NATO is an intergovernmental transnational military alliance that came into existence on 4 April 1949. It has 32 member states—30 European and 2 North American-and the defence bloc works for the collective security of all nations that are a part of the alliance. Its main aim was to create a safe environment during the Cold War and defend countries against the threat posed by the Soviet Union. However, it continues to remain active long after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. NATO-OTAN are not letters merely arranged backwards. While NATO stands for North Atlantic Treaty Organization, OTAN is the abbreviation of its French name - Organisation du traité de l'Atlantique nord. Why does NATO have a French name? The reason for having a French name also for NATO is that France was one of the original twelve founding members of NATO in 1949. Also, the bloc has two official languages - English and French. So the defence bloc's name is written both in English and French. Besides, French has held a prominent place as a language in international diplomacy. Also Read: 'The daddy thing, I didn't...': Embarrassed NATO chief Rutte does an about-turn on Trump 'daddy' remark Having started with 12 members, NATO has grown over the years, with new members being added ten times. Sweden was the most recent addition, having joined the alliance on 7 March 2024. There are four aspiring members: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, and Ukraine. Kyiv has been vying to become a member of NATO for years now. It urged to hasten its application after Russia attacked Ukraine in February 2022. NATO's expansion has become a reason for increasing tensions with countries like Russia. The bloc doesn't meet every year but only when new policies or new member nations are set to be introduced. To date, 34 NATO summits have happened. The most recent one was held in The Hague, Netherlands, on June 24 and 25. In this edition, it was decided to increase defence spending by each country. According to the new language, "allies commit to invest 5 per cent of GDP annually on core defence requirements as well as defence-and security-related spending by 2035." Most of the member nations agreed, while Spain said it would only invest two per cent.

NATO is also written as OTAN. It looks like the letters are reversed for some official reason, but that's not the case. Here is why the official sign carries both the words NATO and OTAN.

Is OTAN NATO written backwards? Not really! Here's why both words are seen on defence bloc's sign

There are claims and counterclaims on whether Irans' nuclear capabilities have been set back by years in the Israeli-US air strikes during the just-concluded 12-day war. The strikes targeted nuclear facilities at Natanz, Fordow and Isfahan. But it has been reported that Iran has a secure stockpile of some 400 kilogrammes of uranium enriched to 60 per cent, as well as other radioactive isotopes. This leads to the possibilty of Iran developing dirty nukes.&nbsp; Iran has not yet developed dirty bombs, but certainly has the capability to do so, given its nuclear expertise, infrastructure, access to materials like uranium, spent fuel isotopes like cesium-137 and industrial isotopes like cobalt-60. How much risk is there of Iran producing a dirty nuke? Here is a down of its capabilities and materials.&nbsp;<h2>What are dirty nukes or radiological dispersal devices?</h2>In simplest terms, a dirty nuke is a conventional bomb with some nuclear components. Formally known as radiological dispersal devices (RDDs), these can potentially cause radioactive contamination on targeted areas, leading to health problems and environmental damage. Besides uranium, dirty nukes can use isotopes like cesium-137, cobalt-60 or nuclear reactor byproducts.While they do not cause huge nuclear explosions, dirty bombs are considered 'weapons of mass disruption', mainly because of the potential psychological and economic impacts and adverse health effects.&nbsp;<h2>Can Iran develop dirty nukes?</h2>Iran has always maintained it's nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes. But under the current circumstances, it does have the capability to develop dirty nuclear weapons. All ingredients are there: an advanced nuclear programme that enriched uranium to 60 per cent, availability of radioactive materials, and years of expertise in conventional explosives. Nuclear facilities at Natanz, Fordow, Isfahan and Bushehr, have been producing or handling radioactive materials that are, technically speaking, suitable for building RDDs. For instance, the uranium conversion plant and research reactors at the Isfahan Nuclear Technology Center could churn radioactive isotopes.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/strait-of-hormuz-shows-supply-vulnerability-1750916285218/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/strait-of-hormuz-shows-supply-vulnerability-1750916285218/embed</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;In spite of Israel's attempts to kill of its nuclear scientists, Iran still possesses the knowledge base to handle radioactive materials. If it chooses to, it can use them in conventional explosives.&nbsp;Byproducts of nuclear products like spent nuclear fuel from the Bushehr reactor and other isotopes from research reactors like the Tehran Research Reactor, could theoretically be used to build dirty bombs. (Bushehr spent fuel is supposed to be returned to Russia, as per the two nations' agreements.)&nbsp;<h2>Current status of Iran nuclear material is vague</h2>Iran, which has dual-use capabilities, said it would partially stop cooperation with the inspectors from UN nuclear agency IAEA. There is talk on whether Iran would exit the Non-Proliferation Treaty. The 60 per cent enriched uranium, 400 kg of which Iran has reportedly moved to safe locations amid Israeli and American bombardment, can be used for building dirty bombs.&nbsp;<h2>Which isotopes can Iran use to build radiological bombs?</h2>The 60 per cent enriched uranium isotope U-235 is highly radioactive. It can cause radiological contamination if used in a bomb. Uranium radiation is toxic, and can cause health troubles if inhaled or ingested. But making a bomb from the 60 per cent enriched uranium requires sophisticated design capabilities to maximise contamination. Also, it is less radioactive than cesium-137 or cobalt-60. These are the preferred isotopes for making dirty nukes.&nbsp;<h2>Will Iran actually use its 60 per cent enriched uranium in dirty nukes?</h2>Most probably not, due to the strategic value of this material. It took Iran decades to enrich uranium to 60 per cent, which is considered near-bomb grade. (Note that a nuclear weapon requires 90 per cent enriched uranium). So it is highly unlikely that Iran would waste this precious and limited resource in a dirty nuke.&nbsp;<h2>What else does Iran have that can be used in dirty nukes?</h2>Iran, however, still has some other nuclear meterials that could go into dirty nukes, though it is contract-bound to dispense with most of them. This include low-enriched uranium, cesium-137 (a common RDD candidate), strontium-90, and iodine-131 in Bushehr nuclear plant. Spent fuel from Bushehr is removed by Russia to avoid proliferation. Thus far, the IAEA has been monitoring Bushehr, but lack of future cooperation could pave the way for dirty nuke development.&nbsp;Radioactive isotopes and byproducts are present in research reactors like Tehran Research Reactor as well as at facilities in Isfahan Nuclear Technology Center and Arak. These include uranium enriched up to 20 per cent, molybdenum-99 and technetium-99m. Other byproducts, such as cesium-137 or cobalt-60, could be extracted for an RDD. Iran might also possess Uranium Hexafluoride (UF6) and the highly radio active plutonium-239.&nbsp;Though it has the capability, there’s no indication that Iran has pursued dirty nukes. But the risk of such possibility has only increased after Iran's partial withdrawal from IAEA monitoring. &nbsp;

Iran has not yet developed dirty bombs, but certainly has the capability to do so, given its nuclear expertise, infrastructure, access to materials like uranium, spent fuel isotopes like cesium-137 and industrial isotopes like cobalt-60. How much risk is there of Iran producing a dirty nuke?

There are claims and counterclaims on whether Irans' nuclear capabilities have been set back by years in the Israeli-US air strikes during the just-concluded 12-day war. The strikes targeted nuclear facilities at Natanz, Fordow and Isfahan. But it has been reported that Iran has a secure stockpile of some 400 kilogrammes of uranium enriched to 60 per cent, as well as other radioactive isotopes. This leads to the possibilty of Iran developing dirty nukes. Iran has not yet developed dirty bombs, but certainly has the capability to do so, given its nuclear expertise, infrastructure, access to materials like uranium, spent fuel isotopes like cesium-137 and industrial isotopes like cobalt-60. How much risk is there of Iran producing a dirty nuke? Here is a down of its capabilities and materials. What are dirty nukes or radiological dispersal devices? In simplest terms, a dirty nuke is a conventional bomb with some nuclear components. Formally known as radiological dispersal devices (RDDs), these can potentially cause radioactive contamination on targeted areas, leading to health problems and environmental damage. Besides uranium, dirty nukes can use isotopes like cesium-137, cobalt-60 or nuclear reactor byproducts. While they do not cause huge nuclear explosions, dirty bombs are considered 'weapons of mass disruption', mainly because of the potential psychological and economic impacts and adverse health effects. Can Iran develop dirty nukes? Iran has always maintained it's nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes. But under the current circumstances, it does have the capability to develop dirty nuclear weapons. All ingredients are there: an advanced nuclear programme that enriched uranium to 60 per cent, availability of radioactive materials, and years of expertise in conventional explosives. Nuclear facilities at Natanz, Fordow, Isfahan and Bushehr, have been producing or handling radioactive materials that are, technically speaking, suitable for building RDDs. For instance, the uranium conversion plant and research reactors at the Isfahan Nuclear Technology Center could churn radioactive isotopes. https://www.wionews.com/videos/strait-of-hormuz-shows-supply-vulnerability-1750916285218/embed In spite of Israel's attempts to kill of its nuclear scientists, Iran still possesses the knowledge base to handle radioactive materials. If it chooses to, it can use them in conventional explosives. Byproducts of nuclear products like spent nuclear fuel from the Bushehr reactor and other isotopes from research reactors like the Tehran Research Reactor, could theoretically be used to build dirty bombs. (Bushehr spent fuel is supposed to be returned to Russia, as per the two nations' agreements.) Current status of Iran nuclear material is vague Iran, which has dual-use capabilities, said it would partially stop cooperation with the inspectors from UN nuclear agency IAEA. There is talk on whether Iran would exit the Non-Proliferation Treaty. The 60 per cent enriched uranium, 400 kg of which Iran has reportedly moved to safe locations amid Israeli and American bombardment, can be used for building dirty bombs. Which isotopes can Iran use to build radiological bombs? The 60 per cent enriched uranium isotope U-235 is highly radioactive. It can cause radiological contamination if used in a bomb. Uranium radiation is toxic, and can cause health troubles if inhaled or ingested. But making a bomb from the 60 per cent enriched uranium requires sophisticated design capabilities to maximise contamination. Also, it is less radioactive than cesium-137 or cobalt-60. These are the preferred isotopes for making dirty nukes. Will Iran actually use its 60 per cent enriched uranium in dirty nukes? Most probably not, due to the strategic value of this material. It took Iran decades to enrich uranium to 60 per cent, which is considered near-bomb grade. (Note that a nuclear weapon requires 90 per cent enriched uranium). So it is highly unlikely that Iran would waste this precious and limited resource in a dirty nuke. What else does Iran have that can be used in dirty nukes? Iran, however, still has some other nuclear meterials that could go into dirty nukes, though it is contract-bound to dispense with most of them. This include low-enriched uranium, cesium-137 (a common RDD candidate), strontium-90, and iodine-131 in Bushehr nuclear plant. Spent fuel from Bushehr is removed by Russia to avoid proliferation. Thus far, the IAEA has been monitoring Bushehr, but lack of future cooperation could pave the way for dirty nuke development. Radioactive isotopes and byproducts are present in research reactors like Tehran Research Reactor as well as at facilities in Isfahan Nuclear Technology Center and Arak. These include uranium enriched up to 20 per cent, molybdenum-99 and technetium-99m. Other byproducts, such as cesium-137 or cobalt-60, could be extracted for an RDD. Iran might also possess Uranium Hexafluoride (UF6) and the highly radio active plutonium-239. Though it has the capability, there’s no indication that Iran has pursued dirty nukes. But the risk of such possibility has only increased after Iran's partial withdrawal from IAEA monitoring.

Iran has not yet developed dirty bombs, but certainly has the capability to do so, given its nuclear expertise, infrastructure, access to materials like uranium, spent fuel isotopes like cesium-137 and industrial isotopes like cobalt-60. How much risk is there of Iran producing a dirty nuke?

Dirty nukes: Can Iran make radiological bombs after Israel and US B2 bombers struck its nuclear sites during 12-day war?

Two days after the US announced the Israel-Iran ceasefire, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has not been seen in public or addressed the nation for nearly a week now, raising concerns over his disappearance.Iranian people have been celebrating what they call their country's victory in the war with Israel, but Khamenei has still yet to address the nation.The supreme leader is neither at home nor at his office. Mehdi Fazaeli, head of Khamenei's archives office, in an interview with the New York Times, was asked about Khamenei's well-being.People are very worried about the Supreme Leader," the host asked. To this, Fazaeli responded, "We all should be praying", adding that he received numerous inquiries from officials, and viewers had sent a flood of messages asking the same question.He added that the people responsible for protecting the Iranian supreme leader are doing their job well. "God willing, our people can celebrate victory next to their leader, God willing."Son of a senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Hamzeh Safavi, suggested that the Iranian security forces believe Israel might still attempt to assassinate Khamenei, even during the ceasefire. However, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after holding a phone call with US President Donald Trump assured that there will not be any more strikes.Safavi added that they are still taking security measures, including severing contact with the outside world.During the Israel-Iran war, as Israel repeatedly threatened to assassinate Khamenei, Iran's Supreme Leader reportedly named three clerics as potential successors while hiding in a bunker. According to The New York Times, quoting three Iranian officials close to the development, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has started appointing successors to top generals who were assassinated in Israeli bombing raids.Interestingly, contrary to earlier reports, the officials said Ali Khamenei’s son, Mojtaba, is not among the clerics shortlisted to succeed him – despite previous claims that he was being groomed for the role.

Iranian people have been celebrating what they call their country's victory in the war with Israel, but Khamenei has still yet to address the nation.

Two days after the US announced the Israel-Iran ceasefire, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has not been seen in public or addressed the nation for nearly a week now, raising concerns over his disappearance. Iranian people have been celebrating what they call their country's victory in the war with Israel, but Khamenei has still yet to address the nation. The supreme leader is neither at home nor at his office. Mehdi Fazaeli, head of Khamenei's archives office, in an interview with the New York Times, was asked about Khamenei's well-being. People are very worried about the Supreme Leader," the host asked. To this, Fazaeli responded, "We all should be praying", adding that he received numerous inquiries from officials, and viewers had sent a flood of messages asking the same question. He added that the people responsible for protecting the Iranian supreme leader are doing their job well. "God willing, our people can celebrate victory next to their leader, God willing." Son of a senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Hamzeh Safavi, suggested that the Iranian security forces believe Israel might still attempt to assassinate Khamenei, even during the ceasefire. However, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after holding a phone call with US President Donald Trump assured that there will not be any more strikes. Safavi added that they are still taking security measures, including severing contact with the outside world. During the Israel-Iran war, as Israel repeatedly threatened to assassinate Khamenei, Iran's Supreme Leader reportedly named three clerics as potential successors while hiding in a bunker. According to The New York Times, quoting three Iranian officials close to the development, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has started appointing successors to top generals who were assassinated in Israeli bombing raids. Interestingly, contrary to earlier reports, the officials said Ali Khamenei’s son, Mojtaba, is not among the clerics shortlisted to succeed him – despite previous claims that he was being groomed for the role.

Iranian people have been celebrating what they call their country's victory in the war with Israel, but Khamenei has still yet to address the nation.

Where is Ayatollah Khamenei? Iranian supreme leader not seen in public for days- Here's what his official has to say

Russian President Vladimir Putin would not attend the upcoming BRICS summit, according to Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov. As per the Kremlin aide, Putin would skip making an in-person appearance at the upcoming summit in Brazil due to concerns around the standing International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant for his arrest. As per reports in Putin's stead, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov would attend the BRICS Summit which is scheduled to happen on July 6-7 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. According to Ushakov, Putin won't completely skip the SCO summit. Here's how.<h2>Marking his presence at SCO</h2>Speaking to the press, Ushakov revealed that while Putin won't make an appearance at the Brazil SCO summit, he would join the main events via videoconference."The President will participate in the main events of this summit via video link. This is due to certain difficulties in the context of the ICC requirements," Ushakov said, as cited by Kyiv Post. He said that Putin took the decision to forego the SCO meeting because "The Brazilian government was unable to take a clear position that would allow our president to take part in this meeting."<h2>Will Brazil arrest Putin?</h2>As per reports, Putin and Brazilian leader, Luiz Ignacio Lula da Silva, share a complicated relationship. In 2023, just after the ICC issued the arrest warrant for Putin, Lula initially pledged he wouldn't arrest the Russian president if he entered Brazil. However, he later changed his stance. In September 2023, speaking at a press conference in New Delhi, Lula declared that "If Putin decides to go to Brazil, it will be the courts who decide whether or not he will be arrested, not me".<h2>Why does Putin have an ICC arrest warrant against him?</h2>Russian President Vladimir Putin is currently facing an international arrest warrant. The warrant has been issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for the Russian president's role in the alleged forced deportation of Ukrainian children. Reports claim that amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, Moscow has "stolen" thousands of Ukrainian children and has subjected them to "Russification".According to Kyiv, more than 16,000 Ukrainian children have been deported to Russia since the start of Moscow's offensive in February 2022. The war-torn nation has alleged that many of these children have reportedly been placed in institutions and foster homes.Russia has vehemently denied these allegations. Additionally, given that Russia is not a member of the ICC, the country has dismissed the validity of the arrest warrant and called it "void". &nbsp;&nbsp;

As per reports in Putin's stead, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov would attend the BRICS Summit which is scheduled to happen on July 6-7 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 

Russian President Vladimir Putin would not attend the upcoming BRICS summit, according to Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov. As per the Kremlin aide, Putin would skip making an in-person appearance at the upcoming summit in Brazil due to concerns around the standing International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant for his arrest. As per reports in Putin's stead, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov would attend the BRICS Summit which is scheduled to happen on July 6-7 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. According to Ushakov, Putin won't completely skip the SCO summit. Here's how. Marking his presence at SCO Speaking to the press, Ushakov revealed that while Putin won't make an appearance at the Brazil SCO summit, he would join the main events via videoconference. "The President will participate in the main events of this summit via video link. This is due to certain difficulties in the context of the ICC requirements," Ushakov said, as cited by Kyiv Post. He said that Putin took the decision to forego the SCO meeting because "The Brazilian government was unable to take a clear position that would allow our president to take part in this meeting." Will Brazil arrest Putin? As per reports, Putin and Brazilian leader, Luiz Ignacio Lula da Silva, share a complicated relationship. In 2023, just after the ICC issued the arrest warrant for Putin, Lula initially pledged he wouldn't arrest the Russian president if he entered Brazil. However, he later changed his stance. In September 2023, speaking at a press conference in New Delhi, Lula declared that "If Putin decides to go to Brazil, it will be the courts who decide whether or not he will be arrested, not me". Why does Putin have an ICC arrest warrant against him? Russian President Vladimir Putin is currently facing an international arrest warrant. The warrant has been issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for the Russian president's role in the alleged forced deportation of Ukrainian children. Reports claim that amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, Moscow has "stolen" thousands of Ukrainian children and has subjected them to "Russification". According to Kyiv, more than 16,000 Ukrainian children have been deported to Russia since the start of Moscow's offensive in February 2022. The war-torn nation has alleged that many of these children have reportedly been placed in institutions and foster homes. Russia has vehemently denied these allegations. Additionally, given that Russia is not a member of the ICC, the country has dismissed the validity of the arrest warrant and called it "void".

As per reports in Putin's stead, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov would attend the BRICS Summit which is scheduled to happen on July 6-7 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.&nbsp;

Kremlin confirms Putin won’t travel to Brazil for BRICS, cites ICC arrest risk

Axiom Mission 4 is targeting to dock at 4:30 pm IST on Thursday (June 26), on the space-facing port International Space Station's (ISS) Harmony Module. The mission was launched at 12:01 IST from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. It is expected to reach ISS within 28-29 hours.&nbsp;Here is a detail of all the information you need to know<h2>Landing date and time</h2>Date- 26.06.2025Time- 4:30 PM ISTLanding location: Node 2 International Space Station&nbsp;<h2>Where to watch</h2>Official live stream&nbsp;<ol><li>Axiom Space YouTube Channel</li></ol><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@AxiomSpace/streams">https://www.youtube.com/@AxiomSpace/streams</a>&nbsp;2. NASA TV&nbsp;Available via NASA.gov/live&nbsp;Also available on the NASA app (iOS/Android)&nbsp;3. Live blog at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/">https://www.wionews.com/</a><a href="https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/spacestation/">https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/spacestation/</a>&nbsp;4. Replays/Highlights:Axiom’s official Twitter/X handle @Axiom_SpaceSpaceX’s YouTube channel and @SpaceX<h2>Crew member&nbsp;</h2>The Dragon is carrying Axiom-4 Commander Peggy Whitson, Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla, and Mission Specialists Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski and Tibor Kapu&nbsp;Peggy Whitson- Former NASA astronaut and director of human spaceflight at Axiom SpaceShubhanshu Shukla- ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) astronaut&nbsp;Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski- ESA (European Space Agency) astronautTibor Kapu- Hungarian mechanical engineer and astronaut<h2>Experiments</h2>The scientific investigations planned by the ISRO and NASA include Regenerating muscle tissue, Sprouting seeds, survival of tiny aquatic organisms and human interaction with electronic displays in microgravity.&nbsp;<h2>Social Media Handles to Follow</h2>@Axiom_Space@NASA@SpaceX#Ax4, #AxiomMission4 &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>&nbsp;</h2>&nbsp;&nbsp;

Axiom Mission 4 to make a landing at the Harmony Module of the International Space Station (ISS)  at 4.30. Find out where to watch Axiom 4 landing live, and all the other information

Axiom Mission 4 is targeting to dock at 4:30 pm IST on Thursday (June 26), on the space-facing port International Space Station's (ISS) Harmony Module. The mission was launched at 12:01 IST from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. It is expected to reach ISS within 28-29 hours. Here is a detail of all the information you need to know Landing date and time Date- 26.06.2025 Time- 4:30 PM IST Landing location: Node 2 International Space Station Where to watch Official live stream Axiom Space YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@AxiomSpace/streams 2. NASA TV Available via NASA.gov/live Also available on the NASA app (iOS/Android) 3. Live blog at https://www.wionews.com/ https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/spacestation/ 4. Replays/Highlights: Axiom’s official Twitter/X handle @Axiom_Space SpaceX’s YouTube channel and @SpaceX Crew member The Dragon is carrying Axiom-4 Commander Peggy Whitson, Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla, and Mission Specialists Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski and Tibor Kapu Peggy Whitson- Former NASA astronaut and director of human spaceflight at Axiom Space Shubhanshu Shukla- ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) astronaut Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski- ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Tibor Kapu- Hungarian mechanical engineer and astronaut Experiments The scientific investigations planned by the ISRO and NASA include Regenerating muscle tissue, Sprouting seeds, survival of tiny aquatic organisms and human interaction with electronic displays in microgravity. Social Media Handles to Follow @Axiom_Space @NASA @SpaceX #Ax4, #AxiomMission4

Axiom Mission 4 to dock at the International Space Station's (ISS) Harmony Module at 4.30. Find out where to watch Axiom 4 landing live, and all the other information

Axiom Mission 4 to dock: When and where to watch? All you need to know

Iran-Israel war - Ceasefire and future of Iranian nuclear programme: Remarks made by former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev, hinting that other countries can help Iran get a nuclear weapon, have ruffled quite a few feathers, with even US President Donald Trump slamming him. While Medvedev later clarified his remarks that he didn't mean Russia will give Iran the bomb, the reality is that Moscow is deeply entrenched in the Iranian nuclear programme. The Russian nuclear export industry is in fact one of the biggest in the world, helping several countries in their peaceful nuclear programmes. While Russia may not directly help Iran with the nuclear bomb, one must not forget Russia's deep involvement in the Iranian nuclear programme through personnel, material and knowledge transfer. Here is what you should know about the Russian nuclear industry, and how it has been helping Iran.&nbsp;<h2>Russian nuclear industry is a multi-billion-dollar enterprise</h2>Led by state-run Rosatom, Russia is a top global player in the nuclear export industry. As of 2023, Rosatom made $11.8 billion in revenue. Nuclear material exports, reactor construction, fuel supply, and related services contributed to this. Globally, Russia controls nearly 38 per cent of uranium conversion and 46 per cent of uranium enrichment. This makes Russia a dominant supplier in the nuclear fuel cycle in the world.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/nato-summit-2025-donald-trump-says-iran-nuclear-facility-collapsed-nobody-can-go-inside-1750853229936/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/nato-summit-2025-donald-trump-says-iran-nuclear-facility-collapsed-nobody-can-go-inside-1750853229936/embed</a>&nbsp;Russian nuclear exports include a variety of services and materials: building nuclear power plants, supply of nuclear fuel, technical expertise and consulting. Russia has contracts with countries across continents.&nbsp;<h2>Which countries' nuclear programmes has Russia helped?</h2>Russia's clients for mainly peaceful nuclear programmes include Iran, China, India, Turkey and Egypt. Much of this is in the nuclear power generation, such as Turkey's Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant, Egypt's El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant, India's Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant, China's Tianwan and Xudabao Nuclear Power Plants, Bangladesh's Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, Hungary's Paks II Nuclear Power Plant and Belarus' Ostrovets Nuclear Power Plant.Russia has nuclear tech and fuel supply agreements with Vietnam and Uzbekistan.&nbsp;<h2>Russian civilian nuclear partnerships have raised dual-use concerns</h2>There are concerns that some of the dual-use material Russia has provided could cause the proliferation of nuclear weapons. The most significant currently is the case of Iran. Russia has, over the decades, extensively supported Iranian civilian nuclear infrastructure. From the Soviet Union era onwards, Russia has helped the nuclear programme of North Korea, though the cooperation currently is of limited scope. While Russia did discuss nuclear cooperation with Syria during the Assad regime, there are no active programmes, mainly due to international pressure.While Russia maintains that its nuclear exports are for civilian purposes, how the technology transfers could be used for military capabilities is a cause of concern, something Moscow may not be able to control.&nbsp;<h2>From manpower to fuel to infra, Russia has deep links to the Iranian nuclear programme</h2>Hundreds of Russian specialists are working at Iran’s Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant. They are engineers and technicians from Rosatom, and come from prestigious institutions like the Kurchatov Institute. They are engaged in overseeing reactor operations and maintenance and have trained Iranians for years, enhancing the Islamic Republic's nuclear know-how. According to some recent estimates, there are some 300 Russian firms and research institutions involved in the Iranian nuclear programme.&nbsp;On the one hand, it gives employment to Russians in the nuclear sector, while on the other, it provides an additional workforce for the Iranian nuclear programme.&nbsp;<h2>How Russia is helping Iranian nuclear programme</h2>Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant is the flagship entity in Iran's civil nuclear programme. Russia became the main contractor of the plant after the Germans, who started it, left the plant after the Islamic Revolution of 1979. Russia helped build the first VVER-1000 reactor at Bushehr in 2011 and is helping the construction of two more reactors - Bushehr 2 and 3. In 2014, the two nations signed contracts for up to eight more reactors. Russia exports the nuclear fuel for Bushehr, monitored by the IAEA. Moscow has also conducted feasibility studies for additional reactors.&nbsp;Beyond nuclear fuel, the main help Iran gets from Russia is in technology transfer: reactor design, operational protocols and training. There is worry among the international community, particularly Israel and the US, that Iran could use the Russian expertise for a nuclear weapon, specifically in uranium enrichment and fuel cycle technologies.&nbsp;<h2>The Medvedev remarks: Can countries other than Russia help Iran in building the bomb?</h2>As per official records, Russia has not provided bomb-grade enrichment technology directly to Iran. But over the years, Russia has helped in Iran’s nuclear research and uranium mining capabilities, things that could be used by Tehran in its alleged quest for the bomb.It is in this context that Medvedev’s remarks should be seen. He said that “a number of countries are ready to directly supply Iran with their own nuclear warheads”. His comments came after American B2 bombers struck Iranian nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan.&nbsp;<h2>Was Medvedev making a threat?</h2>Observers think Medvedevs' remarks were mostly rhetoric. An assessment by the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research, for instance, said that direct transfer of nuclear warheads is not practical: it is technically complex and can be traced.&nbsp;Note that nuclear weapons require specialised delivery systems and maintenance. Fissile material forensics can trace back any such transfers, including from Russia, if it indeed supplies nuclear warheads to Iran. Any such move by Russia will lead to global retaliation, particularly from the US, and will be violative of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).&nbsp;<h2>For the civil nuclear programme, Russia will continue to be a key helper for Iran</h2>In all likelihood, the Russian cooperation with Iran in its civilian nuclear programme will continue, partly due to the revenue and employment aspects mentioned earlier.Russia’s foreign ministry has already condemned the Israeli and American strikes on Iranian nuclear sites as violating international law. Russia vowed it will continue cooperating with Iran for a peaceful nuclear programme, including ongoing work at Bushehr. It might also include support for new enrichment facilities, given that Iran said after the strikes that it plans to install advanced centrifuges.&nbsp;<h2>What's Russia’s motivation to continue help in Iran's nuclear programme?</h2>Much of it has to do with global power play. Russia, under President Vladimir Putin, wants to continue countering US dominance, and keep its influence alive in the West Asian region. Nuclear energy contracts are lucrative, and a key aspect of the Russian economy.Therefore, Russia will most likely continue giving Iran fuel, technical expertise, and infrastructure support, ostensibly for the civilian nuclear programme, which might contain dual-use material that can be leveraged by Iran for the bomb.&nbsp;

While Russia may not directly help Iran with the nuclear bomb, one must not forget Russian involvement in the Iranian nuclear programme through fuel, personnel, and knowledge transfers



Iran-Israel war - Ceasefire and future of Iranian nuclear programme: Remarks made by former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev, hinting that other countries can help Iran get a nuclear weapon, have ruffled quite a few feathers, with even US President Donald Trump slamming him. While Medvedev later clarified his remarks that he didn't mean Russia will give Iran the bomb, the reality is that Moscow is deeply entrenched in the Iranian nuclear programme. The Russian nuclear export industry is in fact one of the biggest in the world, helping several countries in their peaceful nuclear programmes. While Russia may not directly help Iran with the nuclear bomb, one must not forget Russia's deep involvement in the Iranian nuclear programme through personnel, material and knowledge transfer. Here is what you should know about the Russian nuclear industry, and how it has been helping Iran. Russian nuclear industry is a multi-billion-dollar enterprise Led by state-run Rosatom, Russia is a top global player in the nuclear export industry. As of 2023, Rosatom made $11.8 billion in revenue. Nuclear material exports, reactor construction, fuel supply, and related services contributed to this. Globally, Russia controls nearly 38 per cent of uranium conversion and 46 per cent of uranium enrichment. This makes Russia a dominant supplier in the nuclear fuel cycle in the world. https://www.wionews.com/videos/nato-summit-2025-donald-trump-says-iran-nuclear-facility-collapsed-nobody-can-go-inside-1750853229936/embed Russian nuclear exports include a variety of services and materials: building nuclear power plants, supply of nuclear fuel, technical expertise and consulting. Russia has contracts with countries across continents. Which countries' nuclear programmes has Russia helped? Russia's clients for mainly peaceful nuclear programmes include Iran, China, India, Turkey and Egypt. Much of this is in the nuclear power generation, such as Turkey's Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant, Egypt's El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant, India's Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant, China's Tianwan and Xudabao Nuclear Power Plants, Bangladesh's Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, Hungary's Paks II Nuclear Power Plant and Belarus' Ostrovets Nuclear Power Plant. Russia has nuclear tech and fuel supply agreements with Vietnam and Uzbekistan. Russian civilian nuclear partnerships have raised dual-use concerns There are concerns that some of the dual-use material Russia has provided could cause the proliferation of nuclear weapons. The most significant currently is the case of Iran. Russia has, over the decades, extensively supported Iranian civilian nuclear infrastructure. From the Soviet Union era onwards, Russia has helped the nuclear programme of North Korea, though the cooperation currently is of limited scope. While Russia did discuss nuclear cooperation with Syria during the Assad regime, there are no active programmes, mainly due to international pressure. While Russia maintains that its nuclear exports are for civilian purposes, how the technology transfers could be used for military capabilities is a cause of concern, something Moscow may not be able to control. From manpower to fuel to infra, Russia has deep links to the Iranian nuclear programme Hundreds of Russian specialists are working at Iran’s Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant. They are engineers and technicians from Rosatom, and come from prestigious institutions like the Kurchatov Institute. They are engaged in overseeing reactor operations and maintenance and have trained Iranians for years, enhancing the Islamic Republic's nuclear know-how. According to some recent estimates, there are some 300 Russian firms and research institutions involved in the Iranian nuclear programme. On the one hand, it gives employment to Russians in the nuclear sector, while on the other, it provides an additional workforce for the Iranian nuclear programme. How Russia is helping Iranian nuclear programme Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant is the flagship entity in Iran's civil nuclear programme. Russia became the main contractor of the plant after the Germans, who started it, left the plant after the Islamic Revolution of 1979. Russia helped build the first VVER-1000 reactor at Bushehr in 2011 and is helping the construction of two more reactors - Bushehr 2 and 3. In 2014, the two nations signed contracts for up to eight more reactors. Russia exports the nuclear fuel for Bushehr, monitored by the IAEA. Moscow has also conducted feasibility studies for additional reactors. Beyond nuclear fuel, the main help Iran gets from Russia is in technology transfer: reactor design, operational protocols and training. There is worry among the international community, particularly Israel and the US, that Iran could use the Russian expertise for a nuclear weapon, specifically in uranium enrichment and fuel cycle technologies. The Medvedev remarks: Can countries other than Russia help Iran in building the bomb? As per official records, Russia has not provided bomb-grade enrichment technology directly to Iran. But over the years, Russia has helped in Iran’s nuclear research and uranium mining capabilities, things that could be used by Tehran in its alleged quest for the bomb. It is in this context that Medvedev’s remarks should be seen. He said that “a number of countries are ready to directly supply Iran with their own nuclear warheads”. His comments came after American B2 bombers struck Iranian nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan. Was Medvedev making a threat? Observers think Medvedevs' remarks were mostly rhetoric. An assessment by the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research, for instance, said that direct transfer of nuclear warheads is not practical: it is technically complex and can be traced. Note that nuclear weapons require specialised delivery systems and maintenance. Fissile material forensics can trace back any such transfers, including from Russia, if it indeed supplies nuclear warheads to Iran. Any such move by Russia will lead to global retaliation, particularly from the US, and will be violative of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). For the civil nuclear programme, Russia will continue to be a key helper for Iran In all likelihood, the Russian cooperation with Iran in its civilian nuclear programme will continue, partly due to the revenue and employment aspects mentioned earlier. Russia’s foreign ministry has already condemned the Israeli and American strikes on Iranian nuclear sites as violating international law. Russia vowed it will continue cooperating with Iran for a peaceful nuclear programme, including ongoing work at Bushehr. It might also include support for new enrichment facilities, given that Iran said after the strikes that it plans to install advanced centrifuges. What's Russia’s motivation to continue help in Iran's nuclear programme? Much of it has to do with global power play. Russia, under President Vladimir Putin, wants to continue countering US dominance, and keep its influence alive in the West Asian region. Nuclear energy contracts are lucrative, and a key aspect of the Russian economy. Therefore, Russia will most likely continue giving Iran fuel, technical expertise, and infrastructure support, ostensibly for the civilian nuclear programme, which might contain dual-use material that can be leveraged by Iran for the bomb.

While Russia may not directly help Iran with the nuclear bomb, one must not forget Russia's deep involvement in the Iranian nuclear programme through fuel, personnel, and knowledge transfer.&nbsp;

Will Russia help Iran rebuild nuclear programme hit hard by B2 bombers and Israeli strikes? Moscow is deeply involved in…

China hosted defence ministers from Iran and Russia for a meeting in its eastern seaside city of Qingdao on Thursday against the backdrop of war in the Middle East and a summit of NATO countries in Europe that agreed to boost military spending.Beijing has long sought to present the 10-member Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) as a counterweight to Western-led power blocs and has pushed to strengthen collaboration between its member countries in politics, security, trade and science.The Qingdao meeting of the organisation's top defence officials comes as a fledgling ceasefire between Israel and Iran holds after 12 days of fighting between the arch-foes.It is also being held the day after a summit of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) leaders in The Hague, where members agreed to ramp up their defence spending to satisfy US President Donald Trump.Beijing's ties with Moscow are also in the spotlight.China has portrayed itself as a neutral party in Russia's war with Ukraine, although Western governments say its close ties have given Moscow crucial economic and diplomatic support.Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov painted a bleak picture of a world seeing "worsening geopolitical tensions" when he addressed his counterparts at the meeting."The current military and political situation in the world remains difficult and shows signs of further deterioration," he said, according to a statement by the Russian defence ministry.His Chinese counterpart Dong Jun also framed Thursday's meeting in Qingdao, home to a major Chinese naval base, as a counterweight to a world in "chaos and instability"."As momentous changes of the century accelerate, unilateralism and protectionism are on the rise," Dong said as he welcomed defence chiefs from Russia, Iran, Pakistan, Belarus and elsewhere on Wednesday, according to state news agency Xinhua."Hegemonic, domineering and bullying acts severely undermine the international order," he warned.He urged his counterparts to "take more robust actions to jointly safeguard the environment for peaceful development".<h2>Backing for Iran?</h2>Recent fighting between Israel, Iran and the United States will likely also be discussed in Qingdao.Beijing refrained from offering anything more than diplomatic support to its close partner Tehran throughout that conflict, reflecting its limited leverage in the region and reluctance to worsen relations with the United States."Public backing for Iran will come in the form of words, rather than deeds," James Char, an expert on the Chinese army at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, told AFP."Other than condemning the US strikes on Iran, Beijing can be expected to continue treading cautiously in the Middle East's security issues and would not want to be dragged into the region's security challenges," he said.Iran's defence minister will likely "discuss with China the supply of weapons but I doubt China would agree", said Andrea Ghiselli, an expert in China foreign policy and a lecturer at Exeter University."It would be seen as provocative by both Israel... and, even more important for China, the US, with which Beijing is trying to stabilise relations," Ghiselli said.India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, also in attendance in Qingdao, said SCO members should "collectively aspire to fulfil the aspirations and expectations of our people as well as tackle today's challenges"."The world we live in is undergoing a drastic transformation. Globalisation, which once brought us closer together, has been losing momentum," he said in comments his office posted on social media platform X.Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Recent fighting between Israel, Iran and the United States will likely also be discussed in Qingdao.

China hosted defence ministers from Iran and Russia for a meeting in its eastern seaside city of Qingdao on Thursday against the backdrop of war in the Middle East and a summit of NATO countries in Europe that agreed to boost military spending. Beijing has long sought to present the 10-member Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) as a counterweight to Western-led power blocs and has pushed to strengthen collaboration between its member countries in politics, security, trade and science. The Qingdao meeting of the organisation's top defence officials comes as a fledgling ceasefire between Israel and Iran holds after 12 days of fighting between the arch-foes. It is also being held the day after a summit of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) leaders in The Hague, where members agreed to ramp up their defence spending to satisfy US President Donald Trump. Beijing's ties with Moscow are also in the spotlight. China has portrayed itself as a neutral party in Russia's war with Ukraine, although Western governments say its close ties have given Moscow crucial economic and diplomatic support. Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov painted a bleak picture of a world seeing "worsening geopolitical tensions" when he addressed his counterparts at the meeting. "The current military and political situation in the world remains difficult and shows signs of further deterioration," he said, according to a statement by the Russian defence ministry. His Chinese counterpart Dong Jun also framed Thursday's meeting in Qingdao, home to a major Chinese naval base, as a counterweight to a world in "chaos and instability". "As momentous changes of the century accelerate, unilateralism and protectionism are on the rise," Dong said as he welcomed defence chiefs from Russia, Iran, Pakistan, Belarus and elsewhere on Wednesday, according to state news agency Xinhua. "Hegemonic, domineering and bullying acts severely undermine the international order," he warned. He urged his counterparts to "take more robust actions to jointly safeguard the environment for peaceful development". Backing for Iran? Recent fighting between Israel, Iran and the United States will likely also be discussed in Qingdao. Beijing refrained from offering anything more than diplomatic support to its close partner Tehran throughout that conflict, reflecting its limited leverage in the region and reluctance to worsen relations with the United States. "Public backing for Iran will come in the form of words, rather than deeds," James Char, an expert on the Chinese army at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, told AFP. "Other than condemning the US strikes on Iran, Beijing can be expected to continue treading cautiously in the Middle East's security issues and would not want to be dragged into the region's security challenges," he said. Iran's defence minister will likely "discuss with China the supply of weapons but I doubt China would agree", said Andrea Ghiselli, an expert in China foreign policy and a lecturer at Exeter University. "It would be seen as provocative by both Israel... and, even more important for China, the US, with which Beijing is trying to stabilise relations," Ghiselli said. India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, also in attendance in Qingdao, said SCO members should "collectively aspire to fulfil the aspirations and expectations of our people as well as tackle today's challenges". "The world we live in is undergoing a drastic transformation. Globalisation, which once brought us closer together, has been losing momentum," he said in comments his office posted on social media platform X. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Recent fighting between Israel, Iran and the United States will likely also be discussed in Qingdao.

China hosts Iranian, Russian defence ministers against backdrop of 'momentous change'

India has opted out of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) defence ministers' meeting joint statement over differences with China and Pakistan on the issue of terrorism. Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh refused to sign the document as it "would have diluted India’s stand", sources said. Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is in China for a 2-day visit to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) defence minister meeting.Sources explaining the rationale of India's stance said, 'Defence Minister Rajnath Singh firmly stood ground on India’s stand on terrorism and Pahalgam', adding, 'It resulted into no Joint Statement or protocol will be issued. Pak and China were trying to divert the attention from terrorism.'&nbsp;SCO is a major grouping of 10 countries – China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India, Pakistan, Iran, Belarus- that focuses on issues like counterterrorism, connectivity, etc. China is the host of the grouping for this year and will also be hosting the defence minister meeting in July and the summit in September.&nbsp;Earlier in the day, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh slammed Pakistan over its support for cross-border terror. He said, “Some countries use cross-border terrorism as an instrument of policy and provide shelter to terrorists. There should be no place for such double standards. SCO should not hesitate to criticise such nations”.No meeting with the Pakistani defence minister and the Indian defence minister will take place in Qingdao, given Islamabad's continued support for terrorism in India. Ties between India, Pakistan went for a free fall after the Pahalgam terror attack perpetrated by Pakistan trained terrorists.

Sources explaining the rationale of India's stance said, 'Defence Minister Rajnath Singh firmly stood ground on India’s stand on terrorism and Pahalgam', adding, 'It resulted into no Joint Statement or protocol will be issued. Pak and China were trying to divert the attention from terrorism.'

India has opted out of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) defence ministers' meeting joint statement over differences with China and Pakistan on the issue of terrorism. Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh refused to sign the document as it "would have diluted India’s stand", sources said. Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is in China for a 2-day visit to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) defence minister meeting. Sources explaining the rationale of India's stance said, 'Defence Minister Rajnath Singh firmly stood ground on India’s stand on terrorism and Pahalgam', adding, 'It resulted into no Joint Statement or protocol will be issued. Pak and China were trying to divert the attention from terrorism.' SCO is a major grouping of 10 countries – China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India, Pakistan, Iran, Belarus- that focuses on issues like counterterrorism, connectivity, etc. China is the host of the grouping for this year and will also be hosting the defence minister meeting in July and the summit in September. Earlier in the day, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh slammed Pakistan over its support for cross-border terror. He said, “Some countries use cross-border terrorism as an instrument of policy and provide shelter to terrorists. There should be no place for such double standards. SCO should not hesitate to criticise such nations”. No meeting with the Pakistani defence minister and the Indian defence minister will take place in Qingdao, given Islamabad's continued support for terrorism in India. Ties between India, Pakistan went for a free fall after the Pahalgam terror attack perpetrated by Pakistan trained terrorists.

Sources explaining the rationale of India's stance said, 'Defence Minister Rajnath Singh firmly stood ground on India’s stand on terrorism and Pahalgam', adding, 'It resulted into no Joint Statement or protocol will be issued. Pak and China were trying to divert the attention from terrorism.'

India opts out of SCO Defence Ministers statement over differences on terrorism with China, Pakistan

What if a bomber precisely hit any country's territory, carrying deep-penetration without being seen or intercepted until it's too late? So, this is exactly what a stealth bomber is, which evades detection by radar, infrared, and other enemy tracking systems. These military aircraft are equipped with low-observable technologies, such as radar-absorbing materials, unique aerodynamic shapes, and internal weapons bays.Their primary role is to deliver nuclear or conventional weapons while remaining invisible to modern air defence systems. Stealth bombers play a significant role in contemporary warfare by offering strategic deterrence, precision strike capability, and a first-strike advantage in war-like scenarios.Based on current roles in military operations, either it has already been used or is in the developing phase, we have categorised the top 5 best Stealth Bombers in the World:<h3>1. Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider (USA)</h3>The B-21 Raider is the latest stealth bomber, which is in the development phase for the United States Air Force (USAF). It is being designed to replace the ageing B-1B Lancer and B-2 Spirit, as it features next-generation stealth technology, extended range, and AI-assisted avionics. The aircraft is optimised for both conventional and nuclear strikes, with the capability to penetrate sophisticated air defence systems. It is also expected to exceed 6,000 miles, similar to or better than the B-2, and likely to enter service by 2040, according to a report in Eletimes.<h3>2. Northrop  Grumman  B‑2 Spirit of US</h3>It is made by Northrop Grumman, the bomber, with its cutting-edge stealth technology, which began its production in the 1980s but was stopped by the fall of the Soviet Union. Later, the Pentagon’s procurement program was cut short, and only 21 were produced.The B-2 can carry two 15-ton bunker-buster bombs, which are possessed by the US only. It can penetrate complex air defences and launch precise attacks on targets that have become impenetrable. These bombers can attack any target in the world from continental US bases due to their wide range. It has a range of over 6,000 nautical miles without refuelling.It is equipped with a two-pilot crew configuration, which helps reduce personnel requirements while also maintaining operational effectiveness through advanced automation systems. With a payload capacity of more than 40,000 pounds, the aircraft can carry a diverse array of conventional and nuclear weapons.<h3>3. Xian H-20 of China</h3>Another developing stealth bomber, the Xian H-20, is expected to be a game-changer in strategic bombing for the People’s Liberation Army Air Force. It is being designed to rival the B-2 and B-21 in stealth and range to evade modern radar systems.The bomber carries up to 20,000 pounds of nuclear and conventional munitions and has the caliber to travel over 6,000 miles (10,000 km), enabling long-range strikes.<h3>4. Rockwell B-1B Lancer (USA)</h3>The B-1B Lancer, also known as “The Bone,” is a long-range, supersonic conventional bomber, multi-mission, designed for nuclear capabilities, which is used by the United States Air Force. The B-1 can exceed the speed of sound, reaching Mach 1.2 at higher altitudes, though it typically cruises at subsonic speeds. It can also hold 24 cruise missiles.It can carry a massive payload of up to 75,000 pounds (34,019 kg) of bombs and missiles, carrying the weapons over longer distances. And it can fly 4,600 miles (7,400 km) without refuelling with a 37,000-pound (16,800 kg) payload and unlimited global range with in-air refuelling.<h3>5. Russia's Tupolev Tu-160M2&nbsp;</h3>The upgraded Tu-160M2 is an improved version of the Cold War-era Tu-160 with more powerful engines. It boasts advanced avionics, electronic warfare systems, and extended operational range, which makes it the premier supersonic strategic bomber of Russia. It is also being prioritised for the pairing of a high-speed and long-ranged weapons payload.

Stealth bombers play a significant role in contemporary warfare by offering strategic deterrence, precision strike capability, and a first-strike advantage in war like scenarios.

What if a bomber precisely hit any country's territory, carrying deep-penetration without being seen or intercepted until it's too late? So, this is exactly what a stealth bomber is, which evades detection by radar, infrared, and other enemy tracking systems. These military aircraft are equipped with low-observable technologies, such as radar-absorbing materials, unique aerodynamic shapes, and internal weapons bays. Their primary role is to deliver nuclear or conventional weapons while remaining invisible to modern air defence systems. Stealth bombers play a significant role in contemporary warfare by offering strategic deterrence, precision strike capability, and a first-strike advantage in war-like scenarios. Based on current roles in military operations, either it has already been used or is in the developing phase, we have categorised the top 5 best Stealth Bombers in the World: 1. Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider (USA) The B-21 Raider is the latest stealth bomber, which is in the development phase for the United States Air Force (USAF). It is being designed to replace the ageing B-1B Lancer and B-2 Spirit, as it features next-generation stealth technology, extended range, and AI-assisted avionics. The aircraft is optimised for both conventional and nuclear strikes, with the capability to penetrate sophisticated air defence systems. It is also expected to exceed 6,000 miles, similar to or better than the B-2, and likely to enter service by 2040, according to a report in Eletimes. 2. Northrop  Grumman  B‑2 Spirit of US It is made by Northrop Grumman, the bomber, with its cutting-edge stealth technology, which began its production in the 1980s but was stopped by the fall of the Soviet Union. Later, the Pentagon’s procurement program was cut short, and only 21 were produced. The B-2 can carry two 15-ton bunker-buster bombs, which are possessed by the US only. It can penetrate complex air defences and launch precise attacks on targets that have become impenetrable. These bombers can attack any target in the world from continental US bases due to their wide range. It has a range of over 6,000 nautical miles without refuelling. It is equipped with a two-pilot crew configuration, which helps reduce personnel requirements while also maintaining operational effectiveness through advanced automation systems. With a payload capacity of more than 40,000 pounds, the aircraft can carry a diverse array of conventional and nuclear weapons. 3. Xian H-20 of China Another developing stealth bomber, the Xian H-20, is expected to be a game-changer in strategic bombing for the People’s Liberation Army Air Force. It is being designed to rival the B-2 and B-21 in stealth and range to evade modern radar systems. The bomber carries up to 20,000 pounds of nuclear and conventional munitions and has the caliber to travel over 6,000 miles (10,000 km), enabling long-range strikes. 4. Rockwell B-1B Lancer (USA) The B-1B Lancer, also known as “The Bone,” is a long-range, supersonic conventional bomber, multi-mission, designed for nuclear capabilities, which is used by the United States Air Force. The B-1 can exceed the speed of sound, reaching Mach 1.2 at higher altitudes, though it typically cruises at subsonic speeds. It can also hold 24 cruise missiles. It can carry a massive payload of up to 75,000 pounds (34,019 kg) of bombs and missiles, carrying the weapons over longer distances. And it can fly 4,600 miles (7,400 km) without refuelling with a 37,000-pound (16,800 kg) payload and unlimited global range with in-air refuelling. 5. Russia's Tupolev Tu-160M2 The upgraded Tu-160M2 is an improved version of the Cold War-era Tu-160 with more powerful engines. It boasts advanced avionics, electronic warfare systems, and extended operational range, which makes it the premier supersonic strategic bomber of Russia. It is also being prioritised for the pairing of a high-speed and long-ranged weapons payload.

Stealth bombers play a significant role in contemporary warfare by offering strategic deterrence, precision strike capability, and a first-strike advantage in war like scenarios.

From US' B-21 Raider to China’s Xian H-20: Top 5 Stealth Bombers in World

The democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani stunned everybody in the race for New York City’ mayoral primary on Tuesday (June 25) after &nbsp;former Governor Andrew Cuomo conceded defeat. While the final result will depend on the ranked-choice voting tally, Mamdani, the 33-year-old Indian-American appeared to be in a dominant position, according to the Associated Press.&nbsp;So, as the excitement over Mamdani, who is now poised to become the nominee grows, the eagerness to know about his wife Rama Duwaji has also increased among the US citizens.&nbsp;Who is Rama Duwaji?&nbsp;The 27-year-old Duwaji is an illustrator and visual artist based in Brooklyn, New York. According to her Instagram bio she originally hails from Damascus, Syria.&nbsp;She holds a BFA in Communication Design from Virginia Commonwealth University and a Master’s in Illustration from the School of Visual Arts in New York.&nbsp;Duwaji's career has been associated with The New Yorker, The Washington Post, the BBC, Apple, Spotify, VICE and the Tate Modern museum in London, among others, reported the AP, citing one of her bio page.&nbsp;Duwaji, Mamdani's love story&nbsp;The couple’s love story did not begin at a party or some family gettogether but through the dating app Hinge.&nbsp;"First is, I found my wife on Hinge. So (dating apps) still work. Just to let people know," Mamdani had said in an interview to YouTuber Kaneez Surka.&nbsp;In December 2024 Duwaji and Mamdani got engaged and a few months later they tied the knot in early 2025 in a quiet civil ceremony at the New York City clerk’s office.&nbsp;After Duwaji got married, she was criticised for keeping a low profile throughout Mamdani’s mayoral campaign which was later defended by her husband.&nbsp;“Three months ago, I married the love of my life, Rama, at the City Clerk’s office,” Mamdani wrote.&nbsp;“Now, right-wing trolls are trying to make this race – which should be about you – about her. Rama isn’t just my wife, she’s an incredible artist who deserves to be known on her own terms,” he added. &nbsp;

According to Rama Duwajis Instagram bio she is a visual artist and originally hails from Damascus, Syria.

The democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani stunned everybody in the race for New York City’ mayoral primary on Tuesday (June 25) after former Governor Andrew Cuomo conceded defeat. While the final result will depend on the ranked-choice voting tally, Mamdani, the 33-year-old Indian-American appeared to be in a dominant position, according to the Associated Press. So, as the excitement over Mamdani, who is now poised to become the nominee grows, the eagerness to know about his wife Rama Duwaji has also increased among the US citizens. Who is Rama Duwaji? The 27-year-old Duwaji is an illustrator and visual artist based in Brooklyn, New York. According to her Instagram bio she originally hails from Damascus, Syria. She holds a BFA in Communication Design from Virginia Commonwealth University and a Master’s in Illustration from the School of Visual Arts in New York. Duwaji's career has been associated with The New Yorker, The Washington Post, the BBC, Apple, Spotify, VICE and the Tate Modern museum in London, among others, reported the AP, citing one of her bio page. Duwaji, Mamdani's love story The couple’s love story did not begin at a party or some family gettogether but through the dating app Hinge. "First is, I found my wife on Hinge. So (dating apps) still work. Just to let people know," Mamdani had said in an interview to YouTuber Kaneez Surka. In December 2024 Duwaji and Mamdani got engaged and a few months later they tied the knot in early 2025 in a quiet civil ceremony at the New York City clerk’s office. After Duwaji got married, she was criticised for keeping a low profile throughout Mamdani’s mayoral campaign which was later defended by her husband. “Three months ago, I married the love of my life, Rama, at the City Clerk’s office,” Mamdani wrote. “Now, right-wing trolls are trying to make this race – which should be about you – about her. Rama isn’t just my wife, she’s an incredible artist who deserves to be known on her own terms,” he added.

According to Rama Duwaji's Instagram bio she is a visual artist and originally hails from Damascus, Syria.

Who is Rama Duwaji, the NYC mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani's artist wife?

US President Donald Trump seems to be liking his new nickname - 'Daddy'! The White House has just dropped a one-minute video showing Trump’s arrival and interactions at the NATO summit set to the background track Daddy's Home by Usher. It all began when NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said that Trump behaved like a 'Daddy' in dealing with Iran and Israel. Rutte's remark was in response to Trump's usual comparison of Iran and Israel as “two school kids fighting.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">🎶 Daddy’s home… Hey, hey, hey, Daddy. President Donald J. Trump attended the NATO Summit in The Hague, Netherlands. <a href="https://t.co/asJb5FD2Ii">pic.twitter.com/asJb5FD2Ii</a>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1938053287535616085?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 26, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

"They've had a big fight, like two kids in a schoolyard," Trump said, referring to Israel and Iran. "You know, they fight like hell. You can't stop them. Let them fight for about two, three minutes, then it's easier to stop." To that, Rutte responded: "And then Daddy has to sometimes use strong language," referring to Trump's usage of the F-word after Israel and Iran violated the ceasefire. Trump laughed at Rutte's remark and said, "Everyone said 'Well, you have to use a certain word." &nbsp;Ahead of boarding Air Force One to attend the NATO Summit in the Netherlands, Trump angrily said, when asked about violation of ceasefire by Israel and Iran, "The two countries have been fighting so long and so hard that they don't know what the fuck they're doing, do you understand that?" Trump on June 24 declared that a ceasefire had been agreed between Israel and Iran and war had stopped, but both countries violated it soon after Trump's announcement and fired missiles at each other. This was a major upset for Trump, who angrily warned Israel against bombing Iran and lost his cool in front of reporters.<h2>‘Daddy’ remark doesn't stop!</h2>During a press interaction on the sidelines of the NATO Summit, Trump was asked about Rutte's 'Daddy' remark, to which Trump responded, "He did it very affectionately," Trump said. "Daddy, you're my daddy." Meanwhile, NATO Secretary General Rutte said he was not calling President Trump “daddy,” and the remark was a metaphor for US leadership. In an interview with Reuters, Rutte explained the context. He said, "And I said, that sounds a little bit like a small child asking his daddy, 'Hey, are you still staying with the family?' So, in that sense, I used 'daddy,' not that I was calling President Trump daddy." When asked if he was overpraising Trump to keep him happy amid ongoing complaints about NATO’s dependence on US support, Rutte said he didn't think so. "I think it's a bit of a question of taste," he remarked. Rutte called Trump a "good friend" of more than ten years, adding that he deserves the credit.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">NEW: Secretary General of NATO Mark Rutte refers to President Trump as ‘Daddy’ while Trump was talking about Israel &amp; Iran’s peace deal. Trump: They had a big fight. Like two kids in a schoolyard. Let them fight for about two minutes. Then it&#39;s easier to stop them. Rutte: And… <a href="https://t.co/dpG7C7bakY">pic.twitter.com/dpG7C7bakY</a>&mdash; Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) <a href="https://twitter.com/CollinRugg/status/1937864879257669826?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 25, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The White House has just dropped a one-minute video showing Trump arrival and interactions at the NATO summit set to the background track Daddy's Home by Usher.

US President Donald Trump seems to be liking his new nickname - 'Daddy'! The White House has just dropped a one-minute video showing Trump’s arrival and interactions at the NATO summit set to the background track Daddy's Home by Usher. It all began when NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said that Trump behaved like a 'Daddy' in dealing with Iran and Israel. Rutte's remark was in response to Trump's usual comparison of Iran and Israel as “two school kids fighting.”

The White House has just dropped a one-minute video showing Trump’s arrival and interactions at the NATO summit set to the background track Daddy's Home by Usher.

'Daddy' Trump impressed by his nickname? White House posts US president's NATO Summit video with THIS background track - Watch

What started as a protest against a Finance Bill proposed by President William Ruto turned into a protest against police brutality and escalated into chaos across Nairobi and 23 other counties. They had no leader or face of the protest; they were armed with mobile phones and hashtags like #RejectFinanceBill2024, #OccupyParliament, and #GenZRevolution. Social media platforms like Twitter and Instagram helped them rally to the streets, and TikTok helped them conduct livestreams. The demonstrators marched with slogans like, "We are the government", "You messed with the wrong generation", and “Ruto Must Go.” They were met with a brutal crackdown."These guys have been killing our cousins. If you try to protest, these people just come and try to shoot. They shoot us actually with live bullets. Not rubber bullets," said Mohammed from Nairobi, as reported by the BBC.&nbsp;The Kenyan National Human Rights Committee said there were instances of using excessive force, including the use of rubber bullets, live ammunition and resulting in numerous injuries. At least 16 people were killed and 400 were injured in the Kenyan protest, including demonstrators, police officers and journalists on June 25, which marked the 1st anniversary of the GenZ demonstration. The Kenyan communication authority had issued a directive to stop broadcasting the demonstration, and some stations like NTV and KTN were pulled off-air for defying the ban.&nbsp;Last year's protest at first had no opposition leaders, no trade union calls, and it was just a spontaneous awakening, truly organic, decentralised, and led by young, unaffiliated Kenyans. There were slogans like “Not Azimio, not UDA. Just the people.” As the protest started to gain momentum, Leaders from the Azimio La Umoja opposition coalition (led by Raila Odinga) began to support the protests. &nbsp;But they were often not welcomed at youth-led rallies; youths feared that they wanted to ride the wave, instead of leading the rally.&nbsp;Civil society groups like Amnesty International Kenya, Kenya Human Rights Commission, Law Society of Kenya provided legal aid and documented abuse.&nbsp;Those protests against the Finance Bill left 60 dead and 20 missing. Even though Ruto repealed the Finance Bill, it was too late; the demand was now justice and accountability for the dead, the Resignation of Ruto and top ministers, jobs, housing, and real economic change. The government said these protests were infiltrated by foreign interference, but the claim was dismissed by civil society and protestors alike.&nbsp;This year, protestors started to rally over the death of a Kenyan blogger, Albert Ojwang, in police custody. Ojwang was arrested on Friday for posting objectionable information against a senior police official. There were also cries for accountability over the shooting of street hawker Boniface Kariuki in a public space.&nbsp;Kenya is in a difficult state with the rising state debt, and the finance bill was supposed to raise $2.7 billion with taxes on essentials like bread and fuel. It was a painful and pragmatic move to appease the IMF. But this was betrayal for Kenyan youth with unemployment at 67 per cent, a shrinking job market prompted them to take to the streets, where they met with brutality, culminating in a massive sentiment to oust the government of William Ruto.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Read how a protest that originated virtually among GenZ is raging on the streets of Nairobi, accumulating issues of unemployment, taxation, police brutality and state accountability, resulting in a political awakening of Kenya

What started as a protest against a Finance Bill proposed by President William Ruto turned into a protest against police brutality and escalated into chaos across Nairobi and 23 other counties. They had no leader or face of the protest; they were armed with mobile phones and hashtags like #RejectFinanceBill2024, #OccupyParliament, and #GenZRevolution. Social media platforms like Twitter and Instagram helped them rally to the streets, and TikTok helped them conduct livestreams. The demonstrators marched with slogans like, "We are the government", "You messed with the wrong generation", and “Ruto Must Go.” They were met with a brutal crackdown. "These guys have been killing our cousins. If you try to protest, these people just come and try to shoot. They shoot us actually with live bullets. Not rubber bullets," said Mohammed from Nairobi, as reported by the BBC. The Kenyan National Human Rights Committee said there were instances of using excessive force, including the use of rubber bullets, live ammunition and resulting in numerous injuries. At least 16 people were killed and 400 were injured in the Kenyan protest, including demonstrators, police officers and journalists on June 25, which marked the 1st anniversary of the GenZ demonstration. The Kenyan communication authority had issued a directive to stop broadcasting the demonstration, and some stations like NTV and KTN were pulled off-air for defying the ban. Last year's protest at first had no opposition leaders, no trade union calls, and it was just a spontaneous awakening, truly organic, decentralised, and led by young, unaffiliated Kenyans. There were slogans like “Not Azimio, not UDA. Just the people.” As the protest started to gain momentum, Leaders from the Azimio La Umoja opposition coalition (led by Raila Odinga) began to support the protests. But they were often not welcomed at youth-led rallies; youths feared that they wanted to ride the wave, instead of leading the rally. Civil society groups like Amnesty International Kenya, Kenya Human Rights Commission, Law Society of Kenya provided legal aid and documented abuse. Those protests against the Finance Bill left 60 dead and 20 missing. Even though Ruto repealed the Finance Bill, it was too late; the demand was now justice and accountability for the dead, the Resignation of Ruto and top ministers, jobs, housing, and real economic change. The government said these protests were infiltrated by foreign interference, but the claim was dismissed by civil society and protestors alike. This year, protestors started to rally over the death of a Kenyan blogger, Albert Ojwang, in police custody. Ojwang was arrested on Friday for posting objectionable information against a senior police official. There were also cries for accountability over the shooting of street hawker Boniface Kariuki in a public space. Kenya is in a difficult state with the rising state debt, and the finance bill was supposed to raise $2.7 billion with taxes on essentials like bread and fuel. It was a painful and pragmatic move to appease the IMF. But this was betrayal for Kenyan youth with unemployment at 67 per cent, a shrinking job market prompted them to take to the streets, where they met with brutality, culminating in a massive sentiment to oust the government of William Ruto.

Read how a protest that originated virtually among Gen Z is raging on the streets of Nairobi, accumulating issues of unemployment, taxation, police brutality and state accountability, resulting in a political awakening of Kenya

From twitter to teargas: How Gen Z is leading the largest political awakening of Kenya

NATO chief Mark Rutte's "daddy" remark at the summit in The Hague went viral and raised eyebrows. Following the reaction, he has been forced to backtrack. Rutte apparently called US President Donald Trump "daddy" while commenting on the Iran-Israel war. He was backing Trump's use of the F word in reference to the ongoing crisis in the Middle East. "We basically have two countries that have been fighting so long and so hard that they don't know what the f*** they're doing," Trump said. The two met later, and on Wednesday, Rutte said, "Daddy has to use strong language" on the matter of the Iran-Israel conflict so that things can be sorted out. Trump agreed to Rutte's comments."You have to use strong language. Every once in a while, you have to use a certain word," the president said.&nbsp;However, this did not go down well with anyone in the world, and Rutte started facing backlash for using the word "daddy" for Trump.Rutte was forced to defend his words, saying, "The daddy thing, I didn't call [Trump] daddy, what I said, is that sometimes... In Europe, I hear sometimes countries saying, "hey, Mark, will the US stay with us?"&nbsp;And I said, "that sounds a little bit like a small child asking his daddy, 'hey, are you still staying with the family'"? So in that sense, I use daddy, not that I was calling President Trump daddy," Rutte said, Daily Mail reported.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/donald-trump-nato-ukrainian-journalist-husband-soldier-heart-warming-exchange-1750907342186">VIDEO: Ukrainian journalist holds back tears as Trump asks her about her soldier husband fighting Russia</a>&nbsp;<h2>“Like two kids in the schoolyard”</h2>&nbsp;While meeting Rutte, Trump said that the Iran-Israel ceasefire will hold.&nbsp;'They're not going to be fighting each other, they've had it. Like two kids in the schoolyard, they fight like hell, you can't stop them. Let them fight for two or three minutes, then it's easy to stop them," Trump said. Rutte chimed in with the "daddy" comment.Meanwhile, Trump was asked at the concluding press conference about being called "daddy" by Rutte. He said, "No, he likes me, I think he likes me! If he doesn't, I'll let you know and I'll come back and I'll hit him hard, OK?" "He did it very&nbsp;affectionately, though. 'Daddy, you're my daddy,"' the president smiled and said.At the defence bloc's gathering in The Hague, Trump proposed a big increase in defence spending, which was backed by other leaders. The new &nbsp;language states that "allies commit to invest 5 per cent of GDP annually on core defence requirements as well as defence-and security-related spending by 2035." Most of the member nations agreed, while Spain said it would only invest two per cent.&nbsp; &nbsp;

NATO chief Mark Rutte says he didn't really call Trump “daddy” at the summit. He presented his point of view and tried to clarify what he actually meant. Meanwhile, the US president apparently loved being called “daddy” in front of the world.

NATO chief Mark Rutte's "daddy" remark at the summit in The Hague went viral and raised eyebrows. Following the reaction, he has been forced to backtrack. Rutte apparently called US President Donald Trump "daddy" while commenting on the Iran-Israel war. He was backing Trump's use of the F word in reference to the ongoing crisis in the Middle East. "We basically have two countries that have been fighting so long and so hard that they don't know what the f*** they're doing," Trump said. The two met later, and on Wednesday, Rutte said, "Daddy has to use strong language" on the matter of the Iran-Israel conflict so that things can be sorted out. Trump agreed to Rutte's comments. "You have to use strong language. Every once in a while, you have to use a certain word," the president said. However, this did not go down well with anyone in the world, and Rutte started facing backlash for using the word "daddy" for Trump. Rutte was forced to defend his words, saying, "The daddy thing, I didn't call [Trump] daddy, what I said, is that sometimes... In Europe, I hear sometimes countries saying, "hey, Mark, will the US stay with us?" And I said, "that sounds a little bit like a small child asking his daddy, 'hey, are you still staying with the family'"? So in that sense, I use daddy, not that I was calling President Trump daddy," Rutte said, Daily Mail reported. Also Read: VIDEO: Ukrainian journalist holds back tears as Trump asks her about her soldier husband fighting Russia “Like two kids in the schoolyard” While meeting Rutte, Trump said that the Iran-Israel ceasefire will hold. 'They're not going to be fighting each other, they've had it. Like two kids in the schoolyard, they fight like hell, you can't stop them. Let them fight for two or three minutes, then it's easy to stop them," Trump said. Rutte chimed in with the "daddy" comment. Meanwhile, Trump was asked at the concluding press conference about being called "daddy" by Rutte. He said, "No, he likes me, I think he likes me! If he doesn't, I'll let you know and I'll come back and I'll hit him hard, OK?" "He did it very affectionately, though. 'Daddy, you're my daddy,"' the president smiled and said. At the defence bloc's gathering in The Hague, Trump proposed a big increase in defence spending, which was backed by other leaders. The new language states that "allies commit to invest 5 per cent of GDP annually on core defence requirements as well as defence-and security-related spending by 2035." Most of the member nations agreed, while Spain said it would only invest two per cent.

NATO chief Mark Rutte says he didn't really call Trump “daddy” at the summit. He presented his point of view and tried to clarify what he actually meant. Meanwhile, the US president apparently loved being called “daddy” in front of the world.

'The daddy thing, I didn't...': Embarrassed NATO chief Rutte does an about-turn on Trump 'daddy' remark

The US Treasury Department on Wednesday prohibited three Mexico-based financial transactions institutions, CIBanco, Intercam Banco, and Vector Casa de Bolsa, under the Fentanyl Sanctions Act and the FEND Off Fentanyl Act. The first use of new sanctions was led by the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), which designated the three financial firms as “primary money laundering concerns."The classification restricts the US entities from continuing any transactions with their Mexican branches. However, the applied sanctions don't involve freezing assets and global access to US dollars, but effectively isolate the institutions from the US financial system.Although the firms involved are not major players in Mexico’s financial industry, the US Treasury’s move may have significant consequences due to the tightly linked banking systems of Mexico and the United States, according to a report in the news agency Reuters.The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) labelled the three institutions as “primary money laundering concerns,” barring US entities from engaging in transactions with their Mexican branches. While the sanctions stop short of freezing assets or entirely cutting off access to the US dollar, standard in more stringent cases, they still effectively sever these firms from the American financial network.“This is a bold move. Being cut off from the US financial system is a death blow. It’s enormously impactful,” said Vanda Felbab-Brown of the Brookings Institution, an expert in organised crime. While she acknowledged that these are mid-sized firms rather than top-tier institutions, she emphasised that the fallout would still be serious, even if it doesn't drastically disrupt cartel finances.<h3>Institutions deny any allegations</h3>The Treasury Department confirmed that these institutions have offered the laundering of millions of dollars for Mexican cartels for over a year, enabling payments for chemicals used to manufacture fentanyl. Meanwhile, institutions pushed back, denying the allegations. The Vector categorically rejected the claims and promised to cooperate with the authorities. In addition, Intercam also refuted the claim of alleged involvement in illicit activity, and no official response has been issued from the CIBanco end.“Financial facilitators like CIBanco, Intercam, and Vector are enabling the poisoning of countless Americans by moving money on behalf of cartels, making them vital cogs in the fentanyl supply chain,” Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent said in a statement released by the US Treasury Department. &nbsp;“Through the first use of this powerful authority, today’s actions affirm Treasury’s commitment to using all tools at our disposal to counter the threat posed by criminal and terrorist organisations trafficking fentanyl and other narcotics.”As per Reuters, the Finance Ministry of Mexico said that in order to support the allegations, it had requested evidence from the US Treasury, but no conclusive information was received. Legal analyst Luis Manuel Perez de Acha called the decision a “bombshell,” emphasising that exclusion from US financial systems could render the affected firms virtually inoperative.The sanctions could also deepen existing tensions in US-Mexico trade relations, which are already under stress from American efforts, such as imposing high tariffs, to pressure Mexico into controlling the movement of fentanyl across the border.

The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) labelled the three institutions as “primary money laundering concerns,” barring US entities from engaging in transactions with their Mexican branches. 

The US Treasury Department on Wednesday prohibited three Mexico-based financial transactions institutions, CIBanco, Intercam Banco, and Vector Casa de Bolsa, under the Fentanyl Sanctions Act and the FEND Off Fentanyl Act. The first use of new sanctions was led by the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), which designated the three financial firms as “primary money laundering concerns." The classification restricts the US entities from continuing any transactions with their Mexican branches. However, the applied sanctions don't involve freezing assets and global access to US dollars, but effectively isolate the institutions from the US financial system. Although the firms involved are not major players in Mexico’s financial industry, the US Treasury’s move may have significant consequences due to the tightly linked banking systems of Mexico and the United States, according to a report in the news agency Reuters. The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) labelled the three institutions as “primary money laundering concerns,” barring US entities from engaging in transactions with their Mexican branches. While the sanctions stop short of freezing assets or entirely cutting off access to the US dollar, standard in more stringent cases, they still effectively sever these firms from the American financial network. “This is a bold move. Being cut off from the US financial system is a death blow. It’s enormously impactful,” said Vanda Felbab-Brown of the Brookings Institution, an expert in organised crime. While she acknowledged that these are mid-sized firms rather than top-tier institutions, she emphasised that the fallout would still be serious, even if it doesn't drastically disrupt cartel finances. Institutions deny any allegations The Treasury Department confirmed that these institutions have offered the laundering of millions of dollars for Mexican cartels for over a year, enabling payments for chemicals used to manufacture fentanyl. Meanwhile, institutions pushed back, denying the allegations. The Vector categorically rejected the claims and promised to cooperate with the authorities. In addition, Intercam also refuted the claim of alleged involvement in illicit activity, and no official response has been issued from the CIBanco end. “Financial facilitators like CIBanco, Intercam, and Vector are enabling the poisoning of countless Americans by moving money on behalf of cartels, making them vital cogs in the fentanyl supply chain,” Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent said in a statement released by the US Treasury Department. “Through the first use of this powerful authority, today’s actions affirm Treasury’s commitment to using all tools at our disposal to counter the threat posed by criminal and terrorist organisations trafficking fentanyl and other narcotics.” As per Reuters, the Finance Ministry of Mexico said that in order to support the allegations, it had requested evidence from the US Treasury, but no conclusive information was received. Legal analyst Luis Manuel Perez de Acha called the decision a “bombshell,” emphasising that exclusion from US financial systems could render the affected firms virtually inoperative. The sanctions could also deepen existing tensions in US-Mexico trade relations, which are already under stress from American efforts, such as imposing high tariffs, to pressure Mexico into controlling the movement of fentanyl across the border.

The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) labelled the three institutions as “primary money laundering concerns,” barring US entities from engaging in transactions with their Mexican branches.&nbsp;

US sanctions three Mexican banks for playing 'vital role in laundering millions of dollars'

United States President Donald Trump has gone from stating 2016 Iran Nuclear Deal “the stupidest deal of all time” to "e're oing to talk to them next week". While the previous remark was made by Trump in 2017 when he entered the White House for the first time, his latest remark comes in the aftermath of the Iran-Israel war. Trump has largely been known for his approach of 'isolation' to achieve his goal of 'America First.' While he continues to spread the same goal in his second term, his willingness to strike a deal with West Asian nations, including Iran, has not only surprised his critics but also his own MAGA base.<h2>Here we look at how Trump's approach to Iran has changed over the years</h2>1. During first term as President (2017–2021) Trump began his presidency by withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) in 2018, calling it “a horrible, one-sided deal that should have never, ever been made.” He then reinstated heavy sanctions on Iran’s economy, especially targeting oil exports, banking, and the Revolutionary Guard. His rhetoric was consistently aggressive, including statements like “<a href="https://x.com/realdonaldtrump/status/1130207891049332737">If Iran wants to fight, that will be the official end of Iran” (May 2019)</a>. One of the most provocative moments came in January 2020, when he ordered a drone strike that killed top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani, igniting fears of a full-scale war. He then justified his move saying, “<a href="https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefings-statements/remarks-president-trump-killing-qasem-soleimani/">We took action to stop a war… not to start one</a>.”&nbsp;2. Post-Presidency and Early 2024 Campaign Following his presidency, Trump’s tone cooled somewhat, focusing more on contrasting his approach with that of President Biden. In campaign speeches, he framed his first-term Iran policy as a deterrent success, claiming things were under control because Iran “wouldn’t even think of enriching uranium if I were in the White House.” While still critical of Iran, the emphasis shifted from threats to pointing out his record of strength and containment. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/trump-says-china-can-buy-iranian-oil-undermines-years-of-sanctions-on-iran-1750913535553/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/trump-says-china-can-buy-iranian-oil-undermines-years-of-sanctions-on-iran-1750913535553/embed</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;3. Shift in tone in the second term as president By mid-2025, Trump’s position became more nuanced - hinting that if Trump doesn't want Iran as a friend, he doesn't want it as a foe either. After a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Iran, Trump told Israel to “<a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/114737953503348541">stop dropping bombs</a>” &nbsp;on Iran, marking a rare moment of assertiveness toward a traditional US ally. At the same time, he publicly stated, “<a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/114738521695017472">China can now continue to purchase oil from Iran</a>”, suggesting a possible softening of US sanctions enforcement. It also suggested that Trump wants Iran to continue their business despite the tensions in the region - a stance that has even shocked his MAGA base. While some say that Trump's statement is to stabilize global oil prices and leveraging trade dynamics with China, his comment that Iran's Supreme Leader would not be killed and that he doesnt want a “regime change” in Iran certainly hints at a change in discourse. He also made a striking remark at a NATO briefing: “They’re going to need money to put that country back into shape. We want to see that happen” - representing a notable shift from his earlier goal of total economic isolation for Iran.&nbsp;While the US president continues to frame Iran as a threat and has also said during the NATO Summit that he does not care about the agreement, and his goal is simple - "Iran should not have nuclear," his current stance is a focus on diplomacy and business and not assertive. He seems to be using war and strength to bring business deals in what may be called - a Trumpian diplomacy.

While US President Donald Trump continues to spread the ‘America First’ goal, his willingness to strike a deal with West Asian nations, including Iran, has not only surprised his critics but also his own MAGA base. So is Trump looking for a friend in Iran?

United States President Donald Trump has gone from stating 2016 Iran Nuclear Deal “the stupidest deal of all time” to "e're oing to talk to them next week". While the previous remark was made by Trump in 2017 when he entered the White House for the first time, his latest remark comes in the aftermath of the Iran-Israel war. Trump has largely been known for his approach of 'isolation' to achieve his goal of 'America First.' While he continues to spread the same goal in his second term, his willingness to strike a deal with West Asian nations, including Iran, has not only surprised his critics but also his own MAGA base. Here we look at how Trump's approach to Iran has changed over the years 1. During first term as President (2017–2021) Trump began his presidency by withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) in 2018, calling it “a horrible, one-sided deal that should have never, ever been made.” He then reinstated heavy sanctions on Iran’s economy, especially targeting oil exports, banking, and the Revolutionary Guard. His rhetoric was consistently aggressive, including statements like “If Iran wants to fight, that will be the official end of Iran” (May 2019). One of the most provocative moments came in January 2020, when he ordered a drone strike that killed top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani, igniting fears of a full-scale war. He then justified his move saying, “We took action to stop a war… not to start one.” 2. Post-Presidency and Early 2024 Campaign Following his presidency, Trump’s tone cooled somewhat, focusing more on contrasting his approach with that of President Biden. In campaign speeches, he framed his first-term Iran policy as a deterrent success, claiming things were under control because Iran “wouldn’t even think of enriching uranium if I were in the White House.” While still critical of Iran, the emphasis shifted from threats to pointing out his record of strength and containment. https://www.wionews.com/videos/trump-says-china-can-buy-iranian-oil-undermines-years-of-sanctions-on-iran-1750913535553/embed 3. Shift in tone in the second term as president By mid-2025, Trump’s position became more nuanced - hinting that if Trump doesn't want Iran as a friend, he doesn't want it as a foe either. After a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Iran, Trump told Israel to “stop dropping bombs” on Iran, marking a rare moment of assertiveness toward a traditional US ally. At the same time, he publicly stated, “China can now continue to purchase oil from Iran”, suggesting a possible softening of US sanctions enforcement. It also suggested that Trump wants Iran to continue their business despite the tensions in the region - a stance that has even shocked his MAGA base. While some say that Trump's statement is to stabilize global oil prices and leveraging trade dynamics with China, his comment that Iran's Supreme Leader would not be killed and that he doesnt want a “regime change” in Iran certainly hints at a change in discourse. He also made a striking remark at a NATO briefing: “They’re going to need money to put that country back into shape. We want to see that happen” - representing a notable shift from his earlier goal of total economic isolation for Iran. While the US president continues to frame Iran as a threat and has also said during the NATO Summit that he does not care about the agreement, and his goal is simple - "Iran should not have nuclear," his current stance is a focus on diplomacy and business and not assertive. He seems to be using war and strength to bring business deals in what may be called - a Trumpian diplomacy.

While US President Donald Trump continues to spread the ‘America First’ goal, his willingness to strike a deal with West Asian nations, including Iran, has not only surprised his critics but also his own MAGA base. So is Trump looking for a friend in Iran?

From 'horrible, one-sided' deal to seeking new nuclear agreement: How Trump’s Iran stance has FLIPPED over the years

Donald Trump's two top executives, on Wednesday (Jun 25) at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit in The Hague, confirmed that a bombshell US intelligence report on Iran airstrikes was, in fact, leaked. They then quickly pivoted to denouncing the people behind the leak, calling the move politically motivated and demanding accountability. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio assumed an aggressive counteroffensive against the leaked preliminary Pentagon report that said that US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites only set the nation's nuclear programme back by a few months.<h2>What did Rubio and Hegseth say?</h2>Confirming the bombshell leak, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking at a NATO summit in the Netherlands alongside US President Donald Trump, sought to downplay the contents of the preliminary Pentagon assessment.While Trump continues to insist that the strikes caused a "total obliteration" of Iran’s nuclear capabilities, the leak, first reported by CNN and The New York Times, suggested that the underground facilities had survived the attack, with entrances sealed but no collapse of the critical subterranean infrastructure. Furthermore, the intel estimated that the damage had only caused a few months' setback to Iran's programme and not years, as Trump claimed.At the press conference, Hegseth accused unnamed insiders of leaking the report for political purposes and revealed that an FBI-led investigation was underway. "We are doing a leak investigation with the FBI now because this information is for internal purposes—battle damage investigation—and CNN and others are trying to spin it to try and make the president look bad when this was an overwhelming success," he said.He defended the precision and power of the operation, saying that "When you talk to the people who built the bombs, understand what those bombs can do, and deliver those bombs, they landed precisely where they were supposed to." Hegseth claimed the Fordow facility, buried deep within a mountain, suffered "devastation," thanks to the "30,000 pounds of explosives", even as early assessments described the damage as "moderate to severe.""The amount of munitions—six per location—any assessment that tells you it was something otherwise, is speculating with other motives, and we know that, because when you actually look at the report—by the way, it was a top secret report—it was preliminary, it was low-confidence, so you make assessments based on what you know," Hegseth said adding that he believed that the damage was likely "severe and obliterated".Rubio, taking a sharper tone, dismissed the leakers as "professional stabbers" and suggested the media was manipulating the intelligence. "On this stuff about the intelligence—this is what a leaker is telling you the intelligence says. That's the game these people play. They read it and then they go out and characterise it the way they want," he said.Rubio added that a key "conversion facility" necessary for weaponising uranium had been "wiped out," although he acknowledged that "anything in the world can be rebuilt." Still, he argued that Iran would now be under closer watch: "We know where it is, and if they try to rebuild it, we will have options there as well".<h2>Trump lashes out at media</h2>Trump also conceded that the report was "correct" but lashed out at the press over the leaked report, singling out outlets by name. "CNN is scum, MSDNC is scum, the New York Times is scum," he told reporters. "They're bad people, they’re sick.""What they've done is they’ve tried to make this unbelievable victory into something less, “he said, insisting that the report's interpretation was off. Painting the reports as a way to get ratings, he added, ”The generals and all of the people who did a good job, they get demeaned by these idiots at CNN, who can't get ratings. The place is dying, nobody even wants to waste their time going on any of their shows, so they form what [sic] The New York Times, which is dying also. Without Trump, you wouldn't have a New York Times." &nbsp;

Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio assumed an aggressive counteroffensive against the leaked preliminary Pentagon report that said that US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites only set the nation's nuclear programme back by a few months.

Donald Trump's two top executives, on Wednesday (Jun 25) at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit in The Hague, confirmed that a bombshell US intelligence report on Iran airstrikes was, in fact, leaked. They then quickly pivoted to denouncing the people behind the leak, calling the move politically motivated and demanding accountability. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio assumed an aggressive counteroffensive against the leaked preliminary Pentagon report that said that US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites only set the nation's nuclear programme back by a few months. What did Rubio and Hegseth say? Confirming the bombshell leak, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking at a NATO summit in the Netherlands alongside US President Donald Trump, sought to downplay the contents of the preliminary Pentagon assessment. While Trump continues to insist that the strikes caused a "total obliteration" of Iran’s nuclear capabilities, the leak, first reported by CNN and The New York Times, suggested that the underground facilities had survived the attack, with entrances sealed but no collapse of the critical subterranean infrastructure. Furthermore, the intel estimated that the damage had only caused a few months' setback to Iran's programme and not years, as Trump claimed. At the press conference, Hegseth accused unnamed insiders of leaking the report for political purposes and revealed that an FBI-led investigation was underway. "We are doing a leak investigation with the FBI now because this information is for internal purposes—battle damage investigation—and CNN and others are trying to spin it to try and make the president look bad when this was an overwhelming success," he said. He defended the precision and power of the operation, saying that "When you talk to the people who built the bombs, understand what those bombs can do, and deliver those bombs, they landed precisely where they were supposed to." Hegseth claimed the Fordow facility, buried deep within a mountain, suffered "devastation," thanks to the "30,000 pounds of explosives", even as early assessments described the damage as "moderate to severe." "The amount of munitions—six per location—any assessment that tells you it was something otherwise, is speculating with other motives, and we know that, because when you actually look at the report—by the way, it was a top secret report—it was preliminary, it was low-confidence, so you make assessments based on what you know," Hegseth said adding that he believed that the damage was likely "severe and obliterated". Rubio, taking a sharper tone, dismissed the leakers as "professional stabbers" and suggested the media was manipulating the intelligence. "On this stuff about the intelligence—this is what a leaker is telling you the intelligence says. That's the game these people play. They read it and then they go out and characterise it the way they want," he said. Rubio added that a key "conversion facility" necessary for weaponising uranium had been "wiped out," although he acknowledged that "anything in the world can be rebuilt." Still, he argued that Iran would now be under closer watch: "We know where it is, and if they try to rebuild it, we will have options there as well". Trump lashes out at media Trump also conceded that the report was "correct" but lashed out at the press over the leaked report, singling out outlets by name. "CNN is scum, MSDNC is scum, the New York Times is scum," he told reporters. "They're bad people, they’re sick." "What they've done is they’ve tried to make this unbelievable victory into something less, “he said, insisting that the report's interpretation was off. Painting the reports as a way to get ratings, he added, ”The generals and all of the people who did a good job, they get demeaned by these idiots at CNN, who can't get ratings. The place is dying, nobody even wants to waste their time going on any of their shows, so they form what [sic] The New York Times, which is dying also. Without Trump, you wouldn't have a New York Times."

Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio assumed an aggressive counteroffensive against the leaked preliminary Pentagon report that said that US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites only set the nation's nuclear programme back by a few months.

Rubio, Hegseth admit US intel on Iran strikes is real — but there's a catch. Here's what they said

An American Airlines flight turned around minutes after take-off after it caught fire mid-air. American Airlines flight 1665 was travelling from Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas to Charlotte, North Carolina, early morning on Wednesday (25 June). According to flight tracker Flightradar24, the plane took off at 8:11 am local time. A few minutes after it took off, one of its engines caught fire. A video shows smoke and flames erupting from the plane. An LAS spokesperson told PEOPLE that the officials were alerted to a “mechanical issue” on board the flight. “The flight departed LAS and returned, landing safely, and there were no reported injuries," it added.The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said in a statement that the plane landed safely at 8:20 am. "American Airlines Flight 1665 returned safely to Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas around 8:20 a.m. local time on Wednesday, June 25, after the crew reported an engine issue. The Airbus A321 was headed to Charlotte Douglas International Airport. The FAA will investigate. Please contact the airline for more information," the FAA statement said.&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BreakingNews?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BreakingNews</a> :- American Airlines Flight 1665 had to return to Las Vegas after its engine caught fire. This flight was going from Las Vegas in USA to North Carolina but it had to return within 10 minutes. There were 153 passengers on board this plane. It is being told that the… <a href="https://t.co/EU9IQFdX4q">pic.twitter.com/EU9IQFdX4q</a>&mdash; HASSAN🔻𝕏 (@HassanSiddiqei) <a href="https://twitter.com/HassanSiddiqei/status/1938065749081522510?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 26, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

American Airlines also issued a statement and said that all passengers were safe and deboarded. They will be sent to their destination on another plane. "The aircraft taxied to the gate under its own power and customers deplaned normally," American Airlines said in a statement. “We appreciate the professionalism of our crew and thank our team who are working to get our customers to their destinations as quickly as possible.”The airline told PEOPLE that at the time of the incident, there were 153 passengers and six crew members on board. The plane being operated was an Airbus A321. It was removed from service after it returned and the passengers deplaned. The maintenance team carried out an inspection and did not find any evidence of fire in the engine. Further assessments will be carried out.&nbsp;

American Airlines flight from Las Vegas caught fire after taking off. Smoke and fire emanating from the engine could be seen on the ground. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said in a statement that the plane landed safely at 8:20 am.

An American Airlines flight turned around minutes after take-off after it caught fire mid-air. American Airlines flight 1665 was travelling from Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas to Charlotte, North Carolina, early morning on Wednesday (25 June). According to flight tracker Flightradar24, the plane took off at 8:11 am local time. A few minutes after it took off, one of its engines caught fire. A video shows smoke and flames erupting from the plane. An LAS spokesperson told PEOPLE that the officials were alerted to a “mechanical issue” on board the flight. “The flight departed LAS and returned, landing safely, and there were no reported injuries," it added. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said in a statement that the plane landed safely at 8:20 am. "American Airlines Flight 1665 returned safely to Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas around 8:20 a.m. local time on Wednesday, June 25, after the crew reported an engine issue. The Airbus A321 was headed to Charlotte Douglas International Airport. The FAA will investigate. Please contact the airline for more information," the FAA statement said.

American Airlines flight from Las Vegas caught fire after taking off. Smoke and fire emanating from the engine could be seen on the ground. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said in a statement that the plane landed safely at 8:20 am.

American Airlines flight from Las Vegas catches fire mid-air

Facing scrutiny over a leaked US intelligence assessment that suggested only limited damage was done to Iran's deeply buried nuclear infrastructure, President Donald Trump and his administration have gone on the offensive — publicly rejecting the findings and attacking the media.&nbsp;Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday (Jun 26) at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Defence Ministers' meeting in China's Qingdao indirectly slammed Pakistan for using "cross-border terrorism as an instrument of policy".&nbsp;&nbsp;Meanwhile, After weeks of painstaking testimony in the high-profile trial of Sean "Diddy" Combs, legal teams will enter a pivotal moment of the proceedings Thursday as they deliver closing arguments.&nbsp;Click on the headlines for more&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/did-iran-outsmart-america-trump-s-white-house-denies-tehran-hid-uranium-stockpile-before-us-strikes-1750899961621">Trump's White House denies Iran hid uranium stockpile before US Strikes</a><figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn1.wionews.com/prod/wion/images/2025/20250626/image-1750900215261.jpg?rect=(0,58,908,682)&amp;w=800&amp;h=600&amp;format=webp&amp;quality=medium" alt="Did Iran outsmart America? Trump's White House denies Tehran hid uranium stockpile before US Strikes"></figure>The White House on Wednesday (Jun 25) hit back at reports that Iran may have moved a large stockpile of enriched uranium ahead of US airstrikes. The denial comes as a growing row intensifies over how much the bombing campaign actually set back Tehran's nuclear program.&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/rajnath-singh-indirectly-slams-pakistan-at-sco-says-epicentres-of-terrorism-no-longer-safe-1750908302923">Rajnath Singh indirectly slams Pakistan at SCO, says 'epicentres of terrorism no longer safe'</a><figure class="image"><img src="https://images.indianexpress.com/2025/06/Rajnath-Singh-SCO.jpg?w=414" alt="Some countries use cross-border terrorism as instrument of policy… shelter terrorists': Rajnath Singh at SCO meet | India News - The Indian Express"></figure>Addressing the SCO defence minister's meeting, Defence Minsiter Rajnath Singh said that India has zero tolerance for terrorism and urged the other SCO member countries to condemn terrorism.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-he-looks-terrible-trump-slams-zohran-mamdani-after-he-wins-nyc-s-democratic-mayoral-primary-calls-him-100-communist-lunatic-1750906806401">Trump slams '100% communist lunatic' Zohran Mamdani after he wins NYC's Democratic mayoral primary</a><figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn1.wionews.com/prod/wion/images/2025/20250626/image-1750906942288.png?rect=(0,0,1200,900)&amp;w=800&amp;h=600&amp;format=webp&amp;quality=medium" alt="'He looks TERRIBLE': Trump slams '100% communist lunatic' Zohran Mamdani after he wins NYC's Democratic mayoral primary"></figure>Indian-American Zohran Mamdani declared victory in New York City’s Democratic mayoral primary on Tuesday night (June 25) after former Governor Andrew Cuomo conceded defeat. US President Donald Trump slammed him and described his looks ‘terrible' and his voice ‘grating.’&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/trial-of-sean-diddy-combs-heads-into-closing-arguments-1750910002602">Trial of Sean 'Diddy' Combs heads into closing arguments</a><figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn1.wionews.com/prod/wion/images/2025/20250625/image-1750832569208.jpg?rect=(0,29,454,341)&amp;w=800&amp;h=600&amp;format=webp&amp;quality=medium" alt="Trial of Sean 'Diddy' Combs heads into closing arguments"></figure>After weeks of painstaking testimony in the high-profile trial of Sean "Diddy" Combs, legal teams will enter a pivotal moment of the proceedings Thursday as they deliver closing arguments.&nbsp;Donald Trump says US, Iran may sign an agreement, informs US &amp; Iranian officials to talk next week&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/donald-trump-says-us-iran-may-sign-an-agreement-informs-us-iranian-officials-to-talk-next-week-1750910855036/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/donald-trump-says-us-iran-may-sign-an-agreement-informs-us-iranian-officials-to-talk-next-week-1750910855036/embed</a> &nbsp;

Begin your day with WION's morning news brief, delivering the latest global updates and important headlines to keep you informed and ready for the day ahead.

Facing scrutiny over a leaked US intelligence assessment that suggested only limited damage was done to Iran's deeply buried nuclear infrastructure, President Donald Trump and his administration have gone on the offensive — publicly rejecting the findings and attacking the media. Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday (Jun 26) at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Defence Ministers' meeting in China's Qingdao indirectly slammed Pakistan for using "cross-border terrorism as an instrument of policy". Meanwhile, After weeks of painstaking testimony in the high-profile trial of Sean "Diddy" Combs, legal teams will enter a pivotal moment of the proceedings Thursday as they deliver closing arguments. Click on the headlines for more Trump's White House denies Iran hid uranium stockpile before US Strikes The White House on Wednesday (Jun 25) hit back at reports that Iran may have moved a large stockpile of enriched uranium ahead of US airstrikes. The denial comes as a growing row intensifies over how much the bombing campaign actually set back Tehran's nuclear program. Rajnath Singh indirectly slams Pakistan at SCO, says 'epicentres of terrorism no longer safe' Addressing the SCO defence minister's meeting, Defence Minsiter Rajnath Singh said that India has zero tolerance for terrorism and urged the other SCO member countries to condemn terrorism. Trump slams '100% communist lunatic' Zohran Mamdani after he wins NYC's Democratic mayoral primary Indian-American Zohran Mamdani declared victory in New York City’s Democratic mayoral primary on Tuesday night (June 25) after former Governor Andrew Cuomo conceded defeat. US President Donald Trump slammed him and described his looks ‘terrible' and his voice ‘grating.’ Trial of Sean 'Diddy' Combs heads into closing arguments After weeks of painstaking testimony in the high-profile trial of Sean "Diddy" Combs, legal teams will enter a pivotal moment of the proceedings Thursday as they deliver closing arguments. Donald Trump says US, Iran may sign an agreement, informs US & Iranian officials to talk next week https://www.wionews.com/videos/donald-trump-says-us-iran-may-sign-an-agreement-informs-us-iranian-officials-to-talk-next-week-1750910855036/embed

<h2>Begin your day with WION's morning news brief, delivering the latest global updates and important headlines to keep you informed and ready for the day ahead.</h2>

Morning news brief: US denies reports of Iran hiding uranium stockpile before strikes; Rajnath Singh slams Pak at SCO, and more

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday (Jun 26) at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Defence Ministers' meeting in China's Qingdao indirectly slammed Pakistan for using "cross-border terrorism as an instrument of policy". Addressing the SCO defence minister's meeting, Singh said that India has zero tolerance for terrorism and urged the other SCO member countries to condemn terrorism. In a blunt message, Singh said that terrorism will no longer go unanswered, and those sheltering terrorists must be held to account. "We have shown that the epicentres of terrorism are no longer safe. We will not hesitate to target them," Singh said.&nbsp;Watch what he said here:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">&quot;...Some countries use cross-border terrorism as an instrument of policy and provide shelter to terrorists. There should be no place for such double standards... &quot; says Rajnath Singh, India&#39;s Defence Minister at the SCO Summit (Source: ANI) <a href="https://t.co/8jVUtGOEjs">pic.twitter.com/8jVUtGOEjs</a>&mdash; WION (@WIONews) <a href="https://twitter.com/WIONews/status/1938065890190442931?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 26, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

While the Indian Defence Minister did not name countries, his message was pointed — and unmistakable. ""...Some countries use cross-border terrorism as an instrument of policy and provide shelter to terrorists. There should be no place for such double standards. SCO should not hesitate to criticise such nations, " he told counterparts from China, Russia, and Central Asia — including Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, who was also in attendance.<h2>Singh on Globalisation and India's push for multilateralism</h2>Welcoming Belarus to the SCO family, the Indian Defence Minister underlined the broader instability of the current global order. "Globalisation, which once brought us closer together, has been losing momentum. The weakening of multilateral systems has made it harder to address urgent challenges, from maintaining peace and security to rebuilding economies after the pandemic," he said.India, Singh said, continues to believe that "reformed multilateralism" is the way forward. "No country, however large and powerful, can manage alone. In fact, the very idea of the global order, or indeed of multilateralism, is the assumption that nations have to work with each other for their mutual and collective benefit. This is also reflective of our age-old Sanskrit saying 'Sarve Jana Sukhino Bhavantu', which implies peace and prosperity to all."Referring to the Sanskrit saying 'Sarve Jana Sukhino Bhavantu', which means peace and prosperity to all, he said, "No country, however large and powerful, can manage alone. In fact, the very idea of the global order, or indeed of multilateralism, is the assumption that nations have to work with each other for their mutual and collective benefit."India is expected to push for a stronger, joint approach to counterterrorism during the two-day summit, which runs from June 25 to 26. The Ministry of Defence said Singh will reiterate India's commitment to the SCO's founding principles and mandates. On the sidelines of the summit, Singh is slated to hold bilateral meetings with counterparts from Russia, China, and other participating nations.

Addressing the SCO defence minister's meeting, Singh said that India has zero tolerance for terrorism and urged the other SCO member countries to condemn terrorism.

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday (Jun 26) at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Defence Ministers' meeting in China's Qingdao indirectly slammed Pakistan for using "cross-border terrorism as an instrument of policy". Addressing the SCO defence minister's meeting, Singh said that India has zero tolerance for terrorism and urged the other SCO member countries to condemn terrorism. In a blunt message, Singh said that terrorism will no longer go unanswered, and those sheltering terrorists must be held to account. "We have shown that the epicentres of terrorism are no longer safe. We will not hesitate to target them," Singh said. Watch what he said here:

Addressing the SCO defence minister's meeting, Singh said that India has zero tolerance for terrorism and urged the other SCO member countries to condemn terrorism.

Rajnath Singh indirectly slams Pakistan at SCO, says 'epicentres of terrorism no longer safe'

Donald Trump shared an exchange he had with a Ukrainian journalist whose husband is a soldier and is fighting in the war against Russia. At the NATO Summit, BBC Ukraine correspondent Myroslava Petsa asked the president whether the US would give Ukraine Patriot missiles. She informed him that ever since the war broke out, she has been staying in Warsaw, Poland, with her kids, while her husband is fighting the war against Moscow. This jolted Trump, who said, "That’s rough". At the end of the NATO Summit in The Hague, BBC Ukraine correspondent Myroslava Petsa asked Trump at the press conference, "whether or not the US is ready to sell anti-air missile systems to Ukraine."After Trump pointed at her to ask a question, he asked, "Where are you from?" "I'm from Ukraine," the woman said, and asked about the Patriot missiles, saying that "Russia has been pounding Ukraine really heavily right now."Trump asked the reporter, "Are you living yourself now in Ukraine?" She said, "My husband is there," to which a visibly moved Trump interjected, "Wow. I can see you're … you know, it's amazing." The woman said, "Me with the kids, I'm in Warsaw, actually, because he wanted me to.""Is your husband a soldier?" Trump asked. The woman responded, "He is."&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/is-that-a-suit-zelensky-finally-seen-in-formal-attire-at-dinner-with-the-dutch-royals-1750839272322">Is that a suit? Zelensky finally seen in formal attire at dinner with the Dutch royals</a> Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-tried-to-demean-great-work-our-b-2-pilots-did-trump-blasts-bad-and-sick-media-outlets-1750874874034">‘Tried to demean great work our B-2 pilots did’: Trump blasts ‘BAD AND SICK’ media outlets</a>&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Trump gets emotional as he is asked by a Ukrainian reporter whose husband serves in Ukraine about whether he will supply air defenses to Ukraine. Quite a moment in the press conference. <a href="https://t.co/MPW8dV3j3k">pic.twitter.com/MPW8dV3j3k</a>&mdash; Yaroslav Trofimov (@yarotrof) <a href="https://twitter.com/yarotrof/status/1937882754877718626?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 25, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

"He is there now, wow. That's rough stuff. And you are living here?", "In Warsaw," the woman says."Let me just tell you, they do want to have the anti-missile missile, as we call it. You know, they're very hard to get. We need them too. We were supplying them to Israel, and they're very effective. 100% effective. Hard to believe how effective," Trump tells the reporter.&nbsp;https://www.wionews.com/videos/russia-ukraine-war-zelensky-responds-to-putin-s-threat-to-conquer-all-of-ukraine-1750773057841/embed&nbsp;"That's a very good question. And I wish you a lot of luck. I mean, I can see that it's very upsetting to you. Say hello to your husband, OK," Trump says at the end of the conversation.Trump was quite aggressive towards the other journalists at the conference. His empathetic exchange with the Ukrainian journalist was definitely one of the highlights of the day.Earlier in the day, Trump met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the summit and suggested that an increase in spending by the trans-Atlantic alliance could help prevent future Russian aggression against its other neighbours. Trump has been upset with Putin for not ending the war. Last month, Moscow hit Ukraine with a barrage of 300 drone and missile attacks, which prompted Trump to lash out at him, calling him "crazy."

Donald Trump had a heart-warming exchange with a Ukrainian journalist at the NATO Summit. The US president was visibly moved after she told him that her husband was a soldier and fighting the war against Russia, while she stayed in Warsaw with the kids. 

Donald Trump shared an exchange he had with a Ukrainian journalist whose husband is a soldier and is fighting in the war against Russia. At the NATO Summit, BBC Ukraine correspondent Myroslava Petsa asked the president whether the US would give Ukraine Patriot missiles. She informed him that ever since the war broke out, she has been staying in Warsaw, Poland, with her kids, while her husband is fighting the war against Moscow. This jolted Trump, who said, "That’s rough". At the end of the NATO Summit in The Hague, BBC Ukraine correspondent Myroslava Petsa asked Trump at the press conference, "whether or not the US is ready to sell anti-air missile systems to Ukraine." After Trump pointed at her to ask a question, he asked, "Where are you from?" "I'm from Ukraine," the woman said, and asked about the Patriot missiles, saying that "Russia has been pounding Ukraine really heavily right now." Trump asked the reporter, "Are you living yourself now in Ukraine?" She said, "My husband is there," to which a visibly moved Trump interjected, "Wow. I can see you're … you know, it's amazing." The woman said, "Me with the kids, I'm in Warsaw, actually, because he wanted me to." "Is your husband a soldier?" Trump asked. The woman responded, "He is." Also Read: Is that a suit? Zelensky finally seen in formal attire at dinner with the Dutch royals Also Read: ‘Tried to demean great work our B-2 pilots did’: Trump blasts ‘BAD AND SICK’ media outlets

Donald Trump had a heart-warming exchange with a Ukrainian journalist at the NATO Summit. The US president was visibly moved after she told him that her husband was a soldier and fighting the war against Russia, while she stayed in Warsaw with the kids.&nbsp;

VIDEO: Ukrainian journalist holds back tears as Trump asks her about her soldier husband fighting Russia

Indian-American Zohran Mamdani declared victory in New York City’s Democratic mayoral primary on Tuesday night (June 25) after former Governor Andrew Cuomo conceded defeat. While the final result will depend on the ranked-choice voting tally, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/india-origin-zohran-mamdani-likely-to-win-new-york-city-democratic-mayoral-primary-who-is-he-1750826346189">Mamdani</a>, a 33-year-old democratic socialist appeared to be in a dominant position, AP reported. Even as Mamdani's final victory is awaited, US President Donald Trump slammed him and described his looks as ‘terrible’ and his voive ‘grating.’ In two posts on Truth Social, the US president not only criticised Mamdani but also Democratic leaders including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez - who serves as US representative for New York's 14th congressional district. Trump also called Mamdani ‘100% communist lunatic.’&nbsp;“Zohran Mamdani, a 100% Communist Lunatic, has just won the Dem Primary, and is on his way to becoming Mayor. We’ve had Radical Lefties before, but this is getting a little ridiculous. He looks TERRIBLE, his voice is grating, he’s not very smart, he’s got AOC+3, Dummies ALL, backing him, and even our Great Palestinian Senator, Cryin’ Chuck Schumer, is groveling over him,” Trump said, adding in a sarcastic remark at the end - “Yes, this is a big moment in the History of our Country!”<figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn1.wionews.com/prod/wion/images/2025/20250626/image-1750907575435.png"></figure>Further, criticising Democrats, Trump said that they should nominate Jasmine Crockett - whom he termed “Low IQ Candidate” for President and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rep. Ilhan Omar as Vice President, along with Mamdani - who will soon be New York Mayor. Trump declared that "the country is really screwed," poking fun at Democrats and expressing frustration over Mamdani's victory.&nbsp;“I have an idea for the Democrats to bring them back into “play.” After years of being left out in the cold, including suffering one of the Greatest Losses in History, the 2024 Presidential Election, the Democrats should nominate Low IQ Candidate, Jasmine Crockett, for President, and AOC+3 should be, respectively, Vice President, and three High Level Members of the Cabinet – Added together with our future Communist Mayor of New York City, Zohran Mamdani, and our Country is really SCREWED!”<figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn1.wionews.com/prod/wion/images/2025/20250626/image-1750907842348.png"></figure><h2>Who is Zohran Mamdani?</h2>Zohran Kwame Mamdani was born in Kampala, Uganda, but was brought up with his family in New York City, USA, at the age of 7. After graduating with a Bachelor's Degree in Africana Studies from Bowdoin College, he became an American citizen in 2018. He attended the Bronx High School of Science and later earned a degree in Africana Studies from Bowdoin College, where he co-founded the campus chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine. Mamdani and his wife, 27-year-old Brooklyn-based Syrian artist Rama Duwaji, met on the dating app Hinge. His mother, Mira Nair, is a celebrated film director and his father Professor Mahmood Mamdani, teaches at Columbia. Both of them are Harvard alumni. Mamdani's unique campaign went viral on social media and got the world talking as he spoke directly to the New York city’s massive South Asian population through a language they understood deeply: Bollywood - using pop culture refrences, iconic songs, etc.&nbsp;&nbsp;Senator Bernie Sanders hailed Mamdani’s win, saying, “You took on the political, economic and media establishment, and you beat them.” At his victory party in Queens, Mamdani quoted Nelson Mandela, saying, “It always seems impossible until it’s done. My friends, it is done.” Even Cuomo, conceding with grace, said, “Tonight is his night. He deserved it. He won.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">In the words of Nelson Mandela: it always seems impossible until it’s done. My friends, it is done. And you are the ones who did it. I am honored to be your Democratic nominee for the Mayor of New York City. <a href="https://t.co/AgW0Z30xw1">pic.twitter.com/AgW0Z30xw1</a>&mdash; Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@ZohranKMamdani) <a href="https://twitter.com/ZohranKMamdani/status/1937728420156174626?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 25, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

As Mamdani is a few steps away from the mayor's post, US President Donald Trump has slammed him for what he described as terrible. He also called Indian-origin Mamdani 100% communist lunatic.



Indian-American Zohran Mamdani declared victory in New York City’s Democratic mayoral primary on Tuesday night (June 25) after former Governor Andrew Cuomo conceded defeat. While the final result will depend on the ranked-choice voting tally, Mamdani, a 33-year-old democratic socialist appeared to be in a dominant position, AP reported. Even as Mamdani's final victory is awaited, US President Donald Trump slammed him and described his looks as ‘terrible’ and his voive ‘grating.’ In two posts on Truth Social, the US president not only criticised Mamdani but also Democratic leaders including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez - who serves as US representative for New York's 14th congressional district. Trump also called Mamdani ‘100% communist lunatic.’ “Zohran Mamdani, a 100% Communist Lunatic, has just won the Dem Primary, and is on his way to becoming Mayor. We’ve had Radical Lefties before, but this is getting a little ridiculous. He looks TERRIBLE, his voice is grating, he’s not very smart, he’s got AOC+3, Dummies ALL, backing him, and even our Great Palestinian Senator, Cryin’ Chuck Schumer, is groveling over him,” Trump said, adding in a sarcastic remark at the end - “Yes, this is a big moment in the History of our Country!” Further, criticising Democrats, Trump said that they should nominate Jasmine Crockett - whom he termed “Low IQ Candidate” for President and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rep. Ilhan Omar as Vice President, along with Mamdani - who will soon be New York Mayor. Trump declared that "the country is really screwed," poking fun at Democrats and expressing frustration over Mamdani's victory. “I have an idea for the Democrats to bring them back into “play.” After years of being left out in the cold, including suffering one of the Greatest Losses in History, the 2024 Presidential Election, the Democrats should nominate Low IQ Candidate, Jasmine Crockett, for President, and AOC+3 should be, respectively, Vice President, and three High Level Members of the Cabinet – Added together with our future Communist Mayor of New York City, Zohran Mamdani, and our Country is really SCREWED!” Who is Zohran Mamdani? Zohran Kwame Mamdani was born in Kampala, Uganda, but was brought up with his family in New York City, USA, at the age of 7. After graduating with a Bachelor's Degree in Africana Studies from Bowdoin College, he became an American citizen in 2018. He attended the Bronx High School of Science and later earned a degree in Africana Studies from Bowdoin College, where he co-founded the campus chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine. Mamdani and his wife, 27-year-old Brooklyn-based Syrian artist Rama Duwaji, met on the dating app Hinge. His mother, Mira Nair, is a celebrated film director and his father Professor Mahmood Mamdani, teaches at Columbia. Both of them are Harvard alumni. Mamdani's unique campaign went viral on social media and got the world talking as he spoke directly to the New York city’s massive South Asian population through a language they understood deeply: Bollywood - using pop culture refrences, iconic songs, etc. Senator Bernie Sanders hailed Mamdani’s win, saying, “You took on the political, economic and media establishment, and you beat them.” At his victory party in Queens, Mamdani quoted Nelson Mandela, saying, “It always seems impossible until it’s done. My friends, it is done.” Even Cuomo, conceding with grace, said, “Tonight is his night. He deserved it. He won.”

As Mamdani is a few steps away from the mayor's post, US President Donald Trump has slammed him for what he described as 'terrible'. He also called Indian-origin Mamdani ‘100% communist lunatic.’&nbsp;

'He looks TERRIBLE': Trump slams '100% communist lunatic' Zohran Mamdani after he wins NYC's Democratic mayoral primary

Mississippi on Wednesday (Jun 25) executed a man who spent nearly 50 years on death row. The inmate, identified as 79-year-old Richard Jordan, was executed by lethal injection and was one of the two executions in the United States this week. In 1976, Jordan was convicted of the kidnapping and murder of Edwina Marter, the wife of a bank executive in the town of Gulfport. Jordan was the state's oldest and longest-serving death row inmate at the time of his execution, said the Mississippi Department of Corrections in a statement.<h2>Who was Richard Jordan?</h2>Richard Jordan was a death row inmate who was convicted back in 1976 for the kidnapping and murder of Edwina Marter. Jordan, as per Mississippi Supreme Court records, called the Gulf National Bank in January 1976, asking to speak with a loan officer. After he was told Charles Marter could speak to him, he hung up the phone before looking up Marter's address. He then kidnapped Edwina Marter, the bank executive's wife, from her home and shot her before calling her husband and demanding a $25,000 ransom. He was arrested when he came to collect the money. Later, he led investigators to her body in a nearby forest.His case dragged through the courts for decades — four trials and multiple appeals, re-sentencings, and reversals — but ultimately ended with a death sentence being upheld.Jordan's execution came just a day after Florida put to death Thomas Gudinas, 51, for the 1994 killing of Michelle McGrath. The two executions bring the total in the United States this year to 25. Of those 25, 20 were by lethal injection, two by firing squad, and three by nitrogen gas — a method the UN has condemned as inhumane, reports AFP.<h2>Death Penalty and the US</h2>President Donald Trump is a supporter of the death penalty, and during his re-election. He even called for expanding the death penalty, floating the use of capital punishment for drug dealers and repeat offenders on his first day back in office. However, the death penalty remains a contentious issue in America. 23 of the 50 US states have abolished it entirely, and three others — California, Oregon, and Pennsylvania — have put a formal pause on executions. But in much of the South, executions continue, with growing speed. At seven, Florida leads this year in the number of total executions.&nbsp;&nbsp;

In 1976, Jordan was convicted of the kidnapping and murder of Edwina Marter, the wife of a bank executive in the town of Gulfport. Jordan was the state's oldest and longest-serving death row inmate at the time of his execution, said the Mississippi Department of Corrections in a statement.

Mississippi on Wednesday (Jun 25) executed a man who spent nearly 50 years on death row. The inmate, identified as 79-year-old Richard Jordan, was executed by lethal injection and was one of the two executions in the United States this week. In 1976, Jordan was convicted of the kidnapping and murder of Edwina Marter, the wife of a bank executive in the town of Gulfport. Jordan was the state's oldest and longest-serving death row inmate at the time of his execution, said the Mississippi Department of Corrections in a statement. Who was Richard Jordan? Richard Jordan was a death row inmate who was convicted back in 1976 for the kidnapping and murder of Edwina Marter. Jordan, as per Mississippi Supreme Court records, called the Gulf National Bank in January 1976, asking to speak with a loan officer. After he was told Charles Marter could speak to him, he hung up the phone before looking up Marter's address. He then kidnapped Edwina Marter, the bank executive's wife, from her home and shot her before calling her husband and demanding a $25,000 ransom. He was arrested when he came to collect the money. Later, he led investigators to her body in a nearby forest. His case dragged through the courts for decades — four trials and multiple appeals, re-sentencings, and reversals — but ultimately ended with a death sentence being upheld. Jordan's execution came just a day after Florida put to death Thomas Gudinas, 51, for the 1994 killing of Michelle McGrath. The two executions bring the total in the United States this year to 25. Of those 25, 20 were by lethal injection, two by firing squad, and three by nitrogen gas — a method the UN has condemned as inhumane, reports AFP. Death Penalty and the US President Donald Trump is a supporter of the death penalty, and during his re-election. He even called for expanding the death penalty, floating the use of capital punishment for drug dealers and repeat offenders on his first day back in office. However, the death penalty remains a contentious issue in America. 23 of the 50 US states have abolished it entirely, and three others — California, Oregon, and Pennsylvania — have put a formal pause on executions. But in much of the South, executions continue, with growing speed. At seven, Florida leads this year in the number of total executions.

In 1976, Jordan was convicted of the kidnapping and murder of Edwina Marter, the wife of a bank executive in the town of Gulfport. Jordan was the state's oldest and longest-serving death row inmate at the time of his execution, said the Mississippi Department of Corrections in a statement.

'Mississippi's oldest death row inmate' executed after nearly five decades of incarceration

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor attended a meeting in Moscow with Russian Liberal Democratic Party chairman Leonis Slutsky and stunned the delegation with fluent French - videos of which has gone viral on social media. Tharoor, who is known for his exceptionally fluent English, spoke to Slutsky about combating terrorism and slammed Pakistan in French. His response came when the Russian Liberal Democratic Party chairman spoke about Russia’s plans to host a conference early next year involving the parliamentary heads of six countries: Turkey, Iran, Russia, India, Pakistan, and China.<h2>What was Tharoor's response?</h2>Tharoor replied in French, directly addressing the problem of Pakistan’s involvement. "There is a country that unfortunately provides a safe haven for these terrorist groups," Tharoor said. "They have their headquarters, they train terrorists in their country, fund them, arm them, and send them to other nations. It’s difficult for us to ignore the fact that they enjoy patronage in Pakistan. The video of Tharoor speaking in fluent French has gone viral, both for his linguistic excellence and the diplomatic clarity with which he cornered Pakistan. Shashi Tharoor also led India's all-party delegation after Operation Sindoor to expose Pakistan's role in cross-border terrorism.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">What a man <a href="https://twitter.com/ShashiTharoor?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ShashiTharoor</a> is. Thrashing Pakistan in French while interacting with French delegates. 😂🫡 <a href="https://t.co/YtMrU4SvjJ">pic.twitter.com/YtMrU4SvjJ</a>&mdash; Mr Sinha (@MrSinha_) <a href="https://twitter.com/MrSinha_/status/1937895098349744370?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 25, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

After the meeting with the Russian official, Tharoor took to X and shared images and wrote, “Good to renew my acquaintance with my Russian counterpart, Mr Slutsky, who had visited Parliament in New Delhi a few months ago with a Russian delegation. We exchanged views on regional peace, Operation Sindoor and possible avenues of future parliamentary cooperation.” In Russia, Tharoor also met Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of the Primakov Readings in Moscow.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Good to renew my acquaintance with my Russian counterpart, Mr Slutsky, who had visited Parliament in New Delhi a few months ago with a Russian delegation. We exchanged views on regional peace, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OperationSindoor?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OperationSindoor</a> and possible avenues of future parliamentary cooperation. <a href="https://t.co/NfjnpF1VGr">https://t.co/NfjnpF1VGr</a>&mdash; Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) <a href="https://twitter.com/ShashiTharoor/status/1937812722152030617?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 25, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>Tharoor vs Congress</h2>Tharoor's remark on Pakistan came amid his own party's disapproval of his stance regarding Operation Sindoor. Earlier, he had clarified that he is not "leaping to join Prime Minister's party' after an article written by him praising PM Narendra Modi was slammed by his party colleagues. In a cryptic post on X, he said "Don't ask permission to fly. The wings are yours and the sky belongs to no one." Earlier, Tharoor's remark about surgical strikes that India has conducted in the last decade during his visit as a part of the Operation Sindoor delegation had not gone down well with his party. The Congress party was quick to highlight that the surgical strikes that were conducted before 2014 as well, with Congress leader Pawan Khera publically criticising him. “I have been working in Congress for the past 16 years. I have some differences of opinion with the party, and I will discuss them inside the party," Tharoor had said after returning to India.&nbsp;

Shashi Tharoor, who is known for his exceptionally fluent English, spoke to Slutsky about combating terrorism and slammed Pakistan in French. His response came when the Russian Liberal Democratic Party chairman spoke about Russia’s plans to host a conference on combating terrorism

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor attended a meeting in Moscow with Russian Liberal Democratic Party chairman Leonis Slutsky and stunned the delegation with fluent French - videos of which has gone viral on social media. Tharoor, who is known for his exceptionally fluent English, spoke to Slutsky about combating terrorism and slammed Pakistan in French. His response came when the Russian Liberal Democratic Party chairman spoke about Russia’s plans to host a conference early next year involving the parliamentary heads of six countries: Turkey, Iran, Russia, India, Pakistan, and China. What was Tharoor's response? Tharoor replied in French, directly addressing the problem of Pakistan’s involvement. "There is a country that unfortunately provides a safe haven for these terrorist groups," Tharoor said. "They have their headquarters, they train terrorists in their country, fund them, arm them, and send them to other nations. It’s difficult for us to ignore the fact that they enjoy patronage in Pakistan. The video of Tharoor speaking in fluent French has gone viral, both for his linguistic excellence and the diplomatic clarity with which he cornered Pakistan. Shashi Tharoor also led India's all-party delegation after Operation Sindoor to expose Pakistan's role in cross-border terrorism.

Shashi Tharoor, who is known for his exceptionally fluent English, spoke to Slutsky about combating terrorism and slammed Pakistan in French. His response came when the Russian Liberal Democratic Party chairman spoke about Russia’s plans to host a conference on combating terrorism

'They train terrorists': Shashi Tharoor slams Pakistan in meeting with Russian officials, stuns all with fluent French - Watch viral video

On Wednesday (June 25), Iran’s military confirmed the death of Ali Shamdmani, top Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. He led the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, and the military vowed to take ‘severe revenge’ from the Israeli military for the ‘criminal act’, reported IRNA state news agency. Shamdmani succumbed to the injuries he sustained during Israeli attacks.&nbsp;His death was confirmed a day after US President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire between Tel Aviv and Tehran. Shamdmani had taken command after General Gholamali Rashid, who was killed in the initial Israeli strikes on June 13. On June 17, Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) tweeted, “For the second time in 5 days— the IDF has eliminated Iran’s War-Time Chief of Staff, the regime’s top military commander. Ali Shadmani, Iran’s senior-most military official and Khamenei’s closest military advisor, was killed in an IAF strike in central Tehran, following precise intelligence.”&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-s-supreme-leader-khamenei-s-advisor-shamkhani-alive-reports-state-media-after-declaring-him-dead-in-initial-israeli-strikes-1750412284424">Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei’s advisor Shamkhani 'alive', reports state media after declaring him dead in initial Israeli strikes</a>&nbsp;Two top brass leaders foiled the assassination bids, one of which was Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei’s advisor Ali Shamkhani who survived but sustained injuries. &nbsp;Statements attributed to the advisor have surfaced, which read, “I am alive and ready to sacrifice myself.” Reports also say his condition is stable at the moment.&nbsp;The news has surfaced after Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi foiled an assassination bid. Mohammad Hossein Rangbaran, a senior official and adviser to the Foreign Ministry, tweeted about it Friday. He wrote, which roughly translates to: “Since it was announced that the Foreign Minister was leaving for Geneva to negotiate with the European Troika, I have had many calls to make sure that the Zionist regime does not target him.”&nbsp;The ’12-day war’ ended on June 24, after which both sides violated it, and now, calm prevails.

On Wednesday (June 25), Iran’s military confirmed the death of Ali Shamdmani, top Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. He led the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, and the military vowed to take ‘severe revenge’ from the Israeli military for the ‘criminal act’.

On Wednesday (June 25), Iran’s military confirmed the death of Ali Shamdmani, top Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. He led the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, and the military vowed to take ‘severe revenge’ from the Israeli military for the ‘criminal act’, reported IRNA state news agency. Shamdmani succumbed to the injuries he sustained during Israeli attacks. His death was confirmed a day after US President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire between Tel Aviv and Tehran. Shamdmani had taken command after General Gholamali Rashid, who was killed in the initial Israeli strikes on June 13. On June 17, Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) tweeted, “For the second time in 5 days— the IDF has eliminated Iran’s War-Time Chief of Staff, the regime’s top military commander. Ali Shadmani, Iran’s senior-most military official and Khamenei’s closest military advisor, was killed in an IAF strike in central Tehran, following precise intelligence.” Also read: Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei’s advisor Shamkhani 'alive', reports state media after declaring him dead in initial Israeli strikes Two top brass leaders foiled the assassination bids, one of which was Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei’s advisor Ali Shamkhani who survived but sustained injuries. Statements attributed to the advisor have surfaced, which read, “I am alive and ready to sacrifice myself.” Reports also say his condition is stable at the moment. The news has surfaced after Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi foiled an assassination bid. Mohammad Hossein Rangbaran, a senior official and adviser to the Foreign Ministry, tweeted about it Friday. He wrote, which roughly translates to: “Since it was announced that the Foreign Minister was leaving for Geneva to negotiate with the European Troika, I have had many calls to make sure that the Zionist regime does not target him.” The ’12-day war’ ended on June 24, after which both sides violated it, and now, calm prevails.

On Wednesday (June 25), Iran’s military confirmed the death of Ali Shamdmani, top Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. He led the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, and the military vowed to take ‘severe revenge’ from the Israeli military for the ‘criminal act’.

Israel eliminates Iranian commander Ali Shadmani

The Trump White House on Wednesday (Jun 25) hit back at reports that Iran may have moved a large stockpile of enriched uranium ahead of US airstrikes. The denial comes as a growing row intensifies over how much the bombing campaign actually set back Tehran's nuclear program. Facing scrutiny over a leaked US intelligence assessment that suggested only limited damage was done to Iran's deeply buried nuclear infrastructure, President Donald Trump and his administration have gone on the offensive — publicly rejecting the findings and attacking the media. During an interview, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt insisted that the reports were false.<h2>What did Leavitt say?</h2>Speaking during a Fox News interview, the White House Press Secretary insisted, "I can tell you, the United States had no indication that that enriched uranium was moved prior to the strikes, as I also saw falsely reported"."As for what's on the ground right now, it's buried under miles and miles of rubble because of the success of these strikes on Saturday evening," she added.Meanwhile, Vice President JD Vance offered a more cautious take on Sunday. Appearing on a ABC News programme, he said that the administration would "work in the coming weeks to ensure that we do something with that fuel" purportedly referring to the 400 kilograms (880 pounds) of 60 per cent-enriched uranium reportedly in Iran's stockpile.The uranium in question, enriched to 60%, falls short of weapons-grade but is far above civilian-use levels, and could be rapidly refined if Iran chose to sprint toward a bomb.<h2>Where is Iran's uranium stockpile?</h2>The conflicting statements come as international observers question whether Iran managed to relocate nuclear materials before the strikes — possibly to secret facilities across the vast country.The UN's atomic watchdog, the IAEA, confirmed it has lost visibility on the uranium since the bombing began. Speaking to France 2 television agency chief Rafael Grossi confirmed "The IAEA lost visibility on this material the moment hostilities began". He added that "I don't want to give the impression that it’s been lost or hidden."<h2>Trump lashes out, officials close ranks</h2>The US military said that it dropped 14 massive GBU-57 "bunker buster" bombs on Iran's Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan sites — but an early, classified assessment first reported by CNN suggested the nuclear programme may have only been delayed by a few months, not years.An infuriated Trump insisted that the attack had completely "obliterated" the facilities and blasted the reporting on his Truth Social platform. Demanding CNN fire the journalist behind the story, he also slammed CNN and the New York Times as "fake news" and "failing". He also announced that Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth would hold a Thursday press conference to "fight for the dignity of our great American pilots".CIA Director John Radcliffe added to the administration's pushback, saying intelligence from a "historically reliable" source indicated that "several key Iranian nuclear facilities were destroyed and would have to be rebuilt over the course of years."Iran, for its part, has admitted that its nuclear sites were "badly damaged"— but has not confirmed how much damage it experienced.

Facing scrutiny over a leaked US intelligence assessment that suggested only limited damage was done to Iran's deeply buried nuclear infrastructure, President Donald Trump and his administration have gone on the offensive — publicly rejecting the findings and attacking the media.

The Trump White House on Wednesday (Jun 25) hit back at reports that Iran may have moved a large stockpile of enriched uranium ahead of US airstrikes. The denial comes as a growing row intensifies over how much the bombing campaign actually set back Tehran's nuclear program. Facing scrutiny over a leaked US intelligence assessment that suggested only limited damage was done to Iran's deeply buried nuclear infrastructure, President Donald Trump and his administration have gone on the offensive — publicly rejecting the findings and attacking the media. During an interview, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt insisted that the reports were false. What did Leavitt say? Speaking during a Fox News interview, the White House Press Secretary insisted, "I can tell you, the United States had no indication that that enriched uranium was moved prior to the strikes, as I also saw falsely reported". "As for what's on the ground right now, it's buried under miles and miles of rubble because of the success of these strikes on Saturday evening," she added. Meanwhile, Vice President JD Vance offered a more cautious take on Sunday. Appearing on a ABC News programme, he said that the administration would "work in the coming weeks to ensure that we do something with that fuel" purportedly referring to the 400 kilograms (880 pounds) of 60 per cent-enriched uranium reportedly in Iran's stockpile. The uranium in question, enriched to 60%, falls short of weapons-grade but is far above civilian-use levels, and could be rapidly refined if Iran chose to sprint toward a bomb. Where is Iran's uranium stockpile? The conflicting statements come as international observers question whether Iran managed to relocate nuclear materials before the strikes — possibly to secret facilities across the vast country. The UN's atomic watchdog, the IAEA, confirmed it has lost visibility on the uranium since the bombing began. Speaking to France 2 television agency chief Rafael Grossi confirmed "The IAEA lost visibility on this material the moment hostilities began". He added that "I don't want to give the impression that it’s been lost or hidden." Trump lashes out, officials close ranks The US military said that it dropped 14 massive GBU-57 "bunker buster" bombs on Iran's Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan sites — but an early, classified assessment first reported by CNN suggested the nuclear programme may have only been delayed by a few months, not years. An infuriated Trump insisted that the attack had completely "obliterated" the facilities and blasted the reporting on his Truth Social platform. Demanding CNN fire the journalist behind the story, he also slammed CNN and the New York Times as "fake news" and "failing". He also announced that Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth would hold a Thursday press conference to "fight for the dignity of our great American pilots". CIA Director John Radcliffe added to the administration's pushback, saying intelligence from a "historically reliable" source indicated that "several key Iranian nuclear facilities were destroyed and would have to be rebuilt over the course of years." Iran, for its part, has admitted that its nuclear sites were "badly damaged"— but has not confirmed how much damage it experienced.

Facing scrutiny over a leaked US intelligence assessment that suggested only limited damage was done to Iran's deeply buried nuclear infrastructure, President Donald Trump and his administration have gone on the offensive — publicly rejecting the findings and attacking the media.

Did Iran outsmart America? Trump's White House denies Tehran hid uranium stockpile before US Strikes

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‘Obliterated’ or not? Trump denies Iran hid uranium stockpile before US Strikes