Trump Demands Iran Allow Nuclear Inspections Following US-Israeli Strikes

U.S. President Donald Trump has called on Iran to allow international inspectors access to its nuclear facilities, just days after coordinated U.S. and Israeli strikes targeted Iranian sites believed to be linked to its nuclear program. Speaking at a White House press conference on Friday, Trump stated that any future diplomatic engagement with Tehran must include inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) or another trusted entity. “We need the IAEA or somebody that we respect — including ourselves — to verify everything,” he said. The remarks follow heightened tensions in the region and come amid growing concern over the fallout from the recent strikes. In what many analysts view as a retaliatory move, Iran’s parliament has approved a bill suspending cooperation with the IAEA, despite its status as a signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). The legislation is seen as a direct response to the U.S.-Israeli operation, which Tehran has condemned as a violation of international law and its sovereignty. Iran has yet to respond directly to Trump’s demand, but officials have warned that continued pressure and military aggression will only harden Tehran’s nuclear stance and reduce the likelihood of diplomatic compromise.

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Israeli Army Chief Links Strikes on Iran to Military Objectives in Gaza

Israel’s Chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, has stated that recent Israeli strikes on Iran may serve to advance the country’s military objectives in Gaza, raising fresh concerns over the widening scope of the ongoing conflict. Speaking during a field tour of Israeli military positions in Gaza on Friday, Zamir claimed that Iran “has taken a heavy blow,” suggesting that the attack could directly support Israel’s operations in the Palestinian territory. “This may advance our objectives in Gaza,” he said. The comments come in the aftermath of Israel’s conclusion of “Operation Rising Lion,” which the military claims targeted elements of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. Zamir further commended Israeli ground forces operating in Gaza, stating that their combat experience was “a significant part of the [Israel Defense Forces]’ ability to act with force in Iran.” His remarks appear to blur the distinction between Israel’s military confrontations with Iran and its ongoing war in Gaza, drawing criticism from analysts who warn that linking both theaters of conflict could signal a dangerous escalation. Despite months of air and ground assaults that have resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of Palestinians and widespread destruction across Gaza, Zamir admitted that Israel’s declared military objectives in the territory remain unfulfilled. The statement has further fueled international concern over the growing regional dimension of Israel’s war efforts and the humanitarian toll in Gaza.

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Israeli Soldier Confessions Over Killings at Aid Centres Detail War crimes: Media Office

War crimes” are taking place at US and Israeli-backed aid distribution centres in Gaza, according to the enclave’s Government Media Office. The statement referencing “the shocking confessions” of Israeli soldiers published by the Haaretz newspaper of “deliberately shooting starving Palestinian civilians” near the aid points said the testimonies are evidence of “war crimes”. “The report’s direct military orders to fire on unarmed civilians who pose no threat, and the use of heavy machine guns, artillery, and shells against peaceful gatherings waiting for food, are further evidence that the Israeli occupation army is pursuing a systematic policy of genocide under the false guise of ‘relief’,” the media office said.

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NATO Commits to 5% Defence Spending Target Backed by Trump Amid Internal Division

NATO member states have agreed to a significant increase in defence spending, pledging to allocate up to 5 percent of their national GDP to military and security-related sectors by 2035 — a major shift largely aligned with the long-standing demands of former U.S. President Donald Trump. The agreement, reached at a summit in The Hague on Wednesday, was described in the summit communique as a “quantum leap” in the bloc’s collective security strategy. The document outlined that member countries would annually invest 5 percent of GDP on core defence requirements and broader security-related expenditures, with a review scheduled for 2029 — notably, after the next U.S. presidential election. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte called the development “transformational,” although some alliance members expressed concerns about their ability to meet the target. Spain, Belgium, and Slovakia were among those that acknowledged the ambitious goal may be difficult to achieve due to economic constraints. Former President Trump, who had previously criticized NATO members for not meeting existing defence commitments, welcomed the decision. Speaking at the summit, he said, “They said, ‘You did it, sir. You did it.’ Well, I don’t know if I did it, but I think I did.” The renewed commitment is seen by analysts as an effort to shore up the alliance’s deterrence against Russia and prepare for the possibility of reduced U.S. military engagement depending on the outcome of the 2024 presidential election. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer also signaled strong support, announcing that the United Kingdom expects to reach 4.1 percent defence and security spending by 2027. While the pledge underscores NATO’s unity in principle, the stark differences in economic capabilities among member states suggest that meeting the 5 percent benchmark will likely become a key issue of debate in the coming years.

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Iran, Israel Ceasefire Holds as Dozens Killed in Gaza

The US-brokered ceasefire between Iran and Israel appears to be holding as of Wednesday, as both sides signalled that their direct military confrontation had ended, at least for now, following 12 days of intense aerial and missile exchanges. Iranian lawmakers voted Wednesday in favour of suspending cooperation with the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog, state TV said, as an Iranian foreign ministry spokesman said Iran’s nuclear facilities had been “badly damaged” by US strikes. Meanwhile, in Gaza, Israeli fire killed over 50. The latest in a string of deadly incidents near aid distribution sites came after the United Nations had condemned the “weaponisation of food” in the Gaza Strip, where a US- and Israeli-backed foundation has largely replaced established humanitarian organisations. Civil defence spokesman Mahmud Bassal told AFP that Israeli fire targeted thousands of civilians waiting for aid in an area of central Gaza where Palestinians have gathered each night in the hope of collecting food rations. He added that the crowd was hit by Israeli “bullets and tank shells”. Iran on Wednesday branded NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte’s gushing note to President Donald Trump on US strikes targeting key nuclear sites as “disgraceful, despicable and irresponsible”. On Tuesday, Rutte hailed in a pre-NATO summit note to Trump what he called his “decisive action” in Iran, days after the United States conducted unprecedented strikes on its nuclear facilities. Rutte said the move “was truly extraordinary and something no one else dared to do. It makes us safer.” Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei hit back, saying it was “disgraceful, despicable and irresponsible for #NATO’s SG to congratulate a ‘truly extraordinary’ criminal act of aggression against a sovereign State.” Whoever “supports a crime is regarded as complicit,” Baqaei said in a post on X. President Donald Trump on Wednesday likened Washington’s strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities to the US dropping of atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki to end World War II. “Actually, if you look at Hiroshima, if you look at Nagasaki, you know that ended a war too,” Trump said as he wrapped up NATO’s summit in The Hague. “This ended a war in a different way, but it was so devastating.” The head of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards command centre, Ali Shadmani, died of wounds sustained during Israel’s military strikes on the country, Iranian state media said on Wednesday. The guards’ command centre vowed “harsh revenge” for his killing, state media added. Israel’s armed forces had said on 17 June that it killed Shadmani, who it identified as Iran’s wartime chief of staff and most senior military commander.

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LIVE: Israel-Iran Truce Holds Amid Regional Tensions 41 Palestinians Killed in Gaza Strikes

A fragile truce between Israel and Iran appeared to be holding on Monday following days of intense cross-border military exchanges. However, the violence in Gaza shows no signs of abating as Israeli forces reportedly killed 41 Palestinians in a fresh wave of airstrikes across the besieged enclave. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, the latest Israeli bombardment targeted several areas, including central Gaza and Rafah, deepening the humanitarian crisis already exacerbated by months of conflict, food shortages, and mass displacement. While diplomatic channels remain active to de-escalate the broader Israel-Iran standoff—triggered by a series of missile attacks and counterattacks last week—Israeli operations in Gaza continue, with no current indication of a ceasefire on that front. Israeli officials have not commented on the Gaza casualties but insist their operations are focused on eliminating Hamas infrastructure and rescuing remaining captives. Meanwhile, regional actors and global powers continue to push for restraint. Qatar, Egypt, and the United Nations are said to be mediating between the parties to consolidate the Israel-Iran truce and expand it to Gaza. This is a developing story. More updates to follow.

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Iranian Missiles Destroy Six Israeli University Labs, Damaging Medical Research – Report

Six research laboratories at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Beersheba were destroyed in an Iranian missile strike on June 19, according to a report by The Times of Israel. The university confirmed the incident, stating that the attack dealt a devastating blow to years of critical research in medicine and biology. The missiles, part of a broader escalation between Iran and Israel, also damaged Soroka Medical Center, located near the university campus. Officials at Ben-Gurion University estimate the financial loss could run into tens of millions of dollars, not including the long-term impact on ongoing scientific work. Additionally, residential quarters housing nearly 100 students, faculty, and staff were hit during the strike, prompting emergency evacuations and leaving several people displaced. University officials described the attack as a severe setback to Israel’s scientific and medical innovation infrastructure, saying the labs housed research ranging from genetics and immunology to pharmaceutical development. The missile strike marks one of the most significant direct hits on academic institutions in Israel since the conflict intensified, raising concerns about the broader impact of the war on civilian infrastructure and intellectual capital.

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Nigerian Student, Two Indians Arrested in ₹30 Lakh Drug Bust in Hyderabad’s Manikonda

The Telangana Anti-Narcotics Bureau (TGANB) on Sunday apprehended a Nigerian national and two Indian associates in Manikonda, Hyderabad, in connection with a major drug trafficking case. Authorities seized 107 grams of cocaine and 25 grams of ecstasy pills, with an estimated street value of ₹30 lakh The prime suspect, 22-year-old Chukwumeka Wisdom Onyeka, also known by aliases Victor Chukwu and Major Cartel, is a Nigerian national and BSc student at Gokul Global University, Gujarat. He had previously been arrested in a cocaine-related case in 2023, during which his Sudanese passport was seized. He was residing in Parra village, Goa. Two Indian nationals, Gopishetty Rajesh and Bommadevara Veera Raju, were also arrested. Initially drug users, the duo later transitioned into suppliers, catering to Hyderabad’s elite circles. They have all been booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Authorities have identified several clients from the trio’s network, including individuals named Phani Raj, Pavithra Reddy, Satish, Sada Shiva, Sudhir, and Bhanu. Investigations revealed that Wisdom originally entered India in December 2022 on a student visa with a Sudanese passport. Following his arrest and release, he allegedly acquired a fake Nigerian passport through a handler named Max, also known by aliases Princewel, Buchi, and Gabriel—a suspected Nigerian drug kingpin based in Goa. Wisdom returned to Nigeria in September 2024, destroyed the forged passport, and re-entered India under his real name later that year. The police believe Max is operating a larger syndicate, recruiting foreign students under false identities to distribute narcotics across India. Further investigations are ongoing to dismantle the entire network.

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