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Operation True Promise 3: Iran’s ballistic missiles strike Tel Aviv

Al Mayadeen | June 13, 2025

Iran has launched three missile salvos targeting “Israel” in retaliation for its aggression on numerous Iranian regions and sensitive military and nuclear sites, with estimates of more than 200 missiles being launched.

Israeli media reported that close to 150 missiles were fired from Esfahan, Iran, toward “Israel”. It was later reported that a fire broke out in Tel Aviv near the Israeli Security Ministry after a missile achieved a direct hit, as the IRGC announced that the retaliatory strikes were conducted under Operation True Promise III. At the same time, Israeli media reported that “massive explosions” were heard above a sensitive location in “Israel”, and that several Israeli troops were wounded in the Nevatim military air base in the al-Naqab desert.

Al Mayadeen’s sources reported that the missiles were fired from multiple bases across several cities and provinces, including Fars in the country’s southeast.

Israeli Channel 12 reported that 200 to 300 missiles were launched in the Iranian attack, with impacts recorded in roughly nine locations across “Israel”. Israeli media lamented that the entirety of “Israel” was under attack.

Two Israeli F-35s downed

The Iranian missiles triggered sirens and air raid warnings across the occupied territories, with reports of missiles achieving direct hits on Haifa. Meanwhile, Israeli media reported several impacts in central occupied Palestine.

The Israeli Military Censor issued a directive not to take pictures and videos of the impact sites across the entity, while Israeli media described the situation as “unusual”.

Israeli reports also highlighted that numerous areas in the occupied territories faced a power blackout as a direct result of the Iranian missiles.

The spokesperson for the IOF doubled down on the media blackout imposed by “Israel”, calling on media channels to stop broadcasting footage of missile impact sites, while Israeli Channel 14 cited a security official as saying Iran was using this footage to assess the accuracy of its missiles.

Following the start of the operation, the IRGC released a statement saying, “Under the directives of the Revolution’s leader, a crushing and highly accurate response was carried out, striking dozens of military sites, strategic centers, and airbases in retaliation.”

Simultaneously, the Iranian Army announced that air defense forces successfully shot down two Israeli F-35 fighter jets, noting, however, that the fate of the jets’ two pilots remains unknown.

IRGC confirms attack on ‘Israel’

The Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) announced that its missile strikes targeted key Israeli military installations in response to the recent Israeli aggression on Iranian territory, emphasizing that the attacks were precise and effective.

In a series of statements released by its Public Relations Department, the IRGC confirmed that it had struck Israeli military centers and air bases directly involved in attacks on Iran. Additionally, the IRGC stated that missile production facilities used by the Israeli army were among the designated targets.

“Testimonies and satellite imagery show that dozens of missiles hit their targets accurately,” the IRGC said, adding that “the enemy failed to withstand the waves of missile attacks launched by the Islamic Republic of Iran.”

Reaffirming Iran’s defensive posture, the IRGC stressed, “The security of the Islamic Republic of Iran is the red line for the armed forces,” the statement read, signaling Iran’s readiness to respond to any future threats with equal or greater force.

June 13, 2025 Posted by | Ethnic Cleansing, Racism, Zionism | , | Leave a comment

Iran becomes first country to shoot down fifth-gen F-35 fighter jets belonging to Israel

Press TV – June 13, 2025

Iran has earned the distinction of being the first country in the world to successfully shoot down fifth-generation fighter jets by targeting two stealth F-35 fighters belonging to the Zionist regime.

The regime deployed these advanced aircraft in its early Friday morning aggression against the Islamic Republic on Friday, which resulted in the assassination of several high-ranking Iranian military commanders, nuclear scientists, and civilians, including women and children.

In an official statement, the Iranian Army’s Public Relations Office announced that its air defense forces had successfully struck and destroyed two F-35 fighter jets along with multiple drones belonging to the Zionist regime.

The report noted that the fate of the pilots remains unknown and is currently under investigation. Further information will be released in due course.

The F-35 fighters used by the Zionist regime are considered the most advanced in their class.

Israel acquired these jets primarily from the United States, with the F-35 Lightning II being produced by Lockheed Martin, an American aerospace manufacturer. Israel is one of the few countries authorized by the U.S. to operate this cutting-edge fifth-generation stealth fighter.

Delivered under the US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, the first jets arrived in the occupied territories around 2016.

The F-35I, Israel’s customized variant of the stealth fighter, is designed to evade radar detection, allowing the Israeli occupation military to conduct deep penetration missions with a lower risk of interception or tracking.

However, in a significant setback for the Tel Aviv regime and its American backers, the Iranian Army managed to down two of these advanced jets during Friday’s confrontation.

June 13, 2025 Posted by | Militarism | , , , | 1 Comment

The Nova Music Festival Exhibit: An Exercise in Racist Porn Propaganda to Justify Genocide

By Karin Brothers | Global Research | June 12, 2025

The Nova Music Festival Exhibit now touring North America is described on its website as:

… an in-depth remembrance of the brutal massacre at The Nova Music Festival on October 7th, 2023. The installation sets out to recreate a festival dedicated to peace and love that was savagely cut short by a terrorist attack on that fateful day. The attack at The Nova Music Festival was the largest massacre in music history. This groundbreaking installation is presented as a way to empower visitors to responsibly explore & bear witness to the tragic events of October 7 and its aftermath. …

The exhibit, now in Toronto, has been shown in New York, Los Angeles, and Miami. Its purpose (besides raising money and membership “for the Nova community”) is implicitly to rationalize Israel’s extermination of Gazans by generating hatred of Palestinians as inhumane and terrorist. The Hamas breakout, presented with no context, portrays it as sex-fueled and wantonly destructive.

I was aware that independent investigators had discredited Israeli claims that on October 7th Hamas had committed rapes, “killed babies” or burned them, but I wanted to examine the legitimacy of this exhibit because the Toronto school board had sent students to it.

Tickets ranged in price from $28 to $360 with everything over $18 donated to “the Nova community”. I wondered about the exhibit’s requirement not to wear a face covering unless “medically essential”.

When I arrived at the venue with my ticket (which could only be purchased online, after providing my home address and e-mail address), I was met with a sign that said by entering the exhibit, I consented to having my photo taken. So one of the costs of this exhibit was being coerced into sacrificing facial recognition privacy: a facial biometric scan connected to key information. (Was it a coincidence that two e-mail accounts ceased to function due to a “system error” after I purchased the tickets?  Days later, it’s not clear that they can ever be recovered.) On entering, visitors had to pass through metal-checking gates and searches similar to those in airports.

The exhibit venue is in a mammoth structure that appeared to have been a mall.  Most of the space was devoted to the exhibit, with a gift shop and a large seated area for membership and donation pitches for “the Nova community” or “the Nova Tribe” at the end. The dark, cavernous exhibit space tried to recreate what it would have been like at the abandoned festival site, with signs and dozens of computer screens featuring witness accounts and other information. An introductory sign at the beginning claimed that on October 7, 2023, three thousand “Hamas terrorists” entered Israel, raping and burning people. An introductory film, probably a reenactment, showed a packed Nova crowd jumping up and down and waving their arms to music before a “red alert” at around 6:30 am.

The computer screens, along with written signs, included what were claimed to be witness reports of sexual abuse and rape. The first was from first responders “Zaka” and a Rami Davidian, who both made pornographic claims that they found abused women who were naked, tied to trees with legs “spreadeagled” [sic]. Another exhibit claimed that Hamas sexually abused “both sexes”.

Intensive investigations, including one by Max Blumenthal(1), found that there was no evidence to support the claims of rape, or of the burning or killing of “babies” (one child was killed by accident). An early UN report that seemed to echo the sexual abuse claims was presented with the admission that the Special Rapporteur had “gone dark”, implicitly questioning the discredited accounts.(2)

Continuing through the exhibit, visitors pass the computer screens while wandering through what looks like hastily abandoned campsites, mock- ups of concrete shelters and a few incinerated, deformed cars. A sign at the end claims that (despite virtually all captives’ reports) Hamas beats and starves the hostages. Handwritten cards were on display through the end of the exhibit that appear to be visitor feedback, which showed how emotionally affected many were by the exhibit.

The exhibit played on the self-serving stereotypes of Jewish victimhood and Palestinian “terrorism”, clearly designed to leave naive visitors with a hatred of Palestinians and a rationalization for their extermination. The pornographic rape accounts, which were discredited well before the exhibit was put together, are at the shocking heart of this show. I saw no pictures of the fleet of Israeli tanks or of the helicopter gunships that came out on that day, despite open publication in Israeli media. There was no explanation of how Hamas fighters with hand-held weapons were able to incinerate about 80 cars along with their festival occupants. I saw no mention of the Nova victims’ calls for help that went unheeded for over eight hours that day.

I did not see any mention in the exhibit that Israel had invoked its “Hannibal Directive”(3) — which allowed the killing of Israelis to prevent them taken as hostages. This directive was responsible for much of the day’s slaughter. Despite Israeli calls for their government to hold an independent investigation into what happened on October 7th, and how people were killed, none is scheduled.

No background to the October 7, 2023, event is provided: no mention of Gaza being under a brutal military occupation since 1967, no mention of Gazans being illegally incarcerated for over 20 years, no mention of Israel’s illegal blockade since 2006, its illegal takeover of one third of Gaza’s agricultural land, most of its fishing zone, and no mention of daily Israeli attacks on Gaza by land, sea and air. Or the fact that Gazans have been incarcerated with virtually no potable water on land that the UN claimed could not sustain life after 2020. Richard Falk, the former United Nations Special Rapporteur for the occupied Palestinian territories, not only called the Hamas breakout on October 7th “entirely justifiable”, given the context, but “long overdue”.(4)

The Hamas suicide mission was not to kill Israelis but to capture hostages connected to the Israeli military bases around Gaza’s border to exchange for the thousands of Palestinians held by Israel. Soon after the hostages’ arrival in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar told the Israelis that they would be safe and returned in a hostage exchange within a day or two.(5) Hamas did not expect the presence of the Nova rave event; its placement near Gaza’s border had been named just two days earlier.(6)

School boards that encourage students to visit this exhibit demonstrate a political agenda and a lack of responsibility to both the students and the greater community. The Toronto District School Board (TDSB), the largest school board in Canada, sent students to this exhibit while banning the joint Israeli-Palestinian and Academy award-winning “No Other Land” as “political”. Palestinian children in at least one TDSB elementary school are already confronted with hate- filled jibes that “Kids in Gaza deserve what they get.” Exposing students (or anyone else) to this exhibit can be expected to turn them against any justice for Palestinians unless they come with an understanding of the historical context and are able to identify the exhibit’s lies, omissions and half-truths. Given this school board’s bias, that preparation is unlikely.

This exhibit moves to Washington, D.C. in late June, 2025.

Karin Brothers is a freelance writer. She is a regular contributor to Global Research.

Notes

1. “Mass rape by Hamas on Oct 7? NYT coverage questioned by Max Blumenthal: Rising debated”. The Hill. January 4, 2024.  https://thehill.com/video/mass-rape-by-hamas-on-oct-7-nyt-coverage-questioned-by-max-blumenthal-rising-debated/9302297/

2 Feminist Solidarity Network for Palestine. “Here’s what Pramila Patten’s UN report on Oct 7 sexual violence actually said”. Mondoweiss. March 11, 2024.
https://mondoweiss.net/2024/03/heres-what-pramila-pattens-un-report-on-oct-7-sexual-violence-actually-said/

3. “Israeli army used Hannibal Directive during October 7 Hamas attack: Report”. Al Jazeera. July 7, 2024.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/7/7/israeli-army-used-hannibal-directive-during-october-7-hamas-attack-report

4. “Ex-UN Rapporteur: October 7 Attack By Hamas Was ‘Long Overdue’”. Matsav. April 7, 2025.
https://matzav.com/ex-un-rapporteur-october-7-attack-by-hamas-was-long-overdue/

5. Harel, Amos. “Hamas Leader Sinwar Met Israeli Hostages in Gaza Strip Tunnels Day After October 7 Massacre”. Ha’aretz. November 28, 2023.
https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2023-11-28/ty-article/.premium/hamas-leader-sinwar-met-israeli-hostages-in-gaza-strip-tunnels/0000018c-12d6-d65f-a7dd-f2d75b9f0000

6. Blumenthal, Max, Maté, Aaron. “Zero hour in Gaza – The Grayzone live.” Friday, October 13, 2023. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-p2bjA2b4U

June 13, 2025 Posted by | Deception, Ethnic Cleansing, Racism, Zionism | , , , , , | 1 Comment

Egypt detains over 200 activists ahead of pro-Gaza aid convoy

MEMO | June 13, 2025

The Egyptian authorities have arrested more than 200 activists who had arrived in Cairo to join a planned march to Egypt’s Rafah border crossing and demand breaking the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip.

The organizers said in a statement on Thursday that approximately 4,000 people from more than 40 countries had booked flights to Cairo to participate in the event, and a large number of them had already arrived before the scheduled departure time from Egypt.

The organizers hoped “to work side by side with the Egyptian government” as a key and effective partner, adding that their goal is to demand an end to the Israeli genocide against the Palestinian people.

Activists organizing the convoy revealed that Egyptian security personnel in civilian clothes arrested activists from the hotels where they were staying, interrogated them, and in some cases confiscated their phones. “Some were released, while others remain in detention” they added.

The organizers confirmed in a statement that their legal team is monitoring these cases, noting that they “complied with all legal requirements imposed by the Egyptian authorities”.

The convoy of humanitarian aid dubbed Global March to Gaza set out from the Tunisian capital on Monday with the participation of thousands of volunteers from Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, and Tunisia. According to the organizers; the aim is to raise international awareness of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and provide humanitarian aid.

The participants were scheduled to travel by bus to the city of Arish in the Sinai Peninsula on Friday and continue on foot to the border with the Gaza Strip, where they intend to camp for three days in an attempt to pressure authorities to open the crossing.

June 13, 2025 Posted by | Ethnic Cleansing, Racism, Zionism, Full Spectrum Dominance, Solidarity and Activism | , , , | Leave a comment

Large Numbers in Congress Back Attack on Iran, Call for US to Support Israel

By Kyle Anzalone | The Libertarian Institute | June 13, 2025

Following the opening salvo in Israel’s bombardment of Iran, many members of Congress rushed to make statements declaring their support for the Jewish state. Some went further, demanding the White House defend the Jewish state from retaliation. A small number of lawmakers criticized Israel and called for Washington to stay out of the conflict.

Shortly after the start of the Israeli attack on Iranian nuclear facilities, military bases, and residential buildings, Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) posted on X, “Game on. Pray for Israel.”

Graham led a chorus of largely Republican lawmakers who called for prayers for Israel as it attacked Iran.

Some lawmakers hoped the war would bring down the Iranian government. “The threat from Iran will only stop when the regime is destroyed.” Rep. Carlos A. Gimenez (R-FL) added, “Anything less is just a temporary respite from the existential threat Iran poses to our allies and the free world.”

Many US members of Congress claimed that Israel’s preemptive attack on Iran was an act of defense. “Make no mistake: Israel is not the aggressor. It is defending itself against an existential threat that long predates the present preemptive strike. The true aggressor is the Islamic Republic and its empire of terror—an empire stained with the blood of innocent Israelis,” Bronx Democrat Rep. Ritchie Torres wrote on X.

Other members of Congress, including Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) framed the Israeli strikes as “defensive.”

Rep. Mike Lawler said that the Israeli strike was “justified,” but the US should attack Iran if Tehran responds to Tel Aviv’s war. “Let there be no doubt, we will defend our ally Israel, our other partners in the region, and our military and diplomatic personnel. Iran should understand that there will be grave consequences for any actions they take in response to this justified strike on their nuclear facilities,” he said.

A frequent argument given by members of Congress is that the nuclear weapons threat Iran poses to Israel justifies the ongoing Israeli attacks. “Iran has greatly expanded its uranium enrichment with the goal of producing nuclear weapons that pose an existential threat to Israel,” Maine Republican Senator Susan Collins wrote. “Our country too is at risk as Iran continues its development not only of fissile material but also of ballistic missiles. I hope the Israeli operation to eliminate Iran’s nuclear capability is successful.”

However, top intelligence officials in both the Trump and Joe Biden administrations repeatedly stated that Iran was not attempting to develop a nuclear weapon. During recent talks about its nuclear program with Washington, Tehran said it was willing to agree to caps on its energy program to ensure it was only used for civilian purposes.

That Director of National Intelligence affirmed in March that Iran was not making a nuclear weapon, did not stop Rep. Nancy Mace from asserting that the Islamic Republic was just “days” from building a nuclear weapon.

“We stand with Israel, fully and without hesitation. Iran was days away from a nuclear weapon. They fund terror and want Israel wiped off the map. Israel has the right, and the duty, to fight back,” she wrote on X. “America must never flinch.”

One of the most vocal Democrats supporting Israel is Sen. John Fetterman, who demanded that the White House aid the Israeli assault. “Our commitment to Israel must be absolute and I fully support this attack. Keep wiping out Iranian leadership and the nuclear personnel.” The post continued, “We must provide whatever is necessary—military, intelligence, weaponry—to fully back Israel in striking Iran.”

A handful of lawmakers did oppose the Israeli strikes. Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) argued Tel Aviv’s war interfered with Trump’s effort to secure a new nuclear deal with Iran. “Netanyahu wasn’t trying to help diplomacy; he was trying to destroy diplomacy. How do we know? They reportedly targeted and killed Iran’s chief negotiator with Trump,” he wrote.

Additionally, Democratic Representatives Hank Johnson and Rashida Talib called on Congress to exercise its authority over war making. “As America is mired in internal turmoil — and with Hegseth, Gabbard, and Rubio at the controls — foreign leaders like Netanyahu are emboldened to achieve their narrow objectives at America’s expense.” Johnson continued, “Before it’s too late, Congress must stop being a rubberstamp and start exercising oversight to prevent America from being dragged into another war.”

Among Republicans, Senator Rand Paul and Congressman Thomas Massie called on Trump to avoid directly entering the war. “War with Iran is not in America’s interest. It would destabilize the region, cost countless lives, and drain our resources for generations,” Paul explained. “We should pursue diplomacy, not destruction. Engaging in dialogue with adversaries is not weakness; it’s the strength of a confident nation seeking peace. Our primary responsibility is to protect American lives.”

Rep Massie was the only member of Congress to point out that the war Israel launched on Friday was offensive, and a war of aggression. “Israel doesn’t need US taxpayers’ money for defense if it already has enough to start offensive wars.” His X post added, “I vote not to fund this war of aggression.”

June 13, 2025 Posted by | War Crimes, Wars for Israel | , , , | Leave a comment

Putin holds phone conversations with Israeli PM and Iranian president

RT | June 13, 2025

Russian President Vladimir Putin has held phone conversations with his Iranian counterpart, Masoud Pezeshkian, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the escalation in the Middle East following the Israeli strike against Iran.

Israel launched a major attack on Iran overnight targeting nuclear facilities and various military installations. The strikes continued into the day, inflicting considerable material damage and casualties on Iran’s top military leadership and, reportedly, high-profile nuclear scientists.

“The Russian president expressed his condolences to the leadership and people of the Islamic Republic of Iran in connection with the numerous human casualties, including civilians, resulting from the Israeli strikes,” the Kremlin press service said in a statement on Friday.

Russia “condemns Israel’s actions, which violate the UN Charter and international law,” Putin stressed, according to the statement. At the same time, the Russian leader expressed a readiness to mediate and to “continue to contribute to the de-escalation of the conflict between Iran and Israel.”

Putin also underscored the importance of “returning to the negotiation process and resolving all issues related to the Iranian nuclear program exclusively through political and diplomatic means.” The ongoing escalation “is fraught with the most disastrous consequences for the entire region,” he warned.

The Israeli attack comes after five rounds of US-Iranian talks about Tehran’s nuclear program that effectively stalled and failed to produce any tangible result. The sixth round of negotiations was expected to take place in Oman on Sunday.

Iran has vowed to retaliate for the attack, insisting that it “cannot have been carried out without the coordination and authorization of the United States.” US President Donald Trump claimed he knew about the impending strikes beforehand, describing them as “very successful.” Trump also suggested Tehran brought the attack upon itself through its alleged reluctance to strike a nuclear deal.

“We gave them a chance and they didn’t take it. They got hit hard, very hard. They got hit about as hard as you’re going to get hit. And there’s more to come. A lot more,” he said, commenting on the attack.

June 13, 2025 Posted by | Ethnic Cleansing, Racism, Zionism, Militarism, War Crimes | , , , , | 1 Comment

Western hypocrisy: ‘Israel’ bombs Iran, Tehran told not to retaliate

Al Mayadeen | June 13, 2025

Top Western leaders have called for restraint in the wake of the ongoing Israeli aggression on Iranian territory. Brutal strikes targeted military, nuclear, and civilian infrastructure and led to multiple casualties. Yet, while urging de-escalation, these leaders have largely avoided condemning “Israel’s” violation of international law, choosing instead to direct their diplomatic pressure on Tehran not to retaliate.

The double standard is stark: while Iran has consistently operated within the framework of international law and the UN Charter, the Israeli entity has carried out cross-border aggression with impunity. Under Article 51 of the UN Charter, Iran has a recognized legal right to self-defense, a point conspicuously absent from most Western statements.

Europe avoids accountability for ‘Israel’

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas called the situation, not Israeli attacks, “dangerous” and appealed for restraint from “all sides”, despite Iran being the target of the aggression. Kallas, who reportedly spoke with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar shortly after the attack, did not denounce the strikes or the violations of Iranian sovereignty.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen echoed the vague language, urging parties to “exercise maximum restraint, de-escalate immediately, and refrain from retaliation.” The call placed the burden on Iran to avoid a response, while the Israeli entity’s unlawful actions were met with silence.

On his part, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot and Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani both stressed the need for “diplomacy”, but neither condemned the unilateral Israeli aggression. Tajani stated, “There is no solution but a diplomatic one. Actions and reactions are dangerous,” drawing false parity between attacker and victim.

Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron convened a special defense meeting but offered no criticism of “Israel’s” blatant breach of international norms.

Australia and NATO echo the US line

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, speaking from Fiji, framed the issue around Iran’s nuclear program rather than the illegal nature of the Israeli strike. “We are very conscious of the threat that Iran becoming a nuclear state would represent,” he said, further aligning with Washington’s narrative. Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs updated travel advisories, urging Australians to leave “Israel” and the occupied Palestinian territories.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, while warning of escalation, also avoided assigning blame, waving the “de-escalation” card for vague purposes.

“De-escalation is now the first order of the day,” he said, reflecting a Western consensus that implicitly tolerates Israeli militarism while expecting Iranian restraint.

Walking a delicate line

Former US President Donald Trump confirmed that he had been briefed ahead of the strikes and stated, “Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb. We are hoping to get back to the negotiating table,” again shifting the narrative away from Israeli accountability.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio claimed that the United States had no involvement in the strikes but issued a warning to Tehran, “Israel took unilateral action against Iran,” and any retaliation must not target US interests.

“We are not involved in strikes against Iran, and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region,” Rubio said in an official statement. “Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defense, Rubio added, although it was “Israel” that always initiated attacks against the Islamic Republic.

“Let me be clear: Iran should not target US interests or personnel,” Rubio said, without addressing whether Washington would defend “Israel” in the event of Iranian retaliation, departing from traditional US messaging that often emphasizes unwavering support for the Israeli regime. This support came directly from the US president himself, who rushed to “Israel’s” rescue.

‘Both sides’ should avoid further destabilization

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer labeled the attacks “concerning” but urged all sides to reduce tensions, stopping short of condemning the aggression.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who received a direct call from Netanyahu, affirmed “Israel’s” so-called right to “self-defense” and echoed longstanding Western concerns over Iran’s nuclear program. He, too, urged both sides to avoid further destabilization, without acknowledging who initiated the escalation.

Tehran maintains right to self-defense

Iranian officials have underscored that the Islamic Republic has not initiated the war and that its actions have consistently adhered to international law. Tehran has emphasized that its right to respond is enshrined in Article 51 of the UN Charter, asserting that “Israel’s” continued violations of international law, coupled with Western silence, further undermine the credibility of global institutions.

The widespread Western calls for restraint, directed almost exclusively at Iran, highlight a longstanding hypocrisy: that Israeli violations of international law are tolerated, while Iranian sovereignty and legal rights are dismissed or ignored.

It is worth noting that this is happening as Oman was planning to host the sixth round of US‑Iran nuclear talks this Sunday in Muscat.

Tehran and Washington have held five rounds of talks since April to carve a new nuclear deal to replace the 2015 accord that Trump unilaterally withdrew from during his first term in 2018.

Iran has always reiterated its commitment to diplomacy while upholding its commitments under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement, while the West has manipulated the agency to serve geopolitical goals.

It is worth noting that Iranian media outlets on Thursday published a series of documents that reveal covert coordination between IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi and “Israel”, a collaboration Iranian officials say was designed to politicize the agency’s oversight of Iran’s peaceful nuclear program.

June 13, 2025 Posted by | Militarism, Progressive Hypocrite, War Crimes | , , , , , , | Leave a comment

‘Israel’ crossed the line, aggression is war declaration: Araghchi

Al Mayadeen | June 13, 2025

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that “Israel has crossed every red line” in its hostilities against Iran, calling the Israeli attacks on Iran this Friday “a declaration of war.”

In a letter to the UN Security Council and the UN Secretary-General, Araghchi urged an emergency meeting to address “Israel’s” military actions against Iran, insisting that “the matter must be dealt with immediately.” Araghchi urged the UN Security Council to fulfill its obligations under the UN Charter, demanding that it condemn the attack and take swift, decisive action to hold “Israel” accountable.

The Iranian Foreign Minister also reaffirmed his country’s determination to defend itself in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter, stating that “Israel’s attacks on Iran constitute a blatant violation of Iran’s sovereignty and territorial integrity as an independent UN member state.”

Earlier on Friday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated in a televised address, “The Iranian people and the nation’s officials will never remain silent in the face of this brazen aggression,” emphasizing that “the enemy will receive a legitimate, forceful, and decisive response that will make it regret its foolish act.”

Pezeshkian vows devastating response to ‘Israel’s’ aggression

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian vowed on Friday that the Islamic Republic of Iran would deliver a powerful and legitimate response to “Israel’s” act of aggression, warning that the enemy will deeply regret its actions.

“Israel” launched a major attack on Iran in the early hours of Friday, targeting residential buildings, nuclear facilities, and military infrastructure across Iran.

June 13, 2025 Posted by | War Crimes | , , , | Leave a comment

Israel publicly confirms its military involvement in Ukraine

By Lucas Leiroz | Strategic Culture Foundation | June 13, 2025

While global attention remains focused on the rising tensions between Israel and Iran, a significant development has been largely ignored by Western media in recent days: the revelation of Israel’s involvement in the arming campaign for Ukraine.

Despite publicly maintaining an appearance of military neutrality in the conflict between Moscow and Kiev, the State of Israel has quietly deepened its collaboration with Western military interests in Ukraine. Recent statements from Israeli diplomatic representatives make it clear that Tel Aviv not only politically supports Kiev but also directly participates in the military effort against Russia.

In an interview with Ukrainian media, the Israeli ambassador in Kiev confirmed that air defense systems originally supplied by the United States to Israel were transferred to Ukraine. According to him, the delivery was deliberately kept secret and away from international headlines, demonstrating Israel’s attempt to participate in the conflict without attracting negative consequences.

The omission of logistical details about the delivery reveals a clear attempt to preserve an appearance of neutrality before the public. It remains unclear whether the equipment was sent directly by Israel or through third parties, suggesting an internationally coordinated operation to avoid diplomatic friction with Moscow.

Until recently, Tel Aviv claimed a stance of non-involvement in the Ukraine conflict, citing concerns about potential Russian retaliation—particularly in Syria, where Russian forces maintain a strategic presence. However, this justification is becoming increasingly obsolete in light of Israel’s actual behavior.

Historically, Russia has acted as a stabilizer in Syria, preventing clashes between Israel and anti-Zionist groups from escalating into a broader regional war. However, the regime change in Damascus — with the new government composed of former Al-Qaeda members — shifted the balance of power in the region, favoring Israeli interests. In a sense, this change emboldened Israel to take more provocative military actions, not only regionally, but also in conflicts outside its immediate sphere of interest.

The recent neutralization of Shiite militias in Syria, which were aligned with Tehran, and the rapprochement between the new Syrian government and Israel have created a more favorable environment for Tel Aviv’s foreign military maneuvers. Feeling less vulnerable to indirect retaliation, Israel now appears more willing to expand its involvement in conflicts beyond the Middle East, such as the one in Ukraine.

It’s important to recall that the first signs of Israeli military involvement in Ukraine emerged after U.S. missiles were withdrawn from Israeli territory and transferred to bases in Eastern Europe — specifically Poland, from where they were expected to be sent to Ukraine. At the time, some newspapers reported the story, but the absence of official confirmation left the issue unresolved and debatable. Now, with official admission, it is evident that Israel’s collaboration in the Western military campaign in Ukraine is a consolidated reality.

In the face of this hostile posture from Tel Aviv, Russia is likely to strengthen its regional alliances as a way to counterbalance Israeli actions. The partnership between Moscow and Tehran — recently reinforced through security and defense cooperation agreements — represents a strategic response to Western provocations against both countries and may also serve as a way to rein in Israel’s increasing “boldness,” both in the Middle East and abroad.

While Israel ignores the risks of regional destabilization by engaging in NATO-sponsored conflicts, Moscow has chosen to solidify ties with regional powers that share a multipolar vision of world order. Russian support for Iranian military development could serve as a clear warning that Israel’s involvement in proxy wars might carry a high price.

Israel’s decision to more openly support the Kiev regime marks a significant shift in its foreign policy, abandoning previous caution in favor of a stance more aligned with the interests of the Collective West. However, this move may bring unforeseen consequences — not only at the regional level but also in the structure of its bilateral relationship with Moscow.

Rather than seeking to preserve diplomatic channels with a major power like Russia, Israel appears willing to sacrifice this strategic relationship to appease its Western allies. In the long run, this gamble could prove to be a major geopolitical miscalculation — especially if Russia responds by deepening its military support for Tel Aviv’s most feared regional adversary: the Islamic Republic of Iran, which is also the political and military brain behind Hezbollah, the Houthis, and key Palestinian Resistance movements.

June 13, 2025 Posted by | Ethnic Cleansing, Racism, Zionism, Militarism | , , , , , | Leave a comment

Israel’s Attack on Iran: The Latest Developments

By Ilya Tsukanov – Sputnik – 13.06.2025

Israel has carried out an unprecedented, multi-wave surprise attack against Iran involving 200 jets, plus drones operating inside the Islamic Republic. Here’s a recap of the key details, plus new information that’s come to light in the past hours.

The attack, codenamed ‘Operation Rising Lion’, targeted:

  • The Natanz uranium enrichment facility and the Tabriz research site.
  • Cities, with damage reported in Tehran and at least 9 other urban areas. 320+ civilians injured, nearly 80 killed.
  • Air defense and missile launchers.
  • Top IRGC and Armed Forces leaders, nuclear scientists, a senior aide to the Supreme Leader.

Iran’s Response

  • Ali Khomeini vowed “severe punishment,” while President Pezeshkian promised to make Israel “regret” its “reckless” actions.
  • Iran cancelled a new round of nuclear talks with the US, owing to US “complicity” in the attacks.
  • Assassinated military leaders are being replaced, with Mohammad Pakpour taking Hossein Salami’s place as IRGC chief, and Abdolrahim Mousavi replacing Mohammad Bagheri as Chief of General Staff.

Has Iranian Counterstrike Taken Place?

  • Initial reports suggested Iran launched 100-200 drones toward Israel.
  • Other reports said up to 800 projectiles, including cruise and ballistic missiles, were launched.
  • But Fars News says Iran hasn’t carried out ANY substantive retaliatory attacks yet.

Trump’s Ultimatum

The US president wrote a mob boss-style Truth Social post boasting about the murder of “certain Iranian hardliners,” and warning that the next attacks will be “even more brutal” unless Iran makes a deal. Later, he issued a post about his “60-day ultimatum,” signaling direct knowledge of Israel’s plans.

  • Israeli officials told Axios the US gave Israel a “green light” for the strikes.
  • JPost reported Israel is trying to convince the US to join in on the attacks directly.

Key Reactions

Traditional regional US allies including Saudi Arabia, UAE and Qatar sharply condemned Israel, with Qatar saying Tel Aviv’s “reckless actions continue to destroy prospects for peace” & put global security “in imminent danger.”

Russia condemned the sharp escalation of tensions and Israel’s blatant “violation of the UN Charter and international law.”

The UN’s response? “Concern” about the targeting of nuclear sites.

June 13, 2025 Posted by | Wars for Israel | , , , , | Leave a comment

AEOI slams IAEA’s silence despite Israeli aggression on nuclear site

Al Mayadeen | June 13, 2025

The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) has issued a sharp rebuke of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and its Director General, Rafael Grossi, denouncing the agency’s failure to condemn the Israeli aggression on Iran, most notably its Natanz nuclear facility. The AEOI called the IAEA’s silence a “form of cooperation” with the Israeli entity.

The condemnation came in the aftermath of the ongoing Israeli aggression on Friday, which targeted the Shahid Ahmadi Roshan enrichment complex at Natanz, in addition to residential buildings, military sites, and nuclear facilities.

In a statement, the AEOI confirmed that although sections of the site sustained damage, no casualties occurred and no radiation or chemical leaks were detected. “Investigations are underway to determine the level of the damage,” the agency said.

Iran’s nuclear authority stated that the attack violated international law and multiple resolutions issued by the UN Security Council, the IAEA Board of Governors, and the IAEA General Conference. The AEOI also denounced the IAEA’s longstanding inaction in the face of repeated Israeli threats against Iranian nuclear facilities.

“The Agency has practically distanced itself from professionalism and impartiality by preparing biased political reports based on fake information received from the Zionist regime,” the AEOI emphasized.

IAEA ‘lost its credibility’

The organization further accused the IAEA of having “lost its credibility as a valid international organization,” warning that its continued inaction has turned it into “a tool in the hands of the Zionist regime.” The attack, the statement noted, represents a “setback for the IAEA due to the Director General’s unjustifiable shortcomings and failure to play a professional and impartial role.”

Reaffirming Iran’s commitment to peaceful nuclear advancement, the AEOI declared that “political and military pressure will not derail Iran’s nuclear program” and added, “These great people, much to the enemies’ chagrin, will pursue the country’s lofty goals in further advancing the nuclear industry with double motivation.”

‘Nuclear sites must never be attacked’

Shortly after Iran’s statement, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi remarked that “nuclear sites must never be attacked,” yet pointedly refrained from condemning the Israeli aggression on Iran’s nuclear facility, an omission that Tehran views as tacit complicity.

Meanwhile, a growing number of states denounced the Israeli aggression against Iran, warning against escalation risks and far-reaching international consequences.

“This development is deeply concerning… I reiterate that any military action that jeopardizes the safety and security of nuclear facilities risks grave consequences for the people of Iran, the region, and beyond,” Grossi said in a message to the IAEA Board of Governors.

He added that he was “ready to travel to Iran at the earliest” to assess the situation and reaffirm the agency’s oversight. Grossi confirmed that Iran’s Fordow enrichment plant and a site in Esfahan were not impacted and that radiation levels at Natanz remained normal.

After Israeli attack, Grossi calls for restraint

Calling for restraint, Grossi urged both sides to step back from escalation. “Despite the current military actions and heightened tensions, it is clear that the only sustainable path forward,  for Iran, for Israel, the entire region, and the international community, is one grounded in dialogue and diplomacy to ensure peace, stability, and cooperation,” he said.

Earlier today, the IAEA announced that Iran’s Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant remains unharmed and that no increase in radiation has been detected at the Natanz nuclear site, despite the massive Israeli aggression on Iran.

Concurrently, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed that Iran’s nuclear facility in Isfahan and the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant were not affected by the Israeli aggression.

It is worth noting that Iranian media outlets on Thursday published a series of documents that reveal covert coordination between IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi and “Israel”, a collaboration Iranian officials say was designed to politicize the agency’s oversight of Iran’s peaceful nuclear program.

Contamination detected inside Natanz, no external spread reported

In a related development, Behrouz Kamalvandi, Deputy Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, stated in an interview with Iranian television on Friday that the damage at the Natanz nuclear facility was limited to surface structures.

He clarified that the main equipment and systems located underground remained unharmed, noting: “The renewed aggression was an attempt to penetrate deep into the earth.”

Kamalvandi emphasized that the organization had “taken prior precautions for such an attack,” and reaffirmed that “the enemy failed to hit its intended targets.”

In a subsequent statement, Kamalvandi reported the detection of chemical and radioactive contamination within the Natanz facility, adding that no contamination had spread beyond the complex.

He stated: “Disinfection protocols and proper removal measures must now be implemented, and the full extent of the damage at Natanz will be announced afterward.”

June 13, 2025 Posted by | Progressive Hypocrite, War Crimes | , , , | Leave a comment