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NATO member states should shoot down Russian jets breaching airspace: Trump

By
IFP Media Wire
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“Yes I do,” Trump said when a reporter asked if NATO countries should shoot down Russian aircraft if they enter their airspace.

His comments come after a series of recent incursions by Russian fighter jets and drones that have rattled Washington’s NATO allies in Europe.

The US president meanwhile once again deflected questions about whether he believed Russian leader Vladimir Putin was ready to make peace despite recent Russian escalations.

“I’ll let you know in about a month from now, okay?” Trump stated when asked if he still trusted Putin, whom he met in a high-profile summit in Alaska in August.

The 79-year-old Republican has previously, and repeatedly, given deadlines of two weeks to make a decision on whether to take steps including fresh sanctions against Russia.

Trump, who had a televised bust-up with Zelensky in the Oval Office in February, added that he had “great respect for the fight that Ukraine is putting up. It’s pretty amazing actually.”

Zelensky thanked Trump for his “personal efforts to stop this war” and echoed Trump’s call for European countries to stop buying Russian oil.

Tensions between Russia and Europe over Ukraine have escalated with the recent spate of aerial violations.

NATO scrambled jets after three Russian MiG-31 fighters on Friday breached Estonian airspace for some 12 minutes, prompting Estonia to call for a meeting of the UN Security Council and talks with NATO allies.

Fellow NATO member Poland said earlier this month that Russian drones had repeatedly violated its airspace during an attack on Ukraine, in what Warsaw called an “act of aggression.”

Trump has previously announced that the Polish incident could have been a mistake, but his latest comment represents a signficant hardening of his position.

 

Israel seeks permanent Gaza control, Jewish majority in West Bank: UN Report

By
IFP Media Wire
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Gaza War

In the report released on Tuesday, the UN Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory outlined Israel’s plans to destroy life in Gaza and expand its illegal settlements in the occupied territory, saying Israel is demolishing civilian infrastructure, repeatedly forcibly transferring Palestinians across the enclave and razing basic infrastructure.

“Since October 2023, Israeli officials have demonstrated a clear and consistent intent to establish permanent military control over Gaza and to change its demographic composition while systematically destroying Palestinian life in Gaza,” the report added, citing Israeli demolition of wells, sewage pumping stations and wastewater treatment plants, as well as the destruction of educational institutions, mosques and cemeteries.

Israel’s war on Gaza has killed at least 65,382 people and wounded 166,985 since October 2023. Thousands more are believed to be buried under the rubble.

Israel launched its war after a Hamas-led attack killed 1,200 people on October 7, 2023. Of the roughly 250 taken captive, some 48 still remain in Gaza. At least 20 of them are believed to be alive.

Last week, a United Nations inquiry found that Israel’s war on Gaza is a genocide, a landmark moment after nearly two years of war that campaigners say is a war of vengeance without any specific goals.

Last year, the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes.

Responding to the UN’s most recent report, the Israeli mission in Geneva said, “Hamas has genocidal intent towards Israel, the report has everything backwards. This Commission does not miss an opportunity to reveal its true character and politically-driven agenda.”

Israel has dubbed the UN “anti-Israel”, though it has provided no evidence to back its allegations. At least 373 UN staff have been killed in the last two years in Israeli strikes.

The UN commission also highlighted Israel’s actions in the occupied West Bank in the last two years.

“Israeli policies and actions implemented since October 2023 in the West Bank demonstrate clear intent to forcibly transfer Palestinians, expand Israeli civilian presence and annex the entirety of the West Bank, preventing any potential Palestinian self-determination and statehood and maintaining an indefinite occupation,” the UN report found.

Israel has launched a crackdown on the occupied West Bank since it began its devastating war on Gaza, killing more than 1,000 Palestinians. At least 18,000 Palestinians have been arrested in the last 23 months. Even before the October 7, 2023, attack inside Israel by the Hamas-led Palestinian groups, Israeli military and settler violence was at its highest in years.

The UN concluded its report by calling on the Israeli government to immediately end the genocide in Gaza, as well as “recognize and ensure the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination.”

 

Trump urges Gaza war to end ‘immediately’

By
IFP Media Wire
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“We have to stop the war in Gaza immediately,” Trump told world leaders in New York on Tuesday, adding that he has been “deeply engaged” in trying to secure a ceasefire.

He reiterated his call for the captives taken from Israel and being held in Gaza to be returned home.

“We have to get it done. We have to negotiate peace. We have to get the hostages back. We want all 20 back,” he added, referring to the 20 of the 48 remaining captives still believed to be alive.

Those who support peace should be united in demanding the release of the captives, he told the UNGA, while rejecting recent Western countries’ recognition of Palestinian statehood.

“As if to encourage continued conflict, some of this body is seeking to unilaterally recognise the Palestinian state. The rewards would be too great for Hamas terrorists, for their atrocities,” Trump said.

Trump had little criticism for Israel, which launched a deadly war on Gaza in October 2023.

Trump blamed the breakdowns in ceasefire negotiations on Hamas, which governs Gaza, and insisted that the Palestinian group “has repeatedly rejected reasonable offers to make peace”.

On the other side of the talks, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has continually been accused of stalling the ceasefire negotiations since the beginning of Israel’s war.

Israel targeted Hamas leaders in the Qatari capital, Doha, this month as the Palestinian leaders were meeting there to discuss the latest truce proposal put forth by the US.

The Israeli prime minister broke the last ceasefire with Hamas in mid-March and imposed a total blockade of the Gaza Strip, which has led to famine and deaths from starvation in the enclave.

Hamas on Tuesday denied any responsibility for the failure to reach a deal to end the war in Gaza.

“We have never been an obstacle to reaching an agreement,” it said in a statement.

“The US administration, the mediators and the world know that Netanyahu is the sole obstructionist in all attempts to reach an agreement,” it added.

Hamas announced it was ready for a truce that will lead to the release of captives and Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, as well as a withdrawal of the Israeli army from Gaza, but that Netanyahu has refused to commit to a full withdrawal.

This month, Netanyahu decided to seize Gaza City, launching a ground invasion that has killed hundreds of Palestinians and displaced thousands more.

More than 65,000 Palestinians have been killed since Israel launched its war, which a UN commission has described as amounting to genocide. The US has been heavily criticised for continuing to arm Israel, as it intensifies its attacks.

Ayatollah Khamenei: Negotiation with US a complete dead end

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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Ayatollah Khamenei

Speaking during a televised address to the nation, Ayatollah Khamenei recalled that, ten years earlier, Iran and the US reached an agreement, otherwise known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), under which Tehran restricted its nuclear activities.

The Leader noted that the Islamic Republic shut down certain production facilities, halted enrichment beyond agreed levels, and shipped or diluted its stockpile of enriched uranium.

Ayatollah Khamenei added that in return, Washington was expected to lift economic sanctions and normalize Iran’s nuclear file within the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

“Ten years is a long time…I warned back then that accepting such a period was risky, but officials went ahead”, he said.

“Now, the ten years have ended, yet sanctions remain in place and our nuclear issues have multiplied rather than being resolved”.

The Leader further stressed that US promises of granting concessions were “false”, saying despite Iran fulfilling its obligations, Washington failed to deliver its own commitments.

“They did not lift the sanctions, they did not keep their promises, and eventually tore up the deal altogether”, he said.

The Leader further said that the US lies and breaks promises in all matters, and if possible, resorts to assassination. “Negotiation with this side is impossible…I think talks with the US lead to nothing but a dead end”.

Ayatollah Khamenei underscored Washington’s untrustworthiness in international dealings.

Ayatollah Khamenei’s comments come as Iran and the European troika are engaged in talks in a last-ditch effort to reach an agreement to prevent the activation of of the so-called snapback mechanism that was enshrined in the JCPOA. The activation of the mechanism will automatically reinstate UN sanctions on Iran that were lifted under the JCPOA in 2015.

UN principles ‘under siege’: Secretary-General

By
IFP Media Wire
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None

“The pillars of peace and progress are buckling under the weight of impunity, inequality, and indifference,” Guterres told world leaders, stressing that the UN’s founding values are being tested in ways “more urgent, more intertwined, and more unforgiving” than at its creation.

Guterres painted a grim picture of Gaza and said: “In Gaza, the horrors are approaching a third monstrous year.”

He added that the situation in Gaza is “the result of decisions that defy basic humanity.”

Guterres also warned that “the scale of death and destruction is beyond any other conflict in my years as secretary-general.”

He recalled that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) had issued “legally binding” provisional measures in the case of genocide in Gaza, but “since then, a famine has been declared, and the killing has intensified.”

The UN chief further called for those measures to be “implemented fully and immediately.”

Urging the UN Security Council to rise to the moment, Guterres said: “The Security Council must live up to its responsibilities. It must be more representative, more transparent, and more effective.”

Highlighting the worsening humanitarian situation, the UN chief denounced international aid cuts, calling them “a death sentence for many” and “a stolen future for many more.”

Beyond the conflict, Guterres urged world leaders to intensify their climate action, adding, “We need stepped-up action and ambition, especially through strengthened national climate plans.”

He noted that the G20 nations, as the largest emitters, “must lead, guided by common but differentiated responsibilities.”

“80 years on, we confront again the question our founders faced: What kind of world do we choose to build together?” Guterres asked.

NATO’s chief to Russia: We’re ready for you

By
IFP Media Wire
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On Friday, the alliance scrambled several fighter jets after three Russian MiG-31 aircraft entered Estonian airspace for 12 minutes. Earlier this month, Moscow also sent drones into Poland and Romania.

“We have all the defensive systems in place to make sure that we can defend every inch of allied territory,” Rutte told reporters.

“That’s what we have shown both in the Polish case as well as in the Estonian case.”

Alliance members met Tuesday after Estonia invoked NATO’s Article 4, triggering urgent consultations among allies.

In a statement published after the meeting, NATO ambassadors announced that they would “not be deterred by these and other irresponsible acts by Russia from their enduring commitments to support Ukraine.”

“Russia should be in no doubt: NATO and Allies will employ, in accordance with international law, all necessary military and non-military tools to defend ourselves,” the statement added.

The meeting also came after Norway and Denmark detected drones in their airspace on Monday night, prompting airports in Oslo and Copenhagen to temporarily shut down. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said Tuesday she “cannot rule out” Russia’s involvement, an accusation the Kremlin rejected.

In repose to the Russian drones in Poland, Rutte announced the launch of the Eastern Sentry mission to bolster defenses on the alliance’s eastern flank.

That incident, which saw multimillion-euro NATO jets shoot down cut-price drones made of wood and foam, has triggered criticism that the alliance is unprepared for growing aerial threats and Moscow’s low-cost warfare — at least economically.

Rutte stated that the alliance was actively working to fix that problem.

“One of the reasons why we launched Eastern Sentry,” he noted, is “it is not sustainable to take down … a let’s say, $1,000 or $2,000-costing drone, [with] a half a million or a million [dollar]-costing missile.”

Meanwhile, the incidents have prompted some NATO allies to issue unilateral warnings to Russia and search for new ways to shore up their defenses. Poland and Sweden this week said they would shoot down any Russian aircraft entering their territory, while Estonia has said it is ready to host British nuclear-capable fighter jets.

Russia insisted it is doing nothing wrong.

“Allegations that our aircraft have allegedly violated airspace have never been substantiated by reliable data or convincing evidence,” said Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, according to the government-controlled TASS news agency.

However, Rutte signaled the incidents would not lead to NATO overhauling its rules of military engagement with Russia.

“The decisions on whether to engage in shooting aircraft … are always based on available intelligence regarding the threat posed by the aircraft,” he stated, arguing “no immediate threat” was detected in Estonia.

“But if necessary, you can be assured we will do what is necessary to defend our cities, our people, our infrastructure” he added.

Iran’s President congratulates Saudi King, Crown Prince on National Day

By
IFP Media Wire
-

In his message to King Salman issued on Tuesday, President Pezeshkian highlighted the many commonalities between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, describing them as a strong foundation for friendship between the two Muslim nations. He expressed hope that, through mutual efforts, bilateral ties would continue to expand across all fields.

In a separate message to the crown prince, who also serves as the prime minister of the kingdom, the Iranian president voiced optimism that joint efforts and the full use of existing capacities would pave the way for broader cooperation between Tehran and Riyadh in political, economic, and cultural spheres.

 

Ali Larijani: U.S. demanded Iran cut missile range to below 500 km

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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Ali Larijani

Speaking at a meeting with members of Iran’s Chamber of Commerce, Larijani denounced the demand as an affront to national dignity, stressing that no patriotic Iranian could ever accept such a restriction.

He explained that in the course of diplomatic efforts, two separate proposals had been put forward — one by European countries and another by Russia.

Iran, he said, accepted both initiatives with certain reservations, and a six-month timeframe was set for negotiations. Nevertheless, the other parties failed to honor their commitments and instead pursued the reactivation of the so-called “snapback” mechanism at the UN Security Council.

Highlighting two key points, Larijani stated:

1. “In the initial American plan, they set a condition that no man of honor could accept — to cut the missile range to less than 500 kilometers. Is such a thing imaginable for any Iranian? The problem lies precisely here: they put forward demands that are fundamentally unacceptable.”

2. “Under the JCPOA, a mechanism was provided whereby if one side violated its commitments, the other side would have the right to respond. Who was the first to break commitments? First the U.S. withdrew, then the Europeans failed to abide, and ultimately they even resorted to bombing. So who should rightly lodge the complaint?”

Iran confirms arrival of Russian MiG-29 jets, announces upcoming delivery of Su-35 fighters

By
IFP Editorial Staff
-

Abolfazl Zohrevand stated on Wednesday that the MiG-29s mark the initial phase of an expanded military cooperation plan with Russia.

He added that advanced Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets will be delivered to Iran gradually as part of a long-term strategy to boost the country’s aerial defense capabilities.

The lawmaker further announced that two strategic air defense systems, the Chinese HQ-9 and the Russian S-400, are also slated to enter Iran in stages. “Once these systems are fully in place, our enemies will understand the language of power,” Zohrevand emphasized.

Also referring to the Cairo agreement signed between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency earlier this year, he described the development as a “victory card” for Iran at a time when Western states were considering reactivating the so-called snapback mechanism against Tehran. “We should not view this negatively; it strengthens our hand,” he underlined.

Kayhan: shadow of war to never disappear via negotiations

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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Iran US Flags

According to the paper, Israel’s Channel 13 recently aired a documentary on the war, revealing operational details and high-level discussions within the Zionist regime.

In the program, Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz described negotiations as a tool to lull Iran into complacency, saying that Washington deliberately scheduled talks for June 15, 2025, to distract Tehran ahead of military action. An Israeli analyst in the documentary added that the goal was to create a false sense of normalcy and optimism surrounding the diplomatic process.

Kayhan also cited earlier reports by The Wall Street Journal about U.S.-Israeli coordination to mislead Iran during talks, including staged media leaks portraying differences between Trump and Netanyahu while the U.S. was fully informed of Israel’s strike plans.

The newspaper concluded that these revelations prove war threats cannot be eliminated through negotiations. Rather, it argued, the 12-day conflict showed U.S.-Iran talks became part of the military strategy of surprise, assisting Israel’s assault instead of preventing it.

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