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Iranian president warns against unchecked Israeli aggression at Eurasian economic summit
Speaking via videoconference at the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) summit, President Pezeshkian defended Iran’s recent military actions as legitimate self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter.
The President slammed Israel for launching “brutal and unlawful armed attacks” against Iran on June 12, including targeting peaceful nuclear facilities.
He said the attacks occurred amid indirect negotiations between Iran and the US over Tehran’s nuclear program.
President Pezeshkian condemned the US and Israeli military actions as clear violations of international law and a serious blow to the non-proliferation regime.
He emphasized that Iran’s nuclear activities remain under full IAEA supervision.
He also called for an end to international leniency toward Israel’s repeated human rights violations, urging EAEU members to issue a unified condemnation of the recent aggression and its regional and global risks.
On economic ties, President Pezeshkian hailed the Iran-EAEU free trade agreement as a major step toward deepening regional cooperation and unlocking significant trade opportunities for member states.
Another Iranian nuclear scientist martyred in Israeli attack
According to ISNA, Soleiman Soleimani, a chemical engineering graduate from IUST and a contributor to Iran’s nuclear program, was killed in an attack.
In an official statement, Iran University of Science and Technology expressed condolences to his family, colleagues, and the academic community.
“We extend our congratulations and deepest condolences on the martyrdom of Engineer Soleiman Soleimani, a graduate in chemical engineering from Iran University of Science and Technology, who was killed in the brutal attacks of the Zionist regime,” the university said.
The attack, which Iranian officials have condemned as part of a broader campaign of targeted assassinations, is the latest in a series of incidents involving nuclear scientists.
In a separate attack in Tehran’s Narmak district, Dr. Ali Bakouei, a nuclear scientist and boxing coach, was martyred alongside his wife and two children.
His academic and scientific role remained unknown to many until after his death.
Meanwhile, Dr. Seyed Mohammadreza Sedighi Saber was assassinated at his father’s home in Astaneh Ashrafieh, Gilan Province, along with 12 fanily menbets in an Israeli attack.
His 17-year-old son had been killed days earlier in an Israeli strike in Tehran.
Iran Calls on France to Release Pro-Palestinian Citizen from Prison
In an official statement delivered at the 59th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, the Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran emphasized the need for the international community to support human rights defenders — particularly women and girls — who have dedicated their lives to the liberation of Palestine from occupation and oppression, specifically highlighting the case of Ms. Mahdieh Esfandiari.
The statement urgently called on the French government to release Ms. Esfandiari, who has been in arbitrary detention by French police for several months and subjected to torture.
Mahdieh Esfandiari, a 39-year-old Iranian citizen, has been held in pre-trial detention for the past four months at Fresnes Prison in the outskirts of Paris, allegedly due to her support for Palestine.
Iran’s delegation also urged the immediate involvement and support of international mechanisms active in the field of women’s and girls’ rights, including the UN Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women and Girls and the Working Group on Discrimination Against Women and Girls, in Ms. Esfandiari’s case.
Iran’s Baqaei: German Chancellor’s Support for Genocidal Zionist Regime Disgraceful
Baqaei wrote on the social media platform X early Friday morning:
“German Chancellor Friedrich Merz insists on placing himself even more firmly on the wrong side of history by supporting an aggressive and genocidal regime.”
He added: “It is truly disgraceful for a statesman to overlook an act of aggression and blatant violation of international law — let alone attempt to justify such a crime.”
Baqaei continued: “When the leader of a country with the legacy of Berlin 1945 abandons the slogan ‘Never again war’ (Nie wieder Krieg) and instead supports acts of aggression, war crimes, and genocide, it means he has not only distanced himself from the conscience of history but has also insulted the collective conscience of the German people.”
The Foreign Ministry spokesperson emphasized
Iran will never forget who supplied Saddam Hussein’s regime with chemical weapons during the imposed war against Iran in the 1980s — and it will not forgive those who today support the aggressor side.
FM: No agreement made for resumption of Iran-US negotiations
In response to US President Donald Trump’s remarks claiming that negotiations will take place next week and that an agreement will be reached, Seyed Abbas Araqchi, told Iranian state television: “I say, don’t take such comments seriously.”
Araqchi stressed: “No agreement has been reached to resume negotiations. I clearly say that no promise or arrangement has been made, and no talks have taken place to start over.”
He added: “Whether we return to direct negotiations with the United States or not is a specific matter that is currently under review. It depends on how our interests dictate.”
Araqchi continued: “From the early days of the twelve-day war, European countries called for restraint and a return to diplomacy. We told them our position was clear: we were in the middle of diplomatic efforts when the war started.”
He stated: “The Zionist regime, out of desperation, was forced to halt its aggression. And based on the notifications we had, once they stopped, we also refrained from continuing our actions.”
Regarding the ceasefire violations by Israel, Araqchi said: “I told one of the European foreign ministers very clearly: Tell the Zionist regime that Iran is not Lebanon. If they take any action, Iran will immediately respond in kind.”
In another part of his remarks, he addressed the US and Israeli attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities, stating: “Our friends in the Atomic Energy Organization are currently assessing the damage, and I must say it has not been minor. Serious harm has been inflicted on our facilities, and we are now reviewing our policies.”
He added: “The three European countries (France, Germany and the UK) are still members of the JCPOA. These countries cannot talk about ‘zero enrichment’ in Iran, since enrichment is recognized in the JCPOA. They insist on maintaining their membership status in order to potentially use the snapback mechanism and reimpose sanctions on Iran.”
Araqchi stressed: “I told the three European countries that the greatest historical mistake they could make would be to trigger the snapback mechanism — if they do so, they will effectively end their own role.”
The Iranian Foreign Minister also stated:
“The Parliament’s plan to suspend cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is binding for Iran. The reason is clear: the report prepared by Rafael Grossi, the IAEA Director General, laid the groundwork for a resolution pushed by the Europeans at the Board of Governors, which we believe paved the way for Israel’s aggression.”
He concluded: “At present, we have no decision to accept Mr. Grossi personally, and regarding inspectors, if they comply with the law passed by Parliament, then their case must be reviewed.”
Iran: US leaders “pleaded through regional states” amid escalation with Israel
Major General Seyed Abdolrahim Mousavi, Chief of Staff of Iran’s Armed Forces, made the remarks in a statement issued after a “war imposed” by Israel on Iran with direct support from the United States.
He noted Iran’s decisive military response, including strikes on strategic Israeli sites and the US Al-Udeid base, compelled Washington to back down.
“American leaders, through certain regional states, resorted to pleading and effectively surrendered to the resolve of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Mousavi asserted.
He emphasized that Iran did not initiate the conflict but responded forcefully to protect its sovereignty.
Mousavi also highlighted hat Israeli missile defense systems failed against Iranian ballistic missiles and drones, exposing the vulnerability of civilians across Israeli-occupied areas.
The commander warned that any future “strategic miscalculation” by Israel or its allies would be met with a powerful and historic response, reiterating Iran’s readiness and determination to defend itself against further aggression.
Tehran Symphony Orchestra performs solidarity concert at Azadi Tower
The concert aimed to promote solidarity and compassion amid the nation’s current challenges and hardships.
Presented as a gesture of unity with the Iranian people during difficult times, the event drew a diverse audience to one of Tehran’s most iconic landmarks, Azadi Square.
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Iranian education minister confirms death of 20 students in Israeli attacks
Minister of Education Alireza Kazemi expressed deep sorrow over the loss and emphasized the government’s commitment to education, noting President Massoud Pezeshkian’s direct involvement in education reform efforts.
“On the morning the ceasefire was declared, the president personally contacted me to follow up on educational affairs,” Kazemi stated. He added that the president believes “transformation in the country begins with transformation in education.”
Kazemi said the president’s education agenda includes two major pillars, namely improving educational quality and promoting justice in educational infrastructure.
In a related report, Iran’s academic sector suffered significant losses during the 12-day conflict. According to official figures, 16 university professors and 11 students were killed in Israeli airstrikes. Nine of the deceased were recognized specialists and graduates contributing to Iran’s intellectual community.
Authorities described these individuals as key parts of the nation’s academic and scientific backbone. “Their absence is not just the loss of names—it is the loss of human and intellectual capital,” a university statement read.
The Iranian Health Ministry announced on Wednesday that a total of 627 people were martyred and 4,870 injured in the Israeli regime’s attacks with Tehran and Kermanshah provinces reporting the highest numbers of casualties.
Iranian security forces arrest Israel spy in Tehran metro
The arrest was made swiftly after police officers noticed unusual behavior.
Police spokesperson Brigadier General Saeed Montazer-al-Mahdi stated that upon the arrest, a technical inspection of the suspect’s mobile phone and electronic devices revealed alarming findings. The individual was reportedly using an electronic chip to record the locations of military and sensitive sites. These coordinates were then transmitted to unidentified foreign contacts.
The investigation further revealed that the suspect had been receiving instructions in Hebrew, raising concerns about potential espionage.
“The suspect, along with the discovered equipment, has been handed over to specialized police units and the judiciary for further investigation,” General Montazer-al-Mahdi confirmed.
Authorities have not released the identity or nationality of the suspect. The case remains under investigation, and further details are expected to emerge as the inquiry progresses.
