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China dimisses Ukraine’s allegations of supplying arms, defense components to Russia

Putin Xi

China’s reaction follows remarks by the head of Ukraine’s Foreign Intelligence Service, Oleh Ivashchenko, about Beijing allegedly providing the said components to 20 Russian military-industrial manufacturing facilities.

Ivashchenko also mentioned that as of early 2025, 80% of critical electronic components used in Russian drones were of Chinese origin.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said China’s position regarding the war in Ukraine remains “consistent and clear.”

“We’ve been committed to bringing about a ceasefire and promoting talks for peace. China has never provided lethal weapons to any party to the conflict, and strictly controls dual-use items,” Mao stated during a press conference.

“Ukraine understands that well. China firmly opposes groundless accusations and political manipulation,” she added.

China has strengthened ties with Russia since the Kremlin launched its full-scale war against Ukraine, becoming Moscow’s leading supplier of dual-use goods that bolster Russia’s defense industry.

While China has positioned itself as a potential mediator in the war, it has simultaneously criticized the U.S. and its allies for “exacerbating” the war by supplying weapons to Ukraine. NATO has labeled China a “decisive enabler” of Russia’s aggression.

President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed on April 17 that China is supplying weapons to the Russian military, marking Kyiv’s first confirmation that Beijing supports Russia’s war effort by direct arms supplies.

During Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Moscow for Victory Day celebrations earlier this month, the two countries agreed to “strengthen coordination in order to decisively counter Washington’s course of ‘dual containment’ of Russia and China.”

Kyiv on April 22 presented Beijing with evidence that Chinese citizens and companies have participated in Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine, which China dismissed as “groundless accusations and political manipulations.”

Iran executes man convicted of spying for Israel

Iran Prison

According to the Judiciary’s media center, Madani was hanged after his sentence was upheld by the Supreme Court following due legal process.

Madani was arrested in 2020 in Tehran on charges of spying for the Israeli regime and illicitly receiving foreign currency in euros and cryptocurrency.

Authorities stated that Madani had traveled frequently to Germany and had undergone Mossad training before attempting to recruit others and transmit classified information via secure communication systems.

Evidence revealed that Madani passed sensitive data regarding strategic infrastructure locations to his handler. He reportedly met with Mossad officers in multiple countries, including a documented meeting at the Israeli embassy in Brussels.

Investigations also uncovered messages exchanged between Madani and Mossad officers, including directives to categorize and transfer intelligence to specialized departments. He reportedly traveled to Israel during this period.

Following intelligence monitoring, Madani was arrested, tried, and found guilty of “waging war against God and corruption on earth.”

Putin ‘playing with fire’: Trump

Putin Trump

Trump claimed that Russia would already be facing serious consequences if not for his actions, following one of the most intense Russian aerial assaults on Ukraine.

“What Vladimir Putin doesn’t realize is that if it weren’t for me, lots of really bad things would have already happened to Russia, and I mean really bad. He’s playing with fire,” he wrote on Truth Social.

Trump’s comments mark a rare public rebuke of Putin amid growing pressure on the U.S. administration to respond to escalating Russian attacks.

On May 26, Russia launched its third large-scale aerial and drone assault against Ukraine in three nights, killing at least six people and injuring 24 across multiple oblasts.

The attack marked the most extensive drone strike against Ukraine during the full-scale war, topping the previous record of 298 drones overnight on May 25.

Trump recently held a two-hour phone call with Putin during which Russia reiterated its refusal to a full ceasefire in its war against Ukraine. Despite this, Trump has refused to impose new sanctions on Moscow, citing ongoing efforts to reach a ceasefire.

“Because I think there’s a chance of getting something done, and if you do that, you could also make it much worse,” Trump stated during a May 19 Oval Office briefing.

Trump has attempted to present himself as the only leader capable of ending the war quickly, though the lack of tangible pressure on Moscow has left Kyiv and its allies skeptical.

President Volodymyr Zelensky, responding to the May 25 overnight bombardment, called for urgent new sanctions and warned that “America’s silence, and the silence of others around the world, only encourages Putin.”

The European Union and U.S. lawmakers have also called for tougher action.

A bipartisan sanctions bill is already awaiting approval in Congress, with provisions for sweeping financial penalties and tariffs on nations buying Russian oil or uranium.

Iranian president thanks Oman for mediation efforts in U.S. talks

Pezeshkian praised Oman’s “active and constructive” role in facilitating indirect negotiations between Iran and the United States, expressing full confidence in Muscat’s mediation efforts.
“We appreciate Oman’s good-faith efforts in the negotiations and hope this process yields positive results. The Islamic Republic of Iran places complete trust in Oman,” the president said.

He further welcomed deeper cooperation across financial, scientific, technological, and especially medical sectors, and emphasized the need to bolster long-term economic foundations beyond oil and gas.

Pezeshkian also voiced gratitude for Oman’s principled stance in support of the Palestinian people and Gaza.

Sultan Haitham, in response, said Oman considers Iran’s success in negotiations as “a success for the entire region,” adding that Muscat has “no personal or political interest” in its mediation role and pursues it purely with goodwill.

He highlighted the importance of expanded trade, port connectivity, and rail linkages through Iran, and reiterated Oman’s readiness to enhance security and energy cooperation.

Iranian MP urges legal action against cleric Ghasemian over remarks in Saudi Arabia

Gholamreza Ghasemian

“In today’s sensitive climate, when our conduct must be measured, certain individuals repeatedly impose heavy costs on the nation and the state,” Shahriari said.

“The public prosecutor must act in defense of national interests by filing criminal charges and indictments against such persons.”

He added that there may even be foreign elements influencing such behavior, noting, “These are the same people who attacked the Saudi embassy a few years ago, and then, eight years later—when ties were finally restored under the 13th administration—they celebrated the reopening of relations as if they had achieved a monumental breakthrough with Riyadh. Some groups act as though they are entitled to immunity in all matters.”

Shahriari’s remarks come as Iranian officials intensify calls for unity and restraint during the Hajj season, following Ghasemian’s arrest and his inflammatory statement accusing Saudi Arabia of turning Mecca and Medina into “centers of immorality.”

Meanwhile, Iran’s Ambassador to Riyadh, Alireza Enayati, issued a veiled response in a post on X, emphasizing mutual respect and appropriate behavior during pilgrimage.

Iran envoy to Riyadh issues veiled response to cleric arrest in Saudi Arabia

Alireza Enayati

In a statement posted on X, Enayati wrote: “Pilgrims from across the world have come to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina to seek divine forgiveness and grace. The host country, in honoring the pilgrims of the House of God—especially the Iranian pilgrims—has mobilized all its resources to serve them.”

He added: “The pilgrims, fully mindful of the sanctity and reverence of the Two Holy Mosques, show respect for the prevailing laws and regulations, and no one tolerates offensive words or conduct.”

The ambassador’s remarks coincided with a statement by Iran’s Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization, which called on Iranian pilgrims to avoid behavior that could sow discord. Speaking at a gathering of volunteer aides, the organization’s head, Alireza Bayat, emphasized the need for unity among Muslims and urged full compliance with Saudi regulations.

“We must all refrain from actions that may give rise to division and discord,” Bayat said, while also thanking Saudi authorities for their cooperation in facilitating this year’s pilgrimage.

According to official figures, more than 68,000 Iranian pilgrims have already arrived in the Kingdom with minimal disruption.

The statements followed controversy sparked by Ghasemian’s inflammatory remarks, in which he accused Saudi Arabia of turning the holy cities into “centers of immorality.”
While Iranian officials have not issued a formal response to his arrest, their emphasis on respect for the host nation and religious solidarity appears aimed at containing the fallout.

Over 800 lawyers, judges call for UK sanctions on Israel over Gaza war

Gaza War

The open letter to Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday called on the British government to take concrete action to halt the “serious violations of international law” being committed by Israel.

“Genocide is being perpetrated in Gaza or, at a minimum, there is a serious risk of genocide occurring,” the letter stated, adding that war crimes, crimes against humanity, and serious violations of international humanitarian law were also taking place.

It urged Starmer to respond swiftly as “urgent and decisive action is required to avert the destruction of the Palestinian people of Gaza”.

The letter quoted recent comments by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who expressed Israel’s intention to “take control of all the territory of the [Gaza] Strip” and “conquer, cleanse and stay – until Hamas is destroyed”.

The letter, signed by senior legal figures including former supreme court and court of appeal judges, noted a recent statement by the leaders of the UK, France and Canada that the suffering in Gaza was “intolerable”, welcoming the indication that the governments were prepared to take action.

The letter called on the British government to adhere to its fundamental international legal obligations and “use all available means to secure an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza and to ensure the urgent, unconditional and unimpeded resumption of aid” to Palestinians.

To achieve this, it called on the government to impose sanctions on Israeli government ministers and other civil and military figures “reasonably suspected of involvement in unlawful conduct”, and to review existing trade ties with Israel, impose trade sanctions, and suspend a roadmap for a closer UK-Israel partnership.

The UK suspended negotiations of a new trade deal with Israel last week.

The letter also urged the UK to confirm it would adhere to its obligation to execute arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in relation to Israel’s actions in Gaza.

The ICC has issued arrest warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza, while the regime also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for war crimes against civilians.

“We, in the UK, cannot expect peace unless we fulfil our obligations under international law,” Sir Alan Moses, a former appeals court judge who signed the letter, said in a statement.

“It is an exercise in futility for a government to say it upholds the rule of law, if it then does nothing to demonstrate it,” he added.

Another signatory stated that Israel’s “unrelenting breaches of international law” posed a threat to “the very future of international law itself”.

“Imagine a world without rules: anarchy loosed upon the world,” Conor Gearty, a professor of human rights law at the London School of Economics, said in a statement, adding, “These lawyers know what that would look like – and because they do, they are desperate to avoid it.”

A previous open letter from UK lawyers last year said the UK was breaking international law by arming Israel.

Israel’s war on Gaza has killed nearly 54,000 Palestinians and wounded almost 123,000, according to Gaza’s Ministry of Health. The Government Media Office has updated its death toll to more than 61,700, saying thousands missing beneath the rubble are presumed dead.

Last Kalak makers of Bakhtiari in mountains of Iran’s Bazoft

The kalak is a traditional boat crafted from wood and inflated sheep skins. Once the only means for the Bakhtiari to cross rivers, this simple yet vital vessel played a crucial role in their nomadic lifestyle.

Today, these artisans preserve this heritage, keeping alive a symbol of resilience and connection to their environment.

More in pictures:

Iranian president departs for Oman to expand bilateral ties, address regional issues

Masoud Pezeshkian

Prior to departure, Pezeshkian emphasized the growing trade and diplomatic relations between the two nations, noting a bilateral trade volume of $2.3 billion and the intention to expand cooperation across political, economic, cultural, and scientific fields.

Accompanied by key cabinet ministers, including Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, Defense Minister General Aziz Nasirzadeh, and several other senior officials, Pezeshkian is expected to hold private talks with the sultan, followed by a joint session between high-ranking delegations.

Pezeshkian stated that the trip aligns with Iran’s neighborhood diplomacy and aims to bolster regional peace, particularly through unified opposition to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

This visit comes as Oman acts as the mediator in nuclear talks between Iran and the US and as Muscat has offered an imitative, whose details are yet unknown, to get the negotiating sides out of a sticking point after five rounds of talks.

US considers imposing sanctions on Russia in coming days: WSJ

Putin and Trump

The sanctions would reportedly be imposed to push Russia to the negotiating table but may not include additional banking restrictions, people familiar with Trump’s thinking told the WSJ.

Trump is also considering abandoning peace efforts if a final effort to end Russia’s war is unsuccessful, the WSJ reported, citing people familiar with Trump’s thinking.

Trump’s stance on U.S. sanctions against Russia has been unclear. Trump has refused to impose sanctions on Russia as it may hinder future business and trade opportunities, the New York Times reported on May 20, citing a White House official.

On May 25, Trump condemned Russian President Vladimir Putin for increased Russian attacks on Ukraine, saying he’s “not happy with Putin.”

Russia launched over 900 strike drones over the last three days, in addition to cruise and ballistic missiles, President Volodymyr Zelensky stated.

“Over 900 attack drones launched against Ukraine in just three days, along with ballistic and cruise missiles. There is no military logic in this, but it is a clear political choice — the choice of Putin, the choice of Russia — the choice to keep waging war and destroying lives,” he added.

Trump recently held a two-hour phone call with Putin during which Russia reiterated its refusal to a full ceasefire in its war against Ukraine. The U.S. failed to respond with any significant pressure.

“He’s killing a lot of people… I don’t know what the hell happened to Putin, I’ve known him for a long time,” Trump said on May 25.

In the same statement, Trump told journalists sanctions against Russia could be on the table amid Russia’s intensified attacks.