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Trump supporting Putin’s Ukraine land plan: Report

By
IFP Media Wire
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The source with knowledge of the matter said Russian President Vladimir Putin “de facto demands that Ukraine leave Donbas”, an area consisting of the Donetsk and Lugansk regions in eastern Ukraine.

“Trump is inclined to support it,” the source said.

Trump on Saturday spoke to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders about his talks Friday with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“The Ukrainian president refused to leave Donbas,” the source stated.

Zelensky has rejected any territorial concessions, saying he is bound by Ukraine’s constitution. But he has not ruled out discussing the issue at a trilateral meeting with Trump and Putin.

The New York Times also cited two senior European officials saying Trump supported Putin’s plan “to end the war in Ukraine by ceding unconquered territory to the Russian invaders, rather than try for a ceasefire”.

The Financial Times reported that Putin had told Trump that “he could freeze the rest of the frontline if his core demands were met” and the message had been relayed directly by Trump in his call on Saturday.

AFP’s source said US officials had said that if Russia’s demands were met then “Putin would not continue the offensive in the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions so there would be a kind of freeze there.

“But de facto it all will depend on Putin’s word of honour,” the source added.

Several months into its invasion of Ukraine, Russia in September 2022 claimed to have annexed all four Ukrainian regions even though its troops still do not fully control any of them.

Russian forces now occupy almost all of the Lugansk region and most of the Donetsk region, including their regional capitals.

US stops visitor visas for Gazans

By
IFP Media Wire
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Gaza

The department said “a small number” of temporary medical-humanitarian visas had been issued in recent days but did not provide a figure.

The U.S. issued more than 3,800 B1/B2 visitor visas, which permit foreigners to seek medical treatment in the United States, to holders of the Palestinian Authority travel document so far in 2025, according to an analysis of monthly figures provided on the department’s website. That figure includes 640 visas issued in May.

The PA issues such travel documents to residents of the Israeli-occupied West Bank and the Gaza Strip. The department’s website did not include a breakdown for the two territories.

The State Department’s move to stop visitor visas for people from Gaza comes after Laura Loomer, a far-right activist and an ally of President Donald Trump, stated on social media on Friday that the Palestinian “refugees” had entered the U.S. this month.

Loomer’s statement sparked outrage among some Republicans, with U.S. Representative Chip Roy, of Texas, saying he would inquire about the matter and Representative Randy Fine, of Florida, describing it as a “national security risk”.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations condemned the move, noting it was the latest sign of the “intentional cruelty” of the Trump administration.

Israel’s offensive against Gaza since October 2023 has killed more than 61,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials.

The U.S. has not indicated that it would accept Palestinians displaced by the war. However, sources told Reuters that South Sudan and Israel are discussing a plan to resettle Palestinians.

Israel says targeted energy infrastructure site near Yemeni capital

By
IFP Media Wire
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Israeli F-35 warplanes

The military said in a statement that the strikes were in response to repeated attacks by the Houthis against Israel.

Israeli media reported earlier that the attack on the Haziz power station near the capital was carried out by the Israeli navy.

Houthi-run Al Masirah TV said that the power station was hit by an “aggression”, knocking some of its generators out of service. It did not indicate the source of the attack.

Teams were able to contain a resulting fire, Al Masirah reported, citing the deputy prime minister.

At least two explosions were heard earlier in Sanaa, residents stated.

Israel has been bombing Yemen in response to Houthi attacks on the occupied territories. The Yemeni group has been firing missiles towards Israel, most of which have been intercepted, in what they describe as support for Palestinians during the war in Gaza.

The United States and the UK have also previously launched attacks against the Houthis in Yemen.

In May, the U.S. announced a surprise deal with the Houthis where it agreed to stop a bombing campaign against them in return for an end to the group’s attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, though the Houthis announced the agreement did not include sparing Israel.

Iran dismantles two terrorist cells in Sistan and Baluchestan

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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Iran Police

According to a statement carried by state media, the Quds Headquarters of the IRGC, in coordination with intelligence and security agencies, launched raids in both the northern and southern parts of the province. Six militants were killed and several others arrested.

The statement said those targeted were “trained terrorists” who had planned sabotage and armed attacks.

In an operation in Chabahar, security forces recovered around 25 kilograms of explosives, ready-to-use bombs, detonators, remote controls, fuses, radios, and other military equipment.

Another safe house in northern Sistan-Baluchestan was also raided, with six militants killed there as well. Authorities did not release the identities of those killed or arrested, and no details were provided about possible affiliations of the groups.

The IRGC thanked local residents for their cooperation and urged citizens to report suspicious activity through security hotlines and Iranian messaging platforms.

Sistan and Baluchestan, which borders Pakistan and Afghanistan, has witnessed repeated clashes between Iranian forces and armed groups in recent years.

Fires continue in Iraqi section of Hoor al-Azim wetland, Iranian side controlled

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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Meighan desert wetland

Mohammad Saki, head of the Department of Environmental Protection in Hoveyzeh, said on Sunday that between 23,000 and 25,000 hectares of the wetland’s Iraqi territory have been affected by fire since the beginning of this year. On the Iranian side, around 450 hectares have burned.

“Although in recent days the flames reached into parts of the Iranian section, they were quickly extinguished,” Saki said, noting that areas of the wetland inside Iran still hold water, which helps suppress the spread of fire.

He explained that smoke from the Iraqi fires generally drifts toward Khuzestan province, southern Iran, worsening air quality in local cities. However, on humid days, wind patterns prevent the smoke from reaching populated areas.

Saki added that Iranian officials are working with the Khuzestan governorate to secure a firefighting aircraft equipped for water bombing, expected to be deployed in the province by late September to support fire control efforts.

Israel preparing to forcibly displace civilians to southern Gaza

By
IFP Media Wire
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The army’s Arabic-language spokesperson Avichay Adraee said on Saturday that residents would be provided with tents and other shelter equipment transported through the Karem Abu Salem, or Kerem Shalom, crossing by the United Nations and international relief organisations.

The UN has not commented on the plan or on its alleged role in providing humanitarian assistance.

The statement comes less than a week since Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu announced that the military had been given the green light to “dismantle” what he described as two remaining Hamas strongholds: Gaza City in the north and al-Mawasi further to the south.

The army has not specified whether the shelter equipment was intended for Gaza City’s population, estimated at around one million people presently, and whether the site to which they will be relocated in southern Gaza would be the area of Rafah, near the border with Egypt.

The UN did not immediately comment on the Israeli announcement, however, it warned on Thursday that thousands of families already enduring appalling humanitarian conditions could be pushed over the edge if the Gaza City plan moves ahead.

Israeli forces have increased operations on the outskirts of Gaza City over the past week. Residents in the neighbourhoods of Zeitoun and Shujayea have reported heavy Israeli aerial and tank fire.

Israel’s war on Gaza has killed at least 61,827 people since October 2023. Malnutrition has killed 251 people so far, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.

Iran wins Greco-Roman wrestling title at Serbia tournament with 8 medals

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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Wrestlers from several countries including Serbia, Bulgaria, Hungary, Kyrgyzstan, Sweden, Romania, Croatia, and Belarus took part in the event.

Iran topped the team standings following a string of impressive performances.

Mohammad Pouya Asadi won gold in the 55 kg category after defeating opponents from Serbia and Bulgaria with decisive scores.

Reza Gheytasi dominated the 63 kg division, securing the title with a 10-0 victory over Serbia’s Aleksić in the final.

In the 87 kg class, Mohammad Hossein Ostadmohammad Memar earned another gold, while teammate Yasin Yazdi claimed bronze.

In the 72 kg weight category, Iman Mohammadi reached the final but lost narrowly to a Belarusian wrestler, taking silver. Amir Mehdi Saeedi Nava (77 kg), Alireza Mohammadhosseini (82 kg), and Ayyub Hosseinvand (130 kg) each earned bronze medals.

The results ensured Iran’s team finish first overall, continuing the country’s strong record in Greco-Roman wrestling on the international stage.

Iran says foreign intervention in the Caucasus its red line

By
IFP Media Wire
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Esmail Baghaei

Esmail Baqaei said: “The Islamic Republic of Iran believes that the presence of foreign forces in the South Caucasus makes the situation more complex.”

The Foreign Ministry spokesman also referred to Article 12 of the recent peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, noting that under this article, no foreign military forces will be stationed along the Armenia–Azerbaijan border.

He added: “We are highly sensitive to this issue, and Armenia itself is aware of the consequences of allowing foreign forces into the region.”

He further stressed: “The matter of foreign intervention is Iran’s red line.”

Referring to the Islamic Republic’s sensitivity toward developments in the Caucasus, he added: “We are closely monitoring the developments with open eyes, and we neither oversimplify nor underestimate any issue.”

Baqaei stated that the South Caucasus holds political, economic, and geopolitical importance for Iran and the regional countries, particularly Russia.

He underlined the need to avoid misinterpretations and the spread of false information, noting that some interpretations are based on incorrect data and may be aimed at disrupting the Islamic Republic’s relations with the countries of the South Caucasus.

The Foreign Ministry spokesman added: “We enjoy good relations with the countries of the South Caucasus and believe that the stability and security of this region are of great importance to us.”

Iran’s Ettelaat daily criticizes internet filtering, warns of greater risks

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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Iran Mobile Internet

In an editorial on Sunday, the country’s oldest-running newspaper argued that blocking access to popular online platforms pushes users toward illegal tools such as VPNs and proxy servers, which often serve as gateways to unsafe corners of the internet.

The paper cautioned that such environments expose citizens, particularly young people, to fraudsters, traffickers, spies, cybercriminals, and other illicit actors.

“Instead of ensuring safety, filtering has opened the doors to fake news, online scams, and the ‘dark web,’ where criminal networks prey on the vulnerable,” the editorial said.
It described this as a “hell without end” fueled by censorship.

The newspaper stressed that freedom requires patience, investment, and education, but argued its long-term benefits are “fruitful and bright.”

It urged authorities to embrace professional training and allow citizens to experience an open digital space, which it said would strengthen Iran’s cyber capabilities rather than weaken them.

The editorial concluded that the internet is now an integral part of social and economic life worldwide, and that attempts to suppress it only harm innovation, business, and cultural progress.

Trump told Europeans that Putin wants all of Donbas in exchange for end of Ukraine war

By
IFP Media Wire
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Russia Ukraine War

Putin said in exchange, he would be willing to freeze the current front lines in the rest of Ukraine — in the regions of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia — and agree to a promise not to attack Ukraine or other European nations again.

But he didn’t back away from a demand to eliminate what Russia calls the “root causes” of the war in Ukraine — code for reducing the size of Kyiv’s military, abandoning its aspirations to join NATO and becoming a neutral state.

The details of Putin’s conditions emerged when Trump briefed European leaders on the talks as he was arriving back in Washington early this morning. Trump announced he believed an agreement could be reached quickly if Putin’s conditions were met, and that he would discuss the matter with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House on Monday, the officials noted.

European leaders also stated Trump voiced openness to providing US security guarantees for Ukraine once the war ends, though the specifics of what he’s willing to provide remained unclear.

Taken together, Trump’s recounting of the meeting provided little optimism among European officials, though leaders’ public responses to the summit were calibrated to avoid contradicting Trump.

Western European leaders have issued a statement backing Trump’s diplomatic push to end the Ukraine conflict – while also reaffirming their intention to further arm Kyiv and seek to bring it into NATO, the very issues Russia has cited as among the root causes of the conflict.

The leaders of France, Germany, Italy, the UK, Poland, Finland, as well as the presidents of the EU Council and European Commission, praised the peace efforts in a statement published on Saturday, but vowed to continue providing military aid to Ukraine.

“Our support to Ukraine will continue. We are determined to do more to keep Ukraine strong in order to achieve an end to the fighting,” they emphasized.

The statement dismisses any notion of a territorial compromise, stressing that it was “up to Ukraine to make decisions on its territory”.

The European leaders added that they were ready to provide Kyiv security guarantees via a so-called “coalition of the willing” – a France- and UK-led attempt to deploy a NATO “reassurance force” in Ukraine, an initiative that Moscow has staunchly opposed.

“No limitations should be placed on Ukraine’s armed forces or on its cooperation with third countries. Russia cannot have a veto against Ukraine’s pathway to EU and NATO,” the statement read.

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