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Israel holds 10,800 Palestinian prisoners in its jails: Rights groups

By
IFP Media Wire
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Israeli Jail Prison

“This figure does not include Palestinians held in Israeli army-run camps,” read a joint statement by the Commission of Detainees Affairs, the Palestinian Prisoner Society, and Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association.

The figure is the highest since the second Palestinian Intifada against the Israeli occupation in 2000, the groups added.

The detainees include 50 women, 450 children, and 629 people held without trial or charge under Israel’s notorious policy of administrative detention, the statement read.

According to the Prisoners’ Media Office, the Israeli army arrested more than 17,000 Palestinians, including 545 women and 1,360 children, from Gaza since October 2023.

The Israeli army has killed more than 57,500 Palestinians, most of them women and children, in Gaza since October 2023. The relentless bombardment has destroyed the enclave and led to food shortages and a spread of disease.

Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.

Kremlin allows foreigners to serve in Russian military

By
IFP Media Wire
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Russia Ukraine War
A billboard promoting contract army service with an image of a serviceman and the slogan reading "Serving Russia is a real job" sits in Saint Petersburg, Russia.

In an effort to expand Moscow’s military recruitment efforts, the Kremlin will also now allow qualified specialists who have reached the age limit to sign contracts with Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), Federal Security Service (FSB), or other state security agencies.

Until now, foreigners were allowed to serve in the Russian army only during states of emergency or under martial law, which Moscow has not declared despite its full-scale invasion of Ukraine three and a half years ago.

Putin’s partial mobilisation decree from September 2022, which triggered the exodus of over 261,000 Russians, remains in force.

As Moscow has recently intensified its summer offensive against Ukraine, allowing foreigners to serve in the army would strengthen the recruitment process in Russia while avoiding formal conscription.

At the end of March, the Kremlin announced its traditional spring conscription of 160,000 men — the largest call-up in 14 years.

In April the UK Ministry of Defence reported that Russia has recruited more than 1,500 foreign nationals to fight against Ukraine between April 2023 and May 2024.

According to the British intelligence update, the majority of foreign recruits came from South and East Asia, accounting for 771 individuals. They were followed by citizens from former Soviet republics (523) and African countries (72).

The UK Ministry of Defence suggested that the main factors motivating foreigners to sign military contracts are financial incentives and the possibility of obtaining Russian citizenship.

“Many foreign citizens are almost certainly recruited specifically through Moscow due to higher signing bonuses and the city’s relative international accessibility,” it added.

The intelligence update in April further indicated that Moscow was likely to continue enlisting foreign citizens over the medium term. This strategy is intended to offset battlefield losses without triggering a second wave of mobilisation.

According to the latest update from Ukraine’s General Staff, Russia has lost 1,028,610 troops in Ukraine — either killed or wounded — since the beginning of its full-scale invasion on 24 February 2022.

Kyiv’s daily updates indicate an average daily rate of around 1,000 casualties among Russian troops.

UK Defence Ministry analysts noted that while foreign recruitment by Moscow will persist, it is unlikely to significantly alter the composition of Russia’s military forces, given the scale of domestic enlistment efforts.

Iran’s deputy FM: strategic proposals raised in talks with U.S.; EU facing final chance

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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Nuclear Negotiations in Vienna

Khatibzadeh stressed that Iran is not a minor actor. “We are a nation of 90 million with a civilizational depth that cannot be compared to a militarized apartheid entity like Israel,” he said.

Rejecting claims that Iran’s response to recent attacks was weak, he said Iran’s decision to strike a U.S. base in Qatar — not via proxy, but directly — sent a calculated message of deterrence. “We know how to end aggression and are prepared for unpredictable responses if national security is threatened,” he added.

Khatibzadeh also warned that Europe now stands culturally and morally “exposed” and risks irrelevance in Iran diplomacy. “Europe may play its final strategic card. If mishandled, it will lose all leverage on Iran permanently,” he warned.

He reiterated that Iran remains committed to peaceful nuclear activities and is operating with full transparency under IAEA safeguards.

Veteran Iranian MP: IAEA chief is mercenary, should banned from entering Iran

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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IAEA Grossi

Alaeddin Boroujerdi, speaking to Fars News Agency, stated that “Grossi betrayed both the IAEA, which operates under the United Nations, and the Islamic Republic of Iran.”

Referring to the IAEA’s many previous reports confirming the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program, he said: “Grossi submitted a false and suspicious report to the IAEA Board of Governors. Based on that report, the Board issued a resolution against Iran, which then gave the Zionist regime a pretext to launch its attack.”

Boroujerdi continued: “We must file a complaint against Grossi for the major lie he told, which led to this crisis in the region.”

He added: “Under the NPT, the IAEA is responsible for safeguarding Iran’s nuclear facilities. Yet Grossi, as the Director General, did not even condemn the Zionist and American strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites. We have no assurance that they will not attack our facilities again.”

The veteran MP reiterated the Islamic Republic’s firm opposition to the production of nuclear weapons, stressing: “We are committed both to the IAEA’s regulations and to the NPT, and this stance is further reinforced by the authoritative fatwa of the Supreme Leader banning nuclear weapons.”

Iran’s nuclear safety center: No traces of depleted uranium found in U.S. attacks

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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US Attack Iran

The Center addressed circulating claims on social media suggesting the use of depleted uranium munitions by the aggressor.

“We inform the honorable people of Iran that our investigations to date have revealed no signs of depleted uranium use,” the statement said.

The Center clarified that depleted uranium, known for its high density and armor-piercing capabilities, is typically employed in specialized munitions fired from tanks or aircraft to enhance warhead penetration.

The statement comes amid growing concerns over the humanitarian and environmental impacts of the the recent United States’ and Israeli regime’s aggression, particularly following reports of advanced munitions used in attacks targeting both military and civilian infrastructure.

Iran reopens airspace as flight operations resume

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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Iran Airport

Following recent hostilities and the temporary closure of Iran’s airspace due to security concerns stemming from U.S. and Israeli attacks, Amirani confirmed that the country’s aviation infrastructure is rapidly returning to full operational capacity.

“Thanks to the swift action of our specialists, damaged airport facilities were restored to operational status in record time,” he stated.

He further noted that the eastern air corridor of the country is now fully open, while flight operations in the western region are safely active from 5:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily.

Amirani emphasized that the nation’s radar, navigation, and surveillance systems are in full operational condition and fully prepared to ensure the safe management of all flights.

Iran had temporarily restricted its airspace in response to security risks following coordinated missile and drone strikes by the Israeli regime and the United States, citing the safety of passengers and civil aviation as a top priority.

Iran rejects Trump’s claims of requesting talks as baseless fabrication

By
IFP Media Wire
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Esmael baghaei

Spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry Esmaeil Baqaei stated on Tuesday that no request for a meeting had been submitted to the American side.

He dismissed Trump’s remarks as a desperate attempt to project strength.

“From our side, no request for a meeting has been made to the American side,” Baqaei said.

Trump on Monday claimed during a meeting with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Washington had set a date for negotiations with Iran and that Iranian officials were eager to talk.

“I think they want to meet with us to make peace,” he claimed.

The US president went further, asserting that Iran’s nuclear program had been completely dismantled and that the International Atomic Energy Agency had confirmed the destruction of a target site.

“I hope the war between Israel and Iran is over. We will have a meeting with Iran and see what happens,” Trump added.

Meanwhile, media outlets reported that Steve Witkoff, Trump’s regional envoy, declared a meeting with Iranian officials would be arranged very soon and could take place as early as next week.

US envoy lauds Lebanon’s response to Hezbollah disarmament proposals

By
IFP Media Wire
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Thomas Barrack, an adviser to US President Donald Trump who serves as Washington’s ambassador to Turkiye and special envoy for Syria, returned to Beirut on Monday after delivering the US proposal during a June 19 visit.

The plan called for the Lebanese group Hezbollah to fully disarm within four months in exchange for a halt to Israeli air strikes and the full withdrawal of Israel’s military from the five positions it continues to occupy in southern Lebanon.

“What the government gave us was something spectacular in a very short period of time,” Barrack told reporters on Monday after meeting Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.

“I’m unbelievably satisfied with the response.”

While Barrack confirmed that he had received a seven-page reply from the Lebanese side, he offered no details on its contents.

Barrack said that he believed both Lebanon and Israel were seeking a path toward de-escalation, adding, “Both countries are trying to give the same thing – the notion of a stand-down agreement, of the cessation of hostilities, and a road to peace.”

The remarks come as tensions remain high as Israel continues to bombard Lebanon despite agreeing to a ceasefire in November.

The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah erupted in October 2023 after the Lebanese group attacked Israel in solidarity with the Palestinian group Hamas in Gaza. It spiralled into full-scale conflict by September the following year, killing more than 4,000 people – including Hezbollah leader Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah and other senior officials – and displacing nearly 1.4 million people, according to Lebanese authorities.

Lebanon’s president and prime minister – both installed earlier this year – have promised to strengthen the state and the army, and said that Hezbollah, long viewed as the most powerful military force in Lebanon, must not be more powerful than the government.

However, Israel has continued to strike Lebanon, claiming its operations are aimed at preventing Hezbollah from rearming. Lebanese health officials say around 250 people have been killed and more than 600 wounded in Israeli attacks since the ceasefire.

Hezbollah has not issued a formal response to the US proposal. However, its leader, Naim Qassem, stated on Sunday that the group would not disarm while Israel continued its aggression.

“We cannot be asked to soften our stance or lay down arms while [Israeli] aggression continues,” Qassem told thousands of supporters during Ashura commemorations in the southern suburbs of Beirut.

Barrack acknowledged that Hezbollah would need guarantees that it could continue operating as a political force within Lebanon.

But signs of de-escalation were absent on the ground. Just hours before Barrack’s arrival, Israel launched a wave of air strikes on southern and eastern Lebanon and carried out a ground invasion into a border village.

Lebanese officials and diplomats announced that the latest military action appeared to be an attempt to increase pressure on Hezbollah ahead of diplomatic discussions.

Iran to register all civilian drones amid spiraling situation

By
IFP Media Wire
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Hezbollah says its drone returns to Lebanon after mission over occupied Palestine

Alaeddin Boroujerdi, a veteran lawmaker, revealed that an estimated 50,000 to 60,000 drones are currently in use across the country.

Given their potential for dual-use, from agricultural applications to unlawful surveillance or even attacks, lawmakers have deemed it necessary to regulate and license all unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

“Much like a knife that can be used either in surgery or in crime, drones also have the potential for abuse, as we’ve seen in recent incidents,” Boroujerdi stated.

The proposed legislation, known as the Remote-Piloted Aircraft Regulation Bill, has already passed through multiple sessions in the parliamentary commission and is awaiting final approval by the Guardian Council. Once enacted, all drone operators will be required to obtain permits, and drones must be registered and traceable.

Boroujerdi emphasized that lawful oversight will help authorities act swiftly and prevent future incidents, especially after the experience in conflict with the Israeli regime and the US last month.

Iranian Armed Forces chief, Qatari defense official discuss regional security, bilateral ties

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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General Mousavi praised Qatar as a close and friendly nation, expressing appreciation for Doha’s firm stance in condemning recent aggressions against Iran. He also acknowledged Qatar’s continued support for the Palestinian cause.

Highlighting Iran’s position during the recent 12-day conflict, General Mousavi stated that Iran’s legitimacy and defensive actions were supported by Muslims and freedom-seekers worldwide, revealing the disregard of international norms by the US and Israel.

He emphasized that US forces fully backed Israel with intelligence and logistics, yet Iran’s military stood firm against aggression and responded decisively with full force.

Al Attiyah extended condolences for the martyrdom of General Bagheri and other commanders, reiterating Qatar’s condemnation of Israeli attacks.

He stressed that Qatar would not allow its airspace or territory to be used for war and reaffirmed its commitment to diplomacy and peaceful solutions.

Both sides agreed to enhance bilateral military and defense cooperation moving forward.

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