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Ukraine planned drone attack on Russian ships in Asia: Washington Post

By
IFP Media Wire
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Ukraine War

Last Sunday, Ukraine targeted Russian airbases across the nation – from Murmansk in the Arctic to Irkutsk in Siberia – in a coordinated assault, which involved explosive-laden UAVs taking off from commercial trucks. Kiev claimed that its so-called ‘Operation Spiderweb’ damaged or destroyed several dozen Russian military aircraft, including Tu-95 and Tu-22 nuclear-capable long-range bombers. According to Moscow, most of the incoming drones were shot down, and none of the affected Russian planes were damaged beyond repair.

The Washington Post said in an article on Thursday that “Ukraine has considered a naval version of the sneak-attack tactic” it used against the Russian bases a week ago.

According to the paper’s sources, Kiev’s intelligence services “weighed sending sea drones hidden in cargo containers to attack ships of Russia and its allies in the North Pacific.”

“But, so far, they apparently have yet to launch these operations,” WaPo added.

Russia’s Pacific Fleet has its headquarters in the city of Vladivostok, which is located in the country’s Far East, some 45 kilometers from the border with China and 134 kilometers from the border with North Korea.

US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin told him on the phone that Moscow “will have to respond” to all of Kiev’s attempts to target its strategic aviation.

This week, the Russian Defense Ministry reported several large-scale strikes using drones and long-range precision-guided weapons against Ukrainian defense industry enterprises; military airfields; drone production, storage and launch sites; arms depots as well as the deployment points of Ukrainian military units and foreign mercenaries.

However, Reuters reported on Saturday, citing unnamed US officials, that Washington believes that Moscow’s retaliation “has not happened yet in earnest and is likely to be a significant, multi-pronged strike.” One of the sources said that the Russian response is expected within days.

Since the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in February 2022, Kiev has repeatedly deployed its naval drones against the vessels and bases of the Russian Black Sea Fleet as well as against the 19 km Kerch Bridge, which connects Crimea with mainland Russia. Most of those unmanned surface vessels have been destroyed, according to the Russian Defense Ministry.

US travel ban barring citizens from 12 countries, including Iran, goes into effect

By
IFP Media Wire
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The new proclamation, which Trump signed last week, “fully” restricts the nationals of Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen from entering the US. The entry of nationals of Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela will be partially restricted.

Unlike Trump’s first travel ban in 2017, which initially targeted citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries and was criticized as an unconstitutional “Muslim ban”, the new ban is broader, and legal experts said they expect it to withstand legal challenges.

The announcement of the new travel ban was greeted with less outrage and protest than his initial 2017 ban. On Monday, the new ban appeared to be overshadowed by Trump’s other immigration battles, including furious protests in Los Angeles over Trump’s deportation raids, which were followed by Trump deploying the national guard to the city despite the opposition of California’s governor.

The newly instituted ban notably includes citizens of Haiti, a majority Christian country. Haitians in the US were demonized by Trump during his presidential campaign, with the president spreading the baseless conspiracy theory that Haitian immigrants in Ohio were eating people’s pets.

It also imposes heightened travel restrictions on citizens of Venezuela, who have been targeted repeatedly by the White House in recent months, as the Trump administration’s sudden deportation of Venezuelans in the US to a notorious prison in El Salvador sparked a massive legal battle.

The ban is also expected to have a disproportionate effect on African countries, with some citizens of targeted countries worrying about being cut off from opportunities for education, professional development, and networking.

While five of the countries on the new ban list are not majority-Muslim, including Republic of the Congo, Myanmar, Eritrea and Equatorial Guinea, as well as Haiti, the list does target citizens of non-white countries in the developing world, fueling criticisms that the ban is fundamentally racist and shaped by “bigotry”.

Trump’s first travel ban, in 2017, was widely criticized as a fulfillment of Trump’s campaign pledge to institute “a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States”. The Trump administration later added citizens of other non-Muslim countries to the banned list.

The new ban does not revoke visas previously issued to people from countries on the list, according to guidance issued Friday to all US diplomatic missions. However, unless an applicant meets narrow criteria for an exemption to the ban, his or her application will be rejected starting Monday. Travelers with previously issued visas should still be able to enter the US even after the ban takes effect.

In a video posted Wednesday on social media, Trump said nationals of countries included in the ban pose “terrorism-related” and “public-safety” risks, as well as risks of overstaying their visas. He also added some of these countries had “deficient” screening and vetting or have historically refused to take back their citizens.

Trump also tied the new ban to a recent attack in Boulder, Colorado that wounded a dozen people, saying it underscored the dangers posed by some visitors who overstay visas. US officials say the alleged perpetrator overstayed a tourist visa. The man charged in the attack is from Egypt, a country that is not on Trump’s restricted list.

New Russia sanctions bill ‘on hold’ over White House’s stance: Bloomberg

By
IFP Media Wire
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Donald Trump

The “bone crushing” legislation that would impose a 500% tariff on countries that buy Russian energy, uranium, and other raw materials has more than 80 co-sponsors in the Senate, which Bloomberg described as “veto-proof backing.” But lawmakers are still hesitant to challenge the president, the outlet claimed.

Earlier this week, Trump said he had not even looked at the bill and would only consider sanctions “at the right time.” His position “put the brakes” on a push to advance the measure as soon as this month, according to Bloomberg. Graham has previously said he planned to do so before the G7 summit scheduled for June 15-17 in Canada, but the effort is now “on hold,” Bloomberg reported.

On Thursday, the Republican senator wrote on X that he had “coordinated closely with the White House in this endeavor from day one,” adding that the bill was only aimed at giving Trump “more tools when it comes to Russia.”

The bill’s Democrat co-sponsor Richard Blumenthal told Bloomberg that he and Garaham were still working on making the bill “more acceptable” to the White House.

On Thursday, Trump told journalists he had a “deadline” in his “brain” and would decide when to act if it became clear that a peace deal between Moscow and Kiev could not be reached. He also stated that he was willing to impose sanctions against both Russia and Ukraine.

The president said that the Senate’s sanctions bill would be “guided by me,” but suggested it might be better to let Russia and Ukraine continue fighting “for a while” before “pulling them apart.” Trump also expressed his concern about recent Ukrainian drone attacks on long-range nuclear-capable Russian bombers, saying it had increased the risk of escalation by giving Moscow a reason to retaliate.

Tasnim: Iran to respond to US nuclear proposal soon

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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Araghchi Witkoff

As reported by Tasnim News Agency, Iran’s reply will be sent in written form through diplomatic channels.

The response is said to include Iran’s own proposal aimed at advancing the negotiation process, while reaffirming the country’s key demands, chief among them the continuation of uranium enrichment on Iranian soil.

In the proposed response, Iran is expected to outline certain measures to address US concerns, provided that there is a clear and effective path to sanctions relief. The initiative appears to reflect Tehran’s willingness to explore a compromise, without crossing its established red lines.

Additionally, Iran is reportedly open to participating in a new round of indirect talks with the US, provided that its core positions are respected.

On Ministry, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, Esmail Baqaei, said: “Iran’s response is a reasonable, logical, and balanced plan. We recommend the American side seize this opportunity, as it is certainly in their interest to seriously consider the proposal.”

He noted that Iran’s proposed plan will be submitted to the other side through Oman after it is finalized.

Iran spox: Europe’s involvement in Israel military nuclear program certain

By
IFP Media Wire
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Esmael baghaei

Speaking at his weekly press conference on Monday, Baqaei pointed to Iran’s acquisition of a vast amount of security-related information, including material related to the Israeli regime’s nuclear activities.

He stated, “What was already clear to us—and will now be clearer to others through these documents—is the active participation of these European countries in Israel’s military nuclear program.”

Baqaei added, “It is significant that the very parties who speak of nuclear non-proliferation are themselves actively involved in equipping and strengthening the nuclear military program of this regime.”

He also commented on the efforts by the UK, France, and Germany—backed by the United States—to pass an anti-Iran resolution at the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Baqaei said, “Undoubtedly, the confrontational approach of these three European countries cannot serve as an incentive for cooperation.”

He continued, “The actions of the three European countries show that they are still beating the drum of confrontation and non-cooperation, and they should certainly expect proportionate and reciprocal steps from Iran.”

Bawaei also spoke on Iran’s response to the US proposal concerning the nuclear issue, saying: “Iran’s response is a reasonable, logical, and balanced plan. We recommend the American side seize this opportunity, as it is certainly in their interest to seriously consider the proposal.”

He noted that Iran’s proposed plan will be submitted to the other side through Oman after it is finalized.

Regarding the seizure of the Madeline ship and the attack on it and the arrest of its crew by the Israeli regime, he stated: “This act, having occurred in international waters, is considered a form of piracy under international law. This issue shows that the United Nations, the Human Rights Council, and the UN Security Council must take immediate action to break the siege of Gaza and prevent the continued massacre of innocent people.”

Iran warns it will take retaliatory measures if IAEA adopts resolution

By
IFP Media Wire
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Behrouz Kamalvandi

“Certainly, the IAEA should not expect the Islamic Republic of Iran to continue its broad and friendly cooperation,” the spokesman for the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), Behrouz Kamalvandi, said on state TV when asked how Tehran would respond if the resolution is passed by the IAEA’s board of governors meeting on Monday.

Kamalvandi said Iran has warned in previous resolutions, but they did not pay attention, and the result was that we increased the production of 60 percent enrichment by 7 times, launched 20 chains, and installed advanced 13th-generation machines.

He said Tehran has prepared a list of measures if such a resolution is passed in the Monday session.

Kamalvandi said part of the measures will be technical, and part of it will concern the nature of Iran’s cooperation with the agency.

“We have repeatedly emphasized that we do not have enrichment above 60 percent and that the momentary increase in enrichment occurred due to technical conditions (such as a decrease in feed in centrifuge machines). This issue was resolved after consideration, but the media and resolutions quietly passed it by,” he stated.

The spokesman stressed that the Europeans are seeking to adopt an anti-Iran resolution in an effort to trigger the snapback mechanism in the coming months.

The Europeans reportedly plan to submit a draft resolution to the IAEA Board of Governors at the meeting. This creates a window to trigger the snapback of all UN sanctions on Tehran under a previous 2015 nuclear deal before the mechanism expires in October.

An IAEA resolution could further complicate nuclear talks between Iran and the United States. Tehran has already pledged to take decisive countermeasures should the snapback mechanism be activated.

In a Friday post on his X account, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned Britain, France, and Germany over their “malign action” of drafting a resolution, calling it a “strategic mistake.”

“After years of good cooperation with the IAEA — resulting in a resolution which shut down malign claims of a ‘possible military dimension’ (PMD) to Iran’s peaceful nuclear program — my country is once again accused of ‘non-compliance’,” Araghchi wrote.

An IAEA report on Saturday accused Tehran of further increasing its stockpile of enriched uranium. Tehran called the report fully biased and politically motivated.

The IAEA report claimed that Iran has sharply increased its stockpile of uranium enriched to up to 60 percent, close to the roughly 90 percent level needed for atomic weapons.

In its quarterly report, the agency said that as of May 17, Iran possesses an estimated 408.6 kilograms of uranium enriched up to 60 percent, marking an increase of 133.8 kilograms since the previous report in February.

Iran has denounced as “political” and unbalanced the report by the United Nations nuclear watchdog, which it said has been drafted under European pressure.

Russia warns against anti-Iran resolution at IAEA board meeting

By
IFP Media Wire
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IAEA

“The June session of the I.A.E.A. Board of Governors will start tomorrow. We can expect a tense discussion on the nuclear program of Iran,” Mikhail Ulyanov wrote on X on Sunday.

“The U.S. and E3 plan to table a draft resolution in this regard,” the Russian envoy disclosed, but said, “For sure, it will not bring positive results.”

The warning followed Western media reports that three European countries –France, Britain, and Germany, along with the United States – have drafted a resolution against Iran for the upcoming meeting of the IAEA Board of Governors.

The draft reportedly seeks to accuse Iran of “non-compliance” with safeguard obligations for the first time in almost 20 years.

Western countries are attempting to revive issues that were declared closed within the framework of a deal they signed with Iran in 2015, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

Tehran has already warned that any such move will be met with a serious and decisive response, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi calling on the European signatories to the JCPOA “not to make a strategic mistake” as “Iran will respond decisively to any violation of its rights.”

“After years of good cooperation with the IAEA— resulting in a resolution which shut down malign claims of a possible military dimension (PMD) of Iran’s peaceful nuclear program, my country is once again being accused of non-compliance,” wrote Araqchi on his X account on Friday.

Iran atomic chief defends nuclear fuel production amid international scrutiny

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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Mohammad Eslami

In an interview with Al-Araby TV, Eslami criticized the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), accusing it of losing credibility by acting under US influence.

“No country can pursue nuclear energy without fuel,” he stated. “We need enriched uranium for our reactors. This is a sovereign right and part of our legal commitments under the NPT and IAEA safeguards.”

Eslami denounced “double standards,” pointing to the US expanding its own nuclear capacity while pressuring Iran to halt enrichment.

He emphasized that Iran’s nuclear program is transparent, with nearly 130 IAEA inspectors monitoring its facilities. “We have no secret program. We operate under the law.”

Highlighting Iran’s domestic capabilities, he added that radioisotope production benefits over a million patients annually. “Why should public health suffer due to political pressure?” he asked.

Eslami concluded that Iran’s nuclear path is “irreversible,” guided by self-reliance, national expertise, and legal obligations.

Iranian translator, historian Bijan Ashtari dies at 64

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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According to Mohammad-Ali Jafariyeh, director of Sales Publishing, Ashtari had been battling cancer in recent years, but the cause of death was reported as cardiac arrest.

Ashtari was widely recognized for his extensive body of translations focused on contemporary history, politics, and totalitarian regimes.

He began his career in the early 1980s translating for arts and film magazines and later contributed as a film critic, notably for Donya-ye Tasvir.

Over four decades, Ashtari translated numerous influential works including The Young Stalin, Che Guevara: A Revolutionary Life, The Harem of Qaddafi, Mao, and Aquariums of Pyongyang.

His signature books became a staple for Persian-speaking readers seeking critical perspectives on history and authoritarianism.

His final published work, Silence as a Weapon, chronicled the life and death of Soviet writer Isaac Babel and was released in March 2025.

Ashtari is remembered as a pivotal figure in Iranian intellectual circles, credited with enriching public understanding of 20th-century political history.

Israeli soldiers seize Gaza aid boat

By
IFP Media Wire
-

The British-flagged yacht Madleen, which is operated by the pro-Palestinian Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), was aiming to deliver a symbolic amount of aid to Gaza later on Monday and raise international awareness of the humanitarian crisis there.

However, the boat was boarded during the night before it could reach shore, the FFC said on its Telegram account.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry later confirmed that it was under Israeli control.

Among the 12-strong crew are Swedish climate campaigner Thunberg and Rima Hassan, a French member of the European Parliament.

“The crew of the Freedom Flotilla was arrested by the Israeli army in international waters around 2 a.m.,” Hassan posted on X.

A photograph showed the crew seated on the boat, all wearing life jackets, with their hands in the air.

The yacht is carrying a small shipment of humanitarian aid, including rice and baby formula.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz ordered the military on Sunday to prevent the Madleen from reaching Gaza, calling the mission a propaganda effort in support of Hamas.

Israel imposed a naval blockade on the coastal enclave after Hamas took control of Gaza in 2007.

The blockade has remained in place through multiple conflicts, including the current war, which began after a Hamas-led assault on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, that killed more than 1,200 people, according to an Israeli tally.

Gaza’s health ministry says over 54,000 Palestinians have been killed since the start of Israel’s military campaign. The United Nations has warned that most of Gaza’s more than 2 million residents are facing famine.

The United Nations’ special rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian territories, Francesca Albanese, has supported the FFC operation and on Sunday, urged other boats to challenge the Gaza blockade.

“Madleen’s journey may have ended, but the mission isn’t over. Every Mediterranean port must send boats with aid & solidarity to Gaza,” she wrote on X.

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