Smoke rising in Tehran on Tuesday. The Israel military said it had attacked with more than 50 planes overnight, targeting weapons production facilities.
Maj. Gen. Ali Shadmani had been in the job for mere days. News of his death came as President Trump called for Iran’s “unconditional surrender” and threatened its supreme leader.
Maj. Gen. Ali Shadmani had been in the job for mere days. News of his death came as President Trump called for Iran’s “unconditional surrender” and threatened its supreme leader.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel at United Nations General Assembly last year. Experts believe that Israel has been expanding its secretive nuclear program.
President Trump spent the first months of his term holding back Israel’s push for an assault on Iran’s nuclear program. With the war underway, his posture has gyrated as he weighs sending in the U.S. military.
President Trump spent the first months of his term holding back Israel’s push for an assault on Iran’s nuclear program. With the war underway, his posture has gyrated as he weighs sending in the U.S. military.
President Trump spent the first months of his term holding back Israel’s push for an assault on Iran’s nuclear program. With the war underway, his posture has gyrated as he weighs sending in the U.S. military.
President Trump spent the first months of his term holding back Israel’s push for an assault on Iran’s nuclear program. With the war underway, his posture has gyrated as he weighs sending in the U.S. military.
The International Atomic Energy Agency had initially said that the Friday attack had destroyed the aboveground part of the Natanz fuel enrichment plant, but its latest statement indicates more significant damage.
The International Atomic Energy Agency had initially said that the Friday attack had destroyed the aboveground part of the Natanz fuel enrichment plant, but its latest statement indicates more significant damage.
Iranian officials have warned that U.S. participation in an attack on its facilities will imperil any chance of the nuclear disarmament deal the president insists he is still interested in pursuing.
Iranian officials have warned that U.S. participation in an attack on its facilities will imperil any chance of the nuclear disarmament deal the president insists he is still interested in pursuing.
Iranian officials have warned that U.S. participation in an attack on its facilities will imperil any chance of the nuclear disarmament deal the president insists he is still interested in pursuing.
Iranian officials have warned that U.S. participation in an attack on its facilities will imperil any chance of the nuclear disarmament deal the president insists he is still interested in pursuing.
President Trump’s early departure comes after a White House official said he had decided not to sign onto a G7 statement about Israel and Iran. In the end, he did sign it.
President Trump’s early departure comes after a White House official said he had decided not to sign onto a G7 statement about Israel and Iran. In the end, he did sign it.
From left, Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada, President Trump and Prime Minister Keir Starmer of Britain on Monday at the G7 summit in Kananaskis, Alberta.
Iran is often portrayed as one of the world’s most dangerous actors, but with its attacks on Iranian defenses, nuclear sites and proxy militias, Israel has exposed a compromised and weakened adversary.
Iran is often portrayed as one of the world’s most dangerous actors, but with its attacks on Iranian defenses, nuclear sites and proxy militias, Israel has exposed a compromised and weakened adversary.
Satellite images reveal that Russia has expanded and modernized at least five nuclear-related facilities near European borders in recent years, Swedish broadcaster SVT reported on June 16, citing new imagery obtained from Planet Labs. One of the most notable developments is in Kaliningrad, where the suspected nuclear weapons storage site has undergone significant reconstruction. Images taken in May 2025 show the addition of triple-layered fencing, new buildings, and advanced communications equip
Satellite images reveal that Russia has expanded and modernized at least five nuclear-related facilities near European borders in recent years, Swedish broadcaster SVT reported on June 16, citing new imagery obtained from Planet Labs.
One of the most notable developments is in Kaliningrad, where the suspected nuclear weapons storage site has undergone significant reconstruction.
Images taken in May 2025 show the addition of triple-layered fencing, new buildings, and advanced communications equipment. Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski previously said that up to 100 tactical nuclear warheads might be stored at the site.
Kaliningrad, a militarized Russian exclave between Poland and Lithuania, is a key concern for NATO because of its advanced missile systems and expanding nuclear infrastructure.
A map of the Baltic Sea Region. (Lisa Kukharska / The Kyiv Independent)
The Osipovichi base in Belarus, a former Soviet nuclear storage facility, is also being renovated. Satellite imagery shows new air defense installations and a modernized loading platform for rail-based logistics.
In Novaya Zemlya, a remote Arctic archipelago long linked to Soviet-era nuclear testing, several new buildings have appeared, reinforcing its role as a potential site for future test activities.
On the Kola Peninsula, near the borders with Finland and Norway, Russia has built about 50 storage bunkers for submarine-launched ballistic missiles and constructed a specialized pier for loading those missiles onto submarines, according to the imagery.
Swedish Defense Minister Pal Jonson responded to the findings, saying Stockholm is "closely monitoring" Russian nuclear capabilities. Sweden officially joined NATO in March 2024 after years of non-alignment, citing escalating Russian threats as a primary reason.
The Kremlin has repeatedly used nuclear threats to pressure Ukraine and Western countries since the start of its full-scale invasion in February 2022.
In sweeping attacks that started Friday, Israel struck at the regime in Tehran, hitting Iranian nuclear and military assets. Iran retaliated with barrages of ballistic missiles and drones. It is the most intense fighting in decades between the two heavily armed countries. To understand what’s happening in the region, Katrin Bennhold, a New York Times senior writer, spoke with Patrick Kingsley, the Jerusalem bureau chief.
In sweeping attacks that started Friday, Israel struck at the regime in Tehran, hitting Iranian nuclear and military assets. Iran retaliated with barrages of ballistic missiles and drones. It is the most intense fighting in decades between the two heavily armed countries. To understand what’s happening in the region, Katrin Bennhold, a New York Times senior writer, spoke with Patrick Kingsley, the Jerusalem bureau chief.
The two sides were scheduled to meet for a sixth round of negotiations on Sunday. Oman, which was set to host the talks, said on Saturday that this round had been canceled.
The two sides were scheduled to meet for a sixth round of negotiations on Sunday. Oman, which was set to host the talks, said on Saturday that this round had been canceled.
Waves of Israeli airstrikes hit two nuclear enrichment sites, multiple military bases, and military scientists and commanders. Iran replied with a barrage of missiles and drones.
Waves of Israeli airstrikes hit two nuclear enrichment sites, multiple military bases, and military scientists and commanders. Iran replied with a barrage of missiles and drones.
“We don’t know if an exchange of nuclear strikes will begin.” Nuclear conflict risk between Iran and Israel threatens not only the Middle East but also Ukraine, says former Ukrainian Foreign Minister Volodymyr Ohryzko, Radio NV reports.
Israel has carried out a large-scale military operation targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities. The operation, years in the making, resembled Ukraine’s Operation Spiderweb, as both involved coordinated drone swarms launched from hidden bases to cripple ene
“We don’t know if an exchange of nuclear strikes will begin.” Nuclear conflict risk between Iran and Israel threatens not only the Middle East but also Ukraine, says former Ukrainian Foreign Minister Volodymyr Ohryzko, Radio NV reports.
Israel has carried out a large-scale military operation targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities. The operation, years in the making, resembled Ukraine’s Operation Spiderweb, as both involved coordinated drone swarms launched from hidden bases to cripple enemy infrastructure.
The West might shift its focus to a new crisis, while Russia could financially benefit from rising oil prices.
“If, after all these events, Iran reduces its support to Russia, that would be in our interests,” the diplomat notes.
At the same time, he warned that Israel’s actions might have a dangerous effect: “Who has power is right, and Iran will certainly respond to that.”
Ohryzko emphasizes that Tehran has already declared a strong response, using not only drones but also cruise and ballistic missiles.
“We don’t know what else is stored in Iran’s other sites, whether there are already ready nuclear warheads,” he adds.
According to the expert, Israel’s possession of nuclear weapons is almost an objective reality. Therefore, the risk of nuclear escalation becomes not hypothetical but an extremely realistic scenario.
“So, we don’t know if at some point an exchange of nuclear strikes will begin, and that would be not just dangerous, but horrific,” Ohryzko stresses.
Besides the military threat, there is another consequence — rising energy prices.
“There are reports that oil prices jumped by 12%. That means Russia will profit from this,” the former minister notes.
In such a situation, Ukraine risks losing part of the West’s attention while simultaneously facing the economic strengthening of its main enemy.
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Years of intelligence collection, infiltration of Iran with commandos and weapons, and tracking of targeted commanders and scientists made the wide-ranging attacks possible.
Years of intelligence collection, infiltration of Iran with commandos and weapons, and tracking of targeted commanders and scientists made the wide-ranging attacks possible.
In his first public comments on the Israeli strikes against Iran, the U.S. president said Tehran had brought the destruction on itself and must continue nuclear talks.
In his first public comments on the Israeli strikes against Iran, the U.S. president said Tehran had brought the destruction on itself and must continue nuclear talks.
President Trump has said he would like to negotiate a deal with Tehran over its nuclear program but had also acknowledged that Israel might attack Iran first.
President Trump has said he would like to negotiate a deal with Tehran over its nuclear program but had also acknowledged that Israel might attack Iran first.
The provision, long advocated by Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri, would revive and broaden a law for compensating those who developed serious illnesses from government-caused nuclear contamination.
The provision, long advocated by Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri, would revive and broaden a law for compensating those who developed serious illnesses from government-caused nuclear contamination.
A law that expired last year was meant to compensate civilians sickened by the legacy of the nation’s aboveground nuclear testing program, as well as uranium miners.
President Trump at the White House on Thursday. He spoke with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel on Monday, but declined to give any details of the conversation.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to prevent Tehran from building a nuclear bomb, “one way or the other.” President Trump said he “does not want” Israel to attack.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to prevent Tehran from building a nuclear bomb, “one way or the other.” President Trump said he “does not want” Israel to attack.
Internet and landline services were also cut off in the enclave after key telecommunications infrastructure was damaged, according to a Palestinian ministry.
Internet and landline services were also cut off in the enclave after key telecommunications infrastructure was damaged, according to a Palestinian ministry.
Palestinians carry bags containing food and humanitarian aid packages delivered by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, an Israeli-backed organization, in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, on Wednesday.
The American attack submarine Hampton in the Beaufort Sea, north of Canada and Alaska, in March 2024. Ocean changes affecting submarine detection appear to be more pronounced at northern latitudes.
Concern about a strike and the prospect of retaliation led the United States to withdraw diplomats from Iraq and authorize the voluntary departure of U.S. military family members from the Middle East.
Concern about a strike and the prospect of retaliation led the United States to withdraw diplomats from Iraq and authorize the voluntary departure of U.S. military family members from the Middle East.
Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed that Moscow possesses the world's most advanced nuclear systems but must significantly strengthen its ground forces, Russian state media reported on June 11.As Russia continues its war against Ukraine, Moscow has increased investment in its military. Russian defense spending has reached its highest level since the Cold War at 6.3% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).Putin claimed that Russia's nuclear triad has the highest share of new equipment among nuclear
Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed that Moscow possesses the world's most advanced nuclear systems but must significantly strengthen its ground forces, Russian state media reported on June 11.
As Russia continues its war against Ukraine, Moscow has increased investment in its military. Russian defense spending has reached its highest level since the Cold War at 6.3% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Putin claimed that Russia's nuclear triad has the highest share of new equipment among nuclear powers.
"Currently, the share of modern weapons and equipment in the strategic nuclear forces is already 95%. This is a good indicator, in fact, it is the highest of all nuclear powers in the world," Russian state media reported Putin saying.
Putin then called for Russia's ground forces to be improved as quickly as possible.
"The dominant force in conducting modern military operations of any scale and intensity remains the ground forces. And it is important to increase their combat capabilities in the shortest possible time," he said.
Russia began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Russia first began its armed aggression against Ukraine in 2014, when its proxies occupied territory in eastern Ukraine and Russia annexed Crimea.
Russia regularly strikes civilian infrastructure in its ongoing war against Ukraine. On June 11, a Russian drone attack on Kharkiv killed at least three people and injured 64 others.
Concern about a strike and the prospect of retaliation led the United States to withdraw diplomats from Iraq and authorize the voluntary departure of U.S. military family members from the Middle East.
Concern about a strike and the prospect of retaliation led the United States to withdraw diplomats from Iraq and authorize the voluntary departure of U.S. military family members from the Middle East.
Russia's nuclear deterrence capabilities have not been significantly impacted in recent Ukrainian drone strikes on several military airfields, Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on June 11.His comments come days after Ukraine launched a coordinated drone attack, dubbed Operation Spiderweb, targeting at least four major Russian air bases and reportedly damaging dozens of aircraft, including strategic bombers and airborne early warning planes. Ryabkov claimed that the extent of t
Russia's nuclear deterrence capabilities have not been significantly impacted in recent Ukrainian drone strikes on several military airfields, Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on June 11.
His comments come days after Ukraine launched a coordinated drone attack, dubbed Operation Spiderweb, targeting at least four major Russian air bases and reportedly damaging dozens of aircraft, including strategic bombers and airborne early warning planes.
Ryabkov claimed that the extent of the damage from the attacks has been "greatly exaggerated" and that none of Russia's strategic forces were weakened.
"Our nuclear deterrence potential against the U.S. and any other potential adversary has not suffered significant damage," Ryabkov said, according to the state-run news agency RIA Novosti.
Russia has repeatedly issued nuclear threats against Ukraine and Western countries since launching its full-scale invasion in February 2022. Those threats have so far not materialized, as Russia continues to wage its war.
The Spiderweb attack was planned over 18 months and carried out by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), and is believed to have disabled or destroyed a significant portion of Russia's long-range bomber fleet.
Ukraine claims the operation damaged 41 aircraft and disabled up to 34% of Russia's strategic bombers. Independent satellite imagery has confirmed destruction or damage at several sites, including multiple Tu-95MS and Tu-22M3 bombers at the Belaya air base.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said on June 4 that nearly half of the planes hit in the attack are impossible to repair. NATO estimates that between 10 and 13 Russian planes were completely destroyed, and more were damaged.
Ryabkov previously acknowledged damage to Russian aircraft but claimed that all of them could be put back into service.
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The Kyiv IndependentTim Zadorozhnyy
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