Trump-Iran War of Words Escalates After Ceasefire Remarks; Araghchi Warns Against ‘Disrespect’ Towards Khamenei

Tensions between Iran and the United States escalated sharply on Saturday following a series of inflammatory exchanges between U.S. President Donald Trump and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, just hours after the announcement of a potential ceasefire in Gaza. Araghchi Warns Trump to “Set Aside His Tone” Responding to Trump’s blistering remarks about Iran and its Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Araghchi issued a stern warning on social media platform X: “If President Trump truly wishes to reach an agreement, he should set aside his disrespectful and unacceptable tone towards the Iranian Supreme Leader… and stop hurting his millions of sincere supporters.” Araghchi further accused the Israeli government of being forced to “run to Daddy” (referring to the U.S.) to escape Iranian missile retaliation, adding that Iran does not bow to “threats and insults” and values its sovereignty and independence. Trump Claims He “Saved” Khamenei From Death The diplomatic row escalated dramatically after Trump, in a post on Truth Social, claimed that he had personally prevented an Israeli-American strike that would have killed Khamenei. “I SAVED HIM FROM A VERY UGLY AND IGNOMINIOUS DEATH,” Trump wrote, alleging that he had stopped a final airstrike targeting Iran’s leadership and nuclear facilities, which he said had already been “obliterated”. Trump questioned Khamenei’s claim of “victory” in the conflict with Israel, accusing the Supreme Leader of lying and engaging in “exaggeration.” He branded Iran a “burned out, blown up country” with “no future, a decimated military, a horrible economy, and death all around.” Ceasefire and Fallout These statements came shortly after Khamenei made his first public remarks following the ceasefire understanding announced between Israel and Hamas, a deal brokered in part by the U.S. Khamenei declared that “the Islamic Republic won” and called the outcome “a severe slap to the face of America”, adding that Trump exaggerated the scale of events for self-glorification. Sanction Relief Talks Abandoned Trump also claimed in his post that he had been considering lifting certain U.S. sanctions against Iran to aid in its recovery, but that he abandoned those plans following Khamenei’s speech, which he said was filled with “anger, hatred, and disgust.” “I was working on the possible removal of sanctions… but I have dropped everything,” Trump said. He warned Iran that unless it rejoins the global order, the situation would deteriorate even further. A Diplomatic Standoff Deepens The aggressive rhetoric from both sides signals that while a temporary ceasefire may be in place on the battlefield, the war of words between Washington and Tehran is only intensifying. With Trump boasting about thwarting military actions and Iran openly mocking Israeli defenses and U.S. involvement, hopes for a broader diplomatic thaw now seem increasingly fragile. Analysts caution that unless both sides moderate their language and re-engage diplomatically, the region could be on the brink of renewed instability, despite the recent ceasefire.

Trump Halts Trade Talks with Canada Over Digital Services Tax, Warns of Tariffs on US Tech Firms’ Behalf

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has sharply criticized Canada over its newly implemented Digital Services Tax (DST), announcing an immediate halt to all trade negotiations with Ottawa. In a fiery post on Truth Social, the 79-year-old Republican declared that the U.S. would unveil a new tariff rate within a week in retaliation. “Based on this egregious Tax, we are hereby terminating ALL discussions on Trade with Canada, effective immediately,” Trump wrote, referring to the DST as an unfair move targeting American technology firms. Canada Responds with Caution Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney responded to the development with restraint, saying his government would continue to pursue trade negotiations. “We will continue to conduct these complex negotiations in the best interest of Canadians,” Carney stated, noting that he had not spoken to Trump that day regarding the issue. What is Canada’s Digital Services Tax? The DST, introduced by the Canadian government, imposes a 3% tax on revenue generated from digital services offered to Canadian users. The tax: This primarily affects large U.S. tech firms, whose vast digital operations generate billions in Canada. U.S. Tech Giants in the Crosshairs of DST Here are the major American firms expected to bear the brunt of Canada’s DST: Trade Tensions Likely to Escalate Trump’s abrupt withdrawal from trade talks and the looming threat of retaliatory tariffs underscore growing tensions between Washington and Ottawa. While the DST has long been debated globally, most countries paused its enforcement amid international efforts led by the OECD to reach a consensus. Canada’s decision to enforce DST retroactively has drawn particular ire from Washington. With Trump warning of consequences and Carney remaining diplomatically firm, this dispute may set the stage for broader U.S.-Canada trade friction—especially as both countries gear up for key economic decisions in the coming months.

CIA Confirms Severe Long-Term Damage to Iran’s Nuclear Facilities Following U.S. Airstrikes; Trump and Allies Stand Firm on Devastation

CIA Director John Ratcliffe on Wednesday confirmed that recent U.S. airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure inflicted severe and long-lasting damage, contradicting earlier reports that downplayed the impact. In an official statement, Ratcliffe revealed that newly obtained, credible intelligence indicates several of Iran’s key nuclear facilities were completely destroyed and would require years to rebuild. “The CIA has verified through historically reliable sources that Iran’s Nuclear Program has suffered extensive destruction due to targeted strikes. Key facilities have been rendered inoperable and cannot be restored in the short term,” Ratcliffe stated. He added that the agency is continuing to collect intelligence and will keep both U.S. leadership and the public informed, citing the national significance of the matter. President Donald Trump, speaking at the NATO summit in the Netherlands, echoed the CIA’s assessment and dismissed prior U.S. intelligence briefings that suggested limited damage. “This was a devastating attack, and it knocked them for a loop,” he told reporters, asserting that the nuclear sites were “completely and fully obliterated.” Trump also announced that U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth would hold a press conference Thursday to present “irrefutable proof” of the strikes’ effectiveness, in a move aimed at quelling criticism and backing American bomber crews frustrated with “Fake News” coverage. While attending the NATO summit, Trump noted that U.S. allies, including Israel, backed his account. An Israeli government statement supported the claim, noting that Iran’s nuclear capabilities had been set back by many years. Iran’s foreign ministry also acknowledged “significant damage” to its nuclear program, although it stopped short of confirming total destruction. Secretary of State Marco Rubio added in an interview that the airstrikes had pushed Iran “much further away from a nuclear weapon” than before. However, concerns persist over the fate of approximately 400 kilograms of enriched uranium that could potentially be weaponized. While some international reports suggest Iran may have moved the stockpile ahead of the strike, U.S. officials maintain there’s no solid evidence of this. “I believe they didn’t have a chance to get anything out,” said Trump. “It’s very hard to move that kind of material, and very dangerous.” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt further claimed that if the uranium wasn’t destroyed, “it is buried under miles and miles of rubble due to the success of the strikes.” Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), told French media that the agency had lost monitoring access to Iran’s nuclear material since the onset of hostilities, complicating independent verification efforts. The Pentagon confirmed that the U.S. used 14 GBU-57 “bunker-buster” bombs, each weighing over 13,600 kg, to strike three major nuclear sites in Iran. One of the targets was the heavily fortified Fordow enrichment facility, buried deep inside a mountain. A joint statement by the White House and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office declared the facility “inoperable.” The Israel Atomic Energy Commission echoed this, stating that the operation had significantly delayed Iran’s nuclear weapons program. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei told Al Jazeera, “Our nuclear installations have been badly damaged, that’s for sure.”

पाहलगाम हमले का जिक्र न होने पर भारत ने SCO बैठक में साझा घोषणापत्र पर हस्ताक्षर करने से किया इनकार, रक्षा मंत्री ने पाकिस्तान को लताड़ा

भारत के रक्षा मंत्री राजनाथ सिंह ने शंघाई सहयोग संगठन (SCO) की बैठक में बड़ा कदम उठाते हुए उस साझा घोषणापत्र पर हस्ताक्षर करने से इनकार कर दिया जिसमें जम्मू-कश्मीर के पहलगाम आतंकी हमले का कोई उल्लेख नहीं था। इस हमले में 26 निर्दोष लोगों की जान गई थी। भारत ने साफ कहा कि वह आतंकवाद पर समझौता नहीं करेगा, और जब तक वास्तविक स्थिति को दर्शाया नहीं जाएगा, वह किसी भी दस्तावेज़ को समर्थन नहीं देगा। सूत्रों के अनुसार, SCO के संयुक्त दस्तावेज़ में पाकिस्तान के बलूचिस्तान का उल्लेख किया गया था, जिसमें अप्रत्यक्ष रूप से भारत पर वहां अशांति फैलाने का आरोप लगाया गया। वहीं पहलगाम हमले को पूरी तरह से नजरअंदाज किया गया, जो स्पष्ट रूप से पाकिस्तान के कहने पर और चीन की अध्यक्षता में किया गया कदम माना जा रहा है। चीन वर्तमान में SCO का चेयर है और पाकिस्तान उसका स्थायी सहयोगी है। आतंक पर दोहरे मापदंड नहीं चलेगा: राजनाथ सिंह राजनाथ सिंह ने सम्मेलन को संबोधित करते हुए कहा, “शांति और समृद्धि का आतंकवाद और सामूहिक विनाश के हथियारों के साथ सह-अस्तित्व नहीं हो सकता। कुछ देश सीमा पार आतंकवाद को नीति का हिस्सा बना चुके हैं और आतंकियों को पनाह देते हैं। SCO को ऐसे दोहरे मापदंडों वाले देशों की खुलेआम आलोचना करनी चाहिए।” उन्होंने कहा कि पहलगाम हमले के पीड़ितों की पहचान उनके धर्म के आधार पर की गई और फिर गोली मारी गई। इस निर्मम हमले की जिम्मेदारी ‘द रेजिस्टेंस फ्रंट’ ने ली है, जो लश्कर-ए-तैयबा का एक छद्म संगठन है। भारत ने आतंकवाद के खिलाफ “जीरो टॉलरेंस” की नीति अपनाई है और हमने यह दिखाया है कि आतंक के केंद्र अब सुरक्षित नहीं हैं — भारत जरूरत पड़ने पर जवाब देने से पीछे नहीं हटेगा। SCO के सदस्य देशों को एकजुट होने की अपील राजनाथ सिंह ने कहा कि क्षेत्र के सामने सबसे बड़ी चुनौतियां शांति, सुरक्षा और विश्वास की कमी से जुड़ी हैं, जिनकी जड़ें कट्टरपंथ, उग्रवाद और आतंकवाद में हैं। उन्होंने SCO देशों से आह्वान किया कि वे आतंक के खिलाफ बिना किसी शर्त के खड़े हों, और जो देश आतंकवाद को बढ़ावा देते हैं, उन्हें न्याय के कटघरे में लाया जाए। ‘ऑपरेशन सिंदूर’ के बाद भारत की आक्रामक कूटनीति रक्षा मंत्री की यह कड़ी प्रतिक्रिया ‘ऑपरेशन सिंदूर’ के बाद भारत के वैश्विक रुख को दर्शाती है। इस ऑपरेशन के बाद भारत ने आठ देशों में प्रतिनिधिमंडल भेजकर यह स्पष्ट किया कि आतंकवाद के खिलाफ लड़ाई में अब वह सिर्फ शब्दों से नहीं, बल्कि ठोस कार्रवाई से जवाब देगा। भारत का साझा घोषणापत्र पर हस्ताक्षर न करना सिर्फ एक कूटनीतिक कदम नहीं, बल्कि यह संदेश है कि आतंकवाद पर कोई समझौता नहीं होगा, चाहे वह मंच SCO का हो या कोई और।

Iran Executes 3 Accused of Spying for Mossad Amid Fragile Ceasefire with Israel

Tehran. Just a day after a US-brokered ceasefire was agreed upon between Israel and Iran, Iran has executed three men accused of spying for Israel’s intelligence agency Mossad, according to the country’s judiciary-linked Mizan news agency. The executed men were convicted of collaborating with Mossad and smuggling equipment used in the assassination of an unnamed personality. While no further details were shared, the swift executions underscore the lingering tensions despite the truce. In addition, as many as 700 individuals have reportedly been arrested across Iran for alleged links with Israel, according to Nournews, a state-affiliated outlet often seen as close to Iran’s security establishment. Shadow War, Open Conflict Iran and Israel have long been engaged in a shadow war of cyberattacks, assassinations, and intelligence operations. However, the recent 12-day open conflict marked one of the most dangerous escalations in decades. The ceasefire, which was negotiated after the United States launched airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities — Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan — was described as a hard-earned truce. But its implementation got off to a shaky start as both Tehran and Tel Aviv accused each other of violating the ceasefire terms. Trump’s Intervention and Truce Assurance Reacting to the escalating tensions, U.S. President Donald Trump, who played a key role in securing the ceasefire, expressed his frustration over the initial violations. He later sought to reassure the global community that the situation was under control. “Israel is not going to attack Iran. All planes will turn around and head home, while doing a friendly ‘plane wave’ to Iran. Nobody will be hurt, the ceasefire is in effect,” the 79-year-old president wrote on his Truth Social platform. Nuclear Accusations at the Core The latest hostilities began when Israel claimed that Iran was on the verge of developing a nuclear weapon — an accusation Iran strongly denies. The executions and arrests appear to reflect Tehran’s renewed focus on internal security and espionage prevention in the wake of the military escalation and international pressure. Observers warn that despite the ceasefire, tensions remain high, and incidents like these could further strain the already fragile truce.

Operation Sindhu Winds Down as Israel-Iran Ceasefire Takes Effect; Over 2,800 Indians Evacuated

New Delhi/Tehran. Following the announcement of a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, the Indian Embassy in Iran has begun winding up its emergency evacuation operations under Operation Sindhu, which had facilitated the safe return of thousands of Indian nationals since the West Asian conflict began on June 13. On Tuesday (June 24, 2025), the Embassy officially closed its help desk in Mashhad, a key hub for evacuation efforts in Iran. “Since there has been an announcement of ceasefire, the Embassy is gradually winding up the evacuation exercise initiated during the military conflict in Iran,” the Embassy in Tehran said in a statement. Indian citizens still requiring help or advice have been asked to reach out via the Embassy’s Telegram channel or the emergency helplines, which will remain operational for a few more days to monitor the situation and support any remaining needs. 2,295 Indians Evacuated from Iran The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) reported that 2,295 Indian nationals had been evacuated from Iran since the start of Operation Sindhu. The last evacuation flight from Mashhad landed in India early Tuesday, carrying 292 Indians, along with two Nepali nationals — Ganesh P. Pokhrel and Suman Gaire — as confirmed by the Embassy of Nepal. In light of the ceasefire, the Embassy has advised Indian citizens not to proceed to Mashhad for evacuation and instead remain where they are unless instructed otherwise. Evacuations from Israel Continue Coinciding with the ceasefire declaration, India also ramped up efforts to evacuate its citizens from Israel. On Tuesday morning, 161 Indians arrived in India from Israel via Amman, Jordan, since Israeli airports remain closed due to ongoing security risks. This was followed by the evacuation of 268 more Indians from Israel on a C-17 aircraft of the Indian Air Force, which airlifted them from Sharm-el-Sheikh, Egypt, to Delhi by 11 a.m. on June 24. In total, 594 Indians have been evacuated from Israel under Operation Sindhu. Ceasefire Confirmed The ceasefire between Israel and Iran was formally declared by U.S. President Donald Trump, who urged both sides to de-escalate following weeks of cross-border hostilities that had endangered regional stability and led to a massive evacuation effort by several countries, including India. The Ministry of External Affairs welcomed the ceasefire announcement and reaffirmed India’s commitment to the safety of its citizens abroad, thanking partner nations for their coordination in supporting evacuation logistics during the crisis.

J&K and Ladakh High Court Orders Repatriation of 63-Year-Old Woman Deported to Pakistan After Pahalgam Attack

Srinagar. In a significant humanitarian ruling, the Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court has directed the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to repatriate a 63-year-old woman, Rakshanda Rashid, who was deported to Pakistan following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam. The court noted that she had been residing in India for the past 38 years on a long-term visa and termed her deportation as a rare and urgent case requiring immediate intervention. The directive, issued on June 6 by Justice Rahul Bharti, mandates the Centre to facilitate Rakshanda’s return within 10 days and submit a compliance report by July 1. The petition was filed by her daughter, Falak Zahoor, while Rakshanda’s husband, Sheikh Zahoor Ahmed, informed the court that she is gravely ill and has no family or support system in Pakistan. In a two-page order, Justice Bharti underscored that the woman’s health condition and isolation posed a serious threat to her life. “Human rights are the most sacrosanct commitment to human life,” the order stated, adding that courts must step in with “SOS-like indulgence” in exceptional humanitarian cases, even if the full merits of the case are yet to be adjudicated. The court also questioned the legality of Rakshanda’s deportation, suggesting that the action may not have been justified given her long-term presence and life in Jammu. “This court is constrained to direct the secretary, ministry of home affairs, to retrieve the petitioner and facilitate the reunion with her husband in Jammu,” the order read. Following the April 22 Pahalgam attack, in which 26 people—mostly tourists—were killed, authorities had deported several individuals residing in Jammu and Kashmir on long-term visas. However, the move has triggered legal challenges, especially from families who have lived in India for decades. The matter has been listed for further hearing on July 1, when the home ministry is expected to present its compliance report.

मध्यप्रदेश विधानसभा का मानसून सत्र 28 जुलाई से, ई-विधान के तहत विधायकों को मिलेंगे टैबलेट

भोपाल। मध्यप्रदेश विधानसभा का 12 दिवसीय मानसून सत्र 28 जुलाई से 8 अगस्त तक आयोजित किया जाएगा। इस सत्र में कुल 10 बैठकें होंगी। विधानसभा सचिवालय द्वारा जारी अधिसूचना के अनुसार, राज्य सरकार इस दौरान पहला अनुपूरक बजट प्रस्तुत करेगी और उसकी मंजूरी लेगी। विधायकों द्वारा सवाल जमा करने की अंतिम तिथि 11 जुलाई निर्धारित की गई है। इस बार का सत्र तकनीकी दृष्टि से भी अहम होगा। ई-विधान पहल के अंतर्गत विधायकों को टैबलेट वितरित किए जाने की संभावना है। यह पहल विधानसभा कार्यवाही को डिजिटल रूप देने की दिशा में एक महत्वपूर्ण कदम मानी जा रही है। इसके तहत बजट दस्तावेज, विभागीय रिपोर्ट और अन्य संबंधित जानकारी टैबलेट के माध्यम से डिजिटल रूप में उपलब्ध कराई जाएगी, जिससे कार्यवाही की दक्षता और पारदर्शिता बढ़ेगी। गौरतलब है कि पिछले महीने नेशनल इंफॉर्मेटिक्स सेंटर (NIC) द्वारा विधानसभा अध्यक्ष को इस तकनीकी प्रणाली की विस्तृत प्रस्तुति दी गई थी। ई-विधान प्रणाली की शुरुआत पिछले वर्ष हुई थी और अब यह विधानसभा संचालन का एक महत्वपूर्ण हिस्सा बनती जा रही है। 2024 में मानसून सत्र 1 जुलाई से आरंभ होकर निर्धारित समय से पहले 19 जुलाई से पूर्व ही समाप्त हो गया था। उस समय सरकार ने लोकसभा चुनाव के कारण विलंब से 3 जुलाई को पूर्ण बजट प्रस्तुत किया था। उससे पहले फरवरी में व्यय प्रबंधन के लिए वोट-ऑन-अकाउंट पारित किया गया था। इस वर्ष के सत्र की तैयारियाँ उच्च स्तर पर चल रही हैं। तीन दिन पूर्व मुख्यमंत्री मोहन यादव ने विधानसभा अध्यक्ष नरेंद्र सिंह तोमर से उनके निवास पर भेंट की, जिसमें सत्र की रूपरेखा को अंतिम रूप दिया गया। इसके बाद राज्यपाल से स्वीकृति प्राप्त कर आधिकारिक कार्यक्रम की घोषणा की गई। विधायक सत्र के दौरान विभिन्न विभागों से जुड़े सवाल ऑनलाइन और ऑफलाइन माध्यम से प्रस्तुत करेंगे। इन सवालों की प्रस्तुति के लिए विभागवार तिथियाँ तय की गई हैं ताकि सदन में चर्चा सुनियोजित ढंग से हो सके।

INS Tamal: India’s Last Foreign-Built Warship to Be Commissioned in Russia on July 1

India is set to commission its last foreign-built warship, a 3,900-tonne stealth frigate named INS Tamal, on July 1 in Kaliningrad, Russia. The multi-role frigate, equipped with cutting-edge sensors and advanced weaponry such as the BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, represents the final chapter of India’s era of importing major warships. From now on, all Indian naval vessels will be constructed indigenously. The commissioning ceremony will be presided over by Vice Admiral Sanjay J Singh, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command. INS Tamal is the second of two upgraded Krivak-III class frigates imported from Russia under a 2018 agreement, with the first—INS Tushil—already inducted earlier this year. A Strategic Milestone in Naval Modernisation INS Tamal marks a significant milestone in the Navy’s transformation from a “Buyer’s Navy” to a “Builder’s Navy”, as emphasized by a senior naval officer. Currently, India has 59 warships under construction in Indian shipyards, with an overall project value of ₹1.2 lakh crore. Additionally, there is ‘acceptance of necessity’ clearance for 31 more indigenous ships, including: The Navy, which currently boasts 140 warships and submarines and over 250 aircraft and helicopters, plans to expand its fleet to 180 warships and 350 aircraft/helicopters by 2030 to counter growing maritime threats, especially the increasing cooperation between China and Pakistan in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). INS Tamal: Technologically Superior and Battle-Ready The 125-metre-long INS Tamal has impressive specifications: The ship features major upgrades over earlier frigates, combining lethality with survivability. Key armaments and systems include: Additionally, the ship supports Kamov-31 early-warning and Kamov-28 multi-role helicopters, extending its strike and reconnaissance range. It is equipped with robust network-centric warfare capabilities, including the latest SATCOM, high-speed data links, and electronic warfare suites. End of Imports, Focus on Indigenous Power While INS Tamal and INS Tushil were imported from Russia for ₹8,000 crore, the remaining two frigates under the same agreement — Triput and Tavasya — are being built at Goa Shipyard Ltd with Russian technology, at an added cost of ₹13,000 crore. These ships will augment the six previous Russian-origin Talwar and Teg-class frigates inducted between 2003 and 2012. Designed for multi-dimensional naval warfare — air, surface, underwater, and electromagnetic — these frigates significantly bolster India’s blue-water naval strength. The commissioning of INS Tamal signals the Indian Navy’s resolve to move away from dependence on foreign-built platforms and embrace self-reliance in maritime defence, in line with the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Russian Missile and Drone Attack on Kyiv Kills Nine, Leaves Dozens Injured

A devastating overnight drone and missile attack by Russian forces on Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, has killed at least nine people and left several others injured, according to Ukraine’s emergency services. The most severe damage occurred in the Shevchenkivskyi district, where a section of a five-story apartment building collapsed, prompting an intense rescue operation. Emergency responders and firefighters worked tirelessly to pull out people feared trapped beneath the rubble. In addition to the casualties in Kyiv, another person was killed and eight others injured in the city of Bila Tserkva, located about 85 kilometers (53 miles) southwest of the capital. The assault comes less than a week after a major combined Russian strike on Kyiv last Tuesday that killed 28 people, including 23 in a residential building destroyed by a direct missile hit. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called that earlier strike “one of the biggest bombardments of the war,” which has now entered its fourth year. The latest attack struck residential areas, hospitals, and sports infrastructure across several Kyiv districts. According to emergency officials, five people died in the collapsed apartment building, while ten others, including a pregnant woman, were rescued from a nearby high-rise that was also severely damaged. Scenes from the aftermath showed burned-out and mangled vehicles littering the courtyard in front of the destroyed building. Onlookers, some wrapped in blankets, watched in tears as dozens of volunteers and rescue workers cleared shattered glass, fallen tree branches, and other debris. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko, speaking from the scene, expressed hope that the death toll would not rise further, although search efforts were still underway in the collapsed structure for possible survivors or additional casualties.

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