Iran’s intelligence services plotted to assassinate then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo during his 2022 Paris visit.
The foiled attempt, part of a broader campaign targeting U.S. officials, offered $1M for his death, Pompeo claimed in his memoir.
This underscores Iran’s aggressive retaliation for Soleimani’s 2020 killing, with 54+ plots in Europe since 2022. The timing, amid U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites, highlights Tehran’s persistent use of covert operations to project power despite its weakened military.
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The foiled attempt, part of a broader campaign targeting U.S. officials, offered $1M for his death, Pompeo claimed in his memoir.
This underscores Iran’s aggressive retaliation for Soleimani’s 2020 killing, with 54+ plots in Europe since 2022. The timing, amid U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites, highlights Tehran’s persistent use of covert operations to project power despite its weakened military.
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Israel’s multi-layered air defense faced its toughest test during the recent 13-day war with Iran. Out of about 631 Iranian missiles launched, roughly 500 entered Israeli airspace. Israeli and US systems fired 514 interceptors, downing 221 missiles—about two interceptors per Iranian ballistic missile on average.
Despite a high interception rate of 89–90% for targeted ballistic missiles, dozens still struck populated areas, damaging over 2,300 apartments. Many missiles fell in uninhabited desert zones, some near key air bases, raising questions about the full extent of the damage and the sustainability of costly interceptor use.
The conflict highlighted both the resilience and the limits of Israel’s air defense. While the system shielded most critical sites, the high volume and cost of interceptors, plus the partial penetration of Iranian missiles, suggest both sides will adapt their strategies before the next round.
Despite a high interception rate of 89–90% for targeted ballistic missiles, dozens still struck populated areas, damaging over 2,300 apartments. Many missiles fell in uninhabited desert zones, some near key air bases, raising questions about the full extent of the damage and the sustainability of costly interceptor use.
The conflict highlighted both the resilience and the limits of Israel’s air defense. While the system shielded most critical sites, the high volume and cost of interceptors, plus the partial penetration of Iranian missiles, suggest both sides will adapt their strategies before the next round.
Suicide bomber rams vehicle into military convoy in northwest Pakistan, killing 13 and injuring 29, including 10 soldiers and 19 civilians.
No group has claimed responsibility, but TTP’s resurgence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with 1,400+ attacks in 2024 (ISSI data), points to their involvement.
Pakistan’s $7B security budget struggles against rising militancy, fueled by Afghan border instability post-Taliban takeover. Enhanced measures signal urgency, but without regional cooperation, the cycle of violence persists.
No group has claimed responsibility, but TTP’s resurgence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with 1,400+ attacks in 2024 (ISSI data), points to their involvement.
Pakistan’s $7B security budget struggles against rising militancy, fueled by Afghan border instability post-Taliban takeover. Enhanced measures signal urgency, but without regional cooperation, the cycle of violence persists.
Iran’s IRGC Quds Force chief Gen. Ismail Qaani and top Khamenei advisor Ali Shamkhani, declared dead by Israel, appear alive in Tehran.
Qaani attended a “victory” event, while Shamkhani was photographed with security. Israel’s June 14 claims of their deaths in strikes now face scrutiny.
This suggests either Israeli intel failures or deliberate misinformation to weaken Iran’s morale. With the ceasefire shaky and Iran’s proxies active, these “resurrections” boost Tehran’s narrative but risk escalating the propaganda war.
Qaani attended a “victory” event, while Shamkhani was photographed with security. Israel’s June 14 claims of their deaths in strikes now face scrutiny.
This suggests either Israeli intel failures or deliberate misinformation to weaken Iran’s morale. With the ceasefire shaky and Iran’s proxies active, these “resurrections” boost Tehran’s narrative but risk escalating the propaganda war.
Chief of Staff of Iran's Armed Forces, Maj. Gen. Abdolrahim Mousavi, has said that Tehran is not convinced Israel will honor the ceasefire that ended their 12-day war earlier this month:
We did not start the war, but we have responded to the aggressor with all our power. As we have serious doubts about the enemy’s compliance with its commitments, including the ceasefire, we are ready to respond with force."
Russia bans 15 EU media outlets’ websites, retaliating against EU sanctions on 8 Russian channels.
Moscow’s Foreign Ministry calls EU restrictions “politically motivated repression,” vowing reciprocity.
This tit-for-tat escalates the information war, with Russia blocking BBC and DW while EU targets RT for disinformation. Both sides’ censorship risks stifling free speech, entrenching a divided narrative as Ukraine tensions persist.
Moscow’s Foreign Ministry calls EU restrictions “politically motivated repression,” vowing reciprocity.
This tit-for-tat escalates the information war, with Russia blocking BBC and DW while EU targets RT for disinformation. Both sides’ censorship risks stifling free speech, entrenching a divided narrative as Ukraine tensions persist.
A joint warning from U.S. agencies highlighted the potential for Iran-linked hackers to target U.S. companies and critical infrastructure, particularly those with ties to Israel.
This alert, issued amid heightened Middle East tensions following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, underscores the growing intersection of geopolitical conflicts and cyber warfare. While no coordinated Iranian cyber campaign is currently detected, the threat remains significant given Iran’s history and capabilities.
Iranian hackers are known for exploiting vulnerabilities in unpatched or outdated software, compromising accounts with weak or default passwords, and collaborating with ransomware operators to encrypt, steal, or leak data. Recent reports note a spike in pro-Iran cyber activity, including DDoS attacks on U.S. finance, government, and military-linked manufacturing sectors.
This alert, issued amid heightened Middle East tensions following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, underscores the growing intersection of geopolitical conflicts and cyber warfare. While no coordinated Iranian cyber campaign is currently detected, the threat remains significant given Iran’s history and capabilities.
Iranian hackers are known for exploiting vulnerabilities in unpatched or outdated software, compromising accounts with weak or default passwords, and collaborating with ransomware operators to encrypt, steal, or leak data. Recent reports note a spike in pro-Iran cyber activity, including DDoS attacks on U.S. finance, government, and military-linked manufacturing sectors.
House conservatives are threatening to block a major GOP spending bill in the House, citing concerns over rising budget deficits.
Leaders of the Freedom Caucus argue that the bill, pushed by party leadership and Trump, would add nearly three-quarters of a trillion dollars to the deficit over ten years.
If the internal standoff continues, it could derail the Republican agenda and force new negotiations with the Senate, weakening the party’s legislative momentum.
Leaders of the Freedom Caucus argue that the bill, pushed by party leadership and Trump, would add nearly three-quarters of a trillion dollars to the deficit over ten years.
If the internal standoff continues, it could derail the Republican agenda and force new negotiations with the Senate, weakening the party’s legislative momentum.
Tesla’s Q2 2025 EV deliveries dropped sharply by 13.5% year-over-year, totaling 384,122 vehicles. The decline comes amid ongoing backlash related to Elon Musk’s political statements.
Despite the sales slump, Tesla shares rose 4.8% in premarket trading. Deliveries of Model Y and Model 3 fell by 11.5%, while other models, including the Cybertruck, saw a 51.8% drop.
The continued sales decline highlights growing reputational risks for Tesla, which could undermine its ambitious plans in robotics and autonomous vehicles.
Despite the sales slump, Tesla shares rose 4.8% in premarket trading. Deliveries of Model Y and Model 3 fell by 11.5%, while other models, including the Cybertruck, saw a 51.8% drop.
The continued sales decline highlights growing reputational risks for Tesla, which could undermine its ambitious plans in robotics and autonomous vehicles.
US could give Israel its B-2 stealth bomber for operation in Gaza and Iran
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The U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions targeting a network smuggling Iranian oil, led by Iraqi businessman Salim Ahmed Said, and Hezbollah’s financial institution, Al-Qard Al-Hassan.
The measures, part of President Donald Trump’s “maximum pressure” campaign, aim to disrupt Iran’s oil revenue, which funds its nuclear program and proxies like Hezbollah and the Houthis.
The sanctions, hitting companies and vessels blending Iranian oil with Iraqi crude since 2020, follow U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites and come ahead of nuclear talks in Oslo. While signaling resolve, the sanctions face challenges in curbing China’s oil imports and risk escalating regional tensions.
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The measures, part of President Donald Trump’s “maximum pressure” campaign, aim to disrupt Iran’s oil revenue, which funds its nuclear program and proxies like Hezbollah and the Houthis.
The sanctions, hitting companies and vessels blending Iranian oil with Iraqi crude since 2020, follow U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites and come ahead of nuclear talks in Oslo. While signaling resolve, the sanctions face challenges in curbing China’s oil imports and risk escalating regional tensions.
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🇺🇸🇺🇦 Trump ‘WANTS’ to help Zelensky with air defense — Axios
Just a day ago Putin told Trump he won’t back off from his goal in Ukraine
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Just a day ago Putin told Trump he won’t back off from his goal in Ukraine
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