Ukraine moves toward withdrawing from treaty banning anti-personnel mines

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a decree withdrawing his country from an international agreement banning the use of anti-personnel mines on Monday.

The 1997 Ottawa Convention bans the use, production, stockpiling, and transfer of anti-personnel landmines under the reasoning that it causes too much danger to civilians after hostilities have ended. Ukraine was one of roughly 160 countries that had agreed to the treaty, though Russia never did.

"Russia has never been a party to this convention and uses anti-personnel mines extremely cynically," Zelenskyy said in a statement. "And not only now, in the war against Ukraine. This is the signature style of Russian killers — to destroy life by all methods at their disposal."

Zelenskyy's announcement is not the final step in formally withdrawing from the treaty, however, as Ukraine's parliament must now vote on the issue.

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Ukraine has suffered greatly in recent years from Russia's own use of anti-personnel landmines. Regions that Ukrainian forces have liberated from Russian invaders have been strewn with the devices, leading to injuries for both civilians and soldiers.

News of Kyiv's pending withdrawal comes just a day after Moscow fired 537 aerial weapons toward Ukraine, including 477 drones and decoys and 60 missiles, according to Ukraine's air force. Ukraine said it was the largest aerial attack so far in the war.

 Among the weapons, 249 were shot down and 226 were lost, likely electronically jammed.

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The attack was "the most massive airstrike" against Ukraine since Russia launched its invasion in February 2022, Yuriy Ihnat, head of communications for Ukraine’s air force, told the Associated Press, taking into account both drones and various types of missiles.

Several regions were targeted, including western Ukraine, located far from the front line.

Poland and allied countries scrambled aircraft to ensure the safety of Polish airspace, Poland's air force said.

One person was killed in a drone strike in the Kherson region, according to Gov. Oleksandr Prokudin, while another died when a drone hit a car in the Kharkiv region, its Gov. Oleh Syniehubov said. Six people were wounded in Cherkasy, including a child, regional Gov. Ihor Taburets said.

Ukraine’s air force said one of its F-16 warplanes supplied by the West crashed after sustaining damage as it was shooting down air targets, killing the pilot.

Fox News' Landon Mion contributed to this report

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Iran’s nuclear capabilities crushed, but regime’s desire for the bomb may persist

President Donald Trump declared last week that Iran’s underground nuclear facilities bombed by the U.S. were "obliterated," while adding the U.S. and Israeli strikes delivered "monumental damage to all nuclear sites in Iran." 

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth echoed that message in a briefing, saying the "CIA can confirm that a body of credible intelligence indicates Iran's nuclear program has been severely damaged by recent targeted strikes."

Israeli intelligence sources told Fox News Digital that strikes on Natanz, Fordow and Esfahan caused severe and possibly irreversible damage to Iran’s known enrichment infrastructure. "We hit the heart of their capabilities," one official said. 

NEW SATELLITE IMAGERY SHOWS ONGOING ACTIVITY AT IRAN'S FORDOW NUCLEAR COMPLEX AFTER US AIRSTRIKES

But despite the overwhelming success of the mission, questions remain about what survived – and what might come next. Analysts warn that while Iran’s declared facilities have been largely destroyed, covert elements of the program may still exist, and enriched uranium stockpiles could resurface.

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director Rafael Grossi said in an interview with CBS on Saturday that although "it’s clear that what happened in particular in Fordow, Natanz, [and] Isfahan—where Iran used to have, and still has to some degree, capabilities in terms of treatment, conversion, and enrichment of uranium—has been destroyed to an important degree," the threat remains. 

Nuclear experts say that while Iran’s nuclear progress has been dealt a historic blow, the regime may still retain the technical know-how and residual capabilities to reconstitute its program over time – especially if it chooses to go dark.

A detailed assessment released Tuesday by the Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS) found that Israel’s Operation Rising Lion, followed by U.S. bunker-busting strikes, "effectively destroyed Iran’s centrifuge enrichment program." But authors David Albright and Spencer Faragasso cautioned that "residuals such as stocks of 60%, 20%, and 3-5% enriched uranium and centrifuges manufactured but not yet installed... pose a threat as they can be used in the future to produce weapon-grade uranium".

Jonathan Ruhe, director of foreign policy at the Jewish Institute for National Security of America (JINSA), echoed that concern in an interview with Fox News Digital.

"The threat now is certainly much reduced," Ruhe said. "But the threat from here on out is going to be much more difficult to detect because Iran could try to rebuild covertly. They don’t need much space or time to enrich 60% to 90%. And the IAEA has said for years that Iran likely retains some secret capability."

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Ruhe added that while Israeli intelligence was likely aware of attempts to move uranium before the strikes, "any planning assumption going forward must consider Iran’s residual capacity – even if it’s diminished."

John Spencer, chair of urban warfare studies at the Modern War Institute, said critics who argue the program wasn’t completely destroyed are missing the bigger picture.

"Can everything be rebuilt eventually? Sure. But there’s no question the program was rolled back – years, if not more," Spencer told Fox News Digital. "People fixate on how many pounds of uranium are missing. But building a bomb requires much more than material. You need the conversion, the metallurgy, the delivery system – all of which were hit."

Dr. Or Rabinowitz, a nuclear proliferation scholar at Hebrew University and visiting associate professor at Stanford, noted that many unknowns remain.

"There’s no verified answer yet to what happened to the 60% enriched uranium – or to the other feedstocks at 20% or 3.5%," Rabinowitz said. "If Iran has access to advanced centrifuges, they could in theory enrich back to weapons-grade – but we don’t know how many centrifuges survived or in what condition they are."

She also explained that even if Iran retains the material, converting uranium gas into metal for a bomb requires a specialized facility. "From what we know, that conversion facility in Isfahan was bombed. Without it, Iran faces a significant bottleneck," she said. But she warned that nuclear weapons technology is not insurmountable: "This is 1940s science. If North Korea could do it, Iran could too – eventually."

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According to the ISIS report, "extensive damage" was confirmed at nearly all major Iranian nuclear and missile facilities, including the destruction of uranium metal conversion plants, fuel fabrication centers, and the IR-40 Arak heavy water reactor. The report noted that the Israeli and U.S. strikes "rendered the Fordow site inoperable," citing high-resolution satellite imagery of deep bunker penetrations.

Rabinowitz also emphasized that the intelligence picture is still developing in real time. "The Israelis and the Americans are now hard at work to generate the most accurate intelligence picture they can," she said. "Without having my own sources in the Mossad, I can guarantee the Israelis are monitoring internal Iranian communications, trying to figure out what the Iranians have figured out. As they learn more, so will Israel and the U.S."

As debate continues over whether the strikes were enough to permanently disable Iran’s nuclear ambitions, analysts agree on one point: Iran’s assumption that it could push forward without consequence is gone.

During a press conference on Friday. Trump was asked if he would bomb Iran's nuclear program again if it was restarted. He told reporters, "Sure without question."

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UK punk-rap duo sparks outrage with anti-Israel chants at major music festival

A punk-rap duo out of the United Kingdom that shouted, "Death to the IDF," and "Free Palestine" during their set at the Glastonbury Festival, is now being condemned by political and festival officials for their actions.

London-based Bob Vylan describes itself on X as the "prettiest punk/rap/alt thing you’ll ever meet." With songs like "We Live Here," "Dream Bigger," "Makes Me Violent," and "Terms & Conditions," the duo mixes elements of rap and punk.

The duo performed a high-energy set at Glastonbury Festival on Saturday, whic ultimately turned into a political podium for the group’s singer to shout out anti-Israel rhetoric.

While holding the microphone, singer Bobby Vylan shouted, "Death, death to the IDF [Israel Defense Forces]," several times before turning the microphone toward the crowd to get attendees to repeat the chant. The IDF is the national military of Israel. Videos from the crowd’s view showed several Palestinian flags waving as the performer and attendees shouted back and forth.

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At one point, Vylan shouted "Free, Free, Free Palestine," and again, had some in the crowd repeat what he said.

Before returning to his set, though, Vylan ended the chant and said, "Hell yeah, from the river to the sea. Palestine must be, will be inshallah, it will be free."

Videos of the chants spread across the internet like crazy, and now British police in Somerset and Avon are reviewing the videos to "determine whether any offenses may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation."

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The BBC reported that British Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned Bob Vylan for calling on the death of Israeli troops with the use of "appalling hate speech."

The BBC, which broadcast the festival live, has reportedly chosen to remove the duo’s set from its iPlayer.

The BBC said it issued a warning on screen about "very strong and discriminatory language" during the live stream, The Associated Press reported.

Festival organizers did not take the comments lightly and have since released a statement on Instagram saying, "Glastonbury Festival was created in 1970 as a place for people to come together and rejoice in music, the arts and the best of human endeavour."

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"As a festival, we stand against all forms of war and terrorism. We will always believe in - and actively campaign for - hope, unity, peace and love," the statement read. "With almost 4,000 performances at Glastonbury 2025, there will inevitably be artists and speakers appearing on our stages whose views we do not share, and a performer’s presence here should never be seen as a tacit endorsement of their opinions and beliefs.

"However, we are appalled by the statements made from the West Holts stage by Bob Vylan yesterday," the statement continued. "Their chants very much crossed a line and we are urgently reminding everyone involved in the production of the Festival that there is no place at Glastonbury for antisemitism, hate speech or incitement to violence."

Another group, Kneecap, also performed on Saturday despite a terror charge for one of its members over allegedly supporting Hezbollah. During the performance, Kneecap led a huge crowd in chants of "Free Palestine."

Famously known as Britain's biggest summer music festival, Glastonbury draws a crowd of nearly 200,000 music fans every year to Worthy Farm in southwest England. About 4,000 acts perform during the festival on 120 stages.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Top Iranian cleric issues 'fatwa' against Trump, Netanyahu

Iran's top Shiite cleric issued a religious decree against President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Sunday, an act some experts called an incitement to terrorism.

The fatwa from Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi called on Muslims around the world to take a stand, according to the New York Sun. It states that any individual or government that challenges or endangers the leadership and unity of the global Islamic community (the Ummah) is to be regarded as a "warlord" or a "mohareb," defined as someone who wages war against God. Under Iranian law, those identified as mohareb can face execution, crucifixion, limb amputation, or exile.

"Those who threaten the leadership and integrity of the Islamic Ummah are to be considered warlords," Makarem said in the ruling. He finished with a prayer asking for protection from these "enemies" and for the swift return of the Mahdi, a messianic figure in Shiite Islam.

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British-Iranian commentator Niyak Ghorbani condemned the fatwa, describing it as a state-endorsed incitement to global terrorism. 

He posted on his X account that the Islamic Republic's aggression is not limited to domestic dissent but signals broader international ambitions for religiously motivated violence.

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"The West must realise: the Islamic Republic is not only targeting its own people — it is preparing for global violence in the name of religion," he wrote in the post.

This fatwa followed what has been dubbed the "12-Day War," during which American and Israeli efforts reportedly inflicted significant damage on Iran’s nuclear capabilities.

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On June 13, Israeli airstrikes targeted Iranian nuclear and military facilities, reportedly killing top scientists and commanders. In retaliation, Iran launched ballistic missiles at Israeli cities. The U.S. joined the conflict a week later, striking three Iranian nuclear sites.

Trump had earlier warned that any further enrichment of uranium by Iran to weapons-grade levels would provoke additional American action. This warning followed a brief ceasefire that ended a 12-day period of intense conflict.

It is not the first time Iranian clerics have used fatwas to incite violence. 

The most infamous case was the 1989 decree against author Salman Rushdie after the release of his novel "The Satanic Verses," which many Muslims considered offensive. That fatwa forced Rushdie into hiding, led to the murder of a Japanese translator, and multiple attacks on the book’s publishers.Rushdie has survived multiple assassination attempts since, including a 2023 stabbing attack in upstate New York in which he lost an eye.

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New satellite imagery shows ongoing activity at Iran's Fordow nuclear complex after US airstrikes

Recent satellite imagery has revealed ongoing activity and fresh evidence of significant damage to tunnels and access roads at Iran’s underground Fordow uranium enrichment site caused by last week’s airstrikes.

The facility was targeted by Israeli forces on June 23, one day after the U.S. carried out strikes using bunker-buster bombs.

The new high-resolution satellite imagery, collected by Maxar Technologies, shows an excavator and several personnel positioned immediately next to the northern shaft on the ridge above the underground complex. 

The crane also appears to be operating at the entrance to the shaft, where several additional vehicles are seen below the ridge, parked along the access path that was built to access the site. 

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Maxar’s photos also reveal the complete destruction of a facility north of the site, surrounded by more craters and scattered dust. One more crater and visible burn marks are seen on a western access route.

Analysts believe the primary goal of the strikes was to hinder access to the sites and complicate repair efforts.

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Both the United States and Israel have stated that these military actions were aimed at hindering Iran’s ability to develop a nuclear weapon. Iran has rejected these accusations, maintaining that its nuclear program is entirely peaceful.

The Fordow site, which is buried within a mountain near Qom, about 60 miles southwest of Tehran, was bombed by the U.S. on June 22, resulting in six prominent craters and a noticeable spread of grey debris, according to satellite photos.

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On the following day, Israel confirmed it had conducted a second strike on Fordow, specifically targeting the roads leading to the facility. Iranian officials later acknowledged this attack.

Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters during a Pentagon briefing last Sunday that while all three Iranian nuclear sites targeted in the strike "sustained extremely severe damage and destruction," the full damage would take time to assess.

The latest strike on Fordow comes as the Israel Defense Forces said Israel also launched a series of strikes targeting the notorious Evin prison and several Iranian military command centers in an "ongoing effort to degrade the Iranian regime’s military capabilities." 

Fox News' Stephen Sorace and Yonat Friling contributed to this report. 

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Revealed: The extensive perks UN officials receive amid budget crisis

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has directed staff to slash budgets ahead of the 2026 budgetary vote as part of a wider reform effort through his UN80 Initiative. 

Much of the belt-tightening comes at a time when the Trump administration has looked to save money with the help of DOGE. In March, Guterres warned about cuts to U.S. spending at the U.N., stating that "going through with recent funding cuts will make the world less healthy, less safe, and less prosperous." The U.S., as the top funder to the world body, has given billions over the last few years, while paying around a third of its budget.

However, organizational belt-tightening does not appear to have hit senior-level U.N. staff. 

"The American people don’t even see this," a diplomatic source told Fox News Digital. "These people that are appointed to care for the poor of the world, get better perks than any investment banks out there."

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The diplomatic insider told Fox News Digital that the current "zero-growth" budget for 2026 still includes "a lot of perks" for professional- and director-level U.N. staff along with assistant-secretaries, under-secretaries and the secretary-general. 

Fox News Digital recently reported that Guterres earned $418,348, which is a higher base salary than President Donald Trump receives. And that doesn't include some of the perks the U.N. chief gets, including a plush Manhattan residence and chauffeur-driven car.

Additionally, though U.N. documents say senior-level U.N. staff are "going to be the first thing to be reduced," the source says that "in the budget of 2026, none of that is touched." 

Here is a list of perks:

U.N. professional staff, including Guterres, are paid a general salary as well as an additional multiplier of their salary based on their post. Multipliers are meant to "preserve equivalent purchasing power for all duty stations" and can range from 16% in Eswatini, Africa, to 86.8% in Switzerland, according to data provided to Fox News Digital by a U.N. source.

The U.N. pay scale has been set to compare with "equivalently graded jobs in the comparator civil service in Washington, D.C.," with compensation about "10 to 20% ahead of the comparator service" to "attract and retain staff from all countries, including the comparator."

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Other expenses that may be compensated for include taxes paid and housing costs.

U.N. staff’s rent may be subsidized by up to 40% if it "exceeds a so-called rent threshold" based on an employee’s income. 

Many member states exempt U.N. employees from paying taxes, but employees of the organization who must pay taxes at their duty station are reimbursed for the cost.

There are substantial benefits for staff with dependents.

Staff receive an allowance of 6% of their net income if their spouses earn less than an entry-level general service U.N. salary. 

Staff who are parents receive a flat allowance of $2,929 for children under 18, or who are under 21 and in secondary schooling. A second child allowance for staff without spouses is set at $1,025. 

U.N. employees may receive grants to cover a portion of the education costs for dependent children through up to four years of post-secondary education. Reimbursements are calculated on a sliding scale. In a sample calculation, the U.N. explains that it would reimburse $34,845 of a $47,000 tuition. 

Boarding fees may also be reimbursed up to $5,300 during primary and secondary education.

U.N. staff have access to the U.N. joint staff pension fund, which allows employees to contribute 23.7% of "pensionable remuneration, with two-thirds paid by the organization and one-third by the staff member."

The U.N. pays travel expenses for staff "on initial appointment, on change of duty station, on separation from service, for travel on official business, for home leave travel, and on travel to visit family members." In some instances, the U.N. also pays for eligible spouses and dependent children to travel. 

Travel expenses include a "daily subsistence allowance (DSA)" meant to cover "the average cost of lodging and other expenses." Eligible family members receive half the DSA, while director-level staff and above receive an additional DSA supplement.

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For staff who change assignments at certain duty stations, U.N. mobility incentives begin at $6,700 and can grow to more than $15,075.

If changing stations for an assignment lasting more than a year, settling-in benefits comprise 30 days’ DSA for staff and half-DSA for eligible families, as well as one month of net pay and one month of post adjustment at the assignment duty station. Moving expenses may include the full or partial removal and transport of household goods, or the storage of those items.

Hardship allowances of between $5,930 and $23,720 may be granted for non-local staff in certain duty stations. The U.N. issues allowances of $19,800 for staff with dependents and $7,500 for staff without dependents stationed at non-family duty stations "to recognize the increased level of financial and psychological hardship incurred by involuntary separation." Danger pay of $1,645 may also be allocated to staff whose association or employment may make them "clearly, persistently, and directly targeted," or in duty stations where there is a "high risk of becoming collateral damage in a war or active armed conflict." 

Terminated employees are also allowed separation payments, typically constituting several months’ pay if their appointment has been terminated due to "abolition of post or reduction of staff; poor health or incapacitation for further service; unsatisfactory service; agreed termination." Those terminated for unsatisfactory service or misconduct may receive half the typical separation payment. 

A repatriation grant may additionally be paid to staff who have been in expatriate service for at least five years, unless staff were "summarily dismissed."

In response to questions about Fox News Digital’s source’s statements about U.N. employee compensation being on par with that of an investment banker, Guterres' spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said the assertion was "ludicrous" and "demonstrates an ignorance of both the United Nations and the investment banking worlds."

Dujarric did not deny that the 2026 budget proposal includes no cutting of senior personnel or benefits. "The budget proposal for 2026 was prepared before the launch of the UN80 initiative," he said. "We are currently working on identifying efficiencies, including reductions in post, and a revised proposal will be submitted to the General Assembly in the Fall for its deliberations, which usually take place between October and December." 

Dujarric added that the International Civil Service Commission, an independent group of 15 expert appointees which creates the system of salaries, benefits and allowances for the U.N., is "undertaking a comprehensive review of the compensation package for the international Professional and higher category of staff," with the results due for presentation in 2026. 

"The secretary-general has no authority of the decisions of the ICSC or the appointment of its members," he said.

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Russia launched its largest aerial attack of the war, Ukraine says

Russia launched its biggest aerial attack overnight since the start of the war against Ukraine, a Ukrainian official said on Sunday.

Moscow fired 537 aerial weapons toward Ukraine, including 477 drones and decoys and 60 missiles, according to Ukraine's air force. Among these weapons, 249 were shot down and 226 were lost, likely electronically jammed.

The attack was "the most massive airstrike" against Ukraine since Russia launched its invasion in February 2022, Yuriy Ihnat, head of communications for Ukraine’s air force, told The Associated Press, taking into account both drones and various types of missiles.

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Several regions were targeted, including western Ukraine, located far from the front line.

Poland and allied countries scrambled aircraft to ensure the safety of Polish airspace, Poland's air force said.

One person was killed in a drone strike in the Kherson region, according to Gov. Oleksandr Prokudin, while another died when a drone hit a car in the Kharkiv region, its Gov. Oleh Syniehubov said. Six people were wounded in Cherkasy, including a child, regional Gov. Ihor Taburets said.

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In the far-western Lviv region, a large fire broke out at an industrial facility in the city of Drohobych after a drone attack that also cut electricity to parts of the city.

Ukraine’s air force said one of its F-16 warplanes supplied by the West crashed after sustaining damage as it was shooting down air targets, killing the pilot.

The new attacks come after Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that Moscow is ready for another round of direct peace talks in Istanbul to end the war.

No end appears to be in sight as international peace efforts coordinated by the U.S. have not yet led to any breakthroughs. Two recent rounds of talks between Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Istanbul were brief and yielded no progress on reaching an agreement.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Bears escape wildlife park enclosure and feast on week's worth of honey

In a scene that could have been from "Winnie the Pooh," two young bears who escaped from their enclosure at a zoo in England were eventually discovered in a food storage area chowing down on honey and other snacks.

Mish and Lucy, two 5-year-old European brown bears, sneaked out of their enclosure at wildlife park Wildwood Devon in southwest England Monday afternoon and headed straight for a staff-only food storage area, according to Facebook posts from Wildwood Devon.

There, the duo feasted on a "selection of snacks — including a week's worth of honey," as noted in one of the social media posts.

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The two bears were not a threat to the public during their escape, but all park visitors were moved into a secure building as a safety precaution. Mish and Lucy were then monitored through surveillance footage and on the ground until they made their way back to their enclosure, Wildwood Devon wrote.

"Here’s footage of Lucy caught red-handed, looking very pleased with herself after filling up in the food store, and both bears passed out afterward," the wildlife park said on Facebook.

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Wildwood Devon said the incident, which prompted a police response, was the result of an "operational error." The wildlife park is now conducting a full internal investigation to determine how the bears escaped to prevent a similar incident from happening again.

"While the structural integrity of the bear enclosure remains uncompromised, we take any operational lapse extremely seriously," Wildwood Devon wrote. "We remain fully committed to the highest standards of animal care, visitor safety and transparency."

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Wildwood Devon, located on 40 acres of woodland and gardens in Devon, England, is home to a range of animals, including foxes, wolves, red squirrels and bears.

In 2023, an Andean bear escaped from his enclosure at the St. Louis Zoo twice in one month. In one of his escapes, the bear managed to break out by tearing apart clips holding stainless steel mesh to the frame of the enclosure's door. 

Wildwood Devon and Devon and Cornwall Police did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

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US Virtual Embassy in Iran urges Americans to evacuate country immediately after partial airspace reopening

The U.S. Virtual Embassy in Iran is insisting that Americans leave the Middle Eastern country amid conflicts in the region after a partial reopening of its airspace.

This comes after a ceasefire agreement between Iran and Israel to end the nearly two-week conflict.

"As of June 26, 2025, Iran's airspace has been partially reopened, although business trips from Tehran and other major centers may be interrupted," the embassy said in an advisory. "US citizens should follow local media and consult with commercial airlines to get more information about flights departing from Iran."

American citizens who wish to leave Iran must travel by land to Azerbaijan, Armenia, Turkey or Turkmenistan if the conditions are safe, the embassy said.

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The U.S. State Department created a crisis information acceptance form for American citizens in Iran to provide information on consular assistance, the embassy noted. But because of the limitations of consular support in Iran, the embassy said it does not anticipate that withdrawal from Iran will be provided with direct assistance from the U.S. government.

U.S. citizens who plan to leave Iran must use the available facilities to leave the country, it said.

The embassy encouraged Americans wanting to leave Iran to take several actions, including having a plan to leave immediately without relying on the U.S. government, keeping their phones charged and communicating with loved ones about their situation, preparing an emergency plan for emergency situations and signing up for alerts from the U.S. government such as the Intelligent Passenger Registration Program (STEP) that would make it easier to find their location in an emergency abroad.

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Americans who cannot leave Iran are advised to find a safe place in their residence or another safe building and to carry food, water, medicine and other essential items with them.

At certain intervals, the Iranian government has limited access to the mobile internet network and physical phone lines, the embassy said, adding that U.S. citizens should be prepared for internet network outages and develop alternative network connectivity and communication plans.

"American-Iranian dual citizens must leave Iran with an Iranian passport and before leaving Iran, they must be ready to face checkpoints and be interrogated by Iranian authorities," the embassy said. "The state of the Iranian government Dual citizenship does not recognize and will treat American-Iranian dual citizens only as Iranian citizens. US nationals in Iran are at significant risk of interrogation, arrest, and detention. Showing a US passport or proving a connection with the United States is sufficient reason for the arrest of a person by the Iranian authorities."

"US passports may be confiscated in Iran," it continued. "American-Iranian dual citizens should consider that in their Iranian passport, they will receive the necessary visas for the countries they will pass through on their return trip to the United States, so that in case of confiscation of their American passport, they can use [their] Iranian passport in Iran. These people can then apply for a new US passport in the country they will pass through."

U.S. citizens who reside in Iran with a permanent residence visa, regardless of how long they are staying, must obtain an exit permit when departing Iran, the embassy said, noting that all Iranian passport holders are required to pay exit fees.

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Iran warns of 'real capabilities' if Trump doesn't drop 'disrespectful' tone toward supreme leader

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned President Donald Trump Friday to drop what he called a "disrespectful" tone toward Tehran’s supreme leader or face serious consequences. 

In a blunt post on X, Araghchi said if Trump truly wants a deal with Iran, he must show respect instead of insulting Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Araghchi wrote that Trump should "put aside the disrespectful and unacceptable tone" toward Khamenei and "stop hurting [Khamenei’s] millions of heartfelt followers."

IRAN'S SUPREME LEADER SLAMS TRUMP JUST DAYS AFTER US STRIKES ON NUCLEAR SITES

Araghchi wrote, "The complexity and tenacity of Iranians is famously known in our magnificent carpets, woven through countless hours of hard work and patience. But as a people, our basic premise is very simple and straightforward: we know our worth, value our independence, and never allow anyone else to decide our destiny."

Araghchi’s most provocative line came as he mocked Israel’s reliance on the U.S. during the recent military confrontation. 

"The Great and Powerful Iranian People, who showed the world that the Israeli regime had NO CHOICE but to RUN to ‘Daddy’ to avoid being flattened by our Missiles," he wrote, referring to U.S. intervention in striking Iranian nuclear sites.

The jab was a pointed reference to the longstanding U.S. and Israeli alliance and a not-so-subtle attempt to portray Israel as weak and dependent.

The post concluded with a clear threat.

"If Illusions lead to worse mistakes, Iran will not hesitate to unveil its Real Capabilities, which will certainly END any Delusion about the Power of Iran. Good will begets good will, and respect begets respect."

IRAN'S KHAMENEI LAUNCHES BLISTERING ATTACK ON TRUMP AFTER MIDDLE EAST VISIT

Araghchi’s broadside comes just days after the war between Iran and Israel ended and less than a week after U.S. airstrikes ordered by Trump destroyed Iran’s key nuclear sites of Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan.

The 12-day conflict ended June 24 under a U.S.-brokered ceasefire, yet postwar tensions remain high. Khamenei declared that Tehran had beaten Israel and even dealt Washington a "slap" in the confrontation.

Trump rejected Khamenei’s victory claims as false and "foolish." He promptly froze any talk of sanctions relief for Iran in response and claimed he personally stopped Khamenei from being killed during the conflict, writing on Truth Social that he refused to let U.S. or Israeli forces "terminate" the ayatollah despite knowing his secret location. 

Araghchi also rejected President Trump’s recent claim that new nuclear talks were imminent, telling reporters that "there are no negotiations underway" and that Tehran would make decisions "based on our national interests."

According to Reuters, the foreign minister flatly denied any plans to meet with U.S. officials next week, contradicting Trump’s earlier remarks suggesting diplomacy was back on track.

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"I wish the leadership of Iran would realize that you often get more with HONEY than you do with VINEGAR," wrote Trump on Truth Social. "PEACE!!!"

The White House did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.

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New WHO report fails to rule out COVID-19 lab leak origin as China continues to impede investigation

A World Health Organization (WHO) scientific advisory group on Friday released a report on the origins of COVID-19, concluding that available evidence suggests the deadly pandemic was caused by "zoonotic spillover," either directly from bats or through an intermediate host.

The report from the Scientific Advisory Group for the Origins of Novel Pathogens (SAGO), which claims to be a panel of 27 independent, international, multidisciplinary experts, said that much of the information needed to fully evaluate all hypotheses has not been provided.

However, still citing a believed cause, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that "all hypotheses must remain on the table, including zoonotic spillover and lab leak."

FBI EXAMINING COVID-19 ORIGIN 'COVER-UP' AMID NEW STRAIN EMERGENCE: BONGINO

As the Wall Street Journal previously reported, the WHO's COVID-19 origin findings come amid a pattern of suspicious activity.

The WHO traveled to China in early 2021 with British zoologist Dr. Peter Daszak, who was disbarred last year from doing work for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and is accused of using American taxpayer dollars to fund gain-of-function research at the bat lab in Wuhan, China.

Once at the Wuhan lab, Daszak and others were allegedly blocked from doing any of the research necessary to investigate.

DR. MARC SIEGEL: TRUMP IS RIGHT TO BLOCK 'DANGEROUS' GAIN-OF-FUNCTION RESEARCH

As noted by the White House when highlighting a report from the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic, "The Proximal Origin of SARS-CoV-2" publication — which was used repeatedly by public health officials and the media to discredit the lab leak theory — was prompted by Dr. [Anthony] Fauci to push the preferred narrative that COVID-19 originated in nature.

The WHO said it had requested that China share hundreds of genetic sequences from individuals with COVID-19 early in the pandemic, more detailed information about the animals sold at markets in Wuhan, and information on work done and biosafety conditions at laboratories in Wuhan. 

To date, China has not shared this information either with SAGO or the WHO.

TRUMP BANS FEDERAL FUNDING FOR 'DANGEROUS' GAIN-OF-FUNCTION RESEARCH

"I thank each of the 27 members of SAGO for dedicating their time and expertise to this very important scientific undertaking over more than three years," Ghebreyesus wrote in a statement. "… We continue to appeal to China and any other country that has information about the origins of COVID-19 to share that information openly, in the interests of protecting the world from future pandemics."

SAGO published its initial findings and recommendations in a report on June 9, 2022. The most recent report updates the evaluation based on peer-reviewed papers and reviews, as well as available unpublished information and field studies, interviews and other reports, including audit findings, government reports and intelligence reports.

Those part of SAGO convened in various formats 52 times, conducted briefings with researchers, academics, journalists and others, according to the WHO.

READ THE FULL REPORT HERE:

"As the report says, this is not solely a scientific endeavor, it is a moral and ethical imperative," Marietjie Venter, chair of the group, wrote in a statement. "Understanding the origins of SARS-CoV-2 and how it sparked a pandemic is needed to help prevent future pandemics, save lives and livelihoods, and reduce global suffering."

"The work to understand the origins of SARS-CoV-2 remains unfinished," the WHO wrote in a statement. "WHO welcomes any further evidence on the origins of COVID-19, and SAGO remains committed to reviewing any new information should it become available."

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Venezuelan opposition member details harrowing 400-day captivity at UN

Pedro Urruchurtu spoke to the United Nations Human Rights Council on Friday about what he had endured at the hands of Nicolás Maduro’s regime while being forced to shelter in place for over 400 days. Urruchurtu and four other members of Venezuela’s political opposition were freed in May in a successful U.S. rescue mission.

He and his colleagues were effectively trapped inside the Argentine Embassy in Caracas — where the opposition members fled to, and were sheltered due to the diplomatic status of the embassy. 

The opposition figures were under siege by regime forces who made their lives extremely difficult due to their control of the utilities. Urruchurtu told the council he had endured "five months without electricity, three minutes of water every ten days, rifles pointed at the windows, and dogs trained to bite; only because those in power considered it a crime to direct the campaigns of Maria Corina Machado in the opposition primaries and Edmundo González in the presidential elections. Both won."

OPINION: AMERICA NEEDS A VENEZUELA DEAL THAT ONLY PRESIDENT TRUMP CAN DELIVER

"Today I am here despite the state, and not thanks to it, because if it were up to it, I would be missing or dead," Urruchurtu said.

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk told the council that since May 1, 2024, the human rights situation in Venezuela has only gotten worse. The people have experienced "arbitrary detentions, violations of due process and enforced disappearances, amid continued allegations of torture and ill-treatment."

Türk revealed that his office had documented 32 people — 15 of them adolescents — who reported being tortured and ill-treated in detention. He also noted that 28 people had been subjected to enforced disappearance after the country’s parliamentary elections, which took place in May 2025. He said their whereabouts remain unknown and that at least 12 of them were foreign nationals who "do not have access to consular assistance."

VENEZUELAN OPPOSITION PROMISES REPARATIONS TO LAKEN RILEY’S FAMILY, OTHER VICTIMS OF TREN DE ARAGUA VIOLENCE

"The world must no longer look away from the brutal reality of what the once-beautiful Venezuela has become. Nicolás Maduro and his enforcers are running a criminal narco-terrorist dictatorship that jails political opponents, tortures dissidents, and crushes any hope of free expression. Pedro’s voice today represents the cries of thousands of Venezuelans who remain imprisoned, persecuted or forced into exile, as slaves to the regime," UN Watch Executive Director Hillel Neuer told Fox News Digital.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced in a post on X on May 6 that the opposition members, including Urruchurtu, had been rescued in "a precise operation" and brought to the U.S. A few weeks later, Rubio met with the released opposition members. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said that Rubio had commended the Venezuelan opposition members for their "bravery in the face of Maduro’s relentless repression and tyranny."

Neuer also expressed gratitude for the Trump administration and Rubio’s actions, which led to Urruchurtu’s release.

"Thank you to the Trump administration and the Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, for their critical role in securing Pedro’s release and the release of his comrades. Once again, proving that strong, principled diplomacy saves lives and advances the cause of freedom for the world," Neuer told Fox News Digital.

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Iranian foreign minister reiterates 'serious damage' to nuclear facilities, despite ayatollah's comments

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi admitted in an interview on state TV that the U.S.'s strikes caused serious damage to Tehran's nuclear facilities, despite Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's insistence that there was minimal impact.

Araghchi said in the interview that "the level of damage is high, and it’s serious damage," according to the Associated Press.

Post-strike assessments have shown that Iran’s nuclear sites suffered damage in both U.S. and Israeli attacks. All three countries — Iran, Israel and the U.S. — have reached similar conclusions about the extent of the damage, despite what a leaked intel report indicated.

IRAN, ISRAEL AND US AGREE THAT ISLAMIC REPUBLIC NUCLEAR SITES WERE 'BADLY DAMAGED' DESPITE LEAKED INTEL REPORT

The only leader who seemingly does not agree with the assessments is Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who said that "the Americans failed to achieve anything significant in their attack on nuclear facilities," according to reports. 

Khamenei appears to be more focused on projecting strength than reflecting reality. He described Iran’s attack on Al-Udeid, the American airbase in Qatar, as a "heavy slap to the U.S.’s face." While President Donald Trump dismissed it as a "very weak response" and thanked Iran for giving the U.S. "early notice."

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi said in a statement on Tuesday that the agency had "seen extensive damage at several nuclear sites in Iran, including its uranium conversion and enrichment facilities."

IRAN TRYING TO 'SAVE FACE' FOLLOWING US STRIKE ON NUCLEAR SITES, EXPERT SAYS

In addition to discussing the damage done to Iran's nuclear sites, Araghchi also addressed the possibility of resuming talks with the U.S. He said that the American strikes "made it more complicated and more difficult" for Iran to come to the table, but did not rule out the possibility that negotiations could resume.

Nuclear talks with the U.S. might not be entirely off the table for Iran after last week’s strikes—even if Tehran is not interested in reentering negotiations right away.

The possibility of negotiations was already in question prior to Operation Midnight Hammer, as Tehran viewed the U.S. as being "complicit" in Israel’s Operation Rising Lion, according to Reuters, citing Iranian U.N. Ambassador Ali Bahreini.

EX-SECRETARY OF STATE CONDOLEEZZA RICE CALLS US STRIKES ON IRAN A 'SHOT IN THE ARM' FOR AMERICAN CREDIBILITY

Trump on Wednesday expressed optimism in the U.S.’s ability to resume nuclear talks with Iran.

"We’re going to talk to them next week, with Iran. We may sign an agreement, I don’t know. To me, I don’t think it’s that necessary. I mean, they had a war. They fought. Now they're going back to their world. I don't care if I have an agreement or not. The only thing we would be asking for is what we're asking for before about, we want no nuclear [program]. But we destroyed the nuclear," Trump said. 

Despite Trump’s statement, there is still no clear indication that the countries have plans to meet in the near future.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Mossad chief thanks US for help with Iran, says 'mission is not yet complete'

Mossad Director David Barnea thanked the men and women working for the agency after the success of Israel’s Operation Rising Lion. He also expressed his appreciation to the U.S. — particularly the C.I.A. — for their work in countering Iran’s nuclear program.

"These are historic days for the people of Israel. The Iranian threat, which endangered our security for decades, has been significantly thwarted thanks to the extraordinary cooperation between the IDF, which led the campaign, and the Mossad, which operated alongside it, with the support of our ally, the United States," Barnea said.

INSIDE ISRAEL’S SECRET WAR IN IRAN: MOSSAD COMMANDOS, HIDDEN DRONES AND THE STRIKE THAT STUNNED TEHRAN

The Mossad, Israel’s equivalent of the C.I.A., had personnel in Iran ready for the launch of Operation Rising Lion, something that was revealed in unprecedented fashion when the agency released video of its operatives at work.

Ahead of the U.S. strikes in the early hours of Sunday morning, Iran time, there was speculation whether Washington and Jerusalem were coordinating. President Donald Trump made it clear after the strikes that he and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had been working together behind the scenes.

"I want to thank and congratulate Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu. We worked as a team — like perhaps no team has ever worked before — and we've gone a long way to erasing this horrible threat to Israel," Trump said in his address to the nation following the strikes on Iran.

US STRIKES SET IRAN'S NUCLEAR PROGRAM BACK 'MANY YEARS,' ISRAELI ASSESSMENT FINDS

While Barnea expressed his gratitude to Israeli and American forces alike, he also said that "the mission is not yet complete."

"The Mossad will continue, with determination, to monitor, track, and act to thwart the threats against us—just as we always have—for the sake of the State of Israel and its people," Barnea said.

Iran's nuclear chief, Mohammad Eslami, said on Tuesday that the country was assessing the damage and preparing to restore the facilities, according to Reuters. He added that Iran’s "plan is to prevent interruptions in the process of production and services."

Both Trump and Netanyahu vowed to respond if Iran rebuilds its nuclear program.

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Spanish Prime Minister Sanchez to run for re-election despite corruption investigations

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced on Wednesday that he plans to run for re-election when his term ends in 2027, in spite of the corruption scandals embroiling his Socialist party.

"I am determined to run in the next general election in 2027," Sanchez told reporters on Wednesday.

SOROS V TRUMP: SOCIALISTS TARGETS CONSERVATIVES IN UPCOMING EUROPEAN NATION'S ELECTION

In the latest in a series of scandals, Sanchez is currently under investigation for alleged graft in his Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE). While Sanchez — who has served as prime minister since 2018 — has not been directly implicated, the country's opposition has called on him to resign, according to BBC News.

FEARS OF ANOTHER NARCO-STATE RISE AS LATIN AMERICAN COUNTRY READIES FOR PIVOTAL VOTE

Earlier this month, Sanchez issued an apology after audio was released that seemingly showed PSOE secretary Santos Cerdan discussing improperly awarding public contracts in exchange for commissions, BBC News reported.

Shortly after the news broke, Cerdan resigned from the PSOE and stepped down as a member of parliament. On Friday, police entered the party's headquarters to copy Cerdan's emails, according to Reuters.

SPANISH PRIME MINISTER PEDRO SÁNCHEZ WEIGHING RESIGNATION AFTER WIFE TARGETED BY JUDICIAL PROBE

On June 12, the Spanish prime minister said he would not call new elections before the end of his current term.

Cerdan, who is slated to appear before the Supreme Court on June 25, says he has never committed a crime or been implicit in one, Reuters reported.

Sanchez is one of Europe's longest-serving socialist leaders. His wife, Begona Gomez, is under investigation for possible business irregularities. His brother, David Sanchez, is due to go on trial for alleged influence peddling, according to BBC News.

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Ukraine’s ex-foreign minister backs Trump on defense spending, warns diplomacy with Putin is nearly exhausted

EXCLUSIVE - NATO members committed Wednesday to increase defense spending to 5% of gross domestic product by 2035, heeding President Donald Trump’s calls for the transatlantic military alliance to take more steps to bolster its security.

Ukraine’s former Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba told Fox News Digital the move is a big, immediate win for Trump and would be a significant win for Europe’s future if it takes the increase in defense spending seriously and begins to deliver on the commitment.

"This is a serious lesson that Europe will have to learn. Not only investing, but also spending. Spending in a way that will allow them to show to the public that they're making a good investment in their security and their economies and to send a message to their enemy: do not dare to attack us because we are ready, we are prepared to strike back," he said. 

NATO SECRETARY GENERAL SAYS EUROPEAN COUNTRIES HAVE TO DO ‘MUCH, MUCH MORE’ TO INCREASE DEFENSE SPENDING

In a wide-ranging interview with Fox News Digital, Kuleba bluntly assessed the state of Russia-Ukraine peace talks, arguing the current diplomatic process is "dead."

Russian President Vladimir Putin has escalated attacks on Ukraine in recent months, targeting Kyiv with large-scale missile and drone attacks. 

The Russian strongman has refused to agree to a 30-day unconditional ceasefire proposed by the United States and its European allies earlier this year. 

At the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in mid-June, Putin said he considers the Russian and Ukrainian peoples to be one. "In this sense, all of Ukraine is ours," he told attendees to applause.

Trump has held off on imposing additional sanctions on Moscow, preferring to wait and see if his diplomatic efforts will bear fruit.

"Putin does not feel any pressure. And therefore, he does not really get why he should change his behavior," said Kuleba. "I'm afraid diplomacy has zero chance to succeed at this stage under these circumstances, which means that there will be more killings and more destruction."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote on X, formerly Twitter, that Putin’s goals remain clear: "He wants all of Ukraine."

Zelenskyy attended the G7 summit in Canada last week, meeting with world leaders and securing nearly $2 billion in aid from Prime Minister Mark Carney. His meeting with Trump was canceled after the U.S. president left Kananaskis early, citing escalating tensions in the Middle East due to the Israel-Iran conflict.

The two met on the sidelines of the NATO summit on Wednesday and discussed the purchase of American air defense systems.

Kuleba told Fox News Digital that Trump is well-positioned to end Russia’s war. "His disruptive approach, his readiness to make rapid and strong action — these are the things that are needed to bring two sides to first, [the] negotiating table, and then to an agreement."

The Ukrainian diplomat explained that the U.S. needs to reshuffle three things to revitalize the negotiating process: sticks, carrots and the pressure of time. 

Kuleba said Trump created the pressure of time by stating he could end the war in 24 hours and calling on both sides to sit down and negotiate.

"What happened next is that all sticks went to Ukraine and all carrots went to Russia. It has never worked like this centuries ago in the history of diplomacy. It doesn't work like this, and it's not going to work like this, OK, because the right way to do it is to create a pressure of time to avoid endless deliberations and to find the right balance of sticks and carrots for each side," he told Fox News Digital.

RUSSIA BOMBARDS UKRAINE WITH DRONES HOURS AFTER TRUMP ANNOUNCES TALKS WITH PUTIN

Trump and Putin recently spoke by phone on June 14 after Israel struck Iran’s nuclear facilities. The Russian leader said he was ready to continue negotiations with the Ukrainians after June 22, according to Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova. 

Peace talks in Istanbul have failed to produce much other than prisoner of war exchanges as Putin doubles down on his maximalist demands. 

Kuleba said the best thing for Europe to do as negotiations stall is to continue producing and buying weapons, not only for Ukraine, but also for itself.

"For decades, Europe was relying on the United States and was going back and forth with Washington, checking every decision they were going to make, but it's just not sustainable anymore," he explained. "They have to learn how to take care of themselves, sorry to say it. The sooner they do it, the better for them, us and everyone else."

"You cannot build your life knowing that America is paying for my security, Russian gas is paying for my cheap energy prices and [the] socialism that I'm building. And Chinese minerals [are] allowing me to — are paying for my industrial growths. It's not sustainable. You cannot depend on one player in the most critical fundamentals for your life," he added.

The European Union proposed an 18th sanctions package against Russia in June, targeting its energy and banking sectors. 

"We want peace for Ukraine. Despite weeks of diplomatic attempts, despite President Zelenskyy's offer of an unconditional ceasefire, Russia continues to bring death and destruction to Ukraine," said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and the EU’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas in a joint statement.

"Russia's goal is not peace, it is to impose the rule of might. Therefore, we are ramping up pressure on Russia. Because strength is the only language that Russia will understand."

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Iranian dissident leader outlines vision for regime change, says it's 'inevitable'

As President Donald Trump's historic ceasefire takes effect, uncertainty over the future of Iran and the push for regime change has the main Iranian opposition groups verbally fighting it out to persuade Iranians that they are most capable of taking over from the mullahs.

In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, Maryam Rajavi, president-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), answered questions on the group's positions and policies that she hopes will lead the Iranian people to rise up against the regime.

Rajavi leads the controversial group, which is affiliated to Mujahedin-e Khalq (MEK). Once listed as a terrorist organization in the U.S., the group was taken off the list in 2012 and is credited with first exposing the Islamic Republic of Iran's nuclear weapons program.

Excerpts of Fox News Digital's interview with Maryam Rajavi follow.

IS REGIME CHANGE A POSSIBILITY IN IRAN? ASSESSING NEXT STEPS FOR US

Maryam Rajavi: Absolutely. Regime change in Iran is not merely a possibility but a historical imperative — inevitable and within reach. An explosive and discontented society and an organized resistance willing to pay the highest price for their homeland’s freedom exist today. Conversely, the regime of the supreme leader has lost all legitimacy due to deep-rooted structural corruption, ruthless repression, and widespread economic incompetence. 

The waves of popular uprisings—from 2009 to 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2022 — with powerful slogans like "Death to the Dictator, Death to Khamenei" and "Death to the oppressor, whether Shah or Leader," clearly reflect the Iranian people’s unwavering resolve to end this regime.

Maryam Rajavi: We offer the Iranian people a democratic and inclusive alternative: a republic based on separation of religion and state, complete gender equality, respect for the rights of ethnic and religious minorities, and abolition of the death penalty. The Ten-Point Plan I presented 19 years ago to the Council of Europe is rooted in universal principles of human rights and provides a comprehensive and practical roadmap for a free and just Iran. Unlike the regime, which rules through fear and repression, we believe in the power of the people and their free choice. 

At the core of our resistance stands the Mujahedin-e Khalq (PMOI/MEK), with its 60-year history of confronting two dictatorships, presenting a tolerant and democratic Islam that embraces coexistence among followers of different religions. It represents a cultural alternative — indeed, the antithesis — to the backward and reactionary culture of the clerics. From the outset, our slogan confronting the clerics has been clear: "No to compulsory veiling, no to compulsory religion, and no to compulsory governance." 

EXILED PRINCE LOOKS TO LEAD IRANIAN PEOPLE IN ENDING ISLAMIC REPUBLIC: 'OUR BERLIN WALL MOMENT'

One of the most distinctive features of this resistance against misogynistic religious tyranny is its steadfast commitment to gender equality. For more than three decades, women have exercised hegemony and held commanding roles within the MEK, the principal constituent of the NCRI—a pioneering phenomenon that represents a profound and unprecedented transformation.

Maryam Rajavi: Under conditions of absolute tyranny, when has the popularity of our resistance ever been genuinely tested through free elections or reliable polling? Under these circumstances, the sole measure is the legitimacy of resistance itself.

Such accusations are part of a deliberate and extensive demonization campaign by the regime against its principal opposition. Annually, the regime spends hundreds of millions of dollars producing films, television series, hundreds of books, thousands of articles, recruiting mercenaries posing as oppositionists, forging documents, and conducting cyber operations, as well as hiring foreign journalists and media outlets—all to disparage the Iranian resistance and cast doubt on its credibility. Their goal is to persuade international counterparts that no legitimate alternative exists and that engaging with this regime is their only option.

If our resistance truly lacked popular support, why is the regime so fearful of its influence and impact inside Iran? Why, over the past 46 years, has the permanent slogan at all official regime ceremonies—even in parliament—been "Death to the MEK?" Why have over 100,000 MEK supporters and members been executed? Why has the regime consistently targeted gatherings and representatives of the resistance abroad in its terrorist plots and operations?

Look at the NCRI’s international gatherings, sometimes attracting crowds of up to 100,000 people. These are representatives of the Iranian people, especially from the urban middle class. Look at the list of MEK martyrs, encompassing diverse social classes, and the MEK’s financial independence, funded entirely by Iranian contributions at home and abroad.

THE MISSING MULLAH: IRAN’S ‘SUPREME LEADER’ A NO-SHOW FOR NEGOTIATIONS, THEN HID AS US POUNDED NUKE SITES 

We fight on behalf of tens of millions of Iranians for freedom and a better future, pursuing the very ideals George Washington fought for—fundamental human rights: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, under a government deriving its power from the consent of the governed.

Maryam Rajavi: Our message to the President and all world leaders is clear: regime change is within reach, achievable by the Iranian people and their organized resistance. We have consistently emphasized we need neither money nor weapons. What we seek from the international community is a firm policy against the regime and recognition of the Iranian people’s right to self-determination—free from any form of dictatorship, whether religious or monarchical—and acknowledgment of the Resistance Units’ struggle against the IRGC to overthrow the regime. This approach benefits not only the Iranian people but also ensures lasting peace and stability in the Middle East and the world.

Twenty-one years ago, at the European Parliament, I warned that neither war nor appeasement would resolve the Iran crisis. I advocated the realistic third option: regime change by the people and their organized resistance. I warned then that appeasement would embolden the regime and eventually impose war on the West. Today, this warning has, all too bitterly, become reality.

Maryam Rajavi: Within Iran, all those committed to overthrowing this regime stand united. 

Politically, since its founding in 1981, the NCRI has demonstrated, as the broadest and longest-lasting political coalition in Iranian history, its readiness to cooperate with all political groups and currents committed to democracy, human rights, secularism, and a republican form of governance. This council encompasses diverse organizations, representatives of various ethnicities, including Kurds, Baluchis, Arabs, Turkmens, and political figures with varied perspectives. In 2002, the NCRI proposed the National Solidarity Plan, urging all political currents and groups to unite around three principles: regime overthrow, democratic republic, and secularism.

TRUMP HINTS AT REGIME CHANGE IN IRAN WHILE DECLARING ‘MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN’ AFTER US STRIKES

The NCRI fully supports minority rights oppressed under both the [Mohammad Reza] Pahlavi and clerical dictatorships, and our plan for autonomy in Iranian Kurdistan, adopted 42 years ago, serves as a model for other ethnic groups.

However, [the]monarchy has no place in Iran, and any alliance with monarchists benefits only the regime, which seeks to associate its opponents with the past dictatorship. Remnants of the Shah have neither influence nor significant organizational presence within or outside Iran.

Maryam Rajavi: Only through a democratic process—free and fair elections. 

According to the NCRI’s plan, the provisional government established after the regime’s fall is obligated to organize elections for a Constituent and Legislative Assembly within six months—free elections through direct and secret ballot. Once convened, this Assembly will assume governance, tasked with drafting a new constitution and managing national affairs. The provisional government’s mandate will conclude upon the Assembly’s establishment, which will then appoint a new interim government reflective of the people’s vote. 

The Iranian people look neither to the past nor the current status quo but forward—to a free and democratic future, where legitimacy derives solely from the ballot box.

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CEASEFIRE: Can a pause in fighting lead to lasting peace where conflicts have become the norm?

President Donald Trump brokered an historic ceasefire agreement between Israel and Iran on Monday, marking a dramatic pause in the most significant military confrontation between the two foes.

The Monday evening announcement took effect 12 hours later, following a timeline designed to allow final military maneuvers on both sides. However, a barrage of Iranian missile fire in the hours that followed left many Israelis questioning whether the truce had already been violated.

In an interview with Fox News Digital, John Spencer, executive director of the Urban Warfare Institute, said such delayed implementation is not unusual. "It’s hard to turn things off on a switch. You have aircraft in flight. You have forces in position," he explained.

TRUMP BROKERS IRAN CEASEFIRE AS EXPERTS SAY REGIME’S ARSENAL IS SHATTERED BUT THREAT REMAINS

Spencer described the U.S. operation as historic.

"What’s historic is that the U.S. carried out a limited operation on nuclear targets with zero losses—no pilot, no equipment—and helped Israel in a way only America could. Nuclear proliferation is nonpartisan, and this was an apolitical win." Even after Iran struck a U.S. base in Qatar, he added, "the President showed immense restraint and kept focus on the broader goal: preventing Iran from getting a nuclear weapon and continuing its terror campaign."

Despite the violence that followed the announcement — including an Iranian strike that killed four civilians in Israel — Spencer believes the ceasefire will hold. "Both countries have now said we’re absolutely going to do it," he said. "And yes, President Trump is very atypical in the way he communicates with the ceasefire… with the ‘don’t drop a single bomb.’"

To understand how ceasefires like this unfold, Spencer pointed to five historical precedents marked by delayed activation, phased goals, and a final window for military positioning.

Signed on July 27, 1953, the armistice that ended the Korean War was structured with a deliberate 12-hour delay before taking effect. "This allowed final military movements before a synchronized halt," Spencer said — a model the Israel-Iran ceasefire closely echoes.

Spencer noted that in 1973, Israel used the final hours before a U.N.-brokered ceasefire to reposition forces. "Israel made a bunch of moves in those last hours… to include encircling the Third Army, moving on Suez City," he said, referencing his case study on the Battle of Suez City.

TRUMP ANNOUNCES HISTORIC IRAN AND ISRAEL CEASEFIRE AGREEMENT TO END '12 DAY WAR'

Ending the Bosnian War, the U.S.-brokered Dayton Peace Accords established a phased timeline for troop withdrawals and political agreements. "That was a U.N., multiple countries signing into an agreement of what both sides would and wouldn’t do," Spencer explained, contrasting it with the looser terms of the current Israel-Iran ceasefire.

Spencer also drew parallels to the 2014 war in Gaza. "Hamas would say, ‘Okay, we want a ceasefire… just until the next time they break the ceasefire,’" he said. Many of those agreements had 12- to 72-hour activation delays, similar to what is now seen with Iran.

Even more recently, during the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, ceasefires were often brief and symbolic. "Putin said, ‘I want three days so I can do my parade,’" Spencer remarked, highlighting how temporary pauses can serve both strategic and political needs.

While past ceasefires were designed to slow escalation, Spencer sees this one as part of a broader strategic doctrine. "To help Israel in a way only United States could, that should be nonpartisan," he said. "For the United States to do a very limited operation, without a single loss of American life… that’s unique."

Spencer described the ceasefire as "an off-ramp" for both sides. "Ceasefire here means that both sides will stop shooting at each other. It doesn’t mean that Iran will stop chanting ‘Death to America and death to Israel,’" he said. "But the operations and hostilities have stopped."

Despite the lack of formal terms or international enforcement, Spencer believes the agreement created a new precedent. "This established a new doctrine," he said, citing Israel’s ability to dominate Iranian skies and the U.S. response to nuclear proliferation threats. "If Iran decides to rebuild some sites somewhere, the threats will be more present than ever."

Spencer concluded, "It is a win. When red lines are really red lines, they are effective at deterrence."

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NATO leader praises Trump for 'decisive action' on Iran

President Donald Trump was hailed at the 2025 NATO Summit after the U.S. struck Iran’s nuclear facilities over the weekend. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte praised Trump as a "man of strength" and a "man of peace."

"I just want to recognize your decisive action on Iran," Rutte said at the start of his joint remarks with the president. "You are a man of strength, but you are also a man of peace. And the fact that you are now also successful in getting this ceasefire done between Israel and Iran— I really want to commend you for that. I think this is important for the whole world."

TRUMP JOINS NATO SUMMIT WITH GLOWING PRAISE AS ALLIES ADOPT NEW SPENDING

While en route to the Netherlands for the summit, Trump shared several texts from Rutte in which the NATO leader expressed his support for the president’s move against Iran.

"Congratulations and thank you for your decisive action in Iran, that was truly extraordinary, and something no one else dared to do. It makes us all safer," Rutte wrote in the texts that Trump shared on Truth Social. 

HEGSETH SAYS FBI IS CONDUCTING INVESTIGATION INTO LEAK OF INTEL REPORT ON STRIKE AGAINST IRAN

Rutte also praised Trump’s effort to get NATO members to pay more and said the president was "flying into another big success" after all countries—except Spain—agreed to spend 5% of their GDP on defense. He added that Trump achieved something "NO American president in decades could get done."

Leaders of NATO member states had mixed reactions to the strikes against Iran’s nuclear facilities, with several calling for de-escalation while acknowledging the threat a nuclear Iran would pose to global security.

"Iran’s nuclear program is a grave threat to international security. Iran can never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon, and the US has taken action to alleviate that threat," U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer wrote on X. "The situation in the Middle East remains volatile and stability in the region is a priority. We call on Iran to return to the negotiating table and reach a diplomatic solution to end this crisis."

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney issued a similar statement, adding: "As G7 leaders agreed in Kananaskis, the resolution of the Iranian crisis should lead to a broader de-escalation of hostilities in the Middle East, including a ceasefire in Gaza."

Fox News Digital's Morgan Phillips contributed to this report.

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US airstrikes leave a mark on Iran’s nuclear sites, Maxar satellite images reveal

Fresh satellite imagery released by Maxar Technologies shows significant damage at three of Iran’s key nuclear sites, Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, just days after U.S. B-2 stealth bombers conducted strikes ordered by President Donald Trump.

The new photos, released on June 24, provide the clearest post-strike visuals to date, showing the precision and depth of the U.S. assault on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.

At the heavily fortified Fordow Fuel Enrichment Facility, located deep beneath a mountain near Qom, satellite views reveal multiple craters along the primary access roads and directly at the entrances to tunnel complexes. 

Several perimeter buildings were destroyed outright, and one crater can be seen blasted into the access road leading to the facility.

US STRIKE DAMAGE TO IRAN'S NATANZ, ISFAHAN NUCLEAR FACILITIES CAPTURED IN SATELLITE IMAGES

The Isfahan Nuclear Technology Center also shows signs of recent damage. An overview image highlights new destruction at the surface, while detailed shots capture tunnel entrances that appear to have been struck directly, echoing earlier reporting that the operation aimed to neutralize buried infrastructure previously unreachable by conventional air power.

Meanwhile, at Natanz, a site known for its history with the Stuxnet cyberattack and long a target of Israeli and American scrutiny, two craters believed to have been caused by U.S. ordnance now appear filled and covered with dirt. 

IRAN’S FORDOW NUCLEAR SITE STRUCK SECOND TIME AS IDF TARGETS ACCESS ROUTES

These strikes had reportedly targeted the underground centrifuge halls that are central to Iran’s uranium enrichment operations.

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi confirmed that key buildings and underground systems at all three sites were hit. 

American officials say Iran’s nuclear program has been severely set back.

Trump has claimed a "very successful" mission.

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In addition to the nuclear sites hit by the U.S., Maxar’s images also documented separate airstrike damage in the capital city of Tehran. 

The images show widespread destruction believed to be linked to suspected nuclear program buildings near Tehran’s Shahid Rajaee University.

Fox News' Greg Norman contributed to this report.

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Iran-Israel ceasefire teeters as IDF accuses Tehran of violations

Iran appeared to ignore President Donald Trump’s plea to adhere to the ceasefire he brokered between the Islamic Republic and Israel. 

On Tuesday, Israel vowed to respond to the alleged violation, with Defense Minister Israel Katz announcing that he ordered the military to strike Tehran. Additionally, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of the General Staff Maj. Gen. Eyal Zamir vowed the country would "respond with force."

Iran’s military denied violating the ceasefire, according to reports. However, the IDF said on Tuesday that air raid sirens were sounding across the country. 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office released a statement confirming that in response to Iran's apparent violation, the Israeli Air Force destroyed a radar array near Tehran.

TRUMP BROKERS IRAN CEASEFIRE AS EXPERTS SAY REGIME’S ARSENAL IS SHATTERED BUT THREAT REMAINS

A senior Israeli official spoke with Fox News about Iran’s alleged violation of the ceasefire, saying that the country believes Tehran will attempt to fire more missiles within a matter of hours.

"Unfortunately, the Iranians have decided to continue to fire toward Israel," a senior Israeli official told Fox News. "Two missiles were fired toward Israel, and we believe they are trying to fire more in the next couple of hours."

Before the ceasefire went into effect, both countries got in parting shots, as Israel carried out a series of airstrikes and Iran launched missile barrages that killed at least four people, according to the Associated Press.

TRUMP HAILS ‘MONUMENTAL' DAMAGE AS EXPERTS AWAIT VERDICT ON IRAN’S NUCLEAR PROGRAM

Trump expressed his frustration with the end of the ceasefire, calling on both countries to end the conflict. He posted on social media calling on Israel not to strike, which he said would constitute "a major violation" of the ceasefire. Trump demanded that the Jewish state bring its pilots back home. 

The president also spoke about his disappointment with Israel’s response when answering questions from reporters outside the White House before heading to a NATO summit in the Netherlands. 

"I’ve got to get Israel to calm down now," Trump told reporters on Tuesday. "I don’t like the fact that Israel went out this morning and at all and I’m gonna see if I can stop it."

He later added that he did not believe the two countries were fighting because it’s all they have known for "so long."

"We basically have two countries that have been fighting so long and so hard that they don't know what the f--- they're doing," Trump said.

Shortly after speaking to reporters, Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social that Israel would not attack Iran and that the ceasefire was in effect.

"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!" He later posted a follow-up saying that Iran would "never rebuild [its] nuclear facilities."

Netanyahu's office later confirmed that the two leaders spoke and that following the conversation "Israel refrained from further strikes." The prime minister's office also noted that Trump "expressed his deep appreciation for Israel — which achieved all the objectives of the war. He also expressed his confidence in the stability of the ceasefire."

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