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✍️ Headline: U.S. Strikes Iran — Russia Steps In as Potential Mediator
✍️ Headline: U.S. Strikes Iran — Russia Steps In as Potential Mediator
Lead: In a dramatic escalation of the Iran–U.S. crisis, Operation Midnight Hammer saw U.S. forces bomb Iran’s nuclear sites on June 22, prompting Iran to retaliate with missile strikes and threats to blockade the Strait of Hormuz. Russia has condemned the attacks and quietly positioned itself as a diplomatic broker—accepting a mission from Tehran to discuss aid and mediation in Moscow.
📰 Latest Headlines
1. U.S. bombs three Iranian nuclear sites
On June 22, U.S. forces struck Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, launching a mix of submarine-launched Tomahawks and bunker-buster bombs. The operation, dubbed “Operation Midnight Hammer,” inflicted heavy damage, according to the U.S., though Iran claims the strikes were “superficial”
2. Trump threatens regime change
President Trump publicly floated the idea of regime change in Tehran — tweeting provocatively: “If the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn't there be a Regime change??? MIGA!!!”
3. Iran retaliates — missile attacks and Hormuz threats
Tehran responded with missile and drone strikes targeting Israel and threatened to block the Strait of Hormuz, a vital channel that handles roughly a quarter of global oil shipments
4. U.S. officials say diplomacy still on the table
Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized the U.S. is “not at war” with Iran, maintaining that regime change isn’t the official goal 5. Global backlash and calls for de-escalation
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UN, EU, UK, France, Germany and others called for calm and urged Iran not to escalate further
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Israel supported the U.S. actions and carried out its own strikes on Tehran, including targeting Evin Prison
6. Russia condemns U.S. strikes — offers to mediate
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Moscow strongly criticized the U.S. strike. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called it “unprovoked aggression” and warned of a dangerous escalation
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President Putin echoed these sentiments in a meeting with Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, labeling the attacks “absolutely unprovoked” and signaling deep concern
Russia formally offered to mediate between the U.S. and Iran — positioning itself as a diplomatic intermediary, though specific support measures remain unclear .
7. Ayatollah Khamenei seeks more from Russia
Supreme Leader Khamenei has dispatched Araqchi to Moscow requesting enhanced Russian backing — likely diplomatic, but possibly military assistance, though the absence of a mutual defense clause in the January partnership treaty complicates expectations
🧩 What It Means
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Escalation risk remains high: Military responses from Iran and Israel, U.S. threats of further strikes, and global alarm signal serious tension.
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Oil markets rattled: Talks of a potential Hormuz blockade and regional unrest drove Brent crude above $80/barrel earlier today .
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Diplomacy being tested: Russia’s mediation offer may shift dynamics—be it soft-peace efforts or deeper involvement.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| June 13 | Mossad‑aided missile & drone strikes by Iran at Israel launch the regional conflict |
| June 20–21 | U.S.–EU nuclear talks stall as Israel ramps up its strikes . |
| June 22 | U.S. bombs Iranian nuclear sites; Trump teases regime change . |
| June 22–23 | Iran launches missile strikes on Israel, threats made to shut Strait of Hormuz . |
| June 23 | Russia condemns strikes, Putin meets Araqchi, offers mediation; Iran presses for Russian support . |
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Today — MOSCOW, June 23 (Reuters) - Russia deeply regrets and condemns the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, the Kremlin said on Monday.
Putin tells Iranian foreign minister there was no justification for US attack
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Russia condemns US strikes, offers Iran support
Today
Israel-Iran live updates: IDF expands scope of attacks; Trump raises prospect of regime change in Iran
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Today — Follow today's breaking news from Ukraine. Key updates, major headlines, and top stories — all in one place. Updated daily by KyivPost.
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Iran’s supreme leader asks Putin to do more after US strikes
Today — Iran's supreme leader sent his foreign minister to Moscow on Monday to ask President
Sunday, June 22, 2025
Here are today’s top headlines on the U.S.–Iran airstrikes: 🗞️ Headline
U.S. Launches Operation “Midnight Hammer” on Iran
B-2 bombers and cruise missiles struck three heavily fortified nuclear sites—Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan—using 14 GBU‑57 bunker-busters and Tomahawks, reportedly “levels of destruction not seen since 9/11”
Trump Calls It a “Spectacular Military Success”
Declaring Iran’s enrichment capabilities “completely obliterated,” Trump emphasized precision over regime change and claimed readiness for diplomatic engagement
Iran Responds with Warnings and Missile Retaliation
Tehran vows “everlasting consequences,” reportedly launched missiles at Israel, and is weighing an oil-tank closure in the Strait of Hormuz—raising global oil and economic stability concerns
Global Leaders Call for De-escalation
United Nations Secretary-General Guterres, EU’s von der Leyen, and UK’s PM Starmer urged diplomatic resolution; Japan and other nations echoed similar caution
U.S. Faces Domestic Backlash
Congressional Democrats and anti-interventionist Republicans question legality and strategy; public support is low (~25%)
🔍 What This Could Mean Going Forward
1. Regional Military Escalation
Iran may intensify attacks on U.S. bases, targets linked to Israel, and shipping in the Gulf. Proxy groups like Hezbollah or Houthis could open additional fronts. Gulf states may take measures to fortify U.S. installations .
2. Energy Market Volatility
Threats to close the Strait of Hormuz could sharply spike oil prices and disrupt global markets
3. Diplomatic Deadlock
Alarm among allies and international bodies could isolate the U.S. diplomatically. Iran has halted nuclear talks, meaning any chance to revive the JCPOA is now far off
4. Long-Term Nuclear Proliferation Risk
Rather than deterring Iran’s nuclear efforts, the strikes may harden Tehran’s resolve to accelerate its program underground and seek nuclear weapons as a deterrent .
5. U.S. Credibility & Domestic Politics
Trump positions himself as decisive, but faces legal scrutiny and congressional pushback. A misstep could deepen U.S. involvement and erode the “peace through strength” claim .
6. Global Power Shift Dynamics
Beijing and Moscow may recalibrate: China will likely push for diplomacy but won’t militarily back Iran; Russia faces difficult balancing with Ukraine and Middle East ties
🧭 Bottom Line
The U.S. airstrikes are a dramatic escalation with immediate military gains—but they come with substantial risks: escalating conflict, economic ripples, diplomatic fallout, and unintended empowerment of Iran’s nuclear intentions. The world now watches closely for Tehran’s next move.
'Gone': US move stopped world in its tracks
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Nations around the world react to U.S. strikes on Iran, with ... - PBS
Today — He didn't specify which countries, but said the U.S. attack caused minimal damage and would not stop Tehran from pursuing nuclear weapons.
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In the wake of today's bombing of Iran by USA, what has brought us to this point since WW2
The History of U.S.–Iran Relations Since World War II: From Allies to Adversaries
The relationship between the United States and Iran has undergone profound transformations since the end of World War II, shifting from cooperative alliance to entrenched hostility. This complex history is shaped by geopolitics, oil, ideology, and power struggles, both domestic and international.
Post-War Alliance and the 1953 Coup
In the wake of World War II, Iran was strategically important to both the U.S. and the Soviet Union due to its oil reserves and geographic location. Initially, the U.S. supported Iran’s constitutional monarchy under Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi.
However, tensions escalated when Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh nationalized the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company (now BP) in 1951, challenging Western economic interests. In 1953, the CIA and Britain’s MI6 orchestrated a coup (Operation Ajax) to remove Mossadegh, restoring the Shah’s power. This event marked the beginning of deep Iranian mistrust toward U.S. involvement in its affairs.
The Shah’s Regime and U.S. Patronage (1953–1979)
Following the coup, the Shah became increasingly authoritarian, relying on U.S. military and economic support. The U.S. saw Iran as a bulwark against Soviet influence during the Cold War, and the Shah as a reliable regional partner. Iran purchased billions of dollars in American arms, and American advisors played a significant role in Iran’s governance and military.
While the Shah implemented modernization reforms—known as the White Revolution—they were top-down and repressive, alienating religious leaders, traditional merchants, and large segments of the population. The secret police, SAVAK, became infamous for torture and surveillance, much of it with U.S. training and funding.
The 1979 Islamic Revolution
Public resentment exploded in 1979 with the Islamic Revolution, led by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. The revolution deposed the Shah, who fled to the U.S. for medical treatment. Iranians, enraged by this, stormed the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, taking 52 American diplomats and citizens hostage for 444 days.
This crisis severed diplomatic relations between the two nations and reshaped American foreign policy in the Middle East. Iran was now officially an anti-American theocracy, while the U.S. began supporting Saddam Hussein’s Iraq during the Iran–Iraq War (1980–1988), further worsening ties.
1980s–1990s: Mutual Hostility and Proxy Conflicts
During the Iran–Iraq War, the U.S. supplied intelligence and materials to Iraq, despite Saddam’s use of chemical weapons. In 1988, the U.S. Navy mistakenly shot down Iran Air Flight 655, killing all 290 civilians aboard—a wound that remains open in Iranian collective memory.
Meanwhile, Iran was accused of backing anti-U.S. militias, including Hezbollah in Lebanon, which was responsible for attacks on American military and diplomatic targets. Throughout the 1990s, U.S. policy became one of "dual containment" of both Iran and Iraq. Sanctions were imposed to curb Iran’s alleged support for terrorism and its nuclear ambitions.
2000s: The Nuclear Crisis and Axis of Evil
In 2002, President George W. Bush labeled Iran part of the “Axis of Evil,” further isolating the country. The discovery of undeclared Iranian nuclear facilities intensified Western fears of weapon development. The U.S. led international efforts to limit Iran’s nuclear program through sanctions and diplomacy.
Yet during this period, Iran also played a complex role in Afghanistan and Iraq. Initially cooperating with the U.S. against the Taliban, Iran later supported Shi’a militias opposing U.S. forces in Iraq, deepening mutual suspicion.
2015 Nuclear Deal and Its Collapse
After years of multilateral negotiations, Iran and six world powers (including the U.S.) reached the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2015. The deal limited Iran’s nuclear activity in exchange for sanctions relief. President Obama hailed it as a diplomatic breakthrough.
However, in 2018, President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from the deal, calling it "fatally flawed," and re-imposed crippling sanctions. Iran responded by gradually exceeding JCPOA limits. Tensions reached a peak in 2020 when a U.S. drone strike killed Iranian General Qassem Soleimani in Iraq. Iran retaliated with missile attacks on U.S. bases.
Recent Years: Strategic Stalemate and Stalled Diplomacy
Under President Joe Biden, the U.S. sought to return to the nuclear deal, but negotiations have faced delays and stalemates. Iran’s domestic crackdowns, support for Russia in the Ukraine war, and regional activities—including backing proxy groups in Yemen, Syria, and Lebanon—have kept relations tense.
In 2023 and 2024, indirect talks continued, but hardliners in both governments have made compromise elusive. The emergence of regional conflicts, including escalations with Israel and proxy attacks on U.S. interests, has kept the U.S.–Iran relationship fraught and volatile.
Conclusion: A Relationship Defined by Distrust
The U.S.–Iran relationship since World War II is one of the most consequential and troubled in modern history. What began as a Cold War-era alliance was upended by revolution, religious ideology, and geopolitical rivalry. Despite moments of potential cooperation, the legacy of intervention, sanctions, and violence has created a deeply entrenched mistrust.
While the future remains uncertain, any path forward will likely require mutual recognition of past grievances and an unprecedented willingness to engage beyond cycles of hostility and retaliation.
Tags: #IranUSRelations #MiddleEastPolitics #NuclearDiplomacy #IranHistory #ForeignPolicy #ColdWarLegacy
Monday, June 16, 2025
Here’s today’s UK headline roundup—served with a healthy side of satire #ttcnews #politicauk
🚧 “Reeves Plans to Fix Bridges (Again)”
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has announced a “10‑year infrastructure plan” to fix every collapsed bridge, rickety flyover, and tunnel heading toward collapse—including an extra £590 m for the Lower Thames Crossing. Because nothing says political promise like finally admitting infrastructure is falling apart… half a decade too late
🕵️ “Grooming Inquiry—This Time It’s Personal”
Keir Starmer has green‑lit a national inquiry into historic grooming‑gang scandals—just as the Tories accused him of “jumping on the far‑right bandwagon.” Now he’s firmly planting his flag: “Yes, we were slow. But hey—we noticed!”
📈 “FTSE Tops Itself While We Cheer (Slightly)”
The FTSE 100 hit a record-high—prompting financial markets to pull a face like they’ve just bitten mint‑flavoured gum. Thanks to strong earnings from Entain, BT, Vodafone, and a Metro Bank takeover tease—Brazilian carnival vibes in the City Club
✈️ “Air India Crash: Awful, and Somehow Still Political”
Tragedy struck as an Air India Dreamliner carrying 53 Brits crashed near Ahmedabad. With only one British survivor, the nation's mourning is mingled with renewed Boeing scrutiny—because nothing brings UK‑India relations closer than collective grief and aircraft investigations
🎶 “Franz Ferdinand to Tour UK in 2026 (Because WHY NOT?)”
On the lighter side: indie rock revival! Franz Ferdinand confirmed a UK/Europe tour for spring 2026—just enough time to rebuild all those bridges and roads they’ll be flying over
In summary: A perfect storm of Mr. Fix‑it policies, delayed political epiphanies, market mysticism, tragic headlines, and a rock ‘n’ roll cameo—no better way to mark Monday in Blighty.
Today’s UK news highlights
ft.com
Rachel Reeves to set out 10-year UK infrastructure plan
Today
Friday, June 6, 2025
Friday, February 28, 2025
Supporters Stand With Zelenskyy
Zelensky leaves White House early!
— UKRAINIAN SQUAD🇺🇦 (@ukrainiansquad) February 28, 2025
Goooooooooooooooooooooooood
The world stands with you Zelensky 🫶
pic.twitter.com/mfe600ZZGN
How is Ukraine Feeling after the Oval Office Debacle today?
#StandWithZelensky fuck Putin and his assets in the White House. pic.twitter.com/nB09GjMEky
— CitiZenSane (@Citi_ZenSane) February 28, 2025
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