In the Red Sea, a Liberian-flagged ship, the Magic Seas, was targeted in a serious assault. The attack, suspected to be conducted by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, involved small arms, rocket-propelled grenades, and potentially bomb-carrying drone boats. The crew abandoned the ship as it took on water, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing tensions. This attack occurs amid a delicate geopolitical climate, with a possible ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war and as Iran considers nuclear negotiations.
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A senior Iranian cleric, Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi, has issued a fatwa declaring anyone who threatens Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as an “enemy of God.” The fatwa, which was a response to threats from U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli leaders, extends to senior Shiite clerics, and calls on Muslims worldwide to hold those responsible for the threats accountable. This ruling, which directly named Trump, may influence judicial decisions, particularly in countries with Sharia-based legal systems. The fatwa follows a period of heightened tensions, including a 12-day conflict, and could potentially lead to crackdowns on opposition forces.
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Following recent U.S. strikes on its nuclear program, Iran will not retaliate further and is open to negotiations with Washington, according to a senior government official. However, Iran will continue uranium enrichment despite the attacks, emphasizing their long-standing position. The U.S. strikes, which included the use of “bunker buster bombs” on key Iranian sites, followed an earlier Israeli attack and Iranian missile responses. Despite the tension, a fragile ceasefire is currently in place.
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A new bipartisan bill has been proposed in the US Congress that would grant the president the authority to provide Israel with advanced military assets, including B-2 bombers and bunker-buster bombs. This move aims to bolster Israel’s defensive capabilities in the face of potential threats from Iran, particularly concerning its nuclear program. The bill empowers the president to act decisively in the event of Iranian aggression or nuclear weapon development. If passed, this legislation could significantly alter the balance of power in the region and further cement the US-Israel alliance.
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Following American and Israeli airstrikes on its nuclear facilities, Iran has ordered the suspension of its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency. The order, which was announced on state television, came after a parliamentary law was passed, though no specific details or timelines were given. Despite this, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi signaled a willingness to continue negotiations with the United States. This decision has been condemned by Israel, which has called on European nations to reimpose sanctions. The move, however, stops short of a complete severing of ties, with IAEA inspectors remaining at the sites for now.
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A Danish national has been arrested in Denmark and will be extradited to Germany on suspicion of spying for Iran, specifically gathering information on Jewish sites and individuals in Berlin. German prosecutors allege the suspect, identified as Ali S, collected intelligence on three properties in preparation for further activities, potentially including attacks on Jewish targets, under orders from Iranian intelligence services. The German Foreign Ministry has summoned the Iranian ambassador, condemning the actions as a threat to Jews worldwide, while the Iranian embassy in Berlin has dismissed the accusations as unfounded. The suspect will be brought before a German judge after extradition, and the German-Israeli Society and other groups have called for strong action against the Iranian regime.
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An Iran-linked hacking group has threatened to release a trove of emails allegedly stolen from Donald Trump’s aides, including Roger Stone and Susie Wiles, according to Reuters. The group, which previously released emails during the 2024 presidential campaign, claims to possess approximately 100 gigabytes of data. U.S. officials, including CISA, have condemned the threat as a “calculated smear campaign” and warned of consequences for those involved in the potential national security breach. The hackers’ motive shifted after Trump’s intervention in the Iran-Israel crisis and the release of information to news outlets.
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The former president reportedly claimed to have allowed Iran to bomb a U.S. military base as retaliation, sparking little outrage despite the implication of a shocking dereliction of duty. Meanwhile, allies are attacking journalists and press for reporting that contradicts claims about Iran, while Senate Republicans are inciting hostility towards the nonpartisan Senate Parliamentarian. Further, the Trump administration is dismantling programs designed to prevent political violence and terrorism, and is continuing to reverse civil rights protections. Finally, the administration is looking to relax gun restrictions and continues to take actions that target marginalized groups.
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Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi issued a fatwa declaring US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “enemies of God” due to their perceived threats against Iran’s leadership. This decree calls upon Muslims globally to unite against the leaders, viewing any support for them as forbidden. A “mohareb,” or enemy of God, under Iranian law, can face severe penalties, including execution. This fatwa, mirroring past instances of religious decrees, was issued following a period of heightened conflict between Iran, Israel, and the US, with the fatwa urging Muslims to make the leaders regret their actions.
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Following recent U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, a heated exchange has erupted between Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and former U.S. President Donald Trump. Khamenei accused Trump of exaggeration, while Trump responded by declaring he is offering Iran “nothing” and refusing engagement. The online conflict comes after a fragile U.S.-brokered ceasefire ending a 12-day Iran-Israel war during which the U.S. carried out the strikes. The effectiveness of the strikes and the potential for renewed conflict remain uncertain.
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John Q. Hosedrinker