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At the urging of the United States, the Belarusian government on the 22nd released several political prisoners, including high-profile opposition leader Sergei Tikhanovsky. The move is being interpreted as a concrete sign of warming relations between the U.S. and Russia, Belarus's close ally.

According to Agence France-Presse (AFP), since U.S. President Donald Trump returned to the White House, he has pursued direct dialogue with Russian President Vladimir Putin, marking a departure from previous U.S. policies of distancing from Moscow. Instead, the Trump administration has pushed for normalization of bilateral ties, with both countries stressing deeper cooperation on diplomatic and security issues.

Tikhanovsky’s release came just hours after Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko met with U.S. envoy Keith Kellogg in Minsk—an eye-catching development in both timing and symbolism. Tikhanovsky's wife, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, herself a prominent opposition figure, expressed gratitude to the Trump administration for its mediation. “Words cannot express the joy in my heart,” she wrote on social platform X. Tikhanovskaya had taken her husband’s place in the 2020 presidential election after his arrest, ultimately losing but continuing her advocacy from exile as a leading voice of Belarus’s opposition movement.

European leaders also welcomed the news. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said it was "a powerful symbol of hope" for all political prisoners suffering under Lukashenko's regime. Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski expressed “sincere joy,” while Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics called the release “long-awaited and overdue.” German Deputy Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul also posted on X, calling it “excellent news.”

Tikhanovsky, 46, was arrested in the run-up to Belarus’s 2020 presidential election and has spent over five years in prison. He had planned to challenge Lukashenko’s decades-long rule, but was detained weeks before the vote. His wife stepped in to run in his place but lost, later fleeing the country.

In addition to Tikhanovsky, the release included 13 others, among them Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty journalist Igor Karnei, who had been imprisoned in 2023 on charges of involvement with an “extremist organization.” His release, along with others, suggests Belarus may be attempting to ease its long-standing political repression under growing international pressure.

Tensions in the Middle East have flared once again. In the early hours of the 20th local time, the Israel Defense Forces launched a new wave of airstrikes on the central Iranian city of Isfahan, specifically targeting critical nuclear facilities. According to reports, the attack was aimed at uranium enrichment plants and missile development centers, marking part of Israel’s ongoing campaign against Iran’s military and nuclear infrastructure.

Iranian state media reported several explosions in the early morning hours, with Isfahan’s air defense systems activated and successfully intercepting some drones and missiles. However, sources close to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps revealed that the strikes still caused some damage to the nuclear facilities. The extent of the damage and any potential casualties have not yet been disclosed.

Isfahan is a major hub for Iran’s nuclear program, hosting multiple facilities related to uranium conversion and enrichment, including support sites for the Natanz nuclear complex. These have long been viewed by Israel as significant threats. While Israel’s Defense Ministry has not officially acknowledged the operation, a senior official speaking anonymously to foreign media stated the strike was intended to “delay Iran’s progress toward acquiring nuclear weapons” and emphasized that “all options remain on the table.”

Iran’s Foreign Ministry condemned the attack as “a blatant act of aggression,” warning that any continued Israeli overreach would be met with a “swift and decisive response.” Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations has also filed a formal complaint to the Security Council, calling on the international community to condemn Israel’s military actions.

The international community is watching the situation closely. The United States stated it is monitoring developments and urged both sides to exercise restraint to prevent further escalation. The European Union once again called for the resumption of negotiations over Iran’s nuclear deal to avoid pushing the region into broader military conflict.

This strike comes amid already heightened tensions between Israel and Iran, raising concerns that the Middle East could spiral into a larger-scale war.

U.S. President Donald John Trump stated through a White House spokesperson on the 19th that he will decide within two weeks whether to take action against Iran. In response, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh warned in a media interview that if the United States joins Israel's airstrikes, the entire region will descend into a hellish situation.

Khatibzadeh emphasized that the conflict between Israel and Iran is not America's war. If the U.S. intervenes, it will only deepen the crisis and delay the end of brutal acts. He added that Trump would be remembered as a president who got involved in a war that did not belong to him.

Referring to Trump’s repeated claims that Iran could have avoided the conflict by accepting the nuclear deal, Khatibzadeh revealed that negotiations between Iran and the U.S. were ongoing before the Israeli attacks. He said the talks had nearly reached an agreement before the conflict erupted and derailed the process.

Khatibzadeh stressed that diplomacy remains the preferred solution and that under the current continuous bombardment, no meaningful negotiations can take place. He reiterated that Iran’s retaliation against Israel is a legitimate act of self-defense under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recently stated that Iran has now accumulated enough enriched uranium with a purity of 60%, just one step away from weapons-grade level at 90%. Khatibzadeh dismissed this as baseless, insisting that Iran has never had any plans to develop nuclear weapons.

Thailand and Cambodia clashed at the border on the 28th of last month, resulting in the death of a Cambodian soldier. The two countries held negotiations at the border over the past weekend, but both sides maintained a hardline stance, and no consensus was reached.

A leaked audio recording of a phone conversation between Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Cambodian strongman Hun Sen on the 15th surfaced online, sparking widespread discontent within Thailand. In response, all ministers from the Bhumjaithai Party—the second-largest party in the ruling coalition—tendered their resignations and withdrew from the government.

The Bhumjaithai Party accused Paetongtarn of compromising Thailand’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, national interests, and the military. Without Bhumjaithai’s support, the Pheu Thai Party can no longer maintain a majority in the House of Representatives, making future governance significantly more difficult. Natthaphong Ruengpanyawu, leader of the opposition People’s Party—the largest opposition party—declared that the incident had destroyed the prime minister’s credibility and called for the dissolution of the House and fresh elections.

At a press conference, Paetongtarn apologized to the Thai people for the leaked recording, urging national unity, an end to internal strife, and the protection of national sovereignty. She emphasized that the government fully supports the military in all aspects. Meanwhile, protesters gathered outside the Prime Minister’s Office, demanding her resignation.

Hun Sen is the father of current Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, while Paetongtarn is the daughter of former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Both former leaders maintain a close personal relationship and remain active in politics.

Iran’s state-owned Sepah Bank was recently hit by a devastating cyberattack, causing widespread system failures. Online banking services, digital platforms, and ATMs were all shut down. The hacker group behind the attack claimed to have completely destroyed internal data, resulting in wiped customer accounts and non-functional debit cards.

The group, known as Predatory Sparrow, is suspected to have ties to the Israeli government. It launched a large-scale cyber offensive targeting Sepah Bank, triggering major disruptions across Iran’s financial and communication infrastructure. In a statement posted on social media on the 17th, the group said it specifically targeted Sepah Bank due to its close connections with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), accusing the bank of helping the government evade international sanctions and funding terrorism and nuclear development programs. The hackers framed the operation as an act of justice.

While Israel has not officially acknowledged any connection to Predatory Sparrow, local media widely believe the group is affiliated with Israeli intelligence. Cybersecurity experts have also linked the group to previous incidents, including the 2021 cyberattack that crippled gas stations across Iran and the 2022 hacking of an Iranian steel plant, which led to fires and physical damage. Experts argue that the sophistication of these attacks suggests state-level capabilities.

Following the most recent breach, widespread internet disruptions were reported across Iran. Connectivity issues plagued much of the country, and Cloudflare data showed near-total outages at two major mobile internet providers, effectively plunging Iran into a state of "internet lockdown." While Iranian authorities claimed the issues were due to "technical problems," the complete shutdown of multiple banking services and reports from the public about inoperative ATMs and inaccessible financial services painted a different picture.

Several major banks, including Melli, Pasargad, and Eghtesad-e Novin, also experienced outages and card malfunctions. Fars News Agency confirmed that the cyberattack crippled Sepah Bank’s remote services and warned that gas stations supported by the bank’s infrastructure might also face disruptions.

Israel and Iran remain locked in ongoing conflict, with tensions between the two nations continuing to escalate. On June 17, the Israeli military claimed it had successfully killed Iran's top military commander, Ali Shadmani, during a nighttime airstrike operation. Shadmani, a close confidant of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, held high-ranking positions within both the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Iranian Armed Forces.

According to a report by Agence France-Presse (AFP), the Israeli military stated that its air force launched a precision strike in central Tehran, targeting a staffed command center. During the operation, they said they seized a “sudden opportunity” to eliminate Shadmani, described as the “wartime chief of staff” and the military leader closest to Khamenei. Shadmani had only been in his position for four days. His death is seen as a significant blow to Iran’s military structure.

In the early morning of June 16 (local time), Iran launched a new large-scale missile attack, firing dozens of missiles at Israeli territory. Air raid sirens sounded across the country. According to Israeli media reports, the attack resulted in casualties in several cities, including Tel Aviv, with at least five people killed and dozens injured. Residential and commercial facilities suffered severe damage.

In Tel Aviv, the intense shockwaves from the explosions caused minor damage to the U.S. Consulate building, including shattered windows and damaged external structures. No consulate staff were injured. U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee announced on X (formerly Twitter) that both the Tel Aviv consulate and the Jerusalem embassy would be temporarily closed for the day while safety assessments and evacuation procedures were carried out.

Iran’s state-run news agency IRNA cited a statement from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), claiming that the missile strikes had "successfully and effectively hit" multiple targets within Israel. In response, Israeli authorities stated that their air defense systems—including the Patriot and Iron Dome—intercepted many of the missiles, but were unable to stop all of them.

This incident marks the fourth day of escalating conflict between Iran and Israel. Previously, Israel had launched airstrikes targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities and military sites, reportedly causing heavy casualties on the Iranian side (estimated at 224 dead and 1,277 injured, with over 90% being civilians).

On the U.S. side, President Trump had earlier intervened to stop an Israeli plan to assassinate Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and warned that if any American personnel were injured, the U.S. would respond with strong measures.

Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi stated on the 15th that if Israel halts its aggression against Iran, Tehran will also end its attacks on Israel. He emphasized that unless circumstances force otherwise, Iran does not wish for the conflict with Israel to expand into neighboring countries, and that Iran’s response has been purely defensive.

Araghchi said that since the 13th, Israel has launched airstrikes targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities, “crossing a new red line.” He added that Israel also struck the South Pars gas field and related infrastructure in the Persian Gulf—an act of open aggression and a very dangerous move. Araghchi accused Israel of deliberately attempting to expand the war beyond Iran’s borders.

He reiterated that Tehran has only been responding to foreign aggression, and if Israel stops its attacks, Iran’s response will also cease. Araghchi further claimed that Israel’s attacks would not have happened without the approval and support of the United States. He said Tehran does not believe Washington’s claims of non-involvement in the recent Israeli strikes and urged the U.S. to demonstrate goodwill by condemning Israel’s attacks on Iranian nuclear sites.

Meanwhile, Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee issued evacuation warnings on social media, urging civilians to leave certain areas immediately, stating that proximity to these facilities could endanger lives. The warnings covered all weapons factories and related support infrastructure. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz later confirmed that the military would conduct airstrikes on these sites, targeting nuclear capabilities and weapons systems. The missile exchanges between Iran and Israel continue, with Israel saying its aim is to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons and to destroy its ballistic missile capabilities.

Foreign Minister Araghchi criticized the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), accusing it of being indifferent to the Israeli assault on Iran. He said the Israeli regime clearly has no interest in reaching any agreement on the nuclear issue, seeks neither negotiations nor diplomatic solutions. Araghchi also claimed that Israel’s recent attacks are intended to sabotage ongoing nuclear talks between Iran and the United States. “If Israeli aggression stops, our response will naturally cease,” he concluded.

On June 13, Israel launched a large-scale airstrike against Iran, code-named “Operation Rising Lion,” targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities, military bases, and high-ranking military officials. More than 200 Israeli fighter jets struck over 100 targets, with the primary focus on Iran’s main uranium enrichment site in Natanz. Missile bases, radar installations, and air defense systems were also destroyed.

At least 20 high-ranking Iranian military officers, including IRGC Commander Hossein Salami and Chief of Staff Mohammad Bagheri, along with 9 nuclear scientists, were reportedly killed in the attack. Israel’s intelligence agency, Mossad, is believed to have carried out precise assassinations of key figures inside Iran and disabled parts of its air defense network.

In retaliation, Iran launched approximately 200 missiles and drones, striking areas including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. The assault killed at least three people and injured dozens. Israel claimed that most of the projectiles were intercepted by its defense systems, while Iran asserted that its missiles successfully hit critical Israeli energy infrastructure. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei condemned the Israeli airstrikes as an act of war and vowed severe retaliation. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed damage to the Natanz facility but said no radiation leak was detected, emphasizing that nuclear sites should not be military targets.

According to a New York Times analysis, this airstrike could be a turning point in the Middle East. Columnist Thomas L. Friedman wrote that although Israel demonstrated military prowess and dealt a major blow to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard and nuclear program, the strike was highly provocative and may push the region toward full-scale war. Friedman noted that Israel failed to completely eliminate Iran’s nuclear capabilities and criticized Tel Aviv’s approach as overly aggressive. He also warned that if the U.S. is drawn into the conflict, it could deepen domestic political divisions—particularly between Republican isolationists and pro-Israel factions.

Despite the risks, Israel claimed to have significantly weakened Iran’s nuclear capabilities, and some officials even declared control over Tehran’s airspace. Attacks on Iranian oil refineries also reportedly continue. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that operations would persist until Iran’s nuclear threat is completely neutralized, suggesting a long-term campaign.

The escalation has triggered international alarm. The United Nations Security Council convened an emergency meeting. China and Russia condemned Israel, accusing it of violating Iranian sovereignty, while the United States assisted in intercepting incoming missiles but denied direct involvement in the airstrikes. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the deployment of Royal Air Force jets to the Middle East as a precaution. The conflict has caused oil prices to surge and heightened instability across the region.

In the early hours of the 13th, Israel launched a military operation named "Operation Rising Lion," targeting Iran’s nuclear and military facilities. As a result, airports across the Middle East experienced significant disruption.

The Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, issued a warning on social media stating that scheduled flights were affected due to the ongoing conflict. Travelers were advised to check with their airlines before departure to confirm flight status.

Emirates Airlines announced on its official website the cancellation of multiple flights, including several scheduled departures that day, as well as all flights to and from Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, and Jordan, citing the conflict as the reason.

Dubai International Airport also issued a statement, noting that the closure of airspace over Iran, Iraq, and Syria had led to delays and cancellations of some flights at both Dubai International Airport and Al Maktoum International Airport.