UPDATED: Int'l, Arab rights advocates reaffirm commitment to Palestinian rights, oppose forced displacement - Foreign Affairs
The International Conference against the Forced Displacement of Palestinians reaffirmed Thursday its commitment to supporting Palestinian rights, resisting forced displacement, and ensuring accountability for crimes committed against them.
In a final statement, the conference strongly condemned all attempts aimed at forcibly displacing Gaza's residents, stressing that such actions constitute a grave violation of international law and a contribution to genocide.
The conference, which brought together over 80 Arab and international human rights advocates, aimed to mobilize regional and global efforts to prevent the forced displacement of Palestinians in the occupied Gaza Strip.
Six human rights organizations organized the conference, which featured speakers from the National Council for Human Rights (NCHR), the Arab Network for National Human Rights Institutions (ANNHRIs), the Arab Organization for Human Rights (AOHR), and the Palestinian Al-Mezan Centre for Human Rights.
This follows a series of events held to reject US President Donald Trump's recent proposal suggesting that Washington "takes control" of Gaza, forcibly displaces its native Palestinian population, and establishes a "Middle Eastern Riviera."
This proposal, which cited Egypt, Jordan, and other Arab countries as potential destinations for Palestinians, has sparked global outrage and a collective rejection from Arab nations.
It further affirmed the Palestinian people's right to self-determination, an inalienable right that no international or regional power can override.
The statement urged the international community to end Israel's occupation and establish an independent Palestinian state along the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
'We express our appreciation and support for Arab and international positions rejecting forced displacement, particularly those of Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE,' it said.
The statement denounced Israeli policies aimed at imposing new realities on the ground through continued aggression, settlement expansion, and forced displacement.
'We hold Israel fully responsible for its crimes against the Palestinian people,' the statement read.
Additionally, it called on the signatories of the Geneva Conventions to take legal measures to protect Palestinian civilians from war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza, the West Bank, and Jerusalem.
The conference urged the UN Security Council and the international community to take decisive action against Israeli policies and violations and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.
'We support unhindered humanitarian aid to Gaza and stress the essential role of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), condemning all efforts to undermine it through illegal legislation or decisions to end its operations,' it said.
The statement further committed to the Palestinian people's right to reconstruction and a dignified life, free from external interference that hinders rebuilding efforts.
'We support Egypt's reconstruction plan for Gaza and urge Arab nations and the international community to support such plans,' it said, rejecting any attempts to obstruct reconstruction efforts or impose political conditions.
The statement emphasized Israel's responsibility for the destruction and necessary reparations, committing to presenting the conference's outcomes to international organizations.
'We urge human rights organizations, media, and unions to expose Israeli violations and defend Palestinian rights,' it added.
The statement also called on all Palestinians to strengthen their national unity in the face of grave threats posed by Israeli policies aimed at erasing their existence.
Israeli terrorism
Addressing the conference, NCHR Secretary-General Fahmy Fayed noted that forced displacement is a humanitarian crime and a violation of international law, to which the Palestinian people have been subjected systematically since the 1948 Nakba.
Fayed also highlighted the Israeli policies of settlement and home demolitions, accusing Israel of attempting to alter the demography of the occupied Palestinian territories.
Furthermore, he urged vigilance against Israeli and US statements about 'voluntary displacement" from Gaza until the reconstruction happens, affirming that such endeavours aim to liquidate the Palestinian cause.
He said the concept of "voluntary displacement" ultimately leads to "forced displacement" due to the destruction of livelihoods.
Fayed also called for supporting the Palestinians' right to self-determination and the two-state solution.
Meanwhile, President of the AOHR Alaa Shalby expressed his support for the Egyptian and Jordanian stance against Israeli-American attempts to dismantle the Palestinian cause, emphasising its centrality to his organization's work for decades.
Shalby called for concerted action to counter the threats facing the Palestinians, considering this a key motivation for the conference.
He condemned "Israeli terrorism" and "American arrogance," pledging continued support for the Palestinian people.
For his part, ANNHRIs Secretary-General Sultan bin Hassan Al-Jamali highlighted the danger of the forced displacement threats facing the Palestinians.
He asserted that the conference aims to address an "international tyranny and oppression seeking to impose its will over peoples of the world and confiscate their right to self-determination, giving priority to its whims over the human rights' international charter.'
Al-Jamali affirmed the Arab organization's commitment to defending Palestinians and strengthening their resistance, describing the Palestinian cause as 'the cause of all Arabs, Muslims, and every man of honour.'
'Stifling the Palestinian cause is humiliation and stifling of the entire Arab nation,' he asserted.
The director of the Al-Mezan Centre, Issam Younis, also described the situation as the most dangerous since the 1948 Nakba.
Since the onset of its war on Gaza, Israel has sought to displace the Palestinians toward the Egyptian border to empty northern Gaza, he noted.
However, the Palestinians have returned on foot to their destroyed homes since the ceasefire began.
"Instead of the displacement of Palestinians to the south, we are currently witnessing their return to the north,' Younis said, hailing the scene.
He further highlighted the destruction and casualties caused in Gaza by the Israeli war, which has killed and wounded over 160,000 Palestinians.
In addition, he praised Egypt and Jordan for rejecting the liquidation of the Palestinian cause and condemning the genocide in Gaza and the West Bank.
The conference addressed four main areas of focus. First, it discussed enhancing the humanitarian response, emphasizing the need for international support mechanisms to alleviate the deteriorating conditions in the Gaza Strip.
Second, it focused on accountability efforts and exploring ways to prosecute those responsible for serious violations against the Palestinian people under international law.
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🔴 LIVE UPDATES: Qatar closes airspace as Iranian retaliation against US attacks looms - Region
Ahram Online provides live coverage of the unfolding military confrontation between Israel and Iran as the two sides have waged deadly strikes against one another for the 11th day in a row. Related UNSC condemns strikes on Iran nuclear sites but avoids naming US Adviser to Iran's Khamenei says US 'no longer' has place in Middle East - as it happened Here's how Iran could retaliate after US strikes on its nuclear program Iran's armed forces threatened on Monday to inflict "serious, unpredictable consequences" on the United States in retaliation for its strikes on nuclear sites. US warplanes unleashed bunker-buster bombs on Isfahan, Natanz, and the underground uranium enrichment facility at Fordo, in support of the bombardment campaign that ally Israel began on 13 June. "This hostile act... will widen the scope of legitimate targets of the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran and pave the way for the extension of war in the region," said armed forces spokesman Ebrahim Zolfaghari on state television. Ali Akbar Velayati, an adviser to Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said bases used by US forces "in the region or elsewhere" could be attacked. On Sunday, the US State Department issued a "worldwide caution" for Americans. The leaders of Britain, France, and Germany called on Iran "not to take any further action that could destabilise the region." At a Sunday UN Security Council emergency meeting, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned against "descending into a rathole of retaliation after retaliation." 18:51 State media in Lebanon says Israel has carried out airstrikes in parts of the country's south, including the Hezbollah stronghold of Apple province. There is no immediate word on casualties. Monday's airstrikes were more intense than the usual, near-daily ones that Israel has carried out since a ceasefire ended its 14-month the Israeli war on the country in November. Hezbollah leader, Naim Kassem, has indicated that the resistance group will not join the war between Iran and Israel for now. Kassem spoke in his first public comments since the US inserted itself into the war on Sunday. He says his group is ready to back any decision taken by the Lebanese state to force Israel to stop the war. He also tells the Iran-backed group's Al-Ahad newspaper in a report published Monday that the attacks on Iran will 'have a high cost' as the whole region is in danger, and says Donald Trump's threats to kill Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei are a 'vile act and a sign of weakness.' 18:46 Qatar temporarily suspended air traffic around the country, its foreign ministry said Monday, after nearby Iran threatened retaliation for US strikes on its nuclear sites. "The competent authorities announce the temporary suspension of air traffic in the country's airspace, as part of a set of precautionary measures taken based on developments in the region," the foreign ministry said. Qatar is home to the United States' largest base in the region. 18:31 Explosions were heard near the southwestern Iranian city of Ahvaz, the Fars news agency reported, as fighting raged between Israel and Iran for an 11th day. Fars said the blasts were heard on the western outskirts of the city, which is the capital of Khuzestan province on the border with Iraq. 18:16 The Israeli army said that it would keep up its strikes on the Iranian capital, urging residents to stay away from security installations for their own safety. The army "will continue to strike military targets in the Tehran area in the coming days," read a statement posted in Persian on X, adding: "For your safety, we urge you to keep your distance from the regime's weapons manufacturing facilities, military headquarters, and the security institutions". This UGC image posted on social media shows a plume of smoke billowing after Israeli strikes in Tehran the same day. AFP 18:15 An Iranian Shahed 101 drone crashed this afternoon in the Jordanian capital's Umm Uthaina area, damaging the patio of a restaurant, according to Director of Military Media Brigadier General Mustafa Hyari as reported by the Jordanian news agency Petra. The Director of Military Media confirmed that the drone carried an explosive warhead that did not detonate and was successfully dismantled by the Royal Engineering Corps after the area was secured. Hyari stated that hundreds of drones and missiles have partially fallen in Jordan in recent days, while 30 fully intact drones with explosive payloads landed, mostly in uninhabited areas. However, three drones struck residential buildings in Umm Uthaina, Abu Nuseir, and Azraq. He urged citizens to avoid fallen objects, remain indoors when sirens sound, and report sightings to relevant authorities. Hyari warned that some drones may carry explosives or toxic chemicals and emphasized that only trained security teams should handle them. 17:30 US President Donald Trump urged for oil prices to be kept down as they fluctuated while the world eyes Tehran's response to US strikes on Iran. "EVERYONE, KEEP OIL PRICES DOWN. I'M WATCHING!" Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform minutes after Wall Street started trading, with major US indexes treading water. Trump cautioned against "playing right into the hands of the enemy." Trump urged the US Energy Department in a separate social media post to "DRILL, BABY, DRILL!!! And I mean NOW!!!" Iran is the ninth-biggest oil-producing country globally and exports just under half of the 3.3 million barrels it produces each day. 16:58 Foreign oil firms including giants BP and Total evacuated some foreign staff from southern Iraq amid regional tensions, the state-owned Basra Oil Company said Monday. "Firms operating in the fields of the Basra Oil Company have temporarily evacuated some of their foreign personnel" including British BP, French Total and Italian firm ENI, the company said in a statement, adding that operations were not affected. 16:41 Iran's armed forces chief of staff Abdolrahim Mousavi vowed that the country would take "firm action" in response to US strikes on key nuclear sites. "This crime and desecration will not go unanswered," said Mousavi in a video statement published on state TV, adding that "we will take firm action against the American mistake". 16:39 Dashcam video captured a huge explosion next to a road in Ashdod in Israel, as Iran launched a new wave of strikes following Israeli and US attacks on its territory. The missile appeared to hit near a power station in the city, BBC reported. Ashdod, is Israel's largest sea port cargo volume and is a major gateway for goods and cargo to and from the State of Israel. It is responsible for about 40 percent of Israel's total maritime-bound trade. Ashdod also hosts a key naval base for Patrol Boats Squadron 916, that has been playing a key role in Israeli genocidal war in Gaza. Dashcam video captured a huge explosion next to a road in Ashdod in Israel, as Iran launched a new wave of strikes following Israeli and US attacks on its nuclear sites. — Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) June 23, 2025 Israel's state power company reported supply disruptions after damage near a "strategic infrastructure facility" without naming Ashdod. "Due to damage near a strategic infrastructure facility of the Israel Electric Corporation... disruptions in electricity supply are being reported in several communities in the area," the IEC said in a statement, without specifying the cause. Avraham Rabukhin, head of the grid division for the Tel Aviv and Coastal district, later told AFP that a missile fell near one of the company's facilities. Journalists were allowed to film the area of the strike, but under Israel's military censorship were ordered not to publish any information about the location. Iran launched at least three salvos of missiles at Israel on Monday morning. The full extent of the damage from Iran's attacks on Israel is not known due to military censorship rules, but at least 50 impacts have been acknowledged nationwide and 24 people have died, according to official figures. 16:20 At least two supertankers made U-turns near the Strait of Hormuz following US military attacks on Iran, Reuters reported. The Coswisdom Lake, a very large crude carrier supertanker, reached the strait on Sunday before making a U-turn and sailed south of the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas, Kpler and LSEG data showed. On Monday it turned back again, resuming its journey towards the port of Zirku in the United Arab Emirates. The Coswisdom Lake was scheduled to load crude at Zirku for delivery to China. The South Loyalty, also a VLCC, made a similar U-turn and remained outside the strait on Monday, LSEG data showed. It was scheduled to load crude from Iraq's Basra terminal, according to Kpler data and two shipping sources. Three empty oil and chemical tankers have diverted away from the Strait of Hormuz, according to MarineTraffic data as reported by the Times of Israel. The Marie C, an oil tanker sailing under the flag of the Marshall Islands, and Red Ruby, a crude oil tanker flying the flag of Panama, dropped anchor near Fujairah in the UAE, while the Kohzan Maru, another oil tanker flying the british flag, was tracked sailing in the Gulf of Oman. Japan's Nippon Yusen and Mitsui OSK Lines have also instructed their vessels to minimise time in the Gulf as a precaution. The strategic waterway remains tense amid escalating regional instability. 16:17 Qatar's foreign ministry confirmed that the country's security situation remains stable, following a precautionary message from the US Embassy advising American citizens to shelter in place. Foreign ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari said the alert did not point to any specific threat. He added that Qatar stands ready to take "all necessary measures" to safeguard citizens and residents. The advisory had raised concerns earlier in the day, though no incidents were reported. 16:10 Power supply was restored to northern Tehran after outages caused by an Israeli air raid earlier in the day, local media reported. "The outages were completely resolved in northern Tehran," Tasnim news agency said, citing the regional electricity company. 16:05 Iran arrested a European national on suspicion of spying for Israel, state TV reported. State television cited judicial authorities as saying that a spy for Israel was arrested in the western province of Hamadan, adding that the "spy is a citizen of a European country", without elaborating. "The spy entered the country disguised as a tourist and continued the mission of networking, gathering information, and disrupting offensive and missile systems in Iran," it added. 16:00 The US Embassy in Qatar told Americans in the country "to shelter in place until further notice," The Wall Street Journal reported. The embassy didn't provide a reason, as the region anticipates possible Iranian attacks on American interests in retaliation for US bombing of Iran. 15:55 Israel is looking to wrap up its war with Iran soon, Israeli and Arab officials told The Wall Street Journal, as Tel Aviv is capitalizing on the US attack to end the fighting. Israel expects to get through its list of "military targets" in Iran in the coming days, Israeli officials told the paper. According to WSJ, the US has told Arab officials in the region that Israel is seeking to end the fight soon, Arab officials say, and has asked for the message to be passed along to Iran. Iran has responded that it isn't yet ready to back off, as it feels compelled to respond to the US attack on Iranian nuclear sites, the officials said. 14:00 Israel's army said it was striking command centres of Iran's Revolutionary Guards and other domestic security forces responsible for "maintaining the regime's stability." "These forces consist of various corps and command centers and are responsible, on behalf of the Iranian regime's military, for defending the homeland security, suppressing threats, and maintaining the regime's stability," it said in a statement. Israeli Air Force fighter jets have dropped over 100 munitions on Tehran in the past two hours, according to the army. 13:30 Iran's judiciary said Israeli strikes hit Tehran's Evin prison, leaving sections of the facility damaged. "In the latest attack by the Zionist regime on Tehran, projectiles unfortunately struck Evin prison, causing damage to parts of the facility," said the judiciary's Mizan Online website. It added that all resources had been deployed to manage the complex and the situation remained "under control". Israel's arny said it "is carrying out strikes of unprecedented force against regime targets and agencies of government repression in the heart of Tehran. Among the targets... (is) Evin Prison and additional regime-related targets," Israel Katz said in a post on X. 13:00 Israeli strikes hit a power supply system in the Iranian capital, triggering outages in some areas around the city, Iranian media reported. The power distribution line in northern Tehran "was damaged, causing outages in some areas," Fars news agency reported. 12:30 Russian President Vladimir Putin slammed Israeli and American strikes on Tehran as "unprovoked aggression" and said Moscow was trying to help the Iranian people as he hosted Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Moscow. "This is an absolutely unprovoked aggression against Iran," Putin told Araghchi, calling the strikes "unjustified" and adding that Russia was "making efforts to provide assistance to the Iranian people." 12:15 Israel carried out a fresh strike on Iran's underground Fordo nuclear site south of Tehran, Tasnim news agency reported. "The aggressor attacked the Fordow nuclear site again," Tasnim said, quoting a spokesperson for the crisis management authority in Qom province, where the site is located. Meanwhile, UN nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi said that Sunday's US bombing probably caused 'very significant' damage to the underground areas of Iran's Fordow uranium enrichment plant, dug into a mountain. However, no one has yet told the extent. 'Given the explosive payload utilised and the extreme(ly) vibration-sensitive nature of centrifuges, very significant damage is expected to have occurred,' Grossi said in a statement to an emergency meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency's 35-nation Board of Governors. 'I indicated that any transfer of nuclear material from a safeguarded facility to another location in Iran must be declared to the Agency as required under Iran's Safeguard Agreement, and I expressed my readiness to work with Iran on this matter,' he added. 11:40 France's foreign minister, Jean-Noël Barrot, has warned against any attempts to force regime change in Iran. He noted his country's concern about an escalation of the Middle East conflict that could be 'devastating' for the region and have serious consequences for global stability. Arriving at a meeting of EU foreign ministers, Barrot called on Iran not to take action to aggravate the situation, adding that Iran's nuclear programme was 'an existential risk' for Israel, the wider region, and Europe. Meanwhile, Germany's foreign minister said Iran needs to engage in direct talks with the United States, though the European Union remains ready to participate in negotiations. 'Iran says it only wants to negotiate with Europe, and we see that as a good sign but we do also say that's not sufficient. We want to see the United States being involved,' German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said, speaking to journalists in Brussels ahead of the EU foreign ministers' meeting. 11:30 Ali Shamkhani, senior advisor to Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, confirmed that the Tehran still retains its stockpile of enriched uranium despite U.S. strikes on three nuclear sites. In a post on X, Shamkhani wrote, 'Even if the nuclear facilities are destroyed, the game is not over. The enriched materials, domestic expertise, and political will remain.' He added, 'The political and operational initiative now belongs to the side that plays smart and avoids blind strikes. The surprises are not over.' 11:25 Iran's Red Crescent said an Israeli strike hit near its building in northern Tehran. "New attack around the Red Crescent... building," the emergency service said in a post on its Telegram channel, accompanied by a video of smoke rising from the site of the attack. An AFP journalist had earlier reported hearing loud explosions north of the Iranian capital. The Israeli military later announced it had begun a series of strikes on military targets in Tehran, without elaborating. 11:15 An Iranian closure of the Strait of Hormuz would be dangerous and 'not good for anybody', the European Union's top diplomat said. 'The concerns of retaliation and this war escalating are huge, especially closing of the strait of Hormuz by Iran is something that would be extremely dangerous and not good for anybody,' Kaja Kallas told reporters ahead of a meeting with EU foreign ministers. Iran's Press TV reported on Sunday that Iran's Supreme National Security Council needed to make a final decision on whether to close the strait, after parliament was reported to back the measure, Reuters reported. About 20% of global oil and gas demand flows through the channel. 11:00 The Israeli army said it has attacked six airports in Iran, destroying 15 aircraft and damaging runways. The military posted on social media that the airports targeted were in western, eastern, and central Iran. It added that the drone strikes destroyed F-15 and F-5 fighter jets, a refuelling plane, and an AH-1 Cobra attack helicopter. It also said runways and underground bunkers were damaged. It's not clear when these attacks happened. Iran has not yet confirmed the attack. 10:52 Loud explosions were heard in Jerusalem after the Israeli army warned that a fresh barrage of missiles had been launched from Iran. Around 10 minutes after announcing the missiles had been identified, the military said "additional missiles were launched" towards Israel and urged people to take cover. The military also admitted that one of its drones was downed during an operation on Monday morning in Iran. 10:40 China urged Iran and Israel to de-escalate in order to prevent the "spillover" of their war. "The Chinese side urges the parties to the conflict to prevent the situation from escalating repeatedly, resolutely avoid the spillover of war, and return to the path of political resolution," foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said. Beijing also stressed that the international community must do more to prevent fighting between Iran and Israel from impacting the global economy, noting the "Persian Gulf and surrounding waters are important international trade routes". "Maintaining security and stability in this region is in the common interests of the international community," the foreign ministry's Guo said. "China calls on the international community to make greater efforts to promote the de-escalation of the conflict and prevent regional instability from having a greater impact on global economic development," he added. 10:30 Iran said the Israel and US attacks launched on the Islamic Republic during talks about its nuclear program were a "betrayal of diplomacy". "We and future generations will not forget that the Iranians were in the middle of a diplomatic process with a country that is now at war with us," said foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei. "Two days before the start of the negotiations, they attacked us militarily. It is a betrayal of diplomacy and the principle of dialogue," he added. 10:15 Oil prices were higher, and the dollar strengthened after the United States struck Iran's nuclear facilities over the weekend. Iran is the world's ninth-biggest oil-producing country, with an output of about 3.3 million barrels per day. It exports just under half of that amount and consumes the rest. When trading opened on Monday, Brent and the main US crude contract, WTI, jumped more than four percent to their highest prices since January. - Key figures at around 0700 GMT - Brent North Sea Crude: UP 1.1 percent at $78.08 per barrel West Texas Intermediate: UP 1.1 percent at $74.89 per barrel 10:20 North Korea condemned US strikes on Iran, calling it a violation of the United Nations charter and blaming the tension in the Middle East on the "reckless valor of Israel". "The Democratic People's Republic of Korea strongly denounces the attack on Iran by the US which severely violated the UN Charter with respect for sovereignty," said a spokesperson of the North's foreign ministry, according to a statement carried by the state news agency. The ongoing regional tension was an "inevitable product brought by the reckless valor of Israel", the unnamed spokesperson added, claiming the Jewish state "has promoted its unilateral interests through ceaseless war moves and territorial expansion". 10:00 A series of high-level international meetings is being held this week to address the military escalation between Israel and Iran following U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, according to BBC News. The UN Security Council is due to meet again after its Sunday session to discuss U.S. strikes on Iran's nuclear sites, as Russia, China, and Pakistan proposed that the 15-member body adopt a resolution calling for an "immediate ceasefire" in Iran. A NATO summit is opening in the Netherlands, and the situation in the Middle East is almost certain to be discussed. The board of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the UN's nuclear watchdog, is holding an emergency meeting. EU foreign ministers are also meeting in Belgium. 09:45 Sirens sounded across Israel and Iran as both countries exchanged their latest round of fires. People gather in an underground shelter in Tel Aviv on 23 June 2025. AFP The Israeli army said it was intercepting missiles from Iran, while Iranian state media Fars said the air defence system was working to counter a drone attack. Israel's army said in a statement that more than 15 fighter jets had struck the Kermanshah area in western Iran, "neutralising a number of surface-to-surface missile launch and storage sites aimed toward Israeli territory". 09:40 Iran's judiciary said it executed a man found guilty of spying for Israel. "Mohammad-Amin Mahdavi Shayesteh was hanged this morning for intelligence cooperation with the Zionist regime," the judiciary said, using Iran's term for Israel. Shayesteh was alleged to have had ties with Mossad, Israel's foreign intelligence agency. He was also convicted of collaborating with Iran International, a Persian-language TV channel based in London that is critical of the Iranian government. Iran frequently announces the arrest or execution of individuals it accuses of working with foreign intelligence agencies, particularly its arch-foe, Israel. On Sunday, authorities pledged to speed up such cases. The same day, the judiciary announced the execution of Majid Mosayebi, who was also convicted of being an agent for Mossad. 09:35 Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was due to hold "important" talks with Russia's key ally Vladimir Putin on Monday, 48 hours after a major US attack on Iran. Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, adjusts his headphones during a press conference at the Lutfi Kirdar Congress Center on the sidelines of the 51st session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), in Istanbul on 22 June 2025. AFP "In this new dangerous situation ... our consultations with Russia can certainly be of great importance," Araghchi said after landing in Moscow, according to Russian state media. The official IRNA news agency reported Sunday that Araghchi would "hold consultations with the president and other senior officials of Russia regarding regional and international developments following the military aggression by the United States and the Zionist regime against Iran." Putin initially pitched himself as a possible mediator between Iran and Israel, but on Friday said he was only "suggesting ideas", after US President Donald Trump pushed back against a role for the Kremlin leader. Russia's foreign ministry on Saturday condemned the US strikes as "irresponsible," after having previously warned against military intervention. 09:15 Iran warned the United States of severe repercussions following US attacks on the Islamic Republic's nuclear facilities, as the Iran-Israel war entered its 11th day. "This hostile act... will widen the scope of legitimate targets of the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran and pave the way for the extension of war in the region," said armed forces spokesman Ebrahim Zolfaghari. "The fighters of Islam will inflict serious, unpredictable consequences on you with powerful and targeted (military) operations," he said on state television. 08:15 The US State Department issued a "worldwide caution" for Americans, saying the conflict in the Middle East could put those traveling or living abroad at an increased security risk. "There is the potential for demonstrations against US citizens and interests abroad," and "the Department of State advises US citizens worldwide to exercise increased caution," said the State Department's security alert. 08:05 US Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged China to help deter Iran from shutting down the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial trade route, following American strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. AFP "I encourage the Chinese government in Beijing to call them about that because they heavily depend on the Strait of Hormuz for their oil," Rubio said on Fox News. China has joined Russia and a chorus of Arab states in condemning the US attacks, saying that they "escalate tensions in the Middle East." Analysts have said Iran may opt to retaliate against Washington's early Sunday attack by shutting the Strait, a waterway through which one-fifth of global oil output passes. "If they do that, it will be another terrible mistake. It's economic suicide for them if they do it, and we retain options to deal with that," Rubio added. "But other countries should be looking at that as well, it would hurt other countries' economies a lot worse than ours. It would be, I think, a massive escalation that would merit a response. Not just by us but from others," he said. Meanwhile, Iran has threatened bases used by the US military, with an advisor to Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, saying they will be considered a "legitimate target for our armed forces." 08:00 US President Donald Trump hinted at interest in regime change in Iran, despite several of his administration officials earlier stressing that US attacks on Iranian nuclear sites did not have that goal. "It's not politically correct to use the term, 'Regime Change,' but if the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn't there be a Regime change??? MIGA!!!" Trump posted on his Truth Social platform. Trump also claimed that US strikes had destroyed Iranian nuclear sites, after other officials cautioned that the extent of damage was still unclear. "Monumental Damage was done to all Nuclear sites in Iran, as shown by satellite images. Obliteration is an accurate term!" Trump wrote on social media, without sharing the images he was referencing. "The biggest damage took place far below ground level. Bullseye!!!" he added. 16:20 Three empty oil and chemical tankers have diverted away from the Strait of Hormuz, according to MarineTraffic data as reported by the Times of Israel, as fears grow over potential Iranian reprisals following recent strikes on Tehran nuclear facilities. The Marie C, an oil tanker sailing under the flag of the Marshall Islands, and Red Ruby, a crude oil tanker flying the flag of Panama, dropped anchor near Fujairah in the UAE, while the Kohzan Maru, another oil tanker flying the british flag, was tracked sailing in the Gulf of Oman. Japan's Nippon Yusen and Mitsui OSK Lines have also instructed their vessels to minimise time in the Gulf as a precaution. The strategic waterway remains tense amid escalating regional instability. 16:05 Qatar's foreign ministry confirmed on Monday that the country's security situation remains stable, following a precautionary message from the U.S. Embassy advising American citizens to shelter in place. Foreign ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari said the alert did not point to any specific threat. He added that Qatar stands ready to take "all necessary measures" to safeguard citizens and residents. The advisory had raised concerns earlier in the day, though no incidents were reported. 15:45 German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Monday that there was "no reason to criticise" the United States over its strikes on three nuclear sites in Iran. "There is no reason to criticise what America did at the weekend. Yes, it is not without risk. But leaving things as they were was not an option either," Merz said in a speech to the Federation of German Industries. 15:20 Power supply was restored Monday to northern Tehran after outages caused by an Israeli air raid earlier in the day, local media reported. "The outages were completely resolved in northern Tehran," Tasnim news agency said, citing the regional electricity company. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Al-Ahram Weekly
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- Al-Ahram Weekly
Where is Iran's uranium? Questions abound after US strikes - Region
After President Donald Trump bragged US strikes had "obliterated" Iran's nuclear capabilities, officials cautioned it was still too soon to assess the impact on the country's nuclear programme. Many questions remain after Sunday's strikes, especially about the whereabouts of Iran's sensitive stockpile of uranium enriched to 60 percent -- a short step from the 90 percent required for a nuclear weapon. Where is Iran's enriched uranium? The US attacks, carried out by B-2 stealth bombers, targeted three Iranian nuclear sites: Isfahan and Iran's main enrichment plants in Fordo and Natanz. While significant damage has been reported, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has voiced concern about Iran's stockpile of near-weapons-grade uranium. Tehran has an estimated 408.6 kilogrammes of uranium enriched to 60 percent, according to the UN nuclear watchdog, whose inspectors last saw that stockpile on June 10. That material, if further refined, would theoretically be sufficient to produce more than nine nuclear bombs. IAEA head Rafael Grossi on Monday demanded access to Iran's nuclear sites, saying the agency needs to "account for" the uranium stockpile. Concerns about the fate of the sensitive stockpile have loomed large. On June 13, the day Israel began its Iran attack, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi sent a letter to the IAEA, announcing the implementation of "special measures to protect nuclear equipment and material". Days before the US attacked, satellite imagery showed vehicles near Fordo's entrance. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel had "interesting intelligence" on the matter, declining to elaborate. Israel announced Monday it had carried out strikes to block access routes to Fordo. "It will be difficult if not impossible to track down all of Iran's 60 percent enriched uranium, stored in small canisters that are easily transportable by car," Kelsey Davenport, an expert with the Arms Control Association, told AFP. "They (Iranians) no longer have the capacity to turn that stockpile of highly enriched uranium to weapons-grade uranium, and that was really the goal there," US Vice President JD Vance told ABC News. He added the Trump administration would deal with the uranium "in the coming weeks". Can Iran still make a nuclear bomb? Analysts have been treading carefully when addressing this issue. Before the attacks, Iran had about 22,000 centrifuges -- the machines used to enrich uranium. Many of them were damaged when Natanz was hit, the IAEA head said. Grossi also said "very significant damage" is expected to have occurred at Fordo, "given the explosive payload utilised and the extreme vibration-sensitive nature of centrifuges". Experts however say that it is unclear how many centrifuges Iran has, with some of them believed to be stored at unknown locations. With "60 percent enriched uranium and a few hundred advanced centrifuges, Iran still has the capability to weaponise, and now there is more political impetus to dash for a bomb", said Davenport. What are the proliferation risks? Before the Israel aggression, the IAEA said it had "no indication" of the existence of a "systematic programme" in Iran to produce a nuclear weapon. But without access to nuclear sites, the agency no longer has oversight. Grossi warned Monday that the "global non-proliferation regime that has underpinned international security... could crumble and fall", urging parties to return to diplomacy. Iran ratified the nuclear non-proliferation treaty (NPT) in 1970, committing it to declare its nuclear material to the IAEA. But it has recently begun preparing the grounds for a possible withdrawal from the treaty, accusing the agency of acting as a "partner" in Israel's "war of aggression". Reza Najafi, Iran's ambassador to the IAEA, said Monday the "unlawful act of aggression" by the United States had "delivered a fundamental and irreparable blow" to the non-proliferation regime. "I do think there is a major risk that Iran withdraws from the NPT and expels inspectors, or simply does not provide them with access to key sites," said Eric Brewer of the US research institute Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI). He added that Iran could also "over time, build (a) covert" programme like North Korea, which withdrew from the NPT in 2003 and went on to become a nuclear-armed power. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Al-Ahram Weekly
2 hours ago
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Trump calls for oil prices to be kept down after US strikes on Iran - Economy
US President Donald Trump urged Monday for oil prices to be kept down as they fluctuated while the world eyes Tehran's response to US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. "EVERYONE, KEEP OIL PRICES DOWN. I'M WATCHING!" Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform minutes after Wall Street started trading, with major US indexes treading water. Trump cautioned against "playing right into the hands of the enemy." Iran has vowed to retaliate after US air strikes on its nuclear facilities, and its options include closing the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Disrupting traffic through the vital route for oil and gas -- which carries one-fifth of global oil output -- would send energy prices soaring in a global inflationary shock. Trump urged the US Energy Department in a separate social media post to "DRILL, BABY, DRILL!!! And I mean NOW!!!" Iran is the ninth-biggest oil-producing country globally and exports just under half of the 3.3 million barrels it produces each day. International benchmark crude contract Brent and US equivalent WTI both rocketed more than four percent to their highest price since January when trading opened on Monday. They later slipped briefly into the red and edged up 0.3 percent as Wall Street opened for trading. For now, it does not appear that the oil market expects Iran would close off the Strait of Hormuz, even as traders nervously await the next move. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
