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News Reports

Current Operations

• US Military: 2 Service Members Killed in Afghanistan VOA 26 Jun 2019 -- The NATO-led security alliance in Afghanistan says two U.S. soldiers were killed in an ambush in the eastern part of the country, bringing to nine the number of fatalities the U.S. military has suffered since the beginning of the year.
• U.S. Military Says Two Service Members Killed In Afghanistan RFE/RL 26 Jun 2019 -- The U.S. military says two of its service members were killed in Afghanistan on June 26, a day after U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made a quick visit to Kabul where he said Washington was hopeful of a peace deal "before September 1."
• Two American service men killed in Afghanistan Press TV 26 Jun 2019 -- Two American troops have been killed in Afghanistan ahead of peace talks between the US and Taliban.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Pacific Sentry 19-3 tested the 94th AAMDC Air Defense Capabilities Army News 26 Jun 2019 -- Some 175 Soldiers and over 50 military vehicles from the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, spearheaded by 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, participated in a multinational operation to cross the Danube river, as the culminating event of Saber Guardian 2019, June 23, 2019.
• Goldfein offers rationale for nuclear modernization and 'failsafe' deterrence US Air Force 26 Jun 2019 -- Asserting that "the price of preserving our nuclear deterrent is nothing compared to the price of losing it," Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein offered a comprehensive rationale June 26 for modernizing the nation's three-legged nuclear capability.
• Pennsylvania Guard Brigade undertaking unusual, ambitious training at XCTC Army News 26 Jun 2019 -- For the past few weeks, Pennsylvania and Maryland Guard Soldiers of the 2nd Brigade, 28th Infantry Division has been training day and night, sharpening their collective and platoon-level tasks under the watchful eyes of observer-coach-trainers (OC/Ts) from the 174th Infantry Brigade at eXportable Combat Training Capability 19-02.
• Readout of Acting Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper's Meetings in Brussels DoD 26 Jun 2019
• 6th Fleet Logistics Support Agencies Host Industry Day to Boost U.S. Ship Repair Capabilities in Northern Europe NNS 26 Jun 2019 -- Senior leaders, contracting experts and ship repair engineers representing several of the U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa (NAVEUR/NAVAF)/U.S. 6th Fleet's logistics support agencies hosted an Industry Day event here, Jun. 11-13.
• NAVWAR Modernizes Network Integration Engineering Facility; Improves Delivery of Integrated Capability to the Fleet NNS 26 Jun 2019 -- Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWAR) upgraded its Network Integration Engineering Facility (NIEF) to better support the design and delivery of advanced information warfare capabilities to the fleet.
• Fort McHenry Concludes BALTOPS Operations NNS 26 Jun 2019 -- The Whidbey Island-class amphibious dock landing ship USS Fort McHenry concluded exercise Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 2019, June 21.
• USS Pioneer arrives in Kota Kinabalu NNS 26 Jun 2019 -- The Avenger-class mine countermeasures ship USS Pioneer (MCM 9) arrived in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, for a port visit, June 26.
• USS Patriot arrives in Jakarta, Indonesia NNS 26 Jun 2019 -- The Avenger-class mine countermeasures ship USS Patriot (MCM 7) arrived in Jakarta, Indonesia, for a port visit, June 25.
• US Navy Destroyer Shadows Advanced Russian Warship in Caribbean Tour Sputnik 26 Jun 2019 -- The US Navy has dispatched a destroyer to track the movements of the Russian frigate Admiral Gorshkov, an advanced warship that recently called to port in Havana, Cuba.
• Three-nation F-35 exercise demonstrates air power interoperability US Air Force 26 Jun 2019 -- F-35 Lightning II fighter aircraft from the U.S, United Kingdom and Israel participated in Exercise Tri-Lightning over the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, June 25.
• 2nd SLS reactivated following squadron merger US Air Force 26 Jun 2019 -- The 1st Air and Space Test Squadron and the 4th Space Launch Squadron deactivated and merged during a ceremony commemorating the reactivation of the 2nd Space Launch Squadron, June 25 at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California.
• NATO Ministers Gather In Brussels To Address Security Challenges RFE/RL 26 Jun 2019 -- NATO defense ministers have gathered in Brussels for two days of talks that will include defense spending within the alliance, its mission in Afghanistan, and Russia's alleged violation of a Cold War-ear nuclear arms-control agreement.
• Defence Ministers address Russia's violation of the INF Treaty and NATO's response NATO 26 Jun 2019 -- NATO Defence Ministers met in Brussels on Wednesday (26 June 2019) to address Russia's violation of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty and the Alliance's response. "We continue to urge Russia to return to full and verifiable compliance," said NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. He underlined that Russia continues to produce and deploy SSC-8 missiles, and therefore NATO is preparing for a world without the INF Treaty. "Ministers have agreed today that NATO will respond should Russia fail to return to compliance," said the Secretary General. He stressed that Russia still has a chance to save the INF Treaty and Allies will convey this message at a meeting of the NATO-Russia Council next week.
• Press conference by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg following the meetings of NATO Defence Ministers NATO 26 Jun 2019
• Doorstep statement by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg ahead of the meetings of NATO Defence Ministers in Brussels NATO 26 Jun 2019
• NATO exercise helps Allies to operate and innovate together NATO 26 Jun 2019 -- NATO's annual Coalition Warrior Interoperability Exercise (CWIX) has just concluded at the Joint Force Training Centre in Bydgoszcz, Poland. Over the last three weeks, more than 1,500 engineers, scientists, industry representatives and military operators from NATO Allies, partners and organizations took part in the event, which was the largest of this series of exercises to date.
• Russia says will respond to NATO moves over INF abolition Press TV 26 Jun 2019 -- Russia says it will respond in kind to any measure by the US-led NATO military alliance over Moscow's decision to suspend a 1987 nuclear missile treaty with the US, ahead of a NATO summit to consider how to deal with the issue.
• Russia Tests Satellite-Based Radar Capable of Detecting Low-Flying Drones Sputnik 26 Jun 2019 -- Russian air defence forces regularly pick up and track a variety of US and NATO reconnaissance aircraft, including drones, operating near Russian airspace, with such activity increasing substantially in recent years.
• Russian Parliament's Upper Chamber Approves Bill To Suspend Participation In INF Treaty RFE/RL 26 Jun 2019 -- The Russian parliament's upper chamber, the Federation Council, has voted to support a decree by President Vladimir Putin to suspend the country's participation in the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, which eliminated an entire class of missiles.
• Upper House of Russian Parliament Passes Bill on INF Treaty Suspension Sputnik 26 Jun 2019 -- The upper house of the Russian parliament passed on Wednesday at its session a bill suspending Russia's compliance with the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF).
• Hunt pledges to boost UK defence spending Press TV 26 Jun 2019 -- Fresh on the heels of his statement about Britain joining the US in attacking Iran, Jeremy Hunt is now pledging to boost defence spending by 25 per cent.
• RAF Typhoons scrambled twice in one day to intercept Russian military aircraft UK MOD 26 Jun 2019 -- Royal Air Force (RAF) Typhoon fighter jets operating from Ämari Air Base in Estonia launched twice on Tuesday 25th June to intercept Russian military aircraft flying close to Estonian airspace.
• U.S. To Give $4 Million Toward Explosives Depots In Ukraine RFE/RL 26 Jun 2019 -- The United States says it has signed a memorandum of understanding with Ukraine to enhance the safety of the country's stockpiles of conventional munitions.
• US response to China's top air-to-air missile should not be underestimated: experts Global Times 26 Jun 2019 -- China should not underestimate the new long-range air-to-air missile being developed by the US Air Force, Chinese military experts said on Wednesday after the development of the new US weapon was revealed.
• China's Liaoning Aircraft Carrier Sails Through Taiwan Strait's Contested Waters Sputnik 26 Jun 2019 -- On Tuesday, a Chinese aircraft carrier group passed through the Taiwan Strait, which divides the island nation from mainland China.
• Indian Defense Ministry Seeks Shipyards Willing to Build Six New Submarines Sputnik 26 Jun 2019 -- The Indian Defense Ministry set in motion last Thursday the process of getting six new submarines built under its new Strategic Partnership program, which aims to increase domestic development by partnering Indian firms with foreign ones to produce military hardware.
• President Salih: US won't be allowed to use Iraqi soil to attack Iran Press TV 26 Jun 2019 -- President Barham Salih says Iraq will under no circumstances allow the US military to use its bases in the Arab country for an act of aggression against neighboring Iran.
• Death Toll Rises From Kazakh Ammo-Warehouse Blasts RFE/RL 26 Jun 2019 -- The death toll from the massive explosions caused by fire at a military ammunition warehouse in southern Kazakhstan has risen to three, officials say.
• Russia to Complete Delivery of S-400 Systems to Turkey by Year-End - FSMTC Sputnik 26 Jun 2019 -- The supply of Russia's S-400 air defence missile systems to Turkey and the training of Turkish specialists are to be completed by the end of the year, spokeswoman for the Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSMTC) Maria Vorovyova told reporters Wednesday.
• US Threatens Turkey With Economic Pain Ahead of Russian S-400 Delivery – Reports Sputnik 26 Jun 2019 -- The United States has been relentlessly trying to talk Turkey out of buying Russian anti-aircraft missile systems, but Ankara has so far been determined to go ahead with the purchase, even though it could jeopardise the Turkish-US F-35 programme and result in Washington slapping sanctions on the country.
• Malaysia Pits Palm Oil Against Fighter Jets in EU Trade Spat VOA 26 Jun 2019 -- As the United States and China tussle over tit-for-tat tariffs, another trade spat between West and East is quietly playing out, one pitting Malaysian palm oil against European fighter jets.
• Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo And Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar At a Press Availability US Dept. of State 26 Jun 2019 -- Press Availability by Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State
• Remarks by President Trump Before Marine One Departure The White House 26 Jun 2019

Defense Industry

• Contracts for June 26, 2019

Other Conflicts

• 26 June 2019 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 26 Jun 2019
• After 17 Years, China, Southeast Asia Aim to Sign Initial Deal for Disputed Sea within Months VOA 26 Jun 2019 -- China and a group of Southeast Asian countries, long at odds over control of the sea between them, aim to finish phase one of a maritime code of conduct within months after 17 years of trying to resolve Asia's widest-reaching sovereignty dispute.
• Yemeni armed forces to put new domestically-built missiles, drones on display: Spox Press TV 26 Jun 2019 -- A high-ranking Yemeni military official says Yemeni Armed Forces are to unveil new domestically-designed and developed military hardware, including ballistic missiles, winged rockets and unmanned aerial vehicles.
• Houthi Rebels Say Targeted Saudi Abha, Jazan Airports With Drones - Reports Sputnik 26 Jun 2019 -- Insurgents from the Ansar Allah movement, known as the Houthis, said that they had again targeted the airports in the Saudi Arabia's cities of Abha and Jazan with drones, which are located not far from the Yemeni border, media reported.
• 'Devastating' Islamic State Comeback Within Sight, Report Warns VOA 26 Jun 2019 -- The Islamic State terror group has set conditions for a comeback that "could be faster and even more devastating" than when it first burst onto the world stage, according to a new report out Wednesday.
• UN Asks Russia For Answers About Bombed Hospitals In Syria RFE/RL 26 Jun 2019 -- The United Nations humanitarian coordinator said on June 25 that he had asked Russia to provide details on how it was using the location coordinates of hospitals in Syria following a string of attacks on health-care facilities.
• Militants in Syria Tried to Attack Russia's Kmeymim Airbase with Drones - Military Sputnik 26 Jun 2019 -- Previously, the head of Russia's Reconciliation Centre in Syria said that militant groups acting in the Idlib de-escalation zone haven't ceased their attempts to attack Russia's Hmeymim base and Syrian government troops.
• Car Bomb Targets Former IS Stronghold in Syria VOA 26 Jun 2019 -- A powerful explosion on Wednesday rocked a town in northeast Syria, local sources told VOA.
• Kushner Tells Palestinians Door Is Open to US Peace Plan VOA 26 Jun 2019 -- White House senior adviser Jared Kushner said Wednesday that Palestinians would have a chance to help refine a multibillion-dollar economic plan for the West Bank and Gaza in the hope that the plan could lead to peace with Israel.
• Lebanese govt., people against Trump's 'deal of century,' Hariri says Press TV 26 Jun 2019 -- Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri has stressed his country's rejection of US President Donald Trump's controversial proposal for "peace" between the Israeli regime and Palestinians, dubbed "the deal of the century," stating all Lebanese government institutions and people from all walks of life are opposed to the plan.
• Resistance, unity important factors to offset deal of century: Nakhala Press TV 26 Jun 2019 -- The Secretary-General of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad resistance movement, Ziad al-Nakhala, has stressed the need for resistance and reconciliation among Palestinian factions to counter US President Donald Trump's controversial proposal for "peace" between the Israeli regime and Palestinians, dubbed "the deal of the century."
• LNA Deploys More Troops to Tripoli's Vicinity for Final Offensive Sputnik 26 Jun 2019 -- The Libyan National Army (LNA) led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar has deployed two additional troops units for a final offensive on Libya's capital, Tripoli, the LNA said in a statement on Tuesday.
• Libyan Forces Claim to Take Key Town From Rival Army VOA 26 Jun 2019 -- Forces loyal to Libya's internationally recognized government claim they have seized a key town south of Tripoli from forces from a rival eastern-based government.
• Suicide Bombers Storm Pakistani Police Base VOA 26 Jun 2019 -- Authorities in Pakistan say three suicide bombers assaulted a regional police headquarters in a southwestern district Wednesday, triggering a firefight that killed a security officer and the assailants.
• Troop Pullback Starts At Eastern Ukrainian Flashpoint Town RFE/RL 26 Jun 2019 -- Ukraine's armed forces have begun to pull back from the town of Stanytsia Luhanska in the Luhansk region, one of only six civilian crossing points along the 450-kilometer line of contact in the Donbas war zone.

News Reports

• US Senate Approves Funds to Address Border Crisis VOA 26 Jun 2019 -- The U.S. Senate on Wednesday approved bipartisan legislation to address the humanitarian crisis along the U.S.-Mexico border with more than $4 billion in supplemental funds and new requirements for the care of detained migrants, especially children.
• US House passes border aid bill, Trump threatens to veto Press TV 26 Jun 2019 -- The US House of Representatives has passed a $4.5 billion aid package to address the migrant crisis along the US-Mexico border, but the bill's future is uncertain due to a veto threat by the White House.
• Mueller to Testify in Open Congressional Hearing VOA 26 Jun 2019 -- U.S. President Donald Trump blasted former special counsel Robert Mueller, who agreed to provide open testimony before congressional committees next month.
• Kremlin Confirms Putin-Trump Meeting During G20 Summit In Japan RFE/RL 26 Jun 2019 -- The Kremlin says Russian President Vladimir Putin and his U.S. counterpart, Donald Trump, will meet during the Group of 20 (G20) summit in Japan later this week to discuss arms control and the tense situation in the Middle East, including Iran.
• Venezuela's Maduro Says Authorities Foiled Opposition Coup Plot VOA 26 Jun 2019 -- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said on Wednesday security forces had foiled an opposition coup attempt that included plans to assassinate him and other top political figures and install a jailed former military officer as president.
• Venezuelan Authorities Thwart New Coup Attempt - Reports Sputnik 26 Jun 2019 -- The attempted coup reportedly included a plan to assassinate President Nicolas Maduro, according to Venezuelan Minister of Communication and Culture Jorge Rodríguez.
• Spain Separatists' Terror Link to Venezuela Appears Well-Trodden VOA 26 Jun 2019 -- When the Basque terrorist group ETA's most wanted fugitive, Josu Ternera, accused of ordering a 1987 bombing that killed 11 people in Spain,was arrested across the border in France on May 17, he was using a Venezuelan passport with the false name of Bruno Marti.
• No 'Clear, Scientific and Convincing' Proof About Who Was Behind Gulf Tanker Attacks – UAE Sputnik 26 Jun 2019 -- A pair of coordinated attacks against six tankers off the Emirati coast and the Gulf of Oman in mid-May and mid-June prompted the US and its allies to express "grave concerns" and to accuse Iran of being involved. Tehran has denied the charges, calling the attacks beyond suspicious and accusing Washington of escalating the crisis in the region.
• U.K. PM To Meet Russian President At G20, First Time Since Novichok Scandal RFE/RL 26 Jun 2019 -- British Prime Minister Theresa May and Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet in Japan this week for the first time since the two countries' relations soured over the poisoning of a former double agent and his daughter with a nerve agent in Salisbury, southern England, last year.
• Dirty Tricks: Navalny Aide's Bid For Moscow Duma Seat Brings Out The Worst RFE/RL 26 Jun 2019 -- On the face of it, the task ahead of 31-year-old lawyer Lyubov Sobol seems simple enough. To qualify as a candidate for the September 8 Moscow City Duma elections, Sobol just needs to submit 4,500 verifiable signatures of support by July 6.
• NSA Again Improperly Collects US Phone Records VOA 26 Jun 2019 -- The National Security Agency again improperly collected records of American phone calls and texts last year, according to documents made public Wednesday.
• US Protests Russian 'Mistreatment' of Citizen Detained on Espionage Charges VOA 26 Jun 2019 -- The United States has formally protested what it is calling Moscow's mistreatment of Paul Whelan, a former U.S. Marine who has been detained in Russia on espionage charges since December.
• DPRK Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Condemns U.S. Hostile Acts KCNA 26 Jun 2019 -- A spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea released the following statement on Wednesday:
• DPRK says US extension of sanctions 'a hostile act,' urges use of domestic goods People's Daily 26 Jun 2019 -- The recent U.S. extension of sanctions against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) was an act of hostility and an outright challenge to an historic summit between the two countries in Singapore last year, Pyongyang's media said on Wednesday.
• North Korea slams extension of US sanctions, vows resistance Press TV 26 Jun 2019 -- North Korea has slammed the recent extension of US sanctions against the country as a "hostile act," vowing never to surrender in the face of sanctions or military action.
• No 'Clear, Scientific and Convincing' Proof About Who Was Behind Gulf Tanker Attacks – UAE Sputnik 26 Jun 2019 -- A pair of coordinated attacks against six tankers off the Emirati coast and the Gulf of Oman in mid-May and mid-June prompted the US and its allies to express "grave concerns" and to accuse Iran of being involved. Tehran has denied the charges, calling the attacks beyond suspicious and accusing Washington of escalating the crisis in the region.
• Peace in the Gulf 'at a critical juncture' says DiCarlo, urging continuation of Iran nuclear deal UN News 26 Jun 2019 -- The Iran nuclear deal must "continue to work for all", despite moves by both the United States and Iran which have destabilized the "hard-won" 2015 agreement, the UN Political Affairs chief told Security Council members on Wednesday.
• Europe Urges Iran Not to Renege on Nuclear Deal Commitments VOA 26 Jun 2019 -- Europe urged Iran on Wednesday to continue implementing its commitments under a 2015 nuclear deal and not disregard them in retaliation for the reimposition of U.S. economic sanctions.
• Trump Blasts Iranian Authorities as 'Not Smart', Says War With Tehran 'Would Not Last Long' Sputnik 26 Jun 2019 -- The US is "not going to need an exit strategy" if war breaks out with Iran, Donald Trump stated earlier in the day threatening Tehran with "obliteration" after Iranian President Hassan Rouhani claimed the White House is suffering from a "mental disability".
• Trump says war with Iran 'wouldn't last long' as it won't involve foot soldiers Press TV 26 Jun 2019 -- US President Donald Trump says a war between the United States and Iran will not last long, downplaying warnings by experts that any military confrontation between the two countries would turn into a large conflict.
• Iran to withstand US bullying actions: Araqchi IRNA 26 Jun 2019 -- Deputy foreign minister for political affairs described US actions as source of tensions in the region, saying that Iran will counter the US bullying measures.
• IAEA: Iran's nuclear activities complies with JCPOA IRNA 26 Jun 2019 -- Director General of International Atomic Energy Agency Yukiya Amano on Wednesday confirmed Iran's nuclear activities as compliant with JCPOA, saying that Iran has had proper cooperation with the agency's inspectors.
• UN Chief terms normalization of trade ties with Iran as important part of JCPOA IRNA 26 Jun 2019 -- United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged all member-states to support Iran nuclear deal, saying lifting sanctions and normalization of trade ties with Iran are main parts of the nuclear deal known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
• AEOI: Iran able to produce all types of centrifuges from A-Z IRNA 26 Jun 2019 -- Special adviser to the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Ali Asghar Zarean said on Wednesday that the Islamic Republic of Iran is able to produce all types of centrifuges from A to Z, and has no limits in terms of numbers and high tech.
• Mogherini says INSTEX ready for operation IRNA 26 Jun 2019 -- High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini said on Wednesday that the Instrument in Support of Trade Exchanges (INSTEX) is ready for operation.
• First Chinese oil purchase from Iran since revocation of waivers delivered ISNA 26 Jun 2019 -- A tanker owned by the National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC) has delivered oil to the Jinxi Refining and Chemical Complex in China, marking the first confirmed delivery of Iranian crude purchased after the Trump administration's revocation of waivers permitting the sale of Iranian oil on May 2.
• Iran keeps window of diplomacy open by gradually reducing its commitments: Araqchi ISNA 26 Jun 2019 -- State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic Lukas Parizek, who is in Iran for political consultations between the two countries, had a meeting with Iranian deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs, Seyyed Abbas Araqchi in Tehran.
• US administration key factor for regional tensions: President Rouhani ISNA 26 Jun 2019 -- President stated that the Islamic Republic of Iran has no interest in the escalation of tensions in the region, and has never sought waging war with any country, including the United States, saying, "We have always shown our commitment to regional security and stability, and will work towards this aim".
• Iran says to suspend more nuke commitments on July 7 People's Daily 26 Jun 2019 -- Iran will suspend more of its commitments under 2015 nuclear deal early July, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Shamkhani said on Tuesday.
• At UNSC meeting, Russia stresses JCPOA survival; Iran says has done enough to preserve deal Press TV 26 Jun 2019 -- Russia once again underlines the need for the remaining parties to the 2015 multilateral nuclear deal to live up to their commitments to help Iran benefit from the accord as Tehran says it has done enough to preserve the agreement and will not take the burdens alone anymore.
• UAE says no proof Iran hit tankers in clear rebuttal to US-Saudi claims Press TV 26 Jun 2019 -- The United Arab Emirates says there is no "clear, scientific and convincing" evidence to assign blame for the recent tanker attacks off its coast in the Sea of Oman, splitting with the United States and Saudi Arabia, which hold Iran responsible for the suspicious acts.
• Russia says many countries standing by Iran in case of any US 'crazy' action against Tehran Press TV 26 Jun 2019 -- A senior Russian diplomat says Iran will not be alone if the United States takes an "absolutely crazy" act against the Islamic Republic amid rising tensions between Tehran and Washington.
• US sanctions indicate Washington's desperation, anger: Top IRGC commander Press TV 26 Jun 2019 -- The chief commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) says recent US sanctions against senior commanders of the elite military force are out of Washington's desperation and frustration in the face of the Islamic Republic's power.
• Iran expanding domestic gas pipeline at record pace Press TV 26 Jun 2019 -- Head of National Iranian Gas Company has announced that the country is completing its natural gas grid with an unprecedented pace, saying all towns and villages with more than 20 families will be connected to the domestic network of gas pipelines in a very near future.
• Iran central bank: Oil sales rising, sanctions ineffective Press TV 26 Jun 2019 -- Iran's central bank governor says the country's oil exports are rising despite US sanctions which, he said, are no more effective.
• Iran's power generation surges despite US restrictions Press TV 26 Jun 2019 -- Iran next week will add 1,300 megawatts of new power capacity to its national grid which is under strain from runaway demand driven up by sizzling summer temperatures.
• Ayatollah Khamenei dismisses US offer of talks with Iran as mere 'deception' Press TV 26 Jun 2019 -- Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has dismissed America's claim about seeking talks with Tehran as a "deception," saying such an offer is merely aimed at stripping the Iranian nation of its "elements of power."
• Neither US, nor any other bold enough to attack Iran: Senior IRGC commander Press TV 26 Jun 2019 -- A senior commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) no country would dare to stage an act of aggression against the Islamic Republic.
• Amid War Of Words, Iran Says It Will Accelerate Uranium Enrichment From June 27 RFE/RL 26 Jun 2019 -- Iran says it will not "retreat" and will speed up its enrichment of uranium from June 27 as it continues to back away from its commitments to a nuclear deal amid escalating tensions with the United States.
• Baghdad Will Not Allow US to Use Iraqi Territory for Attack on Iran - Iraqi President Sputnik 26 Jun 2019 -- Baghdad will not allow the United States to use its bases on Iraqi territory for an attack on neighbouring Iran, Iraq's President Barham Salih said.
• Iran Will Not Renegotiate Nuclear Deal on Any Conditions - Rouhani Sputnik 26 Jun 2019 -- Iran will not renegotiate the nuclear deal on any conditions, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Tuesday in a phone conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron.
• More important than ever to preserve the JCPOA UK FCO 26 Jun 2019 -- Joint statement by E6 members of the Security Council after briefing on non-proliferation: Implementation of UNSCR 2231
• We urge Iran to continue to implement its commitments under the JCPOA UK FCO 26 Jun 2019 -- Statement by Ambassador Karen Pierce, UK Permanent Representative to the UN, at the Security Council briefing on non-proliferation: Implementation of UNSCR 2231
• China warns of Pompeo's wrongdoings on diplomacy Global Times 26 Jun 2019 -- Chinese state media outlets and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have frequently and specifically criticized US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo with unusually strong words in recent days, while Chinese analysts pointed out that this is a warning from Beijing to Washington that US diplomacy could be misguided and get more unreasonable due to the impact of some senior officials.
• New Xinjiang report slammed Global Times 26 Jun 2019 -- Another story on a so-called victim of the vocational training centers in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region made up by a Canadian media outlet was verified as "fake" on Wednesday, and experts called on some Western media to stick to journalism ethics and make fair reports on Xinjiang.
• Cross-department info platform will complete enterprise credit system Global Times 26 Jun 2019 -- A joint enterprise information verification system was established by four departments on Wednesday. Experts said that the information system could make China's enterprise credit system more comprehensive and credible.
• Saudi Khashoggi investigation fails to name who ordered murder: UN expert Press TV 26 Jun 2019 -- A senior United Nations official says the investigation that Saudi Arabia carried out into the murder of prominent journalist Jamal Khashoggi last October has failed to examine who ordered the killing and ignored the primary suspects.
• UN: Killing of Saudi Journalist Khashoggi Is International Crime VOA 26 Jun 2019 -- A U.N. investigator is calling on governments to prosecute and bring to justice Saudi officials responsible for what she says was the premeditated execution of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul in October. The investigator presented findings of her six-month probe into Khashoggi's murder to the U.N. Human Rights Council Wednesday in Geneva.
• Two-thirds of global drug deaths now from opioids: UN drugs report UN News 26 Jun 2019 -- Opioids, which include both heroin and legal pain relievers, were responsible for around two-thirds of drug-related deaths in 2017, a new UN report revealed on Wednesday. The number for global opioid users contained within the World Drug Report, some 585,000 people, is more than double the previous estimate.
• ONDCP Reports Cocaine Production in Colombia is Leveling Off The White House 26 Jun 2019
• Zelenskiy To Visit Canada In July To Attend Ukraine Reform Conference RFE/RL 26 Jun 2019 -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is scheduled to travel to Canada early next month to take part in a major donor conference and hold talks with top Canadian officials.
• Former Uzbek Prosecutor-General Sentenced To 10 Years For Corruption RFE/RL 26 Jun 2019 -- Former Uzbek Prosecutor-General Rashidjon Qodirov has been sentenced to 10 years in prison on corruption charges.
• Kyrgyz Ex-President Rejects Accusations Ahead Of Vote On His Immunity RFE/RL 26 Jun 2019 -- Kyrgyzstan's former president has rejected all accusations leveled against him by lawmakers and the prosecutor-general, as the parliament gets ready to vote on stripping him of immunity from prosecution.
• Moldova's Entire Constitutional Court Resigns RFE/RL 26 Jun 2019 -- All six judges at Moldova's Constitutional Court have stepped down amid calls for their resignation following decisions made by the court that fueled a political crisis in the ex-Soviet country.
• Zimbabwe President Backs Move to Ban Foreign Currencies VOA 26 Jun 2019 -- On Monday, Zimbabwe's finance minister announced a ban on the use of foreign currency to conduct transactions inside the country.