Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
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News Reports

Current Operations

• Nearly 300 Afghan Security Forces Killed Over Past Week, Official Says RFE/RL 22 Jun 2020 -- A top Afghan government official has accused the Taliban of unleashing a wave of attacks ahead of potential talks between the warring sides, saying the insurgents had killed 291 local security personnel and wounded 550 others over the past week.
• Iran, Afghanistan agree to block illegal border crossings Press TV 22 Jun 2020 -- Iran and Afghanistan have agreed to take all the necessary measures to prevent illegal border crossings and human trafficking by intensification of controls over the common frontier.
• 'Taliban killed over 290 Afghan security personnel in past week' Press TV 22 Jun 2020 -- The Taliban militants have killed at least 291 Afghan security personnel and injured 550 more over the past week, a top government official says.
• Afghan Security Forces Suffer Bloodiest Week in 19 Years VOA 22 Jun 2020 -- Afghanistan's security forces have suffered their bloodiest week so far in the 19-year-old Afghan war.

Defense Policy / Programs

• Joint Statement: Five Eyes Defense Ministers' Meeting DoD 22 Jun 2020 -- The defense ministers/secretaries from the Five Eyes nations (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States) met via videoconference on 22 / 23 June.
• Undersecretary of Defense (A&S) and CEO of IDFC Sign Memorandum of Agreement DoD 22 Jun 2020 -- Undersecretary Of Defense For Acquisition And Sustainment Ellen M. Lord; Adam Boehler, CEO, U.S. International Development Finance Corporation
• DOD Official Details COVID-19 Mitigation Efforts DoD News 22 Jun 2020 -- Since January, when the effects of COVID-19 started to be felt in the United States, the Defense Department's priority has been to protect the more than 3 million service members, their families and all DOD civilians and contractors, while continuing the national security mission, said a top DOD official.
• U.S., Russian Envoys End First Day Of Talks On Nuclear Arms Treaty RFE/RL 22 Jun 2020 -- The United States and Russia on June 22 opened two days of talks on their last remaining nuclear arms control, the New START treaty, which caps the number of deployed long-range nuclear warheads each can have.
• Air Force update for COVID-19 US Air Force 22 Jun 2020
• DOD, DFC Sign Memorandum of Agreement on Defense Production Act DoD 22 Jun 2020 -- Today, U.S. Department of Defense Under Secretary for Acquisition and Sustainment Ellen M. Lord and U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) Chief Executive Officer Adam Boehler signed a memorandum of agreement.
• DOD Partners With DFC to Protect Industrial Base From Economic Effect of Pandemic DoD News 22 Jun 2020 -- The Defense Department and the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation today signed a joint memorandum of agreement to spend $100 million of the department's Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act money to subsidize federal loans to create, maintain, protect, expand and restore domestic industrial-based capabilities to support the national COVID-19 response.
• SWRMC Completes Early Repairs on USS Princeton NNS 22 Jun 2020 -- Southwest Regional Maintenance Center (SWRMC) maintenance team completed early repairs for USS Princeton (CG 59) on June 5, supporting the U.S. Navy's operational readiness goals.
• Next-Gen Jammer Low Band Testing Prevails During COVID-19 NNS 22 Jun 2020 -- The U.S. Navy's Next-Generation Jammer Low Band (NGJ-LB) program simultaneously completed test events on schedule at two Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland, facilities, despite limited staffing and significant COVID-19 restrictions.
• Norfolk Attack Submarine Squadron Rises to Overcome COVID-19 Challenges NNS 22 Jun 2020 -- Across the U.S. Submarine Force, submarine squadrons are humming with activity to deploy, maintain and prepare undersea forces despite challenges presented by Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).
• AFLCMC acquires new Air Force handgun US Air Force 22 Jun 2020 -- Combat arms units across the Air Force are getting new and improved 9mm caliber handguns to replace the M9 pistols that have been in service since 1985.
• A bird's eye-view of AUAB Ravens, FAST teams CENTCOM 22 Jun 2020 -- Aircraft from Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, frequently deploy across the 20 nations that make up the U.S. Air Forces Central Command Area of Responsibility to deliver and receive cargo and provide combat and humanitarian support. It takes a team of personnel to see a mission through to the end, among those are Airmen whose duty is ensuring safety of the plane and all aboard once it has arrived at the destination.
• Unified Vision 2020 to guide further development of NATO Joint Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance capabilities NATO 22 Jun 2020 -- NATO Allies joining this year's Unified Vision (UV) event began today the second week of the operational evaluation of Joint Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance capabilities across the Alliance.
• NATO Launches RQ-4D Surveillance Drone Test Flights Over Mediterranean Sea Sputnik 22 Jun 2020 -- NATO has begun testing the first of five new RQ-4D Alliance Ground Surveillance drones through a number of flights over the Mediterranean Sea earlier this month, advancing the alliance's implementation of the aircraft, which activists have argued is potentially dangerous for civilians in the area.
• Chinese military improves blood support capability in peacetime and wartime PLA Daily 22 Jun 2020 -- On the arrival of the 17th World Blood Donor Day, initiated by the Bethune Charitable Foundation and hosted by the PLA General Hospital, a large-scale public welfare campaign sponsored by hundreds of hospitals and blood collection and supply institutions nationwide has been successfully carried out by June 20, 2020. All the PLA's blood centers have widely organized voluntary blood donating activities during the campaign.
• China issues regulations on economic responsibility audit of military officials PLA Daily 22 Jun 2020 -- The general office of the Central Military Commission has issued a set of regulations on the economic responsibility audit of senior military officials, which will take effect on July 1.
• China announces name of its deep-sea manned submersible PLA Daily 22 Jun 2020 -- China has named its new deep-sea manned submersible "Fendouzhe," which means "striver" in Chinese.
• Taiwan redeploys soldiers to South China Sea for training: source CNA 22 Jun 2020 -- Taiwanese marines have been temporarily deployed to the Pratas Islands (東沙島) in the South China Sea amid reports the Chinese military plans to conduct drills in the area in August, a defense official confirmed Monday.
• AJT trainer jet is new design not upgraded IDF: test pilots CNA 22 Jun 2020 -- Taiwan's first indigenous advanced jet trainer (AJT), codenamed Brave Eagle, is a brand-new design not an upgraded version of the decades-old Indigenous Defense Fighter (IDF), two test flight pilots told media Monday after completing the trainer's inaugural public flight in Taichung earlier in the day.
• Tsai lauds Taiwan's aerospace industry as Brave Eagle takes off CNA 22 Jun 2020 -- President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) said Monday that the launch of Taiwan's first indigenous advanced jet trainer (AJT), codenamed Brave Eagle, signified the development of the country's aerospace industry.
• India 'Seeks Early Delivery of S-400s', Fighter Jet Spare Parts Amid Border Stand-Off With China Sputnik 22 Jun 2020 -- Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh left for a three-day visit to Russia on Monday to participate in the Victory Day parade on 24 June. Rajnath's visit was finalised in consultation with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi amid New Delhi's border tensions with China.
• Analysts: India-China Clash Will Prompt New Delhi to Build Closer Ties with U VOA 22 Jun 2020 -- Spiraling tensions between India and China over rival claims to territory in the icy Himalayas could push New Delhi to embrace closer ties with the United States and countries like Japan and Australia as ties with Beijing come under severe strain.
• Iran Looking to Establish Permanent Naval Base in Indian Ocean by Next Spring, Commander Says Sputnik 22 Jun 2020 -- Iran's elite Revolutionary Guard Corps plans to set up a permanent naval base in the Indian Ocean by mid-March, the Guard's navy commander was quoted as saying on Monday.
• Congress Seeks to Expand Israel-US Defence Cooperation to Include Technology Sharing Sputnik 22 Jun 2020 -- Israel is already the US's closest ally in the Middle East, with Washington committing to provide Tel Aviv with $38 billion in military aid over ten years in 2016. Israel became a major US non-NATO ally in 1987, making it eligible to receive the latest US military hardware as it became available.
• UK Navy Says Shadowed Russian Warship During Passage Via English Channel Sputnik 21 Jun 2020 -- UK navy said in a press release on Sunday it had sent a warship and a patrol ship to shadow a Russian destroyer as it passed through the English channel.
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany The White House 22 Jun 2020

Defense Industry

• Contracts For June 22, 2020

Other Conflicts

• 22 June 2020 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 22 Jun 2020
• China Sends Ship as Warning to Vietnam: No Court Case, No Oil Drilling VOA 22 Jun 2020 -- China sent a survey vessel through waters claimed by its maritime sovereignty rival Vietnam this month to warn Hanoi against starting new energy exploration projects and filing any motions in an international court, observers say.
• Taiwan protests against Japan's name change for Diaoyutai area CNA 22 Jun 2020 -- Taiwan on Monday protested against Japan's decision to change the name of an administrative area that covers the Diaoyutai Islands, saying it was an infringement on Taiwan's territorial claim to the islands.
• US would love to see tensions in Asia around Diaoyu Islands: expert Global Times 22 Jun 2020 -- A Japanese local government's bill approved on Monday to change the administrative designation of the disputed Diaoyu Islands can't change China's sovereignty and control over the islands, as Chinese Coast Guard vessels still conducted patrol missions in the territorial waters of the islands the same day, experts said, noting that the bill would not affect the status quo much.
• The Joint Forces Command of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen: Response of the Yemeni Government and the Southern Transitional Council to the Ceasefire Request, Convene a Meeting in the Kingdom for Prompt Implementation of the Riyadh Agreement SPA 22 Jun 2020 -- The Official Spokesman of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen COL Turki Al-Malki said in a statement that "In light of the recent events in (Socotra) and (Abyan) governorate, the Coalition welcomes the response of the legitimate government of Yemen and the Southern Transitional Council for its request of a comprehensive ceasefire, de-escalation and a meeting to be convened in the Kingdom to move forward in implementing the Riyadh Agreement, in addition to the return of the political and military committees and teams in order to promptly implement it.
• Militants Shell Settlements in Syria's Idlib, Russian Military Says Sputnik 22 Jun 2020 -- The Hayat Tahrir al-Sham* terrorist group has attacked several settlements in Syria's northwestern province of Idlib, Rear Admiral Alexander Shcherbitsky, the head of the Russian Defence Ministry's centre for Syrian reconciliation, said at a briefing.
• Syrian Air Defence Repelling Drone Attack in Area of Jableh, State Media Report Sputnik 22 Jun 2020 -- Jableh is a district in the northwestern Syrian province of Latakia, situated just 15 kilometres (some nine miles) from the Russian airbase Hmeimim.
• US Envoy in Syria Says Washington Wants Assad to Change Behavior, Not Necessarily Step Down Sputnik 22 Jun 2020 -- The United States does not demand that Syrian President Bashar Assad resign, but rather wants him to change his behaviour, US Special Representative for Syria Engagement Ambassador James Jeffrey said on Monday.
• Analysts Say Syria Sanctions to Have Wide Impact VOA 22 Jun 2020 -- Lebanon is facing challenges posed by the new U.S. Caesar Act, which authorizes new sanctions and financial restrictions targeting Syrian government, analysts say, because of close banking and commercial ties between the two countries. Analysts say Lebanon will be forced to revise its activities as its own floundering economy is in crisis due to what critics call years of mismanagement and corruption.
• Libya calls Egypt military threat 'Declaration of war' Press TV 22 Jun 2020 -- Libya's UN-recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) has condemned Egypt's warning of military intervention in Libya, terming it a "declaration of war".
• Libyan National Army Introduces No-Fly Zone Around Sirte, LNA Spokesperson Says Sputnik 22 Jun 2020 -- The east-based Libyan National Army (LNA) has introduced a no-fly zone around the city of Sirte on Sunday, LNA spokesperson Maj. Gen. Ahmed Mismari said, also welcoming Cairo's announcement of being prepared to send in its forces.
• Chinese military planes enter Taiwan's ADIZ for 8th time in June CNA 22 Jun 2020 -- Two Chinese military aircraft were spotted entering Taiwan's air defense identification zone (ADIZ) on Monday for a second day in a row and the sixth time in seven days according to the Ministry of National Defense (MND).
• Nationalists of India 'blindly optimistic' over Global Times 22 Jun 2020 -- The trilateral foreign ministers' video meeting including China, Russia and India, expected to take place on Tuesday, is anticipated to cool down recent China-India border tensions, while Indian media has given rolling coverage of India mobilizing its armed forces towards the frontline on its border in Ladakh.
• Indian, Chinese top military commanders hold talks after deadly border confrontation Press TV 22 Jun 2020 -- Top military commanders of India and China have held a second round of talks amid rising tensions at their contested border.
• India, China Holding Corps Commander-Level Talks in Ladakh - Indian Army Sources Sputnik 22 Jun 2020 -- Indian and Chinese forces are holding a meeting at the corps commander level in the border region of Ladakh amid the escalated tensions, sources in the Indian Army said on Monday.
• 3 militants killed in Indian-controlled Kashmir gunfight Global Times 22 Jun 2020 -- Three militants were killed Sunday in a fierce gunfight with government forces in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir, police said.
• Indian Army Soldier Killed in Cross-Border Firefight With Pakistan Sputnik 22 Jun 2020 -- On 20 June, four civilians, including a woman, were injured in a firefight with Pakistani army in the Jammu and Kashmir region. According to the Indian defence officials, the troops targeted the Indian posts.
• Israel begins building road linking settlements, isolating Palestinian town in West Bank Press TV 22 Jun 2020 -- Israel has commenced building a new road for its settlers in the southern parts of the occupied West Bank at the expense of isolating a Palestinian town, a report says.

News Reports

• Trump Threatened to Pull Troops Out of Japan, South Korea Amid DPRK Missile Tests, Says Bolton Sputnik 22 Jun 2020 -- The US military has about 50,000 military personnel and 23 bases in Japan, with 23,500 more troops stationed in South Korea. The Japan deployment includes the US Navy's Seventh Fleet and its 60-70 ships, 300 aircraft and 40,000 personnel. US troops have been stationed in both countries for nearly three quarters of a century.
• Trump Says He Would Only Meet Maduro to Discuss His Departure VOA 22 Jun 2020 -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday that he would only meet with Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro to discuss his departure from power, after an interview in which he suggested otherwise.
• Trump 'open to meeting Venezuela's Maduro' amid hints of fragile trust in Guaido Press TV 22 Jun 2020 -- In an apparent overture to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, US President Donald Trump has suggested that he is open to meeting the Latin American leader, also sending signals of his waning confidence in opposition leader Juan Guaido.
• Trump Would Only Meet With Venezuela's Maduro to Discuss His 'Peaceful Exit From Power' Sputnik 22 Jun 2020 -- Earlier, Trump said that he might consider meeting Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro.
• U.S. Army Soldier Charged with Terrorism Offenses for Planning Deadly Ambush on Service Members in His Unit US Dept. of Justice 22 Jun 2020 -- U.S. Army Private Ethan Melzer Sent Sensitive U.S. Military Information to Members of a Neo-Nazi Group in an Attempt to Facilitate a "Mass Casualty" Attack on Melzer's Army Unit
• US Soldier Charged With Plotting Deadly Attack on Own Unit VOA 22 Jun 2020 -- A U.S. Army soldier has been charged with plotting a mass attack on his unit by sending sensitive military information to an occult-based white supremacist group, the Justice Department announced Monday.
• Putin says he may run for presidency again if constitutional amendments adopted Global Times 22 Jun 2020 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that he does not rule out the possibility of bidding for another presidential term if constitutional amendments are adopted.
• Two Defendants In Russian 'Network' Case Receive Lengthy Prison Terms RFE/RL 22 Jun 2020 -- Two Russian activists from a group known as Set (Network) have received lengthy prison terms on charges of being members of a terrorist group that planned to overthrow the country's authorities.
• Kremlin Denies Eyeing Territorial Claims After Putin's Comments In Documentary RFE/RL 22 Jun 2020 -- The Kremlin has denied it has any territorial claims on former Soviet republics after President Vladimir Putin appeared to question the redrawn borders of Russia after the breakup of the Soviet Union.
• Another Russian Scientist Sentenced On High Treason Charge RFE/RL 22 Jun 2020 -- Another Russian scientist has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term on a high treason charge in an ongoing spate of similar secretive cases targeting Russian academics.
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian's Regular Press Conference on June 22, 2020 PRC MofA 22 Jun 2020
• Uyghur Diaspora Calls on Trump to Sanction Chinese Officials Over Rights Abuses in Xinjiang Radio Free Asia 22 Jun 2020 -- Members of the Uyghur diaspora in the U.S. and Canada have called on U.S. President Donald Trump to immediately enact sanctions against Chinese officials complicit in rights abuses in northwest China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) under legislation he signed last week.
• US state dept. designates 4 Chinese news organizations as foreign missions Press TV 22 Jun 2020 -- The United States is designating four Chinese media organizations with operations in the US as foreign missions.
• Briefing With Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs David R. Stilwell On Designating Additional PRC State Media Entities as Foreign Missions US Dept. of State 22 Jun 2020
• US Designates Four Chinese Outlets as Foreign Missions VOA 22 Jun 2020 -- The United States has designated four more Chinese state-run outlets as "foreign missions," a move that U.S. officials said will "not prevent them from reporting legitimate news" but to "increase transparency" relating to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and what Washington called Beijing government's "propaganda activities" in the U.S.
• Designation of Additional Chinese Media Entities as Foreign Missions US Dept. of State 22 Jun 2020 -- "Over the past decade and particularly under General Secretary Xi Jinping's tenure, the CCP has reorganized China's state propaganda outlets disguised as news agencies and asserted even more direct control over them."
• Pompeo's accusation reflects Cold War mentality, spreads 'political virus': FM Global Times 22 Jun 2020 -- Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Monday that China continues to oppose groundless accusations by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and urged him to stop spreading "political virus."
• Chinese FM refutes claim prosecution of 2 Canadians 'revenge' for Meng Global Times 22 Jun 2020 -- The Chinese Foreign Ministry on Monday stressed that two Canadians were prosecuted in China for allegedly endangering China's national security, and that there is no such a thing as "arbitrary" detention, refuting accusations that the prosecution is revenge for Huawei's senior executive Meng Wanzhou's case.
• Canada to face consequences when China-US ties improve in the future Global Times 22 Jun 2020 -- Tighter rules and stepped-up scrutiny of food imports are steps China is taking to curb a resurgence of COVID-19, rather than an excuse to target any specific country for a political reason as some Canadian exporters have claimed, Chinese experts said, urging exporters to respect the nation's rules if they want to make profits in China.
• China: Espionage cases of Canadians irrelevant to Huawei CFO prosecution Press TV 22 Jun 2020 -- Beijing has dismissed Ottawa's attempts to link the espionage charges brought against two Canadian citizens to the ongoing extradition case in Canada of a Huawei senior executive.
• United States Stands with Canada Against China's Arbitrary Detention of Canadian Citizens US Dept. of State 22 Jun 2020 -- "The United States is extremely concerned by the People's Republic of China's (PRC) decision to proceed with formal charges against Canadian citizens Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor."
• National security law preserves HK judiciary Global Times 22 Jun 2020 -- After the draft law to safeguard national security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) was reviewed by China's top legislature and some details were released on Saturday , Western countries, media, Hong Kong opposition politicians and some legal professionals said they fear the law would harm the city's judicial independence. But senior Hong Kong legal experts said the draft law is in accordance with the Basic Law.
• National security law essential for Hong Kong: Carrie Lam Global Times 22 Jun 2020 -- The national security law for Hong Kong is an essential step that cannot be missed out, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Chief Executive Carrie Lam said on Monday, calling the law an important measure that will allow firms and individuals to remain confident in Hong Kong.
• China's top legislature likely to enact national security law for HK at next session by July 1 Global Times 22 Jun 2020 -- Hours after China revealed the details of the draft of the national security law for Hong Kong, the country's top legislature set the date for the next session of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, during which the highly anticipated law is likely to be enacted to end the chaos and rampage throughout the city that has become "a base of subversive activities" instigated by the West over the years.
• HK leader highlights confidence in future economy Global Times 22 Jun 2020 -- Hong Kong's leader has expressed full confidence in the city's recovery and future rise to an even higher level, as long as it adheres to and improves the "one country, two systems" principle, cracks down on lawbreakers who endanger national security, puts an end to violence and chaos and makes good use of its advantages. The Belt and Road Initiative will also play a vital role for Hong Kong's economy.
• China to Pass Draconian Sedition, Subversion Law For Hong Kong 'Soon' Radio Free Asia 22 Jun 2020 -- China looks set to forge ahead with draconian new legislation targeting acts of "secession, sedition and subversion" in Hong Kong, with a vote likely in its National People's Congress (NPC) standing committee this week, a top adviser to Beijing has said.
• Xinjiang's counter-terrorism, de-radicalization achievements undeniable People's Daily 22 Jun 2020 -- The so-called "Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act of 2020" recently signed into law by the U.S. deliberately defames the human right conditions in China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, slanders the autonomous region's achievements in counter-terrorism and de-radicalization, and grossly interferes in China's domestic affairs.
• Businessman to serve 9 months in prison for espionage CNA 22 Jun 2020 -- A Taiwanese businessman surnamed Tu (凃), who had implemented a plan more than 10 years ago to obtain and pass on Taiwan military documents to China, will serve a prison sentence of nine months, as the Supreme Court on Monday rejected his final appeal.
• North Korean Visa Overstayers in China Are Now Branded 'Defectors' at Home Radio Free Asia 22 Jun 2020 -- North Korean citizens working in China on family visit visas have suddenly been labelled "defectors" and face arrest, caught in a government campaign to discredit exiles after groups based in South Korea sent anti-Pyongyang leaflets on balloons, sources in the country told RFA.
• South Korea Warns Military Options Possible in Response to Pyongyang's 'Leafleting Campaign' Sputnik 22 Jun 2020 -- South Korea is leaving military options on the table regarding North Korea's plan to send propaganda leaflets over the border, media reported Monday.
• DPRK reinstalling loudspeakers near border with S. Korea: media People's Daily 22 Jun 2020 -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has been reinstalling loudspeakers in areas near the border with South Korea, multiple local media reported Monday.
• DPRK to send millions of leaflets to South Korea for retaliation: media People's Daily 22 Jun 2020 -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) will soon distribute 12 million leaflets to South Korea "to make them pay dearly for their crime," the official Korean Central News Agency reported Monday.
• North Korea to launch balloons loaded with 'retaliatory' leaflets into South Press TV 22 Jun 2020 -- North Korea is prepared to launch thousands of balloons carrying millions of "retaliatory" leaflets to its southern neighbor as inter-Korean relations take a nosedive.
• North Korea Has 12 Million Leaflets Ready to Be Spread in South Korea – Reports Sputnik 22 Jun 2020 -- North Korea has printed 12 million leaflets intended to be distributed in South Korea as part of an information campaign against Seoul, the North's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported.
• Power Station Construction Progresses Apace in DPRK KCNA 22 Jun 2020 -- The construction of large-sized Tanchon Power Station is progressing apace in the DPRK.
• KCNA Report on Planned Distribution of Leaflets against Enemy KCNA 22 Jun 2020 -- The Korean Central News Agency made public the following report on June 22:
• China does not approve of further tension over Iran nuclear program: Foreign Ministry Press TV 22 Jun 2020 -- Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian says his country opposes any measure leading to exacerbation of tensions over the Iranian nuclear program in the wake of the recent adoption of an anti-Iran resolution by the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
• Beijing Says Maximum Pressure on Iran Won't Resolve Concerns Over Tehran's Nuclear Programme Sputnik 22 Jun 2020 -- Exerting maximum pressure on Tehran will not help in any way in resolving the situation around Iran's nuclear programme and will not eliminate the concerns of the parties, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said at a briefing on Monday, commenting on a recent statement from the European countries.
• Iran's cargo ship enters Venezuela's water ISNA 22 Jun 2020 -- Iran's embassy in Venezuela announced that Iranian ship carrying food supplies entered Venezuelan territorial waters on Sunday and is nearing the port of La Guayra, northern Venezuela.
• Sixth Iranian ship nears Venezuelan port, carrying food Press TV 22 Jun 2020 -- A sixth Iranian vessel has entered Venezuela's territorial waters, carrying a cargo of food after the Islamic Republic supplied massive cargos of fuel to the Latin American nation in defiance of the United States' sanctions targeting both nations.
• Iran Confirms Arrival Of Ship Carrying 'Goods For Iranian Supermarket' In Caracas Radio Farda 22 Jun 2020 -- An Iranian ship carrying foodstuff has arrived in Venezuelan waters amid a shortage of basic goods and is nearing Puerto La Guaira, Iran's government news agency IRNA reported on Monday.
• Tehran Ships Food To Venezuela To Establish Country's First Iranian Supermarket RFE/RL 22 Jun 2020 -- An Iranian cargo ship was expected to dock in Venezuela on June 21 with food that will stock the first Iranian supermarket in the South American country, Iran's embassy in Caracas said.
• Iranian Ship Carrying Food, Medical Supplies Enters Venezuelan Port Sputnik 22 Jun 2020 -- The vessel, one of six Iranian ships sent to the Latin American nation in recent weeks to help relieve fuel shortages and restore Caracas' oil refining capabilities, is also said to be carrying equipment to help Venezuela tackle the coronavirus crisis.
• Iran's Currency Faces Its Biggest Devaluation In A Tumultuous Forex Market Radio Farda 22 Jun 2020 -- Reports from Iran say that that the value of Iranian currency rial has fallen to a record low June 22, as the U.S. dollar traded at the open markets in Tehran for 200,000 rials or even more.
• Iran will send black box of downed Ukrainian plane to France: FM Zarif Press TV 22 Jun 2020 -- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says the country will send to France "within the next few days" the black box of a Ukrainian passenger plane that was mistakenly downed near the capital, Tehran, in January.
• Trump offered support for Israeli military action against Iran: Bolton Press TV 22 Jun 2020 -- Former US national security adviser John Bolton says President Donald Trump had given Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu the green light to attack Iran, and pledged his support for such a military action.
• Armenian Parliament Adopts Amendments On Constitutional Court RFE/RL 22 Jun 2020 -- The Armenian parliament has adopted proposed changes to the constitution that would lead to the removal of Constitutional Court judges, potentially opening the door for Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian to exert more influence over the South Caucasian nation.
• African Union Sanctions South Sudan for Nonpayment VOA 22 Jun 2020 -- Representatives of South Sudan have been banned from taking part in an African Union meeting after their government failed to pay overdue fees totaling more than $9 million.
• Malawi Election Commission Predicts Fair Outcome in Rerun Presidential Vote VOA 22 Jun 2020 -- The Malawi Electoral Commission says it is confident that Tuesday's presidential election rerun will be fair and free of the irregularities that marred last year's vote and led to annulling the re-election of Peter Mutharika.
• 'Slipper Revolution' Shakes Belarus VOA 22 Jun 2020 -- Half-a-year ago Alexander Lukashenko, who has ruled Belarus with an iron Soviet-style fist for a quarter of century, looked to be unassailable. But the former collective farm manager, whose aides and supporters like to dub him "father," is now being widely labeled a "cockroach" – and his opponents are vowing to "squash the pest" come August when he faces a presidential election.
• Cambodia's Hun Sen Confirms Eldest Son Hun Manet Being Groomed For Leadership Radio Free Asia 22 Jun 2020 -- Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen said Monday he is grooming his eldest son Hun Manet to take over leadership of the country but has no plans to step down for another decade, confirming long-held suspicions that the strongman intends to establish a dynasty.
• Serbian Ruling Party Scores Landslide Victory in General Elections VOA 22 Jun 2020 -- Serbia's Progressive Party and its coalition partners won over 60% of the vote in Sunday's elections, boycotted by major opposition parties.