Operations
Defense Policy / Programs
Defense Industry
Other Conflicts
News Reports

Current Operations

• Defeating Daesh Highlights of the Week June 24, 2020 CENTCOM 24 Jun 2020 -- Our partners in Iraq and Syria are leading the way to find and eliminate Daesh fighters and their finance, logistics, and media networks.
• Afghan Official Open to Discussing Interim Government with Taliban VOA 24 Jun 2020 -- A top Afghan official leading peacemaking efforts with the Taliban said Wednesday that he would be open to discussing formation of an interim government with the Islamist insurgent group when the two sides begin long-awaited peace negotiations.

Defense Policy / Programs

• National Guard ready for hurricane season Army News 24 Jun 2020 -- In 1992, Air Force Maj. Gen. Steven Nordhaus was a first lieutenant stationed at Homestead Air Force Base in South Florida when Hurricane Andrew struck, destroying his house and car.
• Wisconsin Guard tops 150,000 COVID-19 specimens collected Army News 24 Jun 2020 -- Wisconsin National Guard teams have collected more than 150,000 COVID-19 test specimens across the state in support of the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
• Oregon National Guard completes PPE mission Army News 24 Jun 2020 -- The Oregon National Guard has conducted numerous missions throughout the state in response to COVID-19 while focusing on distributing millions of pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Strategic Forum Looks to Future of U.S.-South Korea Alliance DoD News 24 Jun 2020 -- On June 25, 1950, North Korean troops exploded over the 38th parallel and invaded South Korea.
• Lawmakers Propose Blocking US Navy From Procuring Large Unmanned Surface Vessels Sputnik 24 Jun 2020 -- Members of the House of Representatives Armed Services Committee are requiring US Navy officials to secure proper certifications before Congress will consider the procurement of large unmanned surface vessels (LUSVs).
• Changes in Tech, Strategy Drive Missile Defense DoD News 24 Jun 2020 -- Changes to technologies, strategy and capabilities make a good case for closer cooperation among the combatant commands, the services and allies in regard to missile defense, military officers charged with this crucial mission said.
• Theodore Roosevelt Sailors Receive COVID-19 Antibody Testing DoD News 24 Jun 2020 -- Sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt participated in voluntary COVID-19 antibody testing.
• Joint Statement in Commemoration of the 70th Anniversary of the Outbreak of the Korean War by United States Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper and Republic of Korea Minister of Defense Jeong Kyeong-doo DoD 24 Jun 2020 -- Today, the United States and the Republic of Korea (ROK) recognize and commemorate the 70th anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War.
• Mission of Leaders: Prevent Great Power Wars, Says Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff DoD News 24 Jun 2020 -- A year ago, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff went to Normandy, France, for the 75th anniversary of D-Day. While there, Army Gen. Mark A. Milley said during his keynote address today at the Naval War College's virtual graduation ceremony, he met a veteran of that landing and asked him what his lesson from World War II would be for those in uniform today.
• U.S., Japan Navies Exercise Together in South China Sea NNS 24 Jun 2020 -- Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10) and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Kashima class-training vessel JS Kashima (TV-3508) and Shimayuki-class training vessel JS Shimayuki (TV-3513) conducted bilateral exercises while sailing together in the South China Sea, June 23.
• Nimitz Carrier Strike Group Pulls into Guam for Safe Haven Liberty NNS 24 Jun 2020 -- The Nimitz Carrier Strike group, consisting of aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59), and Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers USS Sterett (DDG 104) and USS Ralph Johnson (DDG 114), pulled into Guam for a Safe Haven Liberty port visit June 24.
• USS Porter Arrives in Batumi, Georgia NNS 24 Jun 2020 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78) arrived in Batumi, Georgia, for a scheduled port visit as part of the United States' continued Black Sea presence and support to regional partners, June 23, 2020.
• Bataan Amphibious Ready Group Marine Expeditionary Unit Aviation Assets Conduct Live-Fire Training in Albania NNS 24 Jun 2020 -- U.S. Marine Corps UH-1Y Venoms and AH-1W Super Cobras assigned to the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) and attached to the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (BATARG) participated in a live-fire training exercise in Bize, Albania, June 22, 2020.
• Blue Ridge Returns to Yokosuka NNS 24 Jun 2020 -- USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) returned to Yokosuka, Japan, June 24 to begin scheduled maintenance after a five-month patrol throughout the Indo-Pacific.
• USS Indiana Conducts Safe Haven Port Visit in Rota, Spain NNS 24 Jun 2020 -- The Virginia-class fast-attack submarine USS Indiana (SSN 789) completed a Safe Haven port visit in Naval Station (NAVSTA) Rota, Spain, June 22, 2020.
• U.S. Navy, Georgian Forces Conduct Maneuvering Exercises in the Black Sea NNS 24 Jun 2020 -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Porter (DDG 78) and Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ship USS Oak Hill (LSD 51) executed maneuvering exercises and signal flag drills with GCG Ochamchire (P-23) and GCG Dioskura (P-25) in the Black Sea, June 22, 2020.
• Trump Says Some US Troops Cut in Germany Will 'Probably' Move to Poland Sputnik 24 Jun 2020 -- US President Donald Trump claims that some of the US troops removed from Germany over Berlin's alleged delinquent payments to NATO will be relocated to Poland.
• Trump Invokes Defense Production Act to Produce Hypersonic Missile Parts, Space Launch Systems Sputnik 24 Jun 2020 -- US President Donald Trump has invoked a wartime executive power giving him the authority to mobilize US industry, saying that without presidential direction, US industry "cannot reasonably be expected" to provide the materials necessary for hypersonic weapons development "adequately and in a timely manner."
• US Envoy Rules Out Moratorium on Deploying Intermediate-Range Missiles Sputnik 24 Jun 2020 -- US Special Representative for Arms Control Marshall Billingslea on Wednesday ruled out the possibility of a moratorium on the deployment of intermediate-range missiles after the United States abandoned a respective treaty with Russia.
• US, Russia Signal Progress in Nuclear Arms Talks VOA 24 Jun 2020 -- U.S. and Russian negotiators signaled progress Tuesday in talks on a possible replacement to a nuclear arms reduction treaty due to expire next February. But there are significant hurdles ahead – including China's opposition to being included in the talks.
• Regular Press Conference of the Ministry of National Defense on June 24 PLA Daily 24 Jun 2020
• Newest camouflage combat uniforms to be distributed to all PLA troops PLA Daily 24 Jun 2020 -- The Chinese military's new-style combat uniforms featuring the newest camouflage pattern that debuted during the military parade in celebration of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China are currently being tried on by some troops and will be allocated to all troops as planned, said Senior Colonel Wu Qian, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, at the regular press conference on the afternoon of June 24.
• China firmly opposes US deploying intermediate-range missiles in Asia Pacific region: Defense spokesperson PLA Daily 24 Jun 2020 -- China is firmly opposed to the US deploying intermediate-range missiles in the Asian-Pacific region, said Senior Colonel Wu Qian, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, at the regular press conference on the afternoon of June 24.
• Zarif reacts to Pompeo's claims on buying fighter aircrafts ISNA 24 Jun 2020 -- Iran's Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif dismissed claims made by US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo on buying fighter aircrafts.
• Polish President Duda Visits Trump at White House VOA 24 Jun 2020 -- U.S. President Donald Trump hosts Polish President Andrzej Duda at the White House Wednesday, as Duda finds himself locked in a surprisingly tight race for reelection back home.
• Remarks by President Trump and President Duda of the Republic of Poland Before Bilateral Meeting The White House 24 Jun 2020
• Joint Statement by President Donald J. Trump and President Andrzej Duda The White House 24 Jun 2020

Defense Industry

• Contracts For June 24, 2020

Other Conflicts

• 24 June 2020 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 24 Jun 2020
• Refugee Resettlement Dwindling as Needs Hit All-Time High, IRC Warns VOA 24 Jun 2020 -- The International Rescue Committee warned Wednesday that a record number of refugees need permanent resettlement, even as resettlement is on track to dip for the fourth year in a row in a world ravaged by the COVID-19 pandemic.
• China Names 50 New Undersea Features in East China Sea Radio Free Asia 24 Jun 2020 -- China has released a list of Chinese names for 50 new underwater features in the East China Sea, heightening tensions at the same time as an exercise between the United States and Japan in the South China Sea.
• US Watching if Beijing Declares Air Defense Zone in South China Sea Radio Free Asia 24 Jun 2020 -- The United States is closely watching reports that Beijing is planning to declare a so-called Air Defense Identification Zone in the skies above the disputed South China Sea, the American air force commander in the Pacific told reporters Wednesday.
• Tsai urges against 'unilateral actions' in Diaotuyais dispute CNA 24 Jun 2020 -- President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) on Wednesday urged all parties involved in the territorial dispute over the Diaoyutai Islands in the East China Sea to avoid taking "unilateral actions" that could escalate regional tensions.
• When Home Is Not an Option: African Refugees in Yemen VOA 24 Jun 2020 -- "You just don't get it," one young man told me as I stepped over a pile of trash to enter 19-year-old Mohammed's single room in the Yemeni capital, Sanaa. "People die in their homes here all the time."
• Yemen on latest raid: All missiles, drones hit intended targets in Saudi Arabia Press TV 24 Jun 2020 -- Yemen's Houthi Ansarullah movement has said that all missiles and drones used in the army's latest raid precisely hit their targets in Saudi Arabia, warning of further strikes on more sensitive locations inside the kingdom if it fails to end the bloodshed in Yemen.
• Militants Shell Settlements in Syria's Idlib, Aleppo Provinces, Russian Military Says Sputnik 24 Jun 2020 -- The Hayat Tahrir al-Sham* terrorist group has attacked several settlements in Syria's provinces of Idlib and Aleppo, Rear Admiral Alexander Shcherbitsky, the head of the Russian Defence Ministry's centre for Syrian reconciliation, said at a briefing.
• Can US Help Achieve Unity for Syrian Kurds? VOA 24 Jun 2020 -- Supported by the United States, Syrian Kurdish groups last week announced the first step toward uniting efforts to run the northeastern part of Syria.
• Syria air defenses repel Israeli strike on Hama Press TV 24 Jun 2020 -- Syrian air defenses have repelled an Israeli airstrike in the western-central province of Hama, only a few hours after they confronted similar acts of aggression elsewhere in the country.
• Multiple Israeli Air Attacks Hit Wide Range Of Targets In Syria Radio Farda 24 Jun 2020 -- A fresh wave of Israeli attacks hit a wide range of targets in southern, central and eastern Syria, the Syrian army, observers and intelligence sources told news agencies.
• Syrian Military Accuses Israeli Forces of Attacking Army Positions in Hama Province Sputnik 24 Jun 2020 -- Israeli air forces have attacked the positions of the Syrian armed forces in two cities in Hama province and the country's air defence systems repelled the attacks, the command of the Syrian armed forces said on Wednesday.
• Alleged Satellite Photos Show 1500% Increase in Chinese Defence Fortification in Galwan Valley Sputnik 24 Jun 2020 -- The two Asian giants have been involved in high level talks in order to disengage from the site where at least 20 Indian soldiers were killed on 15 June in clashes with the People's Liberation Army. The Indian Army announced on Tuesday that a consensus had been reached, but China continues to make claims over the Galwan Valley.
• China issues statement on border clash, proving Indian troops were fully responsible Global Times 24 Jun 2020 -- China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson on Wednesday issued a statement on the recent China-India border clash, providing three key points that prove responsibility does not lie with the Chinese side.
• Maintaining peace along China-India border requires common effort：Defense Spokesperson PLA Daily 24 Jun 2020 -- For the recent China-India border tensions, India should severely punish those who are accountable for the clash on the evening of June 15, and work with China together to maintain the peace in border region, said Senior Colonel Wu Qian, a spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense (MND) of the People's Republic of China (PRC), at a regular press conference on June 24.
• China says India responsible for deadly border clash Press TV 24 Jun 2020 -- China's Defense Ministry says India was responsible for a recent border clash that left 20 Indian soldiers dead.
• India, China Continue Military Build-Up in Contested Ladakh Despite Agreement to Disengage Sputnik 24 Jun 2020 -- India and China have been engaged in an unprecedented border face-off at the Line of Control in the Ladakh region over the last two months. Despite around a dozen high-level talks, the agreed upon disengagement is yet to take place at Pangong Tso and the Galwan Valley.
• UN chief urges Israel to abandon annexation plans UN News 24 Jun 2020 -- The UN Secretary-General has called on Israel to scrap plans to annex parts of the occupied West Bank, a move that could occur as early as next week.
• UN Chief: 'Watershed Moment' for Israelis, Palestinians VOA 24 Jun 2020 -- U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned Wednesday that the Israeli-Palestinian situation is facing a "watershed moment" over Israel's annexation plans.
• UN chief calls on Israel to drop West Bank annexation plans Press TV 24 Jun 2020 -- United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres has called on the Israeli regime to drop plans to annex parts of the occupied West Bank, saying the move would constitute a "most serious violation of international law."
• UN, European MPs, Arab League call on Israel to ditch West Bank annexation plans Press TV 24 Jun 2020 -- The United Nations and the Arab League have called on Israel to abandon its plans to annex parts of the occupied West Bank, with European lawmakers warning of "consequences" in case Tel Aviv moved forward with its project.
• Turkey Says Soldier Killed After Coming Under Fire From Across Iranian Border RFE/RL 24 Jun 2020 -- Turkey's Defense Ministry says one Turkish soldier has been killed and two others wounded in the southeastern part of the country after they came under fire from the Iranian side of the border.
• Kosovo president cancels US visit over war crimes indictment Press TV 24 Jun 2020 -- Kosovo's President Hashim Thaçi will not visit the United States over charges of crimes against humanity and war crimes in The Hague court.
• Kosovar President Indicted On War-Crimes Charges RFE/RL 24 Jun 2020 -- A prosecutor in The Hague has indicted Kosovar President Hashim Thaci, former parliamentary chairman Kadri Veseli, and "others" for war crimes and crimes against humanity allegedly committed during or after the 1998-1999 Kosovo conflict.
• Kosovo President Hashim Thaci Indicted for War Crimes VOA 24 Jun 2020 -- A Hague-based special prosecutor indicted Kosovo President Hashim Thaci and nine others Wednesday for crimes against humanity and war crimes committed during Kosovo's 1998-99 war for independence from Serbia.
• Scores of Rohingya Rescued from Stranded Boat off Indonesia's Aceh Province Radio Free Asia 24 Jun 2020 -- Fishermen rescued nearly 100 Rohingya after their boat broke down off Indonesia's Sumatra Island, but the fishing boat that picked them up got stranded after running into its own technical problems, police in Aceh province said Wednesday.
• Chinese defense spokesperson slams US recent interference with Taiwan PLA Daily 24 Jun 2020 -- Taiwan is an inseparable part of China and Taiwan affairs are purely China's internal affairs that allow no external interference, Senior Colonel Wu Qian, a spokesperson of China's Ministry of National Defense said on Wednesday at a regular press conference.
• China Sends 8 Military Planes into Taiwan Airspace; Analysts See Move as Warning to US and Others VOA 24 Jun 2020 -- Taiwan says Chinese military planes have flown into its air defense space six times in a single week and eight times this month, so far.
• Pakistan Accuses India of Diverting Attention from China Stand-off While Downsizing Diplomatic Ties Sputnik 24 Jun 2020 -- On Tuesday, India summoned a Pakistani envoy and asked to reduce the staff of Pakistan's High Commission by 50% in light of alleged espionage acts and dealing with terrorist organisations. It also said that Pakistan has "engaged in a sustained campaign to intimidate the officials of the Indian High Commission in Islamabad".
• What Is Causing South Sudan's Inter-Communal Fighting? VOA 24 Jun 2020 -- Hundreds of people have been killed in inter-communal violence raging in South Sudan's Jonglei state in recent weeks, and the cycle of attacks and revenge attacks is only going to continue if the national government fails to establish a rule of law that holds cattle raiders and other criminals accountable, according to one Juba-based analyst.
• Text of a Notice on the Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to the Western Balkans The White House 24 Jun 2020
• Text of a Message to the Congress on the Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to the Western Balkans The White House 24 Jun 2020

News Reports

• U.S. State Department Issues Country Reports on Terrorism 2019 US Dept. of State 24 Jun 2020 -- The State Department today released its annual Country Reports on Terrorism, detailing key developments in 2019 in the global fight against ISIS, al-Qa'ida, Iranian proxies, and other international terrorist groups.
• U.S. Says Terrorist Threats Persist, Citing Iran's Rising Support For Extremists RFE/RL 24 Jun 2020 -- The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump says "dangerous terrorist threats persisted" in 2019 even as Iran, the Islamic State (IS) extremist group, and Al-Qaeda suffered setbacks.
• Secretary Michael R. Pompeo At a Press Availability on the Release of the 2019 Country Reports on Terrorism US Dept. of State 24 Jun 2020
• WikiLeaks Founder Charged in Superseding Indictment US Dept. of Justice 24 Jun 2020 -- A federal grand jury returned a second superseding indictment today charging Julian P. Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks, with offenses that relate to Assange's alleged role in one of the largest compromises of classified information in the history of the United States.
• United States Provides Additional U.S. Foreign Assistance for El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras US Dept. of State 24 Jun 2020 -- "Recently, I informed Congress of the Administration's intent to provide $252 million in additional U.S. foreign assistance for El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. This assistance will promote U.S. national security and further the President's goal of decreasing illegal immigration to the United States."
• Rewards for Justice – Increased Reward Offer for Information on ISIS Leader Amir Muhammad Sa'id Abdal-Rahman al-Mawla US Dept. of State 24 Jun 2020 -- The U.S. Department of State's Rewards for Justice Program is increasing its reward – now up to $10 million – for information leading to the identification or location of ISIS's new leader Amir Muhammad Sa'id Abdal-Rahma al-Mawla. This represents a doubling of the previous reward offer of up to $5 million announced in August 2019.
• With Delayed Military Parade, Putin Drums Up Patriotism Ahead Of Vote On Extending His Rule RFE/RL 24 Jun 2020 -- For 2020, the Kremlin had a season of political pageantry planned.
• Russia Stages Massive 'Victory Day' Parade Amid Pandemic RFE/RL 24 Jun 2020 -- Russia staged a postponed Victory Day military parade in Moscow on June 24 with President Vladimir Putin seeking to solidify support ahead of a referendum that could pave the way for his extended rule.
• 'The Tools Are Available to The Administration' to Press China on Uyghurs: US Religious Freedom Envoy Radio Free Asia 24 Jun 2020 -- Sam Brownback is a lawyer, former United States Senator and former governor of the state of Kansas who has served as the U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom since February 2018.
• Analysts See Shift in EU's Approach Toward Dealing With China VOA 24 Jun 2020 -- A videoconference summit this week between leaders from China and the European Union had a wide-ranging agenda including trade, climate change, cybersecurity and the COVID-19 pandemic, but it ended without agreements, or even a joint statement.
• Prior to NPC Standing Committee session, central government solicits local opinions in HK Global Times 24 Jun 2020 -- Twelve symposiums to discuss legislation on safeguarding China's national security in Hong Kong were held on Tuesday throughout the special administrative region (SAR), so that China's central government could collect widespread local opinions on the draft law.
• Hong Kong to launch health code system to facilitate people traveling to Guangdong, Macao Global Times 24 Jun 2020 -- Secretary for Food and Health of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government Sophia Chan said on Wednesday that Hong Kong will develop a local health code system to facilitate people traveling between Hong Kong and Guangdong, or Hong Kong and Macao.
• China refutes theft slander from US and slams its visa restrictions PLA Daily 24 Jun 2020 -- A spokesperson of China's Ministry of National Defense on Wednesday criticized the United States' slanderous nonsense on China-related intellectual property issues and its visa restrictions on Chinese students and researchers.
• Court in China's Hebei Jails Lawyer Who Took on Local Officials Radio Free Asia 24 Jun 2020 -- A lawyer who exposed wrongdoing and corruption among officials in the northern Chinese province of Hebei has been jailed for 14-and-a-half years on charges of "blackmail," RFA has learned.
• Empty Promises from the People's Republic of China in Africa US Dept. of State 24 Jun 2020 -- "The American people continue to stand with our partners across Africa in confronting the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic."
• Taiwan Announces Aid Plan for Hong Kongers Who Have Fled to Taiwan VOA 24 Jun 2020 -- Taiwan announced recently a plan to use state funds to help Hong Kong protesters who have fled to Taiwan out of fear of prosecution at home.
• Launch marks milestone in nation's space effort People's Daily 24 Jun 2020 -- The final satellite to complete the third-generation network of China's Beidou Navigation Satellite System was launched on Tuesday morning, marking a milestone in the nation's space endeavor.
• DPRK suspends military action plans against S. Korea People's Daily 24 Jun 2020 -- A military meeting of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has decided to suspend the military action plans against South Korea, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said on Wednesday.
• North Korean leader suspends plans of military action against South Press TV 24 Jun 2020 -- North Koran leader Kim Jong-un has suspended "military action plans" against South Korea, in an effort to de-escalate rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
• Kim Jong Un Calls Off 'Military Action' Against South Korea VOA 24 Jun 2020 -- North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has suspended unspecified military action against South Korea, state media said Wednesday, an apparent reduction in tensions following weeks of threats from Pyongyang.
• North Korea Removing Loudspeakers From Border With South - Report Sputnik 24 Jun 2020 -- North Korea has started removing propaganda loudspeakers at the border with the South, South Korean news agency Yonhap reported citing sources.
• DPRK seen removing loudspeakers from border with S. Korea: media People's Daily 24 Jun 2020 -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) was seen removing loudspeakers set up from Sunday afternoon in the border areas with South Korea, multiple local media reported Wednesday.
• South Korean Military Warned against Imprudent Acts KCNA 24 Jun 2020 -- Kim Yong Chol, vice-chairman of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, made public the following statement on June 24:
• Preliminary Meeting for 5th Meeting of 7th WPK Central Military Commission Held KCNA 24 Jun 2020 -- A preliminary meeting for the fifth meeting of the Seventh Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) took place through video conferencing on June 23.
• Borrell to spare no efforts to preserve JCPOA: EU ISNA 24 Jun 2020 -- The spokesperson for the external affairs of the European Union Peter Stano said on Wednesday that Josep Borrell as the coordinator of the nuclear deal affairs with Iran will spare no efforts to preserve the agreement.
• Iran still ready to accept IAEA's legal monitoring: President Rouhani ISNA 24 Jun 2020 -- Iran's President stressed the importance of maintaining the reputation and status of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for the sake of the international community and stressed, "The basis of Iran's work is cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency, but the Agency must maintain its independence and do not deviate from its legal path under the United States and the Zionist Regime's pressures".
• Iran ready for coop with IAEA as long as it retains independence: Rouhani Press TV 24 Jun 2020 -- President Hassan Rouhani says Iran is prepared, as before, to continue its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) as long as the UN nuclear watchdog does not deviate from the legal frameworks and does not fall under Israeli and American influence.
• Zarif: Pompeo so desperate to mislead world on Iran; fails to notice own flaw Press TV 24 Jun 2020 -- Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has ridiculed his US counterpart for his erroneous estimates of the Iranian Air Force's reach in Europe and Asia when the UN arms embargo against Tehran expires, saying this shows Mike Pompeo is desperately attempting to mislead the world about Iran.
• Europe played into the hands of Trump, Bolton by IAEA move: Iran Press TV 24 Jun 2020 -- Iran's top security official says Europe turned itself into a plaything for US President Donald Trump and his former hawkish national security advisor John Bolton by presenting an anti-Iranian resolution that was recently adopted by the UN nuclear watchdog's Board of Governors.
• US Calls On Iran To Fulfill Mandated Nuclear Obligations Radio Farda 24 Jun 2020 -- In its annual report on global adherence to arms control treaties, the U.S. Department of State has called on the Islamic Republic of Iran to fulfill all its obligations to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) "without denial, deception, and wasting time."
• Iran's Rouhani Repeats Demand For US To Apologize Before Any Talks Radio Farda 24 Jun 2020 -- Iran's President Hassan Rouhani has repeated a previous demand that the United States should apologize, return to the 2015 nuclear agreement and compensate Iran for economic losses, before Tehran negotiates over outstanding issues.
• US Keen To Extend Arms Embargo On Iran, Says China, Russia To Be Isolated At UN Radio Farda 24 Jun 2020 -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has reiterated the need to extend the UN arms embargo on Iran that will end in October, warning China and Russia they will be isolated if they oppose a decision at the UN Security Council.
• Pompeo Hopeful The 'Whole World' Will Back Extension Of Iran Arms Embargo RFE/RL 24 Jun 2020 -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says he is "hopeful" that the "whole world" will understand the need to extend a UN arms embargo on Iran beyond October, when it is set to be progressively eased under the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers.
• Sanctions on Iranian Tanker Captains for Assistance to Maduro's Illegitimate Regime US Dept. of State 24 Jun 2020 -- "Today, the United States, under Executive Order 13599, is sanctioning five Iranian ship captains, who delivered approximately 1.5 million barrels of Iranian gasoline and related components to Venezuela in support of the illegitimate Maduro regime."
• Treasury Sanctions Five Iranian Captains Who Delivered Gasoline to the Maduro Regime in Venezuela US Treasury 24 Jun 2020 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) took action against the captains of the five ships that U.S.-sanctioned Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) and National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC) used to deliver Iranian gasoline to the illegitimate Maduro regime in Venezuela.
• Iranian cargo ship carrying food docks at Venezuelan port Press TV 24 Jun 2020 -- An Iranian-flagged cargo ship carrying foodstuff has docked at a port in Venezuela, the sixth vessel Tehran has sent to the sanctions-hit Latin American country over the past weeks.
• Iran no longer relying on Strait of Hormuz for oil exports: Rouhani Press TV 24 Jun 2020 -- President Hassan Rouhani says Iran no longer relies on the Strait of Hormuz for oil exports as a new oil terminal created on the Sea of Oman is opening a new export route for its crude.
• Iran Pres says CBI capable of harnessing forex fluctuations IRNA 24 Jun 2020 -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani announced on Wednesday that the Central Bank of Iran (CBI) is capable of getting fluctuations in the forex market under control.
• Housing Prices, Rents Climb Fast As Iran's National Currency Loses Value Radio Farda 24 Jun 2020 -- Real estate prices in Iran's capital Tehran have risen by 23 percent in the past one month, the Ministry of Housing, Roads and Urban Development has announced.
• Romania: Autopsy indicates fugitive ex-Iranian judge died of impact from fall Press TV 24 Jun 2020 -- Romania says autopsy findings indicate that the fugitive former Iranian judge, whose body was found at a hotel in Bucharest last week, died of the impact from a fall.
• Iran's Top Military Commanders Praise Khamenei's Likely Successor Radio Farda 24 Jun 2020 -- In a move unprecedented in Iran's political dynamics, two top military commanders have openly lent support to Judiciary chief Ebrahim Raeesi, who is the most talked about candidate to replace Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as Iran's next supreme leader.
• Historic reforms initiated in the Space sector India PIB 24 Jun 2020 -- Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today approved far reaching reforms in the Space sector aimed at boosting private sector participation in the entire range of space activities. The decision taken is in line with the long-term vision of the Prime Minister of transforming India and making the country self-reliant and technologically advanced.
• India Ends Monopoly of its Space Agency, Sets Up New Entity to Facilitate Private Players Sputnik 24 Jun 2020 -- Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on 16 May announced certain structural reforms which included the opening up of space technology to private players. Sitharaman had said, "future projects for planetary exploration, outer space travel, etc shall also be open for the private sector".
• NASA Hints at Potential Deal With Bezos' Blue Origin and Other Firms Announcing New Space Plan Sputnik 24 Jun 2020 -- The initiative will be part of NASA's plans to commercialise space travel and is an offshoot of the Commercial Crew Programme the agency signed with private US aerospace companies. Last month, it resulted in the first manned mission to the International Space Station from American soil since 2011.
• Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Chairs Cabinet's Virtual Session SPA 24 Jun 2020 -- Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chaired today a Cabinet's virtual session.