
US announces sanctions on three Iranian officials for ex-FBI agent's death
The United States on Tuesday announced sanctions on three purported Iranian intelligence officers over the death of former FBI agent Robert Levinson, who vanished in 2007.
"Our investigation continues -- we will pursue all options to hold Iran accountable," FBI Director Kash Patel said in a statement, which comes after President Donald Trump reached out to Iran for nuclear talks.
AFP

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MTV Lebanon
31 minutes ago
- MTV Lebanon
Trump Threatens Iran of 'Even More Brutal' Attacks
US President Donald Trump on Friday urged Iran to make a deal over its nuclear program, saying that there was still time for the country to prevent further conflict with Israel. 'There has already been great death and destruction, but there is still time to make this slaughter, with the next already planned attacks being even more brutal, come to an end,' Trump said in a post on Truth Social. Israel launched strikes against Iran on Friday, saying it had targeted nuclear facilities, ballistic missile factories and military commanders during the start of an operation to prevent Tehran from building a nuclear weapon. The US gave Iran 'chance after chance' to make a deal, Trump added. Earlier on Friday, the US president told Fox News he was aware Israel was going to conduct strikes on Iran before they happened and stressed that Tehran 'cannot have a nuclear bomb,' according to the US broadcaster. 'Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb and we are hoping to get back to the negotiating table. We will see,' Trump said, according to Fox News. However, The United States has underlined that it was not involved in the Israeli action and warned Tehran not to attack its personnel or interests. But Tehran said the United States would be 'responsible for consequences' as Israel's operation 'cannot have been carried out without the coordination and permission of the United States.' Israel's operation struck at the 'heart of Iran's nuclear enrichment program,' taking aim at the atomic facility in Natanz and nuclear scientists, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said. The operation against Iran will 'continue as many days as it takes,' Netanyahu said, adding in a later video statement that the initial strikes were 'very successful.' Iran's Revolutionary Guards leader Hossein Salami and armed forces Chief of Staff Mohammad Bagheri were killed in the Israeli operation, said Iranian media. Iranian state media said residential buildings in Tehran were hit as well, killing a number of civilians including women and children. Air traffic was halted at Tehran's main international airport Imam Khomeini, while neighboring Iraq has also closed its airspace and suspended all flights at all airports, state media reported. Israel declared a state of emergency, likewise closing its airspace, with Defence Minister Israel Katz anticipating retaliatory action from Tehran. 'Following the State of Israel's pre-emptive strike against Iran, a missile and drone attack against the State of Israel and its civilian population is expected in the immediate future,' Katz said. An Israeli military official added that the Israeli army believed that Iran had the ability to strike Israel 'any minute'. 'Might blow' deal Oil prices surged 12 percent while stocks sank on the Israeli strikes, which came after Trump's warning of a 'massive conflict' in the region. Trump had also said the United States was drawing down staff in the Middle East, after Iran threatened to target US military bases in the region if conflict breaks out. Trump said he believed a 'pretty good' deal on Iran's nuclear program was 'fairly close,' but said that an Israeli attack on its arch foe could wreck the chances of an agreement. The US leader did not disclose the details of a conversation on Monday with Netanyahu but said: 'I don't want them going in, because I think it would blow it.' Trump quickly added: 'Might help it actually, but it also could blow it.' Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned Iran not to respond to Israeli strikes by hitting US bases, saying Washington was not involved. 'Let me be clear: Iran should not target US interests or personnel,' Rubio said in a statement. Prior to Friday's attack, Iran had threatened to hit US bases in the Middle East if conflict were to erupt. 'All its bases are within our reach, we have access to them, and without hesitation we will target all of them in the host countries,' Iran's Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh said this week. With the violence raising questions on whether a sixth round of talks planned between the US and Iran will still take place on Sunday in Oman, Trump said however that Washington is still 'hoping to get back to the negotiating table'. Confirming Natanz among targets, the UN's nuclear watchdog said it was 'closely monitoring' the situation. 'The agency is in contact with Iranian authorities regarding radiation levels. We are also in contact with our inspectors in the country,' International Atomic Energy Agency head Rafael Grossi said.


Al Manar
an hour ago
- Al Manar
Imam Khamenei: Iran to Make Malicious Israeli Regime Miserable
Leader of the Islamic Revolution in Iran Imam Sayyed Ali Khamenei vowed that the Iranian Armed Forces will respond powerfully to the Israeli acts of aggression on the Islamic Republic. The Armed Forces will respond powerfully and bring ruin upon the malicious Zionist regime, the Leader said in a televised message to the Iranian nation on Friday evening. 'The Zionist regime won't be able to escape unscathed from this crime,'. 'The Iranian Armed Forces will make the malicious Zionist regime miserable,' the Leader stated, affirming: 'The Zionist regime won't be able to escape unscathed from this crime.' Today, we must give a strong response to the evil, despicable, terrorist Zionist identity. God willing, we will respond with strength, and will show no mercy to them. — (@khamenei_ir) June 13, 2025 He addressed the Iranian nation as saying: 'Iran will not go for half measures in its response. The Iranian nation can rest assured that there will be no leniency in this matter.' 'Strong action should be taken, and will be taken,' Imam Khamenei said. 'We will have no leniency on them. Life will undoubtedly turn bleak for them.' His eminence said the entire Iranian nation stood behind the Armed Forces, and 'the Islamic Republic will, by God's grace, defeat the Zionist regime.' Life will definitely become bitter for the Zionists. — (@khamenei_ir) June 13, 2025


Nahar Net
2 hours ago
- Nahar Net
Putin condemns Israeli strikes on Iran, says ready to mediate
by Naharnet Newsdesk 13 June 2025, 21:04 Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned Israel's wave of strikes launched at Iran, the Kremlin said on Friday, as he held separate phone calls with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. "Vladimir Putin stressed that Russia condemns Israel's actions, which violate the UN Charter and international law," the Kremlin said in a statement, adding that Putin told Netanyahu of his "readiness to provide mediation" to prevent further escalation.