Trump says Iran is involved in Gaza hostage negotiations
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday (June 9, 2025) Iran is involved in negotiations aimed at arranging a ceasefire-for-hostages deal between Israel and Hamas.
"Gaza right now is in the midst of a massive negotiation between us and Hamas and Israel, and Iran actually is involved, and we'll see what's going to happen with Gaza. We want to get the hostages back," Mr Trump told reporters during an event in the White House State Dining Room.
Mr Trump did not elaborate and the White House did not immediately respond to a request for details of Iran's involvement. Iran's mission to the United Nations in New York did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The United States has proposed a 60-day ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Israel said it would abide by the terms but Hamas thus far has rejected the plan.
Under the proposal 28 Israeli hostages — alive and dead — would be released in the first week, in exchange for the release of 1,236 Palestinian prisoners and the remains of 180 dead Palestinians.
The United States and Iran are also separately trying to negotiate a deal on Tehran's nuclear program.

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Indian Express
13 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Russia launches 500 drones at Ukraine in biggest overnight bombardment of the war
Russia launched its biggest drone attack against Ukraine overnight, a Ukrainian official said Monday, part of an escalating bombing campaign that has further dashed hopes for a breakthrough in efforts to end the 3-year-old war. On the third straight night of significant aerial bombardments, US President Donald Trump lashed out at Russian leader Vladimir Putin, saying he had gone 'crazy' by stepping up attacks on Ukraine. The expansion of Russia's air campaign appeared to be another setback US-led peace efforts, as Putin looks determined to capture more Ukrainian territory and inflict more damage. It comes after Kyiv accepted an unconditional 30-day ceasefire in March that was proposed by the US but that Moscow effectively rejected. This month alone, Russia has broken its record for aerial bombardments of Ukraine three times. Russia is also still pushing along the roughly 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line, where it has made slow and costly progress, and is assembling its forces for a summer offensive, analysts say. 'Only a sense of complete impunity can allow Russia to carry out such attacks and continually escalate their scale,' Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram on Monday. 'There is no significant military logic to this, but there is considerable political meaning.' The Russian bombardment on Sunday night included 355 drones, Yuriy Ihnat, head of the Ukrainian air force's communications department, told The Associated Press, calling it the biggest of the war. The previous night, Russia fired 298 drones and 69 missiles in what Ukrainian officials said was the largest combined aerial assault of the conflict. From Friday to Sunday, Russia launched around 900 drones at Ukraine, officials said. Russia's Defense Ministry, meanwhile, said Monday that its forces shot down 103 Ukrainian drones overnight that were flying over southern and western Russia, including near Moscow. Russia's Federal Air Transport Agency said 32 flights scheduled to land at three Moscow airports on Sunday and Monday had to divert amid Ukrainian drone attacks. The numbers from Ukraine and Russia could not be independently verified. Soon after Russia's Feb. 24, 2022, invasion, the conflict became a testing ground for increasingly sophisticated drone warfare. Drones are generally cheaper to produce than missiles. Russia has received Iranian-made Shahed drones since 2022 and is now believed to be manufacturing its own version. Ukraine, as well as receiving smaller battlefield drones from its allies to help it compensate for a troop shortage, has developed its own long-range drones for strikes deep inside Russia. Meanwhile, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Monday that there are 'no longer any range restrictions for weapons that have been delivered to Ukraine — neither by the British, nor by the French or by us, and not by the Americans either.' 'That means Ukraine can also defend itself by, for example, attacking military positions in Russia. Until a while ago, it couldn't … it can now,' he said. It was not clear if Merz was referring to the easing of restrictions on longer-range weapons late last year. Before becoming chancellor, Merz called for Germany to supply Taurus long-range cruise missiles to Kyiv, something his predecessor, Olaf Scholz, refused to do. Commenting on Merz's statement, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that a decision to lift range restrictions was 'quite dangerous' and 'contrary to our efforts to reach a political settlement.' On Monday, French President Emmanuel Macron said the latest Russian bombardments 'show the extent to which President Putin has lied to the Europeans and to the Americans.' He told reporters while on a visit to Vietnam that Ukraine's allies should, with U.S. support, set Putin a deadline 'so that finally everyone can understand that he is lying and that beyond this deadline, massive retaliation is carried out, in particular in terms of sanctions.' The European Union's top diplomat, foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, also said the bloc intended to impose more sanctions on Moscow, calling Russia's latest attacks as 'totally appalling.' Trump has threatened massive sanctions, too, but so far hasn't taken action. But he made it clear Sunday night that he is losing patience with Putin. 'I've always had a very good relationship with Vladimir Putin of Russia, but something has happened to him. He has gone absolutely CRAZY!' Trump wrote in a social media post. Trump said Putin is 'needlessly killing a lot of people,' pointing out that 'missiles and drones are being shot into Cities in Ukraine, for no reason whatsoever.' The U.S. president also expressed frustration with Zelenskyy, saying that he is 'doing his Country no favors by talking the way he does.' Peskov, the Kremlin spokesman, said Putin makes decisions that are necessary to ensure Russia's security and that the attacks were Moscow's response to a series of deep strikes by Ukraine. He said negotiations are at 'a decisive moment that is linked to emotional overloading for everyone and emotional reactions.' Russia and Ukraine swapped hundreds more prisoners Sunday in the third and last part of a major exchange. All told, each side released more than 1,000 prisoners — soldiers and civilians — in the biggest swap of the war.


Time of India
20 minutes ago
- Time of India
BET Awards 2025: Doechii slams Donald Trump for 'ruthless attacks' in LA protests
The BET Awards 2025 are here! Amid the annual awards show honouring excellence in Black culture across all forms of entertainment that went live on Monday, June 9, at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles, Hollywood rapper Doechii is making headlines for her bold acceptance speech in the 'Best Female Hip-Hop Artist' category. An already Grammy winner, Doechii addressed the immigration raids and protest crackdowns that took place on June 9. While opening up about the protests happening just a few miles away, the 26-year-old rapper said, "There are ruthless attacks that are creating fear and chaos in our communities in the name of law and order,' Associated Press reported. She went on to add that US President Donald Trump is using military forces to stop a protest, and she wants all to consider what kind of government it appears to be when "every time we exercise our democratic right to protest, the military is deployed against us.' Doechii takes a dig at the US government amid LA protests During the speech, the rapper also questioned the government and urged for a collection against the oppression. She said, "What type of government is that?" She accused the government of enforcing the 'ruthless attacks' and creating fear and chaos in the name of law and order. She said, 'I feel like it's my responsibility as an artist to use this moment to speak up for all oppressed people. … We all deserve to live in hope and not fear. I hope we stand together.' 'Trump is using military forces to stop a protest — I want y'all to consider what kind of government it appears to be when every time we exercise our democratic right to protest, the military is deployed against us.'— Doechii at the #BETAwards Emphasising the need for justice against the immigration raids, she said people are being swept up and torn from their families. Notably, Doechii is the third woman to win a Grammy for the best rap album at the event and bagged her first-ever BET Award. Netizens react to Doechii's speech at the BET Awards As soon as the visuals of the speech surfaced on the internet, it quickly grabbed a mixed bag of reactions from netizens. One wrote on a Reddit thread, "THEY COULD NEVER MAKE ME HATE HER." "YES DOECHII!!! So grateful she's using her platform like this," another wrote. "I dont know. And yes. They were like scared of the first part of her speech like "I hope she doesnt talk about israel". "I'm not a fan of political statements during award shows but this time it seems pretty necessary because it's affects not just LA citizens and residents but all Americans," one said. Know about the Los Angeles protest According to Reuters, protests in Los Angeles have escalated, as the US military is set to temporarily delay 700 Marines. The deployment marks a rare use of active-duty troops for domestic unrest.
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First Post
21 minutes ago
- First Post
'A disgrace, outrageous': Macron hits out at Israel for Gaza blockade of aid
Macron has strongly criticised Israel's blockade of Gaza, calling it 'a disgrace' and 'outrageous', while urging an immediate ceasefire and the release of detained activists, including Greta Thunberg. read more French President Emmanuel Macron called Israel's blockade of Gaza and its obstruction of humanitarian aid 'outrageous', renewing his call for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all detainees, and the reopening of border crossings. France was 'vigilant' and 'stands by all its nationals when they are in danger,' Macron said. The French government also asked Israel to ensure the activists' protection. He further described the humanitarian blockade of Gaza as 'a scandal' and 'a disgrace' . STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD His remarks followed the Israeli navy's interception of the aid ship Madelene from the Freedom Flotilla in international waters on Monday. The vessel, headed to Gaza, was carrying six French citizens among its activists. Macron said France is closely monitoring the situation, has taken steps to ensure its citizens' safety, and has urged Israel to secure their swift return. Israel's foreign ministry earlier stated that 'all the passengers of the 'selfie yacht' are safe and unharmed', and said it expected the activists to return to their home countries soon. Macron also urged Israel to promptly release all 12 activists on board, including Greta Thunberg – a move that triggered protests in several European cities. The Madelene was intercepted by Israeli forces on Monday while en route to Gaza. Tens of thousands joined demonstrations in reaction to the seizure. In France, rallies were held in Paris and at least five other cities, organised by left-wing parties. Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of France Unbowed (LFI), called the action 'international piracy'. In Switzerland, protesters blocked train stations in Geneva and Lausanne. Around 300 people waving Palestinian flags occupied platforms at Geneva's main station for about an hour, causing delays and cancellations. Police later dispersed a similar protest in Lausanne. Macron's office confirmed he had demanded the immediate release of the six French nationals on board and their safe return to France. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Later on Monday, Israeli forces escorted the Madelene to Ashdod Port, several hours after it was intercepted. An AFP photographer confirmed the ship's arrival around 8:45 pm local time, accompanied by two Israeli navy vessels. The current status of the activists remains unclear. With inputs from AFP