Israel expands war against Iran to target symbols of its power, including a notorious prison
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Israel on Monday expanded its war against Iran to include targets associated with the country's struggling theocracy, striking the gate of a Tehran prison notorious for holding political activists and hitting the headquarters of the military force that suppressed recent protests.
As plumes of thick smoke rose over Tehran, Israel was attacked with yet another barrage of Iranian missiles and drones. The persistent fire has become a reality for civilians in both countries since Israel started the war to target Tehran's rapidly advancing nuclear program.
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Vancouver Sun
36 minutes ago
- Vancouver Sun
U.S. airbase in Qatar attacked by Iran was visited by Trump in May
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told ABC News on Monday morning that Iran was an 'imminent threat' and that President Donald Trump is the 'first president with the guts to actually do something about it.' She was definitive about the outcome of the surprise U.S. strikes against Iran over the weekend, saying they 'took away Iran's ability to create a nuclear bomb.' American stealth bombers, fighter jets and a submarine struck Iran with bombs and missiles — joining Israel's attempt to wipe out Iran's nuclear program. Here's the Latest: Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. U.S. confirms strikes from Iran targeting base in Qatar A Defence Department official is confirming a missile attack from Iran on a U.S. military base in Qatar, but says no casualties have been reported. The official said Monday that Al Udeid Air Base was attacked by short-range and medium-range ballistic missiles. The U.S. is continuing to monitor the situation, said the official. The confirmation came soon after Iran acknowledged the missile attacks, saying the attack in Qatar matched the number of bombs dropped by the United States on its nuclear sites over the weekend, signaling its likely desire to de-escalate. Iran launched attacks Monday, retaliating for the American bombing of its nuclear sites and escalating tensions in the volatile region. Qatar said there's no casualties after Iran's attack on the Al Udeid Air Base The quick statement from Qatar Foreign Minister spokesman Majed al-Ansari said that the energy-rich nation 'condemns the attack that targeted Al Udeid Air Base by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.' 'We reassure that Qatar's air defences successfully thwarted the attack and intercepted the Iranian missiles,' it added. Qatar said it would push for diplomatic efforts for 'a serious return to the negotiating table and dialogue.' Al Udeid is also home to the Combined Air Operations Center, which provides command and control of airpower across the region as well as the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing, the largest expeditionary wing in the world. Iran launches missile attacks in Qatar Iran launched missile attacks Monday on a U.S. military base in Qatar , retaliating for the American bombing of its nuclear sites and escalating tensions in the volatile region. People in Doha, Qatar's capital, stopped and looked up as missiles flew and interceptors fired and struck at least one missile in the night sky. Iran announced on state television that it attacked American forces stationed at Qatar's Al Udeid Air Base. Qatar issued a statement condemning the Iranian attack and said no casualties were reported. Trump visited the Qatari base Iran is attacking just last month Iran said Monday night that it attacked American forces stationed at Qatar's Al Udeid Air Base. Trump visited the base and addressed US and Qatari troops there in May during a trip to the region. Speaking to U.S. troops at the base in May, the president said, 'my priority is to end conflicts, not start them.' 'But I will never hesitate to wield American power, if it's necessary, to defend the United States of America or our partners. And this is one of our great partners right here,' referring to Qatar. 'When we're threatened, America's military will answer our enemies without even thinking about it. We have overwhelming strength and devastating force.' White House monitoring reported Iranian strikes on U.S. base in Qatar The White House and Pentagon are aware of, and closely monitoring, the potential threats to Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, according to a senior administration official. The official was not authorized to comment publicly. Trump questions ex-Russian president suggesting some countries could give nuclear warheads to Iran Trump is casting doubt on former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's suggestions that 'a number' of countries were considering supplying Iran with nuclear warheads. 'Did he really say that or is it just a figment of my imagination? If he did say that, and, if confirmed, please let me know, IMMEDIATELY,' Trump posted on his social media site. ( @realDonaldTrump - Truth Social Post ) ( Donald J. Trump - Jun 23, 2025, 11:27 AM ET ) Did I hear Former President Medvedev, from Russia, casually throwing around the 'N word' (Nuclear!), and saying that he and other Countries would supply Nuclear Warheads to Iran? Did he… The president also questioned Medvedev's authority compared to Russian President Vladimir Putin, writing that the threat of nuclear attack 'should not be treated so casually. I guess that's why Putin's 'THE BOSS.'' Trump ended his message with an implicit threat. He said U.S. bombing might displayed in Iran over the weekend could pale in comparison to the lethal force of 'our nuclear submarines.' Democratic lawmakers demand halt to Medicaid data transfer to immigration officials A group of Democratic House members demanded Trump administration officials on Monday to stop sharing data of Medicaid enrollees — including their immigration status — with the Department of Homeland Security. The request came in a letter sent by 31 lawmakers to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The letter was sent in response to an Associated Press report this month that detailed how deportation officials had obtained the sensitive data over the objections of career health officials. The data could assist federal agents in finding migrants. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Rep. Adriano Espaillat, chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, were among those who signed the letter. It follows a letter sent last week by Democratic senators to Kennedy and other Trump appointees. Trump targets Massie The president is unloading on Rep. Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican who has criticized his attack on Iran. 'GET THIS 'BUM' OUT OF OFFICE, ASAP!!!' Trump wrote on social media. ( @realDonaldTrump - Truth Social Post ) ( Donald J. Trump - Jun 23, 2025, 9:41 AM ET ) GET THIS 'BUM' OUT OF OFFICE, ASAP!!! He posted a lengthy message on Sunday describing Massie as 'a negative force' who is 'not MAGA, even though he likes to say he is.' He promised that there would be a 'wonderful American Patriot running against him in the Republican Primary, and I'll be out in Kentucky campaigning really hard.' Trump will soon face a congressional vote over his military powers While the president has authority as the commander in chief of the U.S. armed forces to order specific military actions, any prolonged wartime footing would traditionally need authorization from Congress. The House and Senate authorized actions in Iraq, Afghanistan and beyond after the Sept. 11, 2001, attack. Trump faces a vote in Congress as soon as this week on a war powers resolution from Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., that would 'direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran that have not been authorized by Congress.' Another resolution has been introduced by lawmakers from both parties in the U.S. House. At least one, Ocasio-Cortez, said Trump's actions are 'clearly grounds for impeachment.' Trump urges oil producers to pump more oil With oil prices surging after U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, Trump on Monday called on oil producers to step it up. 'DRILL, BABY, DRILL!!! And I mean NOW!!!' Trump posted on social media. He added, 'EVERYONE, KEEP OIL PRICES DOWN. I'M WATCHING! YOU'RE PLAYING RIGHT INTO THE HANDS OF THE ENEMY. DON'T DO IT!' Iran's parliament has approved cutting off the Strait of Hormuz, about 20% of global oil and gas flows through the narrow shipping lane in the Persian Gulf. It's now up to Iran's national security council whether to move forward with the move that could lead to a spike in the cost of goods and services worldwide. Trump just 'raising a question' about regime change Leavitt said U.S. operations in the Middle East haven't changed despite Trump raising the possibility of toppling Iran's theocratic leadership. 'The president was just simply raising a question that I think many people around the world are asking,' she told reporters on Monday morning. She added, 'if they refuse to engage in diplomacy moving forward, why shouldn't the Iranian people rise up against this brutal terrorist regime?' On Sunday, Trump called into question the future of Iran's ruling theocracy after a surprise attack on three of the country's nuclear sites, seemingly contradicting his administration's earlier calls to resume negotiations and avoid an escalation in fighting. 'It's not politically correct to use the term, 'Regime Change,' but if the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn't there be a Regime change???' Trump posted on social media. 'MIGA!!!' Leavitt says Democrats were notified about U.S. attack on Iran Trump's bombardment of three sites in Iran quickly sparked debate in Congress over his authority to launch the strikes, with Republicans praising Trump for decisive action even as many Democrats warned he should have sought congressional approval. Leavitt rejected accusations that Democrats were not given a heads-up about the U.S. attack on Iran. 'We did make bipartisan calls,' Leavitt told Fox News. She said House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries 'couldn't be reached.' Traditionally, there are bipartisan briefings for congressional leaders, even for classified missions. Leavitt insisted the White House was 'not obligated to tell anybody' about the plans, but 'we gave these calls as a courtesy.' Pakistan condemns Trump shortly after nominating him for Nobel Pakistan condemned U.S. President Donald Trump for bombing Iran, less than 24 hours after saying he deserved a Nobel Peace Prize for defusing a recent crisis with India. Relations between the two South Asian countries plummeted after a massacre of tourists in Indian-controlled Kashmir in April. The nuclear-armed rivals stepped closer to war in the weeks that followed, attacking each other until intense diplomatic efforts, led by the U.S., resulted in a truce for which Trump took credit. Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here .
Vancouver Sun
36 minutes ago
- Vancouver Sun
What is the Strait of Hormuz, and what would it mean for Iran to close it?
Among the many concerns surrounding the ongoing conflict involving Israel, Iran and the United States is the state of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping lane for much of the world's oil and natural gas. Here's what to know. The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow channel of water that connects the Persian Gulf with the Arabian Sea (and beyond that the Indian Ocean). It is bounded on one side by Iran, and on the other by Oman and the United Arab Emirates. About 167 kilometres long, it is only about 50 kilometres wide at its entrance and exit, and just 33 kilometres across at its narrowest point. Since territorial waters typically extend 22 kilometres from the mainland, this puts part of the strait in both Iranian and Omanian waters. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. According to CBS News , more than a quarter of all oil shipped by sea in 2024 and the first quarter of 2025 travelled through the Strait of Hormuz. This amounted to about one-fifth of all oil and petroleum consumption worldwide. The strait also accounted for about one-fifth of the world's liquefied natural gas (LNG) trade last year. Close to 40 per cent of the oil that has passed through the strait daily came from Saudi Arabia — the most of any country — while most of the LNG was from Qatar. Other oil-producing nations that use the strait include Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. A report by Britain's Guardian newspaper notes that the most likely disruption would be in the form of mines laid in the shipping channel and primed to explode or launch a rocket from the seabed if they detect passing traffic. However, it notes that laying the mines would be a dangerous job, since any attempt to do so would likely come under attack from American and/or Israeli forces. Sir Alex Younger, former head of the U.K.'s intelligence agency MI6, told the BBC that a blockade of the strait by Iranian ships was another possibility, adding: 'Closing the strait would be obviously an incredible economic problem given the effect it would have on the oil price.' It's worth noting that Iran has repeatedly threatened over the years to close the Strait of Hormuz, but has never actually done so. The nearest it came was in the late 1980s, when so so-called 'tanker war' saw attacks on Kuwaiti and other oil tankers. This led to U.S. warships escorting tankers through the region for a while. Opher Baron , a distinguished professor of operations management at the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto, said that closing the strait could harm Iran's economy as well as others. 'There are ways to let your ships go through when you close it but it's complicated,' he said. On the other hand, he noted that Iran 'has its back to wall, more than past events. They may now take steps that they didn't take in the past.' Others are less concerned. An analysis by Reuters noted that, since the 1980s, several overland pipelines have come online in the region leading to the Red Sea port city of Yanbu, Saudi Arabia, and the Fujairah oil terminal in the UAE, which is just outside the Strait of Hormuz. Oil prices are already up over the uncertainty caused by the U.S. attack on Iran . Baron said the longer the conflict continues, the higher prices will go, and that a blockade of the strait could cause an even sharper spike. 'The uncertainly that it adds … is going to create some increases in price, and I think this will stay for quite a while,' he said. Gas prices have already risen in the past week, in part due to the threats in the region. 'A step like this is escalating things rather than de-escalating it,' he said. 'So I'm afraid it's going to have a longer impact, and we could see gas prices 20, 30 per cent that what they were a couple of weeks ago.' Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our newsletters here .
Edmonton Journal
39 minutes ago
- Edmonton Journal
U.S. airbase in Qatar attacked by Iran was visited by Trump in May
Article content Article content Leavitt said U.S. operations in the Middle East haven't changed despite Trump raising the possibility of toppling Iran's theocratic leadership. Article content 'The president was just simply raising a question that I think many people around the world are asking,' she told reporters on Monday morning. Article content She added, 'if they refuse to engage in diplomacy moving forward, why shouldn't the Iranian people rise up against this brutal terrorist regime?' Article content On Sunday, Trump called into question the future of Iran's ruling theocracy after a surprise attack on three of the country's nuclear sites, seemingly contradicting his administration's earlier calls to resume negotiations and avoid an escalation in fighting. Article content 'It's not politically correct to use the term, 'Regime Change,' but if the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn't there be a Regime change???' Trump posted on social media. 'MIGA!!!' Article content Article content Trump's bombardment of three sites in Iran quickly sparked debate in Congress over his authority to launch the strikes, with Republicans praising Trump for decisive action even as many Democrats warned he should have sought congressional approval. Article content Leavitt rejected accusations that Democrats were not given a heads-up about the U.S. attack on Iran. Article content 'We did make bipartisan calls,' Leavitt told Fox News. She said House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries 'couldn't be reached.' Article content Traditionally, there are bipartisan briefings for congressional leaders, even for classified missions. Article content Leavitt insisted the White House was 'not obligated to tell anybody' about the plans, but 'we gave these calls as a courtesy.' Article content Article content Pakistan condemned U.S. President Donald Trump for bombing Iran, less than 24 hours after saying he deserved a Nobel Peace Prize for defusing a recent crisis with India. Article content Relations between the two South Asian countries plummeted after a massacre of tourists in Indian-controlled Kashmir in April. The nuclear-armed rivals stepped closer to war in the weeks that followed, attacking each other until intense diplomatic efforts, led by the U.S., resulted in a truce for which Trump took credit.
