Latest news with #IntelligenceAgency
Libya Review
02-08-2025
- Politics
- Libya Review
Libyan Intelligence Dismantles Crypto-Funded ISIS Network
Libya's Intelligence Agency has announced the dismantling of three coordinated ISIS-affiliated terrorist cells operating in the country's southern region. The cells were said to have international ties across Africa and Europe, and were involved in recruitment, illicit finance, and logistics for extremist operations. In press statements, a senior intelligence official said that the operation is part of Libya's broader counterterrorism strategy aimed at dismantling sleeper cells and cutting off extremist funding sources. According to investigative reports from local media, the first cell was tasked with recruiting fighters and coordinating the transfer of ISIS operatives from North Africa to conflict zones in Somalia and the Sahel. It used forged passports and hidden safehouses to conceal its activity. The second cell specialized in money laundering, using front companies disguised as humanitarian organizations to funnel resources. These funds were used to support ISIS fugitives fleeing Syria's notorious Al-Hol detention camp, some of whom were reportedly relocated to safe havens in Libya. The third and most dangerous cell, according to officials, managed financial transactions using cryptocurrency and obscure investment channels. This group acted as a funding hub, transferring digital assets across borders to sustain ISIS operations. The operation follows the recent discovery of a massive weapons cache buried beneath a residential property in Sabha, a key southern city. The stockpile included mortars, anti-aircraft guns, explosives, and improvised devices believed to be linked to terrorist groups. These developments have once again highlighted the deteriorating security situation in Libya's southern region, where weak state presence, vast desert terrain, and porous borders have enabled extremist groups to regroup and operate. Security experts warn that unless Libya strengthens its southern security infrastructure, it risks becoming a corridor for transnational terrorism and trafficking. Tags: IntelligenceISISlibyaSouth LibyaTerror Cell
CBS News
24-06-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
One US report assessed Iran was 3 to 8 months from nuclear weapon—but no sign it planned to, intel sources say
What happens next after U.S. bombed Iranian nuclear sites? Washington — On the same day that President Trump ordered Saturday's strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, a U.S. intelligence agency assessed that Iran could make a nuclear weapon in three to eight months — but there was no indication that it had decided to do so, CBS News has learned. The intelligence summary, issued Saturday for the military's Joint Chiefs of Staff, found that Iran could build a nuclear device in months if it did not run into technical or logistical delays, two American intelligence sources familiar with the document told CBS News. But at that time, the summary did not assess that Iran had made a decision to sprint toward a nuclear weapon — lining up with U.S. assessments for years. Similar assessments were made in the days leading up to the U.S. strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities, and in the days afterward. The U.S. airstrikes came amid a wider dayslong Israeli offensive against Iranian nuclear facilities, though Mr. Trump announced Monday that Iran and Israel had agreed to a ceasefire. The intelligence summary also found that Iranian officials had discussed moving canisters of highly enriched uranium into car trunks and storing them in public parking lots to avoid destruction. Iran has increased its stockpiles of highly enriched uranium in recent months, sparking concerns among both Iran's adversaries and international watchdogs. The country has enriched uranium up to 60% purity, which is only a short step away from the 90% level generally used in nuclear weapons. Mr. Trump said last week Iran was "very close to having" a nuclear weapon, and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said Iran "is at the point that it can produce a nuclear weapon within weeks to months, if they decide to finalize the assembly." The head of U.S. Central Command, Gen. Michael Kurilla, testified in mid-June that if Iran were to decide to sprint to a nuclear weapon, it would be able to produce enough weapons-grade material for a simple nuclear weapon in one week and could make enough for 10 nuclear weapons in three weeks. U.S. intelligence officials have said for years that Iran formally halted its nuclear weapons development program in 2003. In March, the U.S. intelligence community assessed that Iran was not building a nuclear weapon and the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, still had not reauthorized the program, but "pressure has probably built on him to do so" — noting an "erosion of a decades-long taboo on discussing nuclear weapons in public." Different agencies in the intelligence community may have their own assessments about what Iran's nuclear capabilities were prior to the strikes. Gabbard reiterated that assessment in testimony to Congress earlier this year. But last week, Mr. Trump told reporters Gabbard was "wrong" about whether Iran was building a nuclear weapon, later adding, "I think they were very close to having one." Gabbard later said she and the president were on the same page, and the media was "taking my testimony out of context." The U.S. airstrikes targeted two Iranian uranium enrichment facilities and a nuclear research site, following a dayslong air campaign by Israel, which has alleged Iran is "racing towards a nuclear bomb." The impact of the weekend strikes by the U.S. is still not clear; the Pentagon offered a preliminary public assessment of the damage soon after the strikes. "Initial battle damage assessments indicate that all three sites sustained extremely severe damage and destruction," Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine said Sunday, adding that a full assessment would take time. Iran, for its part, has long denied that it intends to build nuclear weapons, and insists its uranium enrichment program is meant for peaceful purposes. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told CBS News' "Face The Nation" on Sunday that the Iranian sites targeted in the U.S. strikes were linked to Iran's "nuclear weaponization ambitions." When asked whether the U.S. believed Khamenei had ordered the building of a nuclear weapon, Rubio called the issue "irrelevant." "They have everything they need to build nuclear weapons," Rubio said. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement, "President Trump and the administration have always been right to say that if Iran chose to make a nuclear bomb, they could do so within weeks, which obviously poses an imminent threat to the US and the world." "[T]hanks to President Trump's strong leadership and the incredibly successful military strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities, their capacity to build a nuclear bomb has been obliterated and the world can sleep easy at night," she added. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence referred any questions to the Defense Department, which did not respond to CBS News' request for comment. , and contributed to this report.
NDTV
17-06-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Iran Launches Fresh Wave Of Missile Attacks On Israel: 10 Points
New Delhi: Iran launched a fresh wave of missile and drone attacks on Israel as the conflict entered its fifth consecutive day today, fuelling fears of a drawn-out conflict that could engulf the Middle East. Here are the top updates on Iran-Israel conflict: The tensions between the longtime enemies, Iran and Israel, escalated after Tel Aviv launched what it called 'Operation Rising Lion' against Iran's nuclear facilities last week. Tehran, since then, has been responding with a barrage of missiles and drones that hit Israeli cities and towns, killing over 20 people and injuring hundreds. The Iranian authorities claimed to have busted a drone-producing factory of the Israeli Intelligence Agency Mossad in Tehran, local media reported. According to the report, the Iranian authorities arrested two people accused of working for Israel's Mossad intelligence agency in separate operations across Tehran and Alborz provinces. Over 200 kilograms of explosives, components for 23 drones, launchers, and other technical equipment were confiscated from the operatives. Iran's Foreign Minister and chief nuclear negotiator, Abbas Araghchi, said Israel's strikes against his country "deal a blow" to diplomacy during a call with his French, British, and German counterparts. "The Israeli aggression against Iran in the midst of nuclear negotiations with the United States is a blow to diplomacy," Abbas Araghchi said. Amid the conflict, dramatic visuals emerged online on Monday, showing a missile strike hitting the compound of the Iranian State TV studio. The anchor, Sahar Imami, who was midway through the bulletin, had to get up and leave as the entire studio shook with the impact of the missile. The United States is reinforcing its military presence in the Middle East to enhance its "defensive posture" as arch-rivals Iran and Israel ramp up their deadly conflict. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said he had ordered the deployment of additional defensive capabilities to the Middle East. However, did not disclose what military capabilities he sent to the region. Iran has threatened to exit the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty - which was made to halt the spread of nuclear weapons-making capability, and guarantee the right of all members to develop nuclear energy for peaceful ends. While, US President Donald Trump said he believes Iran wants to sign a deal with the US on its nuclear program amid the Israeli strikes. Trump has put out an "evacuate Tehran" warning for all Iranians, citing what he said was the country's rejection of a deal to curb nuclear weapons development. "Iran should have signed the 'deal' I told them to sign. What a shame, and waste of human life. Simply stated, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. I said it over and over again! Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!" Trump wrote on his Truth Social. The US President is leaving the Group of Seven (G7) summit in Canada a day early due to the situation in the Middle East, the White House said on Monday. "President Trump had a great day at the G7, even signing a major trade deal with the United Kingdom and Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Much was accomplished, but because of what's going on in the Middle East, President Trump will be leaving tonight after dinner with Heads of State," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said. The Indian Embassy in Tel Aviv on Saturday set up a round the clock emergency helpline and advised Indian nationals to stay vigilant after escalation in Israel's conflict with Iran. "We are continuously monitoring the evolving situation including the safety of Indians nationals. In case of any emergency, please contact the 24x7 helpline of the Embassy: Telephone +972 54-7520711 +972 54-3278392 *Email* Indian embassy posted on X on Saturday. Many countries such as China, Turkey, and the UK have urged Iran and Israel to immediately take steps to reduce tensions. The nuclear negotiations between Tehran and Washington that were set to take place on Sunday had been called off.
CNN
04-06-2025
- General
- CNN
Video shows damage from Ukraine's attack on Russian airbases
Video from Ukraine's intelligence agency, the SBU, has shed light on the bold attack carried out on Russian airbases. CNN's International Security Editor Nick Paton Walsh analyzes the dramatic footage.
CNN
04-06-2025
- General
- CNN
Video shows damage from Ukraine's attack on Russian airbases
Video from Ukraine's intelligence agency, the SBU, has shed light on the bold attack carried out on Russian airbases. CNN's International Security Editor Nick Paton Walsh analyzes the dramatic footage.
