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Israel used civilian drones inside Iran during 12-day war, Tehran says

Jul 1, 2025, 20:55 GMT+1

Israeli-operated civilian drones were used from inside Iranian territory to carry out attacks during the recent 12-day conflict with Israel, Iran’s defense ministry confirmed Tuesday, criticizing the lack of regulations governing drone use in the country.

“One of the tools used by the Zionist enemy to harm public security, residential areas, and specific parts of the country was the use of civilian drones for military purposes,” Reza Talaei-Nik, spokesperson for the defense ministry, said in a televised interview.

He blamed a lack of legal and structural frameworks governing the drone industry and its use in Iran, saying that a new law passed by Iran’s parliament aims to regulate the drone sector.

“This law will oversee the process of drone manufacturing, their operational system, and their import and export."

“Drone use must be treated like cars, with ownership documents issued by the police and flight permits obtained from the Civil Aviation Organization. The law also defines regulations for domestic drone production,” Talaei-Nik added.

Israeli media previously reported that Mossad had established a drone base inside Iran as part of a broader infiltration operation.

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Trump says he will get whatever he wants from Iran

Jul 1, 2025, 20:29 GMT+1

Iran has been severely weakened by the US airstrikes and sanctions, and is in no position to resist US demands, President Donald Trump said on Tuesday, expressing confidence that he can secure whatever he wants from Tehran if needed.

“We had tremendous success with Iran. They were not happy… They’re so bombed out. That place was decimated. It’ll be years before anyone can even get down there," Trump told reporters in Florida.

When asked about the possibility of the US signing a nuclear agreement with Tehran, Trump said "that’s not a priority" after the successful strikes.

"But we’ll get whatever we want, whatever we want from Iran,” he said.

“I think—and I hope—they want to have a good country. You know, they’re under massive sanctions right now. Biting sanctions. It’s very hard for them to do anything under those sanctions. I look forward to maybe a time when we can get along, and they can rebuild their country."

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told CBS News earlier, “I don’t think negotiations will restart as quickly as that... but the doors of diplomacy will never slam shut.”

US envoy Steve Witkoff previously said that talks with Iran are ongoing through both direct and indirect channels.

In his Tuesday remarks, Trump also said he will celebrate the success of the Iran operation when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits the White House next week.

“It’s going to be a very quick celebration. We had a great hit—it was an obliteration.”

Trump praised the US military’s operation on the three nuclear sites and said those involved in the mission would be invited to the White House.

Iran, however, has rejected the notion that its nuclear program was destroyed, insisting that its knowledge and scientific capabilities remain intact.

“One cannot obliterate the technology and science of enrichment through bombings,” Araghchi said. “If the will exists on our part—and it does—we will be able to repair the damage and recover lost time quickly.”

Iran remains under international sanctions not only for its nuclear program, but also over its human rights record and its support for Russia’s war in Ukraine.

US downplays Iran-linked hackers’ threat, calls it digital propaganda

Jul 1, 2025, 19:20 GMT+1

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Tuesday downplayed threats by an Iran-linked hacker group to disclose stolen emails from the US president's circle, calling it a smear campaign to demean Donald Trump.

“A hostile foreign adversary is threatening to illegally exploit purportedly stolen and unverified material in an effort to distract, discredit, and divide,” the Department of Homeland Security wrote on X.

“This so-called cyber ‘attack’ is nothing more than digital propaganda, and the targets are no coincidence.”

The department warned that any individuals responsible would be held accountable.

Hackers affiliated with Iran, using the pseudonym "Robert," have threatened to release additional stolen emails from associates of Trump, Reuters reported.

The group, which leaked an earlier batch of documents ahead of the 2024 presidential election, claims to possess roughly 100 gigabytes of emails from accounts linked to White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Trump lawyer Lindsey Halligan, adviser Roger Stone, and Stormy Daniels, a well-known Trump critic.

US Attorney General Pam Bondi called the breach “an unconscionable cyberattack,” while FBI Director Kash Patel vowed that anyone involved in national security violations would face full prosecution.

“This is a calculated smear campaign meant to damage President Trump and discredit honorable public servants who serve our country with distinction. These criminals will be found and brought to justice,” the DHS said.

Despite earlier comments to Reuters suggesting that no further leaks were planned and that the group had “retired,” Robert re-emerged following the recent 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran, which culminated in US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.

“Let this be a warning to others: there will be no refuge, tolerance, or leniency for these actions,” the DHS said.

Iranian exiled prince urges UK to confront Revolutionary Guard's threat

Jul 1, 2025, 15:29 GMT+1

Iran’s exiled prince has called on the UK government to take stronger action against the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), warning that it poses a direct threat to British citizens.

“The UK cannot allow the IRGC to threaten British people on British soil,” Prince Reza Pahlavi posted Tuesday on X, calling on Europe to “wake up” and increase pressure on Tehran.

Pahlavi made the remarks after a meeting with former UK home secretary Priti Patel, whom he praised for having recognized the threat “firsthand.”

"The solution is to put maximum pressure on the regime so the Iranian people can end its reign of terror."

His comments came a day after his visit to the House of Commons, where he took part in a cross-party roundtable on Iran.

“I’m fighting so that the people of Iran, too, can have the parliamentary democracy they deserve,” he wrote, thanking MPs for their support.

Pahlavi also posted a message of solidarity with former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, saying they agreed on the need to end the “barbaric Islamic Republic.”

“One day soon I hope to welcome you to Tehran,” he added.

Iran begins work at Fordow site after US strikes, satellite images show - WSJ

Jul 1, 2025, 15:22 GMT+1

Iran has built a new access road and deployed construction equipment at its Fordow uranium enrichment facility after last month’s US airstrike, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing satellite imagery from Maxar Technologies.

The report said images captured over the weekend by Maxar Technologies show a newly built road leading up the mountain to the Fordow site, along with several vehicles, including an excavator and a mobile crane.

The Wall Street Journal cited an analysis by the Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS) that said the excavator was likely preparing a staging area to lower cameras or personnel into bomb impact points to inspect the damage to the underground facility.

On Monday, ISIS president David Albright said that Maxar’s imagery shows Iran is preparing for downhole inspections at two impact sites, starting with the one where a crane is already positioned.

In a post on X, he said that the terrain at one site is too unstable for normal crane access, and that Iran may need to install a larger crane to reach that area safely.

Germany summons Iranian ambassador over alleged espionage plot

Jul 1, 2025, 12:38 GMT+1

Germany said on Tuesday it had summoned Iran’s ambassador after a Danish citizen was arrested on suspicion of spying for Iran and identifying Jewish targets in Berlin for possible attacks.

“We will not tolerate any threats to Jewish life in Germany,” the German foreign ministry said in a post on X, calling for a thorough investigation.

The Danish man, identified only as Ali S. in line with German privacy laws, was detained on June 26 in Aarhus at the request of Germany’s federal prosecutor. He is accused of surveilling three properties in June, gathering intelligence that authorities believe may have supported planned operations by Iranian agents.

“The accused was preparing intelligence activities, including the possible targeting of Jewish institutions,” the federal prosecutor’s office said in a statement.

It comes as Iran continues to attempt plots inside Israel and on Jews and Israelis abroad.

Israel Police and the Shin Bet announced Tuesday the arrest of a Ra’anana couple suspected of communicating with Iranian handlers and passing sensitive information via mobile and computer devices. Police said the pair had exchanged correspondence and were caught with encrypted materials and tracking data.

Three other men were also arrested in separate Israeli cases on Monday, with authorities alleging they shared detailed surveillance of civilian infrastructure, including mall layouts and security routines, with Iranian contacts.

Dozens of Israeli citizens have been arrested since the Gaza war broke out in 2023, accused of aiding Iran on plots including planned assassinations of political and military leadership and attacks on military installations.

Plots have also been foiled in countries such as Azerbaijan and France.

Inside Iran, the IRGC-affiliated Fars News Agency reported that over 700 Iranians were detained on allegations of collaborating with Israeli intelligence since the June 13 Israeli strikes.

Dozens of Jews have also been arrested as the pressure on Iran's 10,000 strong Jewish community continues in the wake of the 12-day war.