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Trump threatens to sue CNN, New York Times over Iran leak

Jun 26, 2025, 23:14 GMT+1

The Trump administration upped the stakes in its rhetorical battle against doubters of its success in attacking Iran on Thursday, threatening to sue two top US outlets over their reporting.

Both outlets has cited a leaked Pentagon intelligence assessment which challenged Trump's protestations that US bombings had obliterated Iran's nuclear program.

The New York Times reported that a personal lawyer had sent a letter to the august daily saying its report had damaged Trump's reputation, urging it to “retract and apologize for” the story.

The letter described the newspaper's report, which had cited a Defense Intelligence Agency initial assessment of US bomb damage to three Iranian nuclear sites, as “false,” “defamatory” and “unpatriotic".

“No retraction is needed,” the New York Times's lawyer David McCraw, wrote in reply.

“No apology will be forthcoming,” the lawyer added. “We told the truth to the best of our ability. We will continue to do so.”

A spokesperson for CNN cited by the newspaper confirmed that the news network had also received a similar letter from the president's legal counsel.

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Argentina orders trial in absentia for 10 in 1994 AMIA bombing case

Jun 26, 2025, 20:50 GMT+1

An Argentine judge on Thursday ruled that ten suspects in the 1994 bombing of a Jewish center in Buenos Aires—Argentina’s deadliest attack—must face trial in absentia.

The bombing of the Argentine Israelite Mutual Association (AMIA) killed 85 people and injured over 150.

Those accused include Iran's former intelligence minister Ali Fallahian, former foreign minister Ali Akbar Velayati, former Revolutionary Guard commander Mohsen Rezaee, former ambassador to Argentina Hadi Soleimanpour, and other Iranian embassy staff.

Argentine authorities also named individuals affiliated with Hezbollah.

People hold images of the victims of the 1994 bombing attack on the Argentine Israeli Mutual Association (AMIA) community center, marking the 30th anniversary of the attack, in Buenos Aires, Argentina July 18, 2024.
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People hold images of the victims of the 1994 bombing attack on the Argentine Israeli Mutual Association (AMIA) community center, marking the 30th anniversary of the attack, in Buenos Aires, Argentina July 18, 2024.

Araghchi denies Trump talks, says Iran won’t return to table

Jun 26, 2025, 20:31 GMT+1

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Thursday there is no agreement to restart negotiations with the United States and no discussions about talks have taken place.

“There has been no agreement to resume negotiations, and not even any conversation about negotiations. At present, there is no basis for talks,” Araghchi said on state television.

During previous discussions, Iran rejected a US proposal and intended to present its own at the next session, but the attack occurred before that happened, he added.

“In earlier negotiations, they offered a proposal of which many parts were unacceptable to us, and we rejected it… That proposal was not achieved, and the assault took place.”

Any potential agreement, Araghchi said, would have to be based on three pillars: “From the beginning, we made it clear that any possible agreement must include two pillars: enrichment inside Iran and lifting of sanctions. A third pillar, providing guarantees that we will not pursue nuclear weapons, could also be addressed.”

“In all our correspondence, we said that this aggression was a betrayal of diplomacy and the very spirit of negotiation,” he added.

“Whether we will specifically return to talks with the United States is a matter under review and depends on our national interests,” Araghchi said.

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Trump officials floated $30bn nuclear energy plan to lure Iran to talks - CNN

Jun 26, 2025, 20:29 GMT+1

The Trump administration discussed easing sanctions and backing a $30 billion civilian nuclear energy plan for Iran in recent secret talks, CNN reported Thursday, citing four sources familiar with the matter.

Despite ongoing military exchanges between Iran and Israel, behind-the-scenes talks continued last week and into the ceasefire, the sources said.

A preliminary proposal includes US-led negotiations and foreign-backed investment in a non-enrichment Iranian nuclear program—so long as Tehran agrees to abandon uranium enrichment entirely.

One official stressed the money would not come from the United States, which prefers regional partners to cover the cost.

“The US is willing to lead these talks,” one Trump official told CNN.

“And someone is going to need to pay for the nuclear program to be built, but we will not make that commitment.”

At least some details were discussed during a closed-door White House meeting last Friday between US envoy Steve Witkoff and Persian Gulf partners, one day before American strikes on Iran.

Iran’s army says it downed 17 Israeli drones in western region

Jun 26, 2025, 19:47 GMT+1

Iran’s army said Thursday it shot down 17 Israeli drones during the recent conflict, targeting them in the country’s western region.

The commander of the western regional base of Iran’s ground forces said the military’s air defense units had intercepted and destroyed “17 advanced Hermes and Heron drones” operated by Israel.

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No sign enriched uranium moved before US strike on Iran, White House says

Jun 26, 2025, 19:44 GMT+1

There was no indication that Iran moved enriched uranium from any of the three nuclear sites targeted by the United States in its June 21 strike, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Thursday.

“We were watching closely and there was no indication to the United States that any of that enriched uranium was moved prior to the strike,” Leavitt said during a briefing.

Asked to confirm the material remained in place at all sites, she replied, “Correct.”

Leavitt also criticized selective leaks to the media of what she described as “low-confidence, preliminary intelligence,” calling them illegal and misleading. “Only tidbits of that assessment were leaked to CNN,” she said. “We have seen this playbook run before.”

She added that the FBI was investigating the source of the leak.

On reports that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hoped to visit Washington, Leavitt confirmed his interest but said no date had been set. “The President is obviously very open to that,” she said.

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