CENTCOM commander praises 15,000 US troops who enforced Iran blockade

Iran’s judiciary said on Friday it has identified and prosecuted a large number of people accused of links to “hostile governments” and Israel, with some sentenced to long prison terms, asset confiscation or execution.

Hamzeh Khalili, the judiciary’s first deputy, said that the cases were handled “swiftly and decisively” during the recent war, in coordination with security and oversight agencies.

He said the judiciary had issued rulings against “a significant number” of individuals accused of cooperating with hostile states and the “Zionist regime,” adding that some of the cases had been publicized through state television.

Iranian authorities frequently use charges such as cooperation with hostile states or Israel against dissidents, activists and government critics.

Foreign ministers from Pakistan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye will meet in Cairo on June 21, as regional powers involved in Iran-US diplomacy seek to coordinate positions after a planned meeting between Iran and the US in Switzerland was postponed.

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar will attend the fourth meeting of the R-4 foreign ministers in Cairo on June 21, Islamabad said Friday, bringing together regional states that have played roles in efforts to de-escalate the Iran-US conflict.

The meeting will include the foreign ministers of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan, according to Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry. Islamabad said the ministers will discuss regional developments and exchange views on “peace, security, and stability.”

Israel’s Foreign Ministry said Hezbollah has continued to violate the ceasefire and attack Israeli civilians with drones, rockets and anti-tank missiles, warning that “no country would allow this situation to continue.”

In a Persian-language post on X, the ministry said Hezbollah “has never stopped violating the ceasefire and attacking Israeli civilians.”

The ministry said Israeli families have been forced to take shelter, communities live under constant threat, and children are growing up to the sound of sirens.

“Hezbollah attacks Israelis with drones, rockets and anti-tank missiles,” the post said. “No country would allow this situation to continue.”

Iran’s regular army said it stands “shoulder to shoulder” with the Revolutionary Guards and remains “with hands on the trigger” under the command of Iran’s leader, warning it is ready to defend the country’s security and interests in the event of “any breach of promise by the enemy.”

In a statement Friday, the army said it was increasing its combat readiness every day and was prepared to respond alongside the IRGC.

“The readiness of the armed forces forced the enemy to take the path of ceasefire and understanding,” the statement said.

The IRGC-affiliated Tasnim news agency called on Iranian authorities to close the Strait of Hormuz and end implementation of the Iran-US MoU, citing continued Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon.

“Every minute that the Strait of Hormuz remains open is a major loss,” Tasnim wrote, adding that if the United States manages to relieve energy pressure on itself, “it will become even more brazen and aggressive.”

The outlet directly urged officials to act, writing: “Close the strait and contain America at this very first step.”

“Should officials not immediately end the implementation of the MoU and close the Strait of Hormuz?” Tasnim wrote. “Should there not be a powerful response to America and Israel so that their calculations do not shift further against the Islamic Republic and the resistance?”