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Hochstein in Beirut, says ‘significant progress’ on Lebanon-Israel cease-fire

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Amos Hochstein, senior adviser to U.S. President Joe Biden, stated that “there is a serious chance for a ceasefire” in Lebanon, where he arrived to mediate talks between Israel and Hezbollah.

Hochstein landed in Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, to participate in ceasefire negotiations. According to Lebanon’s official news agency, NNA, his belongings underwent a detailed inspection as part of standard procedures at Beirut’s Rafic Hariri International Airport.

During his visit, Hochstein met with the Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament, Nabih Berri, at the Speaker’s residence in Beirut. After the meeting, he addressed the media, emphasizing:

“We have a real opportunity to end the conflict. We hope to find a solution in the coming days.”

Hochstein described his discussions with Berri as constructive, reiterating that “there is a serious chance for a ceasefire.” He added that the ultimate decision to end hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah rests with the involved parties.

While Hochstein did not take questions from reporters, he later held talks with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati.

Last week, U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Lisa Johnson presented a draft agreement for a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah to Berri. The Lebanese press reported that Hezbollah recently delivered its feedback on the proposal to Berri.

A senior Lebanese official informed Reuters that Lebanon and Hezbollah had accepted the U.S. proposal but expressed certain reservations. This step has been described as the most advanced progress towards a ceasefire to date.

Ali Hassan Khalil, a close aide to Berri, commented to Reuters:

“Lebanon presented its comments on the proposal in a positive atmosphere. All our feedback confirms our full commitment to UN Resolution 1701 and its provisions.”

Khalil stressed that the success of the initiative now depends on Israel’s willingness to engage constructively. “If Israel does not want a solution, it could create 100 different problems,” he remarked.

Following his discussions in Beirut, Hochstein is expected to travel to Tel Aviv. However, Israel’s stance on the proposed ceasefire remains uncertain. Historical patterns, including instances where Israel has added new conditions or undermined agreements at critical moments, suggest a cautious approach. The outcome of Hochstein’s visit to Israel will likely determine whether a sustainable peace agreement can be reached.

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Iran targets Mossad and Unit 8200 in missile attack on Tel Aviv

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Iran announced it targeted Israeli intelligence centers, including Mossad and Unit 8200, in a ballistic missile attack on the Glilot Base near Tel Aviv.

A statement from the Revolutionary Guards Army noted, “This morning, the Iranian Aerospace Forces, despite highly advanced defense systems, carried out an effective attack on the military intelligence center Aman and the terror operations planning center Mossad, belonging to the Zionist regime; the said center is currently on fire.”

According to Ynet, multiple missiles struck the Herzliya area in the Tel Aviv region, setting a bus on fire and damaging an eight-story building. Videos of the missiles’ impact show large explosions in this area.

The Israeli press reported that military censorship is being enforced on the area in the Glilot region affected by the Iranian missiles, with news and images on the subject being suppressed.

This area houses significant intelligence centers like Mossad and Unit 8200. Some sources indicate that logistics or warehouse facilities belonging to Unit 8200 were targeted. Analysis of satellite and narrow-angle imagery confirms that the missiles landed near Mossad facilities.

The Israeli government has blocked the dissemination of information regarding the damage caused by the Iranian missiles.

Unit 8200, one of Israel’s elite intelligence units, operates under the Israeli Military Intelligence Directorate, Aman. The unit, which specializes in electronic eavesdropping, cyber intelligence, signal interception, data collection, and analysis, is considered the backbone of Israel’s digital espionage operations. According to many commentators, Unit 8200 is Israel’s “cyber warfare brain.”

This morning, Iran announced the start of the ninth phase of “True Promise 3” and declared that its attacks on Israel would intensify.

In retaliation for Israeli strikes on Iran, ballistic missiles launched by Iran have caused unprecedented destruction in Tel Aviv and Haifa, leaving dozens dead and hundreds injured.

In response, Israel continues its air attacks on Iran. More than 224 Iranians, including women and children, have been killed in the Israeli strikes. A thick column of smoke rose following an explosion in Tabriz, northwest of Tehran, this morning.

Last night, the Israeli air force attacked the headquarters of Iranian state television during a live broadcast.

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Iran signals NPT withdrawal amid rising tensions with Israel

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Following Israeli attacks reportedly approved by the US, Iran has signaled a potential withdrawal from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Tehran announced it has suspended nuclear negotiations with the US and is preparing to leave the treaty.

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmail Baghaei announced that the Iranian Parliament is drafting a bill to withdraw from the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).

According to a report by Al Jazeera, Baghaei reiterated Iran’s opposition to weapons of mass destruction, implying that this move is intended as a political message. However, he also affirmed that Tehran remains against the development of such weapons.

The NPT, signed in 1968 and enacted in 1970, has 190 member states. It prohibits signatory countries, other than the US, Russia, China, the United Kingdom, and France, from acquiring nuclear weapons. In return, it permits them to pursue peaceful nuclear programs for electricity generation under the supervision of the United Nations (UN).

This announcement comes amid heightened military tensions and nuclear threats between Iran and Israel over the past week.

How the NPT move was triggered

Iran’s decision follows a comprehensive air assault launched by Israel on June 13. The operation, codenamed “Rising Lion,” targeted Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, military command, and senior scientists.

The attacks resulted in the deaths of the Iranian Chief of General Staff, the Commander of the Revolutionary Guards, and nine nuclear scientists. According to Iranian authorities, a total of 224 civilians were killed.

In response, Iran launched over 100 ballistic missiles and drones at Israel. The retaliatory strikes hit Tel Aviv, Haifa, and several other cities, killing at least 24 people and injuring more than 400.

US-Iran nuclear talks halted

These developments have directly impacted diplomatic efforts. Iran announced an indefinite suspension of its nuclear negotiations with the US.

Hours before the Israeli attacks, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) published a report stating that Iran was not complying with its NPT obligations. Immediately following the report, Tehran announced the activation of a third uranium enrichment facility.

What is the NPT?

The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) is an international agreement signed in 1968 and enacted in 1970. It aims to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons, promote the reduction of existing arsenals, and encourage the peaceful use of nuclear energy. Iran has been a party to the treaty since 1970.

However, Iran began to gradually step back from its commitments under the agreement after US President Donald Trump withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal in 2018. The Trump administration reimposed severe sanctions on Iran, causing significant damage to its economy.

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Iranian missile attack causes heavy damage across Israel

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In an early morning assault, Iran launched dozens of missiles into northern and central Israel, causing attack alarms to sound across a wide area. The attack resulted in significant destruction in Tel Aviv and Haifa, with the US embassy building also sustaining damage.

Some missiles managed to bypass air defense systems, striking Tel Aviv and its surrounding areas. Iran announced that its missile attack on the city was carried out “successfully.” According to Israeli sources, at least three people were killed in the initial barrage, and residential buildings in numerous cities suffered extensive damage.

The Iranian state agency, IRNA, reported that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) confirmed “a new wave of attacks carried out with missile systems successfully and effectively hit targets in Israel.”

An Israeli army spokesperson has since announced that it is safe to leave shelters, and rescue teams have been dispatched to the impact sites. The military issued a warning against sharing images and locations from the strikes, cautioning that “Iran could use them to improve its attacks.”

Meanwhile, explosions in the city of Petah Tikva, located in Tel Aviv’s Gush Dan region, led to the severe destruction of buildings. Fire and rescue teams were immediately directed to the area. In the northern port city of Haifa, images shared on social media showed a missile striking an industrial zone that houses oil refineries and a power plant.

According to officials, eight people died in Iran’s overnight retaliation, bringing the total death toll in Israel to 24 since Iran’s retaliatory attacks began on May 13.

The Israeli Ministry of Health announced that 287 people were hospitalized overnight. One of the injured is in serious condition, while 14 others sustained moderate injuries. Among the wounded are two children being treated at the Schneider Children’s Hospital in Petah Tikva. No official information has been released regarding the condition of 15 individuals taken to Maayanei Hayeshua Hospital in Bnei Brak.

In Haifa, approximately 30 people were injured, and a fire broke out at a power plant near the port. Search and rescue operations are ongoing in the region.

Numerous missiles were spotted in the skies over Tel Aviv, with the sound of explosions reaching as far as Jerusalem. In a crowded neighborhood just a few hundred meters from the US Embassy, the windows of several hotels and homes were shattered, and a few apartment buildings were completely destroyed.

Damage to the US Embassy

US Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, announced that the US embassy branch in Tel Aviv sustained minor damage from the Iranian missile attacks. In a statement on X, Huckabee said, “Minor damage occurred due to the tremors caused by Iranian missiles landing near the Embassy building in Tel Aviv; however, no US personnel were injured.”

The ambassador also noted that all US embassies and consulates in Israel are closed, and the order to remain in shelters is still in effect.

‘The shelter door collapsed on us’

Guydo Tetelbaun, a 31-year-old chef living in Tel Aviv, described the experience to Al Arabiya, explaining that they rushed to a shelter when the sirens sounded around 4:00 AM. “We ran to the shelter across the street,” he recalled. “A few minutes later, the door collapsed on us. A few people who came in were covered in blood. When it was quiet, we went back up to our apartment, but there wasn’t much left. The walls had collapsed, and the windows were gone. The scariest part is the uncertainty… This situation could last a long time, get worse, or maybe get better. But the uncertainty is the hardest part.”

Following the attack, Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz claimed that Iran “targeted civilians” and threatened that residents of Tehran would “pay the price for it very soon.”

Iran: We applied a new method

The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps stated that they employed a “new method” in the attacks, designed to turn Israel’s multi-layered air defense systems against each other. “Despite the extensive support from the US and Western countries with the most advanced defense technologies, the new methods used ensured maximum impact on targets in the occupied territories,” the IRGC said in a statement.

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