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Details of the US strikes on Iran early Saturday morning… Where did Tehran respond?

Details of the US strikes on Iran early Saturday morning… Where did Tehran respond?

2026-06-27

Shafaq News – Middle East
The US Central Command announced early Saturday that it had carried out airstrikes targeting Iranian sites on Sirik Island near the Strait of Hormuz, in response to the Revolutionary Guard’s targeting of a commercial vessel last Wednesday.

The Central Command said the strikes targeted missile and drone storage sites, as well as coastal radar sites, while the Iranian Revolutionary Guard announced that it had repelled the attacks, confirming that they targeted two observation towers.

According to media reports, this is not the first time Read more…

Tehran insists on permits to cross the Strait of Hormuz, while Washington moves to expand the shipping lane.

Tehran insists on permits to cross the Strait of Hormuz, while Washington moves to expand the shipping lane.

2026-06-27

Shafaq News – Tehran
Iranian television confirmed on Saturday that Iranian instructions regarding the passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz remain in effect, stressing the need for all ships to obtain prior permits and coordinate with the Revolutionary Guard Navy before entering or leaving the strait.

Iranian television reported that a group of ships are currently seeking passage permits from Iranian authorities, after unauthorized vessels were fired warning shots while attempting to pass Read more…

The Manama meeting sets a framework for regional Arab security.

The Manama meeting sets a framework for regional Arab security.

6-27-2026

On June 25, 2026, the joint ministerial meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries with the US Secretary of State (Marco Rubio) was held in the Bahraini capital (Manama) to discuss political and security developments in the Arabian Gulf region. The importance of the consultative meeting is that it comes after the cessation of the US-Israeli-Iranian military confrontation and the signing of the memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran through Pakistani-Qatari mediation and Arab support Read more…

Iran announces the establishment of a “direct communication line” with the US regarding Hormuz.

Iran announces the establishment of a “direct communication line” with the US regarding Hormuz.

2026-06-26

Shafaq News – Tehran
Iranian television reported on Friday the establishment of what it described as a direct “line of communication” with the United States to prevent any incidents in the Strait of Hormuz that could lead to a military confrontation between the two countries.

Iranian television confirmed that the establishment of a line or “communication channel” between the two countries comes in implementation of Article 5 of the memorandum Read more…

Ship tracking data shows normal maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz

Ship tracking data shows normal maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz

2026-06-26

Shafaq News – Follow-up
Ship tracking data on Friday indicated that maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz was proceeding normally despite yesterday’s attack.

Bloomberg reported that shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz continued in both directions on Friday and that ship passage was proceeding normally despite the attack on a container ship on Thursday.

She noted that four empty oil tankers are currently sailing towards Read more…

Broccoli extract protects the elderly from muscle atrophy.

Broccoli extract protects the elderly from muscle atrophy.

6-25-2026

A recent medical study published in the scientific journal “Nutrients” revealed that Chinese scientists have developed an innovative nutritional treatment that combines compounds extracted from broccoli with an amino acid known as leucine to help slow age-related muscle loss. In their laboratory experiments, researchers used a model of sarcopenia (a severe decline in muscle mass and strength in the elderly). The mice were subjected to an eight-week treatment program using broccoli peptides and leucine in combination. Laboratory
and tissue analyses showed the following: Physical Performance: Read more…

Gold falls below $4,000 an ounce as the dollar rises and the Federal Reserve awaits its decision.

Gold falls below $4,000 an ounce as the dollar rises and the Federal Reserve awaits its decision.

2026-06-25

Shafaq News – Follow-up
Gold prices fell on Thursday, remaining near their lowest levels in more than seven months, as the US dollar remained strong and market expectations grew regarding an interest rate hike by the Federal Reserve.

The price of gold in spot transactions fell by 0.4% to $3,985.89 an ounce, after hitting its lowest level since November 2025 in the previous session. US gold futures for August delivery also declined by Read more…

The US Congress reverses its vote in favor of Trump regarding the Iran war.

The US Congress reverses its vote in favor of Trump regarding the Iran war.

2026-06-25

Shafaq News – Washington
The US Senate voted on a resolution supporting President Donald Trump in waging war on Iran, one day after the Senate passed a completely different resolution.

Fifty members of Congress had voted on Tuesday on a resolution stripping Trump of the authority to wage war on Iran without the approval of the House, before the result changed on Wednesday night in favor of the resolution.

Senators Rand Paul and Bill Cassidy, both Republicans, reversed their decision Read more…

“The Al-Jumaili Case”: Reports of large sums of money being found inside a split unit.

“The Al-Jumaili Case”: Reports of large sums of money being found inside a split unit.

6-25-2026

Reports indicate that huge sums of money were found inside a “split” in Baghdad as part of the case of the detained Undersecretary of the Ministry of Oil for Liquidation Affairs, Adnan Al-Jumaili.
The news report stated that “the Central Anti-Corruption Criminal Court found huge sums of cash, estimated at $22.9 million, which were tightly hidden inside vertical air conditioning units in one of the apartments belonging to the former Undersecretary of the Ministry of Oil for Liquidation Affairs, Adnan Al-Jumaili.” Read more…

Lowest in 7 months… Gold records unprecedented losses

Lowest in 7 months… Gold records unprecedented losses

2026-06-24

Shafaq News – Follow-up
Gold recorded unprecedented losses on Wednesday afternoon, the lowest since November 2025, as the price of an ounce fell below $4,000, according to Reuters.

These losses come after gold prices fell earlier today to their lowest level in nearly two weeks, affected by the rising dollar and increasing investor bets on Read more…

Iran and Oman reaffirm their commitment to keeping the Strait of Hormuz open.

Iran and Oman reaffirm their commitment to keeping the Strait of Hormuz open.

2026-06-23

Shafaq News – Muscat
Iran and Oman affirmed on Tuesday their commitment to maintaining the security of the Strait of Hormuz and ensuring the smooth flow of navigation through it, while emphasizing respect for the sovereignty of both countries in all arrangements related to the strait.

The Omani News Agency reported that Muscat and Tehran, during joint official talks, stressed the need to keep the Strait of Hormuz safe and open to ship traffic, in order to ensure Read more…

Switzerland talks: Iran announces “significant progress” on Lebanon, oil, and assets

Switzerland talks: Iran announces “significant progress” on Lebanon, oil, and assets

2026-06-22

Shafaq News – Tehran/Geneva
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi confirmed on Monday that the ongoing mediation efforts of Pakistan and Qatar have contributed to achieving “significant progress” towards ending the war in Lebanon, pointing to developments he described as important in the course of the ongoing understandings.

Araghchi said in a post that “the first real test is the de-friction cell in Lebanon,” adding that the talks also included economic files Read more…

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer resigns

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer resigns

2026-06-22

Shafaq News – London
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Monday his resignation as head of government and leader of the Labour Party, confirming that he had informed King Charles III of his decision during a phone call that took place that morning.

Starmer said he had asked the Labour Party’s National Executive to set a timetable for choosing a new party leader, with nominations opening on July 9 and the election process to be Read more…

Due to Trump’s threats, the Iranian delegation suspends the Swiss negotiations, and Qalibaf warns: Our forces are ready to respond.

Due to Trump’s threats, the Iranian delegation suspends the Swiss negotiations, and Qalibaf warns: Our forces are ready to respond.

2026-06-21

Shafaq News – Tehran
Iranian media reported on Sunday evening that the Iranian delegation had suspended negotiations with the American side in Switzerland in protest against threats made by US President Donald Trump against Tehran.

The Fars news agency quoted an informed source as saying that “Trump’s threat halted the Swiss negotiations and cast uncertainty on their continuation.”

For his part, the head of the negotiating delegation, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, wrote in a post Read more…

No handshakes, no commemorative photos… Iran enters the Geneva negotiations with the Hormuz card

No handshakes, no commemorative photos… Iran enters the Geneva negotiations with the Hormuz card

2026-06-21

Shafaq News – Geneva
Iran began its talks with the United States in Switzerland on Sunday by refusing to shake hands with members of the American delegation or take a joint photo with them, while maintaining its position on the Strait of Hormuz and linking its reopening to a halt to Israeli attacks in Lebanon.

The Iranian news agency Tasnim quoted a source close to the Iranian negotiating team as saying that the American delegation and the organizers of the negotiations had prepared to arrange a handshake Read more…

Pakistan: Talks between Washington and Tehran will be held tomorrow in Switzerland.

Pakistan: Talks between Washington and Tehran will be held tomorrow in Switzerland.

2026-06-20

Shafaq News – Islamabad/Tehran
The Pakistani Foreign Ministry announced on Saturday afternoon that technical talks between Washington and Tehran will be held on Sunday at the Bürgenstock resort in Switzerland.

The ministry indicated that the talks would be sponsored by Pakistan and Qatar as mediating countries.

For its part, the Iranian Foreign Ministry announced on Saturday that an Iranian delegation had left for Switzerland Read more…

US intelligence chief accuses Biden’s doctor of concealing information about the origin of coronavirus

US intelligence chief accuses Biden’s doctor of concealing information about the origin of coronavirus

6-20-2026

Information/Follow-up…
On her last day in office, US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard announced the release of previously undisclosed correspondence and documents accusing Anthony Fauci, then head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), of working with politically motivated elements within the intelligence community to conceal the true origin of the coronavirus and influence intelligence assessments related to the pandemic.
Gabbard stated that the documents show Dr. Anthony Fauci used millions of dollars of US taxpayer money to fund dangerous research in exchange for positions at the Wuhan Institute Read more…

Following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, an Iranian delegation traveled to Switzerland to follow up on Washington’s commitments.

Following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, an Iranian delegation traveled to Switzerland to follow up on Washington’s commitments.

2026-06-20

Shafaq News – Tehran
The Iranian Foreign Ministry announced on Saturday that an Iranian delegation had left for Switzerland to follow up on the implementation of the United States’ “commitments” under the memorandum of understanding.

The ministry stated in a statement that “the first clause is the most important in the memorandum of understanding, and the other party has failed to fulfill its commitment to force Israel to stop its attacks on Lebanon.”

The Iranian Foreign Ministry called on America to “speed up the implementation of the memorandum Read more…

Iranian Foreign Ministry: Claims by some media outlets regarding the closure of the Strait of Hormuz are unfounded.

Iranian Foreign Ministry: Claims by some media outlets regarding the closure of the Strait of Hormuz are unfounded.

6-19-2026

Information/Follow-up…
The Iranian Foreign Ministry confirmed on Friday that claims by some media outlets regarding the closure of the Strait of Hormuz were untrue, explaining that Friday’s meeting in Switzerland had been postponed to another day.

The ministry stated in press statements that “since the signing of the memorandum of understanding was done electronically, holding the Switzerland meeting is no longer urgent.”

She added, “We plan to hold a meeting for negotiations in the coming days,” confirming that Read more…

Gold is heading for its third weekly loss due to the strength of the dollar and signs of monetary tightening.

Gold is heading for its third weekly loss due to the strength of the dollar and signs of monetary tightening.

2026-06-19

Shafaq News – Erbil
Gold prices fell slightly on Friday, heading for their third consecutive weekly decline, pressured by rising dollar levels and signals of monetary tightening from the Federal Reserve (the US central bank), which negatively affected the appeal of the non-yielding yellow metal.

Gold fell 0.5% in spot trading to $4,189.26 per ounce by 00:43 GMT, while U.S. gold futures for August delivery dropped Read more…