Pakistan, China Hold Talks On Creating New Bloc To Replace SAARC

Speaking at the NATO summit in The Hague, Trump described the ceasefire between Iran and Israel as “going very well” and called it a “major victory for everyone.”

Asked about Iran’s uranium enrichment programme, Trump responded, “We won’t let that happen, militarily.” When questioned about media reports on damage to Iran’s nuclear facilities following US airstrikes, he said, “They really don’t know.”

Trump went on to assert that Iran’s nuclear programme had been “totally obliterated” and pushed back “by decades.” He stated unequivocally that the US strike brought the conflict to a close.

When asked if the US would launch another strike should Iran resume its uranium enrichment activities, Trump replied that it would.

In a separate remark, the president said the attack on Iran would also support efforts to secure the release of Israeli hostages currently held in Gaza.

The bill, which was approved with 221 votes in favour, one abstention and no opposition, mandates a halt to Iran’s collaboration with the UN nuclear watchdog. It bars IAEA inspectors from entering Iran unless the security of the country’s nuclear facilities and peaceful nuclear activities is guaranteed, a condition subject to the approval of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council.

Speaking on Tuesday, Salimi said the new legislation covers both safeguards and non-safeguards agreements and includes penalties for individuals who allow IAEA inspectors access to Iranian sites without authorisation.

The move comes amid growing international concern over Iran’s nuclear activities. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi has repeatedly urged Tehran to resume nuclear verification and monitoring efforts, warning that lack of access hampers the agency’s ability to assess Iran’s compliance with non-proliferation commitments.

Following the vote, Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said the Islamic Republic would now accelerate its nuclear programme.

In Russia’s first official response to the ceasefire deal announced by former US President Donald Trump, Lavrov urged restraint in drawing conclusions, noting that available information remains incomplete.

“It is very difficult to make any final conclusions now and get a clear picture,” Lavrov said during a press briefing. “It’s reported that the Americans convinced Israel to agree to a ceasefire and to establish an indefinite truce, and that our Qatari friends played a similar role with regard to Tehran.”

Lavrov noted that despite the reported agreement, there were subsequent reports of continued attacks by both sides. “Let us not make any hasty conclusions based on fragmentary information,” he warned.

Russia, which signed a strategic partnership agreement with Iran in January, has condemned recent Israeli and US strikes on Iranian territory, calling them violations of international law. Moscow has repeatedly urged de-escalation and diplomatic dialogue in the region.

Al Jazeera reported that the missile attacks hit several areas, while The Times of Israel confirmed that emergency medics responded to an impact in Ashdod, a city in southern Israel. Additional reports indicated a missile strike in the Lachish region, located south of Jerusalem.

Earlier in the day, Reuters reported sightings of a missile flying over Jerusalem, followed by loud explosions heard in the surrounding areas.

The Israeli military confirmed that Iran had launched missiles toward Israeli territory and issued urgent warnings for civilians to seek shelter immediately upon hearing sirens.

CNN reported on Monday that large-scale airstrikes and powerful explosions were heard in northern Tehran. Iranian media published images and accounts suggesting that Evin Prison sustained damage during the attacks.

Reports indicate that the facility’s guard towers, administrative buildings, and court sections were among the areas struck.

Evin Prison has long been associated with the detention of political dissidents, journalists, and activists, and has frequently been the focus of international human rights concerns.

Neither Israeli nor Iranian officials have issued official statements confirming or denying the reported strike. The incident comes amid escalating military tensions between Israel and Iran, with both sides trading accusations of targeting civilian and strategic infrastructure.