Four imprisoned Iranian women’s rights activists have condemned Israel’s military attacks and warned against foreign-backed regime change in Iran. In an open letter, Golrokh Ebrahimi Iraee, Varisheh Moradi, Sakineh Parvaneh, and Reyhaneh Ansarinejad denounced what they called “genocide in Gaza.”

The activists stressed that liberation from dictatorship in Iran must come from grassroots struggles and social mobilization, not external intervention. The women are serving sentences for their involvement in labor unions, Kurdish rights activism, and the women’s movement.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov warned that using U.S. tactical nuclear weapons against Iran would lead to catastrophic consequences. The Guardian reported that conventional bombs may not be sufficient to destroy Iran’s underground uranium enrichment facility at Fordow. Some U.S. defense officials have reportedly discussed nuclear options to target the site.

However, the report adds that former U.S. President Donald Trump is not currently considering using nuclear weapons against Iran.

Hezbollah will directly engage in the Iran-Israel conflict if the United States intervenes militarily or if Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is assassinated, a source told Middle East Eye. Hezbollah considers such actions as crossing a "red line."

Earlier, on June 14, Hezbollah lawmaker Hasan Fadlallah declared, "Iran knows how to defend itself," signaling that any threat to its sovereignty could draw in regional allies.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has strongly condemned Israeli aggression against Iran, praising Iran’s military prowess in response. Maduro declared that the Zionist regime underestimated Iran’s capabilities, noting that Iran has now proven its military superiority on the global stage. He also expressed condolences over the deaths of senior Iranian officials and dismissed what he called “empty threats” from Israeli leaders, adding that Israel has been reduced to mere intimidation tactics.

Seventy-four Bangladeshi migrant workers in Malaysia are set to receive RM1.54 million in unpaid wages and compensation for labor contract violations. The payment was ordered by the Malaysian Department of Labour and will be made by Meranti Binamas Sdn Bhd, the workers’ employer. Abdul Aziz Ismail of the NGO Tenaganita called it a landmark victory for migrant labor rights, stating, “This decision sends a clear message that employers cannot exploit workers with impunity.”

Kishan Rajeshkumar Patel, a 20-year-old Indian student residing in the US, has been sentenced to 63 months in prison for money laundering. The US Department of Justice revealed that Patel was part of a scam network that impersonated government officials to defraud elderly Americans. Between July and August 2024, the ring swindled at least $2.7 million in cash and gold from 25 victims, with Patel retaining a portion before passing the rest to accomplices.

Steve Witkoff, the US Special Envoy to the Middle East, has reportedly been in contact with Iranian representatives, according to a report from Al Jazeera’s Kimberly Halkett. Witkoff recently met with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy and US Senator Marco Rubio at the White House. Iran’s Foreign Minister is scheduled to meet with his French, British, and German counterparts in Geneva this Friday. Halkett noted, “We expect those talks to clarify that the US is seeking a diplomatic solution.”

Meir Masri, former Israeli Deputy Defense Minister and senior member of the Labor Party, posted in Arabic and Urdu on X, saying, “After the operation in Iran, we may consider dismantling Pakistan’s nuclear program.”

He added, “Pakistan is not far from Iran. That alone should be enough to understand the stakes.” While Masri currently holds no official government position, his status in Israeli politics lends weight to his statements.

Hezbollah Deputy Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem stated that the organization, along with the Islamic Resistance Movement, fully supports Iran’s legitimate and sovereign rights and stands against the hostility of the United States and "the cancerous tumor, Israel."

Qassem said, “We are not neutral. Threats by Donald Trump to assassinate Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei are not just an attack on Iran, but on the entire region.” He added that Hezbollah will respond as it deems appropriate to such aggression by the U.S. and Israel.

South Korea’s military has confirmed that North Korea launched 10 multiple-launch missiles from Sunan, near Pyongyang, toward the northwest. While specific details are still limited, officials noted that the projectiles are believed to be short-range ballistic missiles. Such missile tests violate United Nations Security Council resolutions, which North Korea continues to disregard.

According to Reuters, Turkey is intensifying efforts to develop an integrated air and missile defense system using domestically produced radar and weapons technologies. The initiative aims to boost preparedness for potential military conflicts. During recent Israeli strikes on Iran, Turkey reportedly launched quick reaction alert aircraft and maintained aerial patrols along its borders despite no irregular migration flow from Iran, indicating heightened vigilance.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has pushed back against recent reporting by the Wall Street Journal, saying the outlet has no insight into his position on Iran.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote: “The Wall Street Journal has no idea what I’m thinking regarding Iran. I haven’t made a decision yet. Everyone’s asking, but let’s see what happens.”

The Wall Street Journal had earlier reported that Trump’s team had given preliminary approval for strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities but held off on final authorization, hoping that Tehran might reconsider its nuclear ambitions.

Japan has expressed serious concern over Chinese military drills involving two aircraft carriers—Shandong and Liaoning—operating near Japanese waters in the Pacific Ocean over the past few weeks.

Tokyo alleges that aircraft from the Chinese carriers flew dangerously close to Japanese surveillance planes. Satellite images show the carriers navigating close to Japan’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), where Japan has sole rights to exploit marine resources. China, however, maintains the drills are being conducted in compliance with international law.

The QS World University Rankings for 2026, published by UK-based higher education analytics firm Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), includes over 1,500 top institutions worldwide. Dhaka University ranks 584th, making it the highest-ranked university in Bangladesh.

Other Bangladeshi universities on the list include North South University (951–1000), BUET (just above 750), and Daffodil International University (1001–1200). Institutions such as BRAC University, Islamic University of Technology, Jahangirnagar University, and Rajshahi University share similar positions in the broader rankings.

Former President Donald Trump has acknowledged division among his supporters regarding potential U.S. military action against Iran. “Some of my people may be a little unhappy, while others are very happy,” he said.

He claimed that his support has never been stronger: “My supporters love me more now than even during the landslide victory. And even people outside the MAGA base are happy with what's happening—though they can hardly believe it themselves.”