Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated that, despite internal political complications, the Iranian people are uniting around their leadership. When asked about threats against Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Putin declined to comment specifically but noted growing national solidarity in Iran.

He added that Israel’s initial aim was to destroy Iran’s nuclear program, not to cause regime change. “Israel has failed to strike Iran’s underground uranium enrichment sites—they remain intact. It's time for all sides to pursue compromise,” Putin said.

The possibility of a U.S. military strike on Iran has sparked division within former President Donald Trump's support base—particularly among his core "Make America Great Again" (MAGA) followers. Many are voicing strong opposition to involving the United States in another Middle Eastern conflict.

Prominent Trump ally and former White House strategist Steve Bannon warned, “We can't do this again. We don’t want another Iraq.” Influential MAGA voice Tucker Carlson also criticized any move toward military escalation. Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene echoed these sentiments, saying, “Those who want to drag the U.S. into a war between Israel and Iran are not true MAGA. We're tired of endless foreign wars.”

A group of demonstrators staged a protest in front of the White House, urging the U.S. government to stay out of any potential war between Israel and Iran. Protesters also decried the billions of dollars in military aid provided to Israel. With three U.S. aircraft carriers currently stationed in the Middle East, activists demanded that military assets on board—including aircraft and munitions—be used strictly for defense.

U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders has strongly opposed any U.S. involvement in a potential Israel-Iran conflict. In a statement, Sanders wrote, "Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is not the president of the United States and does not determine our foreign or military policy." He emphasized that if Israel chooses to go to war with Iran, it is their decision—and the U.S. should stay out of it entirely.

The Wall Street Journal reports that former U.S. President Donald Trump has granted policy-level approval for a potential military strike on Iran to halt its nuclear program. However, he has not yet issued a final order.

Trump is reportedly waiting to see whether Tehran shows willingness to reach a last-minute agreement. One of the potential U.S. targets is Iran’s Fordow uranium enrichment facility, which could only be destroyed with the most powerful bombs available.

When previously asked about the possibility of a strike, Trump commented ambiguously: “I may or may not do it.”

North Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has expressed deep concern over Israel's military actions in Iran, strongly condemning what it describes as the "mass killing of civilians" as a crime against humanity. The ministry warned that these state-sponsored terrorist attacks could escalate into a full-scale war in the Middle East. It also accused Israel—backed by the United States and Western powers—of acting like a "cancerous entity" in the region and posing a serious threat to global peace and security.

France’s Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau announced that the country will carry out extensive two-day raids across the nation to curb illegal immigration. The operations are scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, involving nearly 4,000 security personnel.

The raids will focus particularly on hotspots with a significant presence of irregular Bangladeshi immigrants, especially around Gare du Nord station in northern Paris — a key arrival point for Eurostar trains coming from Britain. So far this year, French authorities have apprehended 47,000 illegal immigrants.

The Interior Minister warned that migrants are being urged to quickly obtain proper legal documentation and seek legal assistance to avoid detention during these enforcement actions.

Dhaka, June 18 — Australia has announced a $2 million grant to directly support the Bangladesh Election Commission’s Ballot Project, aimed at strengthening electoral processes in the country. The announcement was made during a formal agreement signing ceremony on Tuesday.

Australian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Susan Grace Ryley, expressed her country's commitment, stating, “We are pleased to contribute $2 million directly to support the Ballot Project. We are proud to be part of this important initiative during a crucial time for Bangladesh.”

The project, managed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), will receive a total of $18.53 million in funding from various donors. The initiative includes 16 key components focusing on capacity building, public awareness, training, and strengthening the institutional framework.

Senior Secretary of the Election Commission Secretariat, Akhtar Ahmed, highlighted the importance of international support in enhancing the electoral process. UNDP Resident Representative in Bangladesh, Stefan Liller, also expressed hope that more development partners will join in supporting the project’s implementation.

Deputy Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov issued a stark warning to the United States, stating that even considering military assistance to Israel could severely destabilize the already volatile situation in the region.

Ryabkov revealed that Moscow is currently maintaining diplomatic communication with both Iran and Israel in an effort to contain the crisis. Separately, the head of Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service, Sergey Naryshkin, described the situation as "critically unstable," noting that even a minor provocation could trigger full-scale war.

Reports also suggest that former U.S. President Donald Trump and his political allies are actively discussing potential strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities in support of Israel.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated that Iran has the right to defend itself against what he described as “Israeli state terrorism and thuggery.”

Calling Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a “war criminal” and the “greatest threat to regional security,” Erdoğan compared his actions in Gaza to those of Adolf Hitler. “Netanyahu’s crimes in Gaza surpass even the horrors of the Nazis,” the Turkish leader declared.

Nobel Peace Laureate Malala Yousafzai criticized the United States for not using its immense global influence to stop the mass killings in Gaza.

“It’s deeply disappointing that the U.S. hasn’t acted effectively to save lives, restore peace, or stabilize the region,” she said. Malala urged stronger U.S. action to push for a ceasefire and facilitate humanitarian aid.

“I have spoken out about Gaza since 2014—claims of silence are false,” she emphasized.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has described Israel’s strikes on Iran as a “dirty act,” but one that serves global interests by deterring Tehran from developing nuclear weapons. “The Iranian regime has brought death and destruction worldwide through attacks and by supporting groups like Hezbollah and Hamas,” Merz stated. He expressed deep respect for Israel’s bold actions, adding, “The alternative would have been months or years of enduring terror, possibly with Iran becoming a nuclear power.”

Pakistan has expressed serious concerns over the escalating Iran-Israel conflict. Experts point to the country’s complex relationship with Tehran, rising security concerns in Balochistan, and fears of Israeli air force influence reaching the Pakistani border. Despite a missile exchange with Iran earlier in January 2024, both nations have since moved to mend ties. Pakistan has strongly condemned Israel’s attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities and assassinations of its generals and scientists, calling for international intervention.

As Israeli airstrikes on Iran continue, China has started evacuating its citizens from the country. The Chinese News Service reported that the first batch of Chinese nationals has departed Iran, traveling by land to Turkmenistan from Tehran on Tuesday. India had previously begun a similar evacuation operation for its citizens.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during a phone call with former U.S. President Donald Trump, said that the U.S. played no role in the recent India-Pakistan skirmish or any trade negotiations.
He stated that on May 9, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance issued a warning that Pakistan might carry out a large-scale attack, prompting India to prepare in advance.
Following a missile and drone assault by Pakistan, India retaliated with significant strikes on Pakistani military facilities.
Modi reiterated that India has never accepted, nor will it ever accept, third-party mediation on Kashmir. He also invited Trump to attend the upcoming Quad Summit.