#Iran

A Liberian oil tanker, the Stoic Warrior, successfully navigated the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, despite threats to shipping from Iran's Revolutionary Guard. The tanker utilized a new route near Oman’s shore, which has been endorsed by a U.N. maritime agency. This incident occurs amid escalating tensions between Iran and other nations in the region.

South Africa and Iran have strengthened their diplomatic relations following a meeting that reaffirmed support for the US-Iran peace memorandum. This development indicates a collaborative approach between the two nations in the context of international diplomacy.

During a meeting with NATO chief Mark Rutte at the White House, U.S. President Donald Trump criticized European nations for their lack of support in the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran. He expressed dissatisfaction that NATO members did not participate in military efforts, stating, "We didn’t need your help."

Senate Republicans voted late Wednesday to reject a war powers resolution aimed at limiting President Donald Trump's military actions in Iran, following a meeting where Trump criticized them for their opposition. This decision came a day after a similar measure had passed, highlighting ongoing tensions within the GOP regarding Trump's foreign policy decisions.

Former President Donald Trump expressed skepticism regarding the United States' involvement in a missile strike that resulted in fatalities at an Iranian girls' school. He stated that he had not seen any evidence connecting the U.S. to the attack and proposed that the school might have been struck during the exchange of missiles in the Iran war, according to Premium Times.

Thousands of people gathered in Tehran to commemorate Ashura, marking the first observance since the death of Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei during the ongoing US-Iran war. The event reflects the significant impact of Khamenei's killing on the Iranian populace and their religious practices.

NATO chief Mark Rutte visited the White House to address and ease tensions with President Trump regarding NATO's stance on Iran, in anticipation of the upcoming NATO summit next month, according to Al Jazeera.

On June 24, the White House submitted an $87.6 billion supplemental funding request to Congress, primarily aimed at covering expenses related to the ongoing four-month war in Iran. This request comes despite ongoing negotiations by the Trump administration for a potential resolution to the conflict.

The Trump White House has requested $87.6 billion in spending, which includes funding for military operations related to Iran. This request is expected to encounter significant challenges in Congress, particularly after a recent vote aimed at limiting Trump's war powers, according to Al Jazeera.

In the ongoing conflict, US Senator Marco Rubio has pledged to defend Gulf interests during discussions with Iran. Meanwhile, Israel has confirmed it will not retreat from southern Lebanon, following reports of Israeli airstrikes that resulted in the deaths of two individuals in the region.

Iran's national football team experienced a delay of 25 minutes during their trip to Seattle, as assistant coach Mehdi Taremi and another team member, Alhoei, were held up by US officials for an undisclosed reason, according to Al Jazeera.

During a closed-door Senate Republican lunch on June 24, President Trump had a heated confrontation with Sen. Bill Cassidy regarding a vote aimed at limiting presidential authority in the war with Iran. Attendees reported that Trump was extremely agitated, with some describing him as "mad as a murder hornet."

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Washington will be "completely aligned" with Gulf allies during peace talks regarding Iran. This statement underscores the United States' commitment to collaborating with its partners in the region on issues related to Iran.

Rafael Grossi, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), announced that inspections in Iran will proceed as outlined in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). He stated that the MoU explicitly confirms the agency's role in supervising these inspections, following a recent agreement with Tehran.

On June 24, President Donald Trump expressed approval of Iran's compliance with U.S. demands during a closed-door meeting with Senate Republicans. He noted that recent progress in negotiations with Tehran has contributed to easing tensions and has had a positive impact on oil prices. Trump's comments come after months of discussions between the two nations.

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian received an honorary medical fellowship in cardiac surgery during a ceremony in Pakistan. This recognition highlights his contributions to the field of medicine, particularly in cardiac care.

Deputy Minister Moraka met with Iranian Deputy Minister Dr Khatibzadeh to discuss ways to strengthen relations between South Africa and Iran. The discussions are expected to have implications for international relations, according to IOL.

Iran has characterized the ongoing diplomatic negotiations aimed at resolving the Middle East conflict as a 'declaration of US defeat.' As talks progress, negotiators are preparing for further discussions to address the situation in the region, according to The Citizen.

Rafael Grossi, the head of the UN nuclear agency, announced that inspectors will visit sites in Iran as part of a war deal. He stated that the agency is currently "working on modalities" for these inspections. However, an Iranian minister indicated that such access would only be granted as part of a final agreement with the United States.

According to Al Jazeera, Tehran has stated that the Strait of Hormuz 'will never return' to its prewar conditions and claims the right to charge fees for services in the area. In response, U.S. Senator Marco Rubio has asserted that Iran cannot impose tolls in the strait, highlighting ongoing tensions regarding control and access in this critical maritime passage.