Iran claims it stole thousands of Israeli intel. materials, including nuclear docs. – report
How did your country report this? Share your view in the comments.
Diverging Reports Breakdown
Hamas threatens hostage Mtan Zangauker, IDF names two fallen soldiers
The IDF killed Kataib al-Mujahideen’s military wing commander, Mahmoud Muhammad Hamid Kuhail, also known as Abu al-Mu’tasim. As’ad Abu Sharaiya, the head of the terrorist organization, was also killed.
The IDF killed Kataib al-Mujahideen’s military wing commander, Mahmoud Muhammad Hamid Kuhail, also known as Abu al-Mu’tasim, and a senior leader of the group, As’ad Abu Sharaiya, the head of the terrorist organization, in an airstrike on the Gaza Strip, the IDF announced on Saturday.
Kataib al-Mujahideen (“Holy Warriors Brigades”), the armed wing of the Palestinian Mujahideen Movement, has been linked to the October 7 massacre in Israel that included the abduction and murder of Shiri Bibas and her children, Kfir and Ariel, as well as the killing of Israeli-American-Canadian couple Judy Weinstein and Gad Haggai, and Thai workers.
Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, has a long history of using violence and intimidation to maintain its authority. Those who aligned themselves with its military wing, such as the Palestinian Mujahideen Movement, participated in planning, financing, and carrying out attacks against Israel.
Iran rejects IAEA report alleging increased enriched uranium stockpile
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what’s in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. The IAEA said that as of May 17, Iran had amassed 408.6kg (900.8 pounds) of uranium enriched up to 60 percent – the only non-nuclear weapon state to do so, according to the UN agency. The Iranian Foreign Ministry slammed the report, saying the agency had used “forged documents provided by the Zionist regime [Israel]” and reiterated “previous biased and baseless accusations” Iran insists that its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes only. The report will allow for a push by the US, Britain, France and Germany to declare Iran in violation of its non-proliferation obligations. It comes as nuclear deal negotiations are under way between the United States and Iran, with the Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi saying that his country would respond to “elements of a US proposal”
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what’s in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience.
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what’s in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Generate Key Takeaways
Iran has rejected a report from the United Nations nuclear watchdog that alleges Tehran has increased its stockpile of highly enriched, near weapons-grade uranium by 50 percent in the last three months.
Iran said on Saturday that the accusation from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) was “politically motivated and repeates baseless accusations”.
It all comes as nuclear deal negotiations are under way between the United States and Iran, with the Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi saying that his country would respond to “elements of a US proposal” his Omani counterpart, Badr Al-Busaidi, had presented during a short visit to Tehran on Saturday.
Advertisement Advertisement
Advertisement Advertisement
Araghchi said that the proposal would be “responded to in line with the principles, national interests and rights of the people of Iran”.
Tehran insists that its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes only.
The IAEA said that as of May 17, Iran had amassed 408.6kg (900.8 pounds) of uranium enriched up to 60 percent – the only non-nuclear weapon state to do so, according to the UN agency – and had increased its stockpile by almost 50 percent to 133.8kg since its last report in February.
The wide-ranging, confidential report seen by several news agencies said Iran carried out secret nuclear activities with material not declared to the IAEA at three locations that have long been under investigation, calling it a “serious concern” and warning Tehran to change its course.
Advertisement Advertisement
Advertisement Advertisement
The Iranian Foreign Ministry slammed the report, saying the agency had used “forged documents provided by the Zionist regime [Israel]” and reiterated “previous biased and baseless accusations”.
Iran refutes allegations of undeclared nuclear sites or activities, stressing that it has instead cooperated with the agency in providing all necessary access to the alleged sites, it said.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran, while expressing regret over the publication of this report, which was prepared for political purposes through pressure on the agency, expresses its clear objection to its content,” the statement added.
Araghchi reaffirmed the country’s longstanding position, saying Tehran deems nuclear weapons “unacceptable”.
Advertisement Advertisement
Advertisement Advertisement
“If the issue is nuclear weapons, yes, we too consider this type of weapon unacceptable,” Araghchi, Iran’s lead negotiator in the nuclear talks with the US, said in a televised speech. “We agree with them on this issue.”
‘Both sides building leverage’
But the report, which was requested by the IAEA’s 35-nation board of governors in November, will allow for a push by the US, Britain, France and Germany to declare Iran in violation of its non-proliferation obligations.
On Friday, US President Donald Trump said Iran “cannot have a nuclear weapon”.
“They don’t want to be blown up. They would rather make a deal,” Trump said, adding: “That would be a great thing that we could have a deal without bombs being dropped all over the Middle East.”
In 2015, Iran reached a deal with the United Kingdom, US, Germany, France, Russia, China and the European Union, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. It involved the lifting of some sanctions on Tehran in return for limits on its nuclear development programme.
Advertisement Advertisement
Advertisement Advertisement
But in 2018, then US President Trump unilaterally quit the agreement and reimposed harsh sanctions. Tehran then rebuilt its stockpiles of enriched uranium.
In December last year, the IAEA said Iran was rapidly enriching uranium to 60 percent purity, moving closer to the 90 percent threshold needed for weapons-grade material.
Western nations say such intensive enrichment should not be part of a civilian nuclear programme, but Iran insists it is not developing weapons.
Hamed Mousavi, professor of political science at Tehran University, told Al Jazeera the IAEA findings could indicate a possible negotiation tool for Iran during its ongoing nuclear talks with the US.
Advertisement Advertisement
Advertisement Advertisement
“I think both sides are trying to build leverage against the other side. From the Iranian perspective, an advancement in the nuclear programme is going to bring them leverage at the negotiation table with the Americans,” he said.
On the other side, he said, the US could threaten more sanctions and may also refer the Iranian case to the UN Security Council for its breach of the 2006 non-proliferation agreement. However, he added that Iran has not made the “political decision” to build a possible bomb.
“Enriching up to 60 percent [of uranium] – from the Iranian perspective – is a sort of leverage against the Americans to lift sanctions,” Mousavi said.
Iran claims it stole thousands of Israeli intel. materials, including nuclear docs. – report
Iran has obtained Israeli intelligence materials, including sensitive documents related to Israel’s nuclear capabilities, Iranian-affiliated media reported. The documents were transferred from within Israel to Iranian territory, Lebanese Hezbollah-affiliated Al-Mayadeen remarked. Despite the need to securely transport the leaked materials into Iran, a period of media silence was maintained to ensure their safe arrival.
The intelligence materials allegedly include thousands of documents related to that regime’s nuclear plans and facilities.
The documents were transferred from within Israel to Iranian territory, Lebanese Hezbollah-affiliated Al-Mayadeen remarked.
Even though the mentioned operation was carried out some time ago, “the abundance of documents is such that reviewing them and viewing images and videos has taken up a significant amount of time,” sources told Iran’s Tasnim News Agency. Advertisement
Due to the need to securely transport the leaked materials into Iran, a period of media silence was maintained to ensure their safe arrival “at protected destinations” in the country, sources emphasized. The silhouette of a man, seen over the flag of the Islamic Republic of Iran (illustrative) (credit: SHUTTERSTOCK)
Prosecutors indict two Israeli nationals for spying on behalf of Iran
Roi Mizrahi and Almog Attias, both 25, were allegedly in contact with an Iranian intelligence operative who instructed them to install spy cameras, according to an Israeli indictment filed in May. While there is no confirmed link to the recent Israeli intelligence leak, sources suggested that these suspects may be linked to the alleged intel leak.
The State Prosecution filed an indictment at the Beersheba District Court against Roi Mizrahi and Almog Attias for carrying out a series of intelligence missions on behalf of agents operating for Iranian intelligence agencies, the Attorney-General’s Office announced Friday.
Both Mizrahi and Attias are from Nesher, southwest of Haifa. The Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) announced the arrest of the two in May.