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Sinar Daily
7 days ago
- Politics
- Sinar Daily
Iran arrests 26 for alleged collaboration with Israel
The arrest came after Israel's military chief said Wednesday that its commandos had operated secretly inside Iran during the countries' 12-day war, as its spy chief also hailed assistance from US intelligence. 26 Jun 2025 10:47am A residential building that was hit in an Israeli strike covered with a big Iranian flag, in Tehran on June 25, 2025. Photo by Atta Kenare/AFP TEHRAN - Iran's intelligence services have arrested 26 people, accusing them of collaborating with Israel, state media Fars news agency reported, days after a ceasefire between the two countries was announced. "These individuals were identified as operatives and deceived participants in the recent imposed war by the Zionist regime have been arrested by the Intelligence Organization of the Hazrat Vali Asr Corps," Iranian state media Fars news agency said on Wednesday. "Most of them have confessed to their actions, including anti-security activities, spreading public anxiety and acts of sabotage," it added, citing a statement by the organisation. The arrest came after Israel's military chief said Wednesday that its commandos had operated secretly inside Iran during the countries' 12-day war, as its spy chief also hailed assistance from US intelligence. A residential building in Tehran that was hit in an Israeli strike on June 25, 2025. Photo by Atta Kenare/AFP "We achieved full control over Iranian airspace and in every location where we chose to operate," Israeli chief of staff Eyal Zamir had said in a televised address. "This was made possible thanks to, among other things, coordination and tactical deception carried out by our air force and ground commando units," he added. "The forces operated in secret deep within enemy territory and created operational freedom of action for us." Iran said Wednesday that it executed three men accused of spying for Israel. Tehran regularly announces the arrest and execution of agents suspected of working for foreign intelligence services, including its arch-foe Israel. Both countries have claimed victory in the conflict since a ceasefire went into effect on Tuesday. - AFP More Like This
Newsweek
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Republicans and Democrats Agreed on Iran's Nuclear Weapons Threat
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Iran's nuclear program topped a list of concerns for both Democrats and Republicans in a poll conducted before Israel launched its attack on Iran. Yet, there was a significant party divide over support for Israeli airstrikes against Iran's nuclear facilities if negotiations failed. Newsweek reached out to the White House and Iranian Foreign Ministry via email for comment. Why It Matters The Reagan Institute survey was based on samples from 1,257 U.S. adults and concluded June 2 to 11, days before Israel began its strikes against Iranian military and nuclear targets, prompting Iran to retaliate with waves of missiles. Israeli officials said Iran was on the verge of developing a nuclear bomb, a claim not fully shared by U.S. intelligence. President Donald Trump's order to bomb Iran's nuclear enrichment sites Sunday marked a further escalation and drew criticism from Democrats and some prominent MAGA Republicans opposed to military intervention. Iran's Nuclear Ambitions Among geopolitical issues, Iran's potential to acquire nuclear weapons was the top concern for Americans—84 percent expressed worry. Of those surveyed, 89 percent of Republicans and 84 percent of Democrats said preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons was important for U.S. security and prosperity. Two-thirds of respondents—69 percent of Democrats and 71 percent of Republicans—said they support a deal to ease economic sanctions on Iran if it would prevent the country's development of nuclear weapons. Only 20 percent opposed such efforts. Smoke billows following an Israeli strike in central Tehran on June 15, 2025. Smoke billows following an Israeli strike in central Tehran on June 15, 2025. Atta Kenare/AFP via Getty Images A plurality of 45 percent said they would support targeted Israeli airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. Republicans (60 percent) were almost twice as likely as Democrats (32 percent) to back this scenario. During his first term, Trump unilaterally withdrew the United States from the Iran nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, which had been negotiated by the Obama administration. Iran has since gradually restricted International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors' access to its nuclear sites and far exceeded the agreement's limits on uranium enrichment purity, according to the IAEA. Tehran insists its nuclear program is solely for domestic energy needs. China and Taiwan Three-quarters of those polled said a war between China and Taiwan would impact U.S. security and prosperity, the self-ruled democracy that Beijing claims as its territory. In recent years, China, which has vowed to bring Taiwan under its control, by force if necessary, has stepped up military activities around the island, including simulated blockades and near-daily sorties across the median line of the Taiwan Strait. A strong 70 percent majority, including 70 percent of Republicans and 75 percent of Democrats, said they would support U.S. military action to defend Taiwan if China attempted an invasion or blockade. This support rose to 78 percent overall (81 percent of Democrats and 80 percent of Republicans) after respondents were presented with arguments in favor of defending Taiwan. China was perceived as a direct threat to the United States by 80 percent of respondents. Concerns cited by more than three-quarters included technology theft, China's holdings of U.S. government debt, military buildup, advancements in artificial intelligence, and the potential to overtake the U.S. as the world's leading superpower. Russia and Ukraine Russia's war against Ukraine, now in its fourth year, remained a major concern for 73 percent of Americans. Democratic support for a Ukrainian victory outpaced Republican backing, at 80 percent to 47 percent, respectively. Meanwhile, 28 percent of Republicans said they hope neither country prevails, while 12 percent supported Russia. Foreign Policy The pollster noted a shift in Americans' preferences regarding the role they want Washington to play in the world. Nearly two-thirds of respondents (64 percent) supported U.S. leadership over a more isolationist approach to foreign policy—an increase of 20 percentage points since 2022. This trend was reflected across the political spectrum, with support from 65 percent of Democrats, 59 percent of Republicans, and 73 percent of those who identified as MAGA Republicans. The uptick in support for U.S. engagement was especially clear among Republicans and MAGA Republicans, whose backing increased by 10 and 12 percentage points, respectively.
IOL News
23-06-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Tech-fueled misinformation distorts Iran-Israel fighting
Smoke billows following an explosion in central Tehran. Image: Atta Kenare / AFP AI deepfakes, video game footage passed off as real combat, and chatbot-generated falsehoods -- such tech-enabled misinformation is distorting the Israel-Iran conflict, fueling a war of narratives across social media. The information warfare unfolding alongside ground combat sparked by Israel's strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities and military leadership underscores a digital crisis in the age of rapidly advancing AI tools that have blurred the lines between truth and fabrication. The surge in wartime misinformation has exposed an urgent need for stronger detection tools, experts say, as major tech platforms have largely weakened safeguards by scaling back content moderation and reducing reliance on human fact-checkers. After Iran struck Israel with barrages of missiles last week, AI-generated videos falsely claimed to show damage inflicted on Tel Aviv and Ben Gurion Airport. The videos were widely shared across Facebook, Instagram and X. Using a reverse image search, AFP's fact-checkers found that the clips were originally posted by a TikTok account that produces AI-generated content. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ There has been a "surge in generative AI misinformation, specifically related to the Iran-Israel conflict," Ken Jon Miyachi, founder of the Austin-based firm BitMindAI, told AFP. "These tools are being leveraged to manipulate public perception, often amplifying divisive or misleading narratives with unprecedented scale and sophistication." 'Photo-realism' GetReal Security, a US company focused on detecting manipulated media including AI deepfakes, also identified a wave of fabricated videos related to the Israel-Iran conflict. The company linked the visually compelling videos -- depicting apocalyptic scenes of war-damaged Israeli aircraft and buildings as well as Iranian missiles mounted on a trailer -- to Google's Veo 3 AI generator, known for hyper-realistic visuals. The Veo watermark is visible at the bottom of an online video posted by the news outlet Tehran Times, which claims to show "the moment an Iranian missile" struck Tel Aviv. "It is no surprise that as generative-AI tools continue to improve in photo-realism, they are being misused to spread misinformation and sow confusion," said Hany Farid, the co-founder of GetReal Security and a professor at the University of California, Berkeley. Farid offered one tip to spot such deepfakes: the Veo 3 videos were normally eight seconds in length or a combination of clips of a similar duration. "This eight-second limit obviously doesn't prove a video is fake, but should be a good reason to give you pause and fact-check before you re-share," he said. The falsehoods are not confined to social media. Disinformation watchdog NewsGuard has identified 51 websites that have advanced more than a dozen false claims -- ranging from AI-generated photos purporting to show mass destruction in Tel Aviv to fabricated reports of Iran capturing Israeli pilots. Sources spreading these false narratives include Iranian military-linked Telegram channels and state media sources affiliated with the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), sanctioned by the US Treasury Department, NewsGuard said. 'Control the narrative' "We're seeing a flood of false claims and ordinary Iranians appear to be the core targeted audience," McKenzie Sadeghi, a researcher with NewsGuard, told AFP. Sadeghi described Iranian citizens as "trapped in a sealed information environment," where state media outlets dominate in a chaotic attempt to "control the narrative." Iran itself claimed to be a victim of tech manipulation, with local media reporting that Israel briefly hacked a state television broadcast, airing footage of women's protests and urging people to take to the streets. Adding to the information chaos were online clips lifted from war-themed video games. AFP's fact-checkers identified one such clip posted on X, which falsely claimed to show an Israeli jet being shot down by Iran. The footage bore striking similarities to the military simulation game Arma 3. Israel's military has rejected Iranian media reports claiming its fighter jets were downed over Iran as "fake news." Chatbots such as xAI's Grok, which online users are increasingly turning to for instant fact-checking, falsely identified some of the manipulated visuals as real, researchers said. "This highlights a broader crisis in today's online information landscape: the erosion of trust in digital content," BitMindAI's Miyachi said. "There is an urgent need for better detection tools, media literacy, and platform accountability to safeguard the integrity of public discourse." AFP
IOL News
22-06-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
US involvement in Iran's nuclear conflict: Unconfirmed claims and escalating tensions
Expert says the US has been thrown into the conflict against Iran based on fake information about the latter's nuclear facilities. Image: Atta Kenare / AFP US President Donald Trump has been accused of driving the country into war against Iran based on information that has never been confirmed. This after Trump took a dramatic step to insert the US into the fraught conflict between Iran and Israel, a conflict that has left more than 856 people dead and at least 3,396 others wounded since Israel launched its attack on June 13. The decision to directly involve the US in the war comes after more than a week of strikes by Israel on Iran that aimed to systematically eradicate the country's air defences and offensive missile capabilities, while demanding a halt to its nuclear enrichment facilities. On Saturday evening, Trump announced that the US had attacked three sites tied to Iran's nuclear programme, warning Iran against retaliating. The strikes hit uranium enrichment sites at Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ He expressed hope that his move would open the door to a more lasting peace, where Iran no longer had the potential to become a nuclear power. The Israel prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, hailed the strikes and congratulated Trump, saying his bold decision to target Iran's nuclear facilities with 'the awesome and righteous might of the US will change history'. However, experts said Iran's nuclear programme does not exist. Civil nuclear engineer, Hugo Kruger, a South African who is based in Paris, said this is the propaganda that the US and Israel have pushed to attack Iran. He said it has not been confirmed that Iran has nuclear weapon capabilities, adding that Trump has driven the US into the war based on the information that has never been confirmed, even by the US intelligence agencies. He said this could be another narrative and a lie about another world war. 'Even the agencies did not confirm this, and Donald Trump at the moment, is driving the US into on the basis of information that has never been confirmed. He is spreading this incredible propaganda in the Western countries,' Kruger said. He said the US has the power to act against the nuclear programme and would have suspended it if it had existed. He said the US has legal and procedural frameworks for inspecting nuclear weapons, adding that this could also influence international laws. Kruger said this should be stopped, adding that South Africa and other countries must take a stance. 'This will stop the conflict because Israel will not be able to resist this pressure. They must do it through the United Nations,' he said. International relations expert, Dr Noluthando Phungula, said the conflict is bound to harm the entire world, including South Africa. "Oil prices quickly surged up 7% by Friday afternoon and the attacks prompted an instantaneous reaction on the global markets. This will have a dire impact on the dependent developing world due to oil price increases, she said, adding that this also suggests that 'we' may be facing another period of sharply higher energy prices. 'Consequently, almost everything, petrol, gas, and food, will cost more.' She said this reality was seen during the Russia-Ukraine conflict a few years ago, affecting people's lives around the globe. Phungula also warned that other countries in the region could be drawn in, should the attacks continue. Meanwhile, the MK Party condemned the attack, saying it constitutes a direct violation of international law, sovereignty, and the foundational principles of peace, self-determination and non-intervention. The party said this is a declaration of war against the Iranian people, the majority of whom are innocent civilians. 'American officials, without shame or restraint, confirmed these strikes as deliberate and coordinated. President Donald Trump described the attacks as successful, a chilling reminder of how easily Western leaders disguise destruction as diplomacy. The US feigned diplomacy and struck in the dark. "The MK Party calls on the international community, especially the African Union, BRICS nations and the Non-Aligned Movement, to reject this new cycle of militarism and unilateral attacks on sovereign nations. As Iran prepares to defend itself, there has to be a reopening of diplomatic channels and full accountability for the lives lost and infrastructure destroyed,' the party said in a statement. President Cyril Ramaphosa also called on the three countries to give the UN an opportunity and space to lead on the peaceful resolution of the matters of dispute, including inspection and verification of Iran's status of uranium enrichment, as well as its broader nuclear capacity.
IOL News
22-06-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
uMkhonto weSizwe Party criticises US military strikes on Iran
MK Party calls for global solidarity against US aggression in Iran Image: Atta Kenare / AFP The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party has issued a stern condemnation of the United States' recent military assault on Iran's nuclear facilities, describing it as an unjustifiable act of aggression that threatens global peace and sovereignty. In a statement released on Sunday, the MK Party denounced the attack carried out overnight against strategic sites at Natanz, Isfahan, and Fordow as a flagrant violation of international law and an escalation of unilateral military actions that undermine efforts toward diplomacy and stability. According to the MK Party, the US strikes, which involved Tomahawk missiles and GBU-57 bunker-busters, lacked authorisation from the United Nations Security Council. 'This reckless act is not defence; it is an outright declaration of war against the Iranian people,' the statement declared. 'It disregards Iran's sovereignty and the principles of peace, self-determination, and non-intervention that underpin international law.' The party highlighted the tragic irony of Western claims of 'deterrence,' pointing out that such military actions often mask imperial ambitions. 'This is not genuine security,' the MK Party stated. 'War disguised as diplomacy is an escalation that risks spiralling into broader regional conflict.' Drawing parallels to the 2003 invasion of Iraq, the MK Party recalled how false intelligence-specifically, specifically the alleged weapons of mass destruction, was used to justify a devastating war that claimed millions of lives. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading 'Once again, we see Western powers manufacturing narratives to justify their imperial interventions,' said the party. 'Today, the target is Iran; tomorrow, it could be any nation that dares to challenge the global order dictated by the West.' The MK Party called on the international community, particularly African nations, BRICS, and the Non-Aligned Movement, to reject this new wave of militarism. 'Diplomacy must be prioritised over violence,' the statement urged. 'Iran has the right to self-defence under the UN Charter, and we must reopen diplomatic channels to seek peaceful solutions.' The party also urged accountability for the destruction and loss of civilian lives, adding that the ongoing violence threatens regional stability. 'As President Jacob Zuma once warned, 'The path of the powerful is not always the path of the just,'' the MK Party stated. 'We must stand against the arrogance of global powers who bomb nations under the guise of security while sowing insecurity everywhere.' Expressing deep concern, the MK Party affirmed its support for oppressed peoples worldwide, including Palestinians, Venezuelans, Cubans, Congolese communities, and South Africans. 'The recent attack on Iran is part of a broader pattern of foreign aggression,' the statement read. 'We stand in solidarity with those resisting imperial domination and call for a united front rooted in justice and mutual respect.' The MK Party warned of the dangers of escalation, including the potential disruption of vital trade routes and the threat of nuclear proliferation. 'This act could plunge the region- and the entire world- into deeper chaos,' it warned. 'Civilian casualties are inevitable, and prospects for peace are further diminished.' The party also condemned Western media's role in shaping narratives that justify such aggression. 'Weeks ago, South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa was falsely accused of 'white genocide,' a narrative pushed by the same interests now celebrating bombing Iran,' the statement pointed out. 'The same outlets demonised our land reform efforts and social progress, and now they vilify Iran-this is part of a pattern of distortion to justify imperial crimes.' The MK Party called for African nations to take a moral stand. 'Africa must rise with clarity of purpose, reject neocolonial aggression, and advocate for a multipolar world grounded in Ubuntu, justice, and mutual respect,' the statement declared. 'This is not just about Iran; it is about every nation's right to sovereignty and dignity.' The party reaffirmed its commitment to non-alignment, international law, and Pan-African diplomacy in pursuit of lasting peace. 'We pray for all innocent civilians caught in this conflict and for an end to the cycle of violence,' the statement concluded. 'The path forward is solidarity, resistance, and unwavering commitment to justice.' IOL Politics
