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Civil, military leadership TEHRAN VOWS SELF-DEFENCE WITH ‘FULL FORCE’ to discuss future AFTER US STRIKES THREE NUCLEAR INSTALLATIONS strategy at NSC meeting Monday, 23 June, 2025 | 26 Zilhaj, 1446
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TRUMP SAYS US CARRIED OUT ‘VERY SUCCESSFUL ATTACK’ ON IRAN’S THREE NUCLEAR SITES IAEA SAYS NO INCREASE IN OFF-SITE RADIATION AFTER US ATTACK
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Rs 50.00 | Vol XV No 345 | 40 Pages | Lahore Edition
KHAMENEI ADVISER SAYS IRAN’S ENRICHED URANIUM REMAINS DESPITE US ATTACKS ICRC WARNS THAT THE WORLD ‘CANNOT ABSORB LIMITLESS WAR’
Russia, China and pakistan propose draft resolution for ceasefire in Middle east UNITED NATIONS staff report
I
Russia, China and Pakistan have proposed a draft UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in the Middle East, ahead of an emergency UNSC session, Reuters reports.
WASHINGTON agencies
RAN’s Foreign Ministry has strongly condemned a US military strike on its nuclear facilities, calling the action an unprecedented breach of international law and a grave violation of the UN Charter. The statement comes in wake of US attack on Iran’s three main nuclear sites. President Donald Trump said and he warned Tehran it would face more attacks if it did not agree to peace. Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the the U.S. strikes were committed in flagrant and unprecedented violation of the most fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter and the international law. Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has vehemently condemned the brutal U.S. military aggression against Iran’s peaceful nuclear facilities, noting that the world should not forget it was the United States that started a dangerous war against the Islamic Republic. The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (A.E.O.I.) said in a statement early on Sunday that the United States has claimed
responsibility for the strikes on nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan. In reaction to the U.S. attacks, Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on Sunday, categorically denouncing the savage military aggression. The U.S. strikes were committed in flagrant and unprecedented violation of the most fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter and the international law, the statement read. Earlier on June 13, the Israeli regime had started a war with Iran. The Israeli regime attacked residential buildings in Tehran, in an unprovoked act of aggression overnight. Top Iranian military officials were assassinated in targeted strikes. Civilians died when houses were directly struck. Entire population centers were affected. Seyed Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s foreign minister and nuclear negotiator, said that Israel and the US had repeatedly derailed diplomacy just as talks were underway. “Last week, we were in negotiations with the US when Israel decided to blow up that diplomacy,” Araghchi posted on X, formerly Twitter.
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It is not immediately clear when it can be put to a vote. The three countries circulated the draft text, said diplomats, and asked members to share their comments by Monday evening. A resolution needs at least nine votes in favour and no vetoes by the United States, France, Britain, Russia or China to pass.
iran rains ballistic missiles, drones on israel after uS attacks on nuke sites TEHRAN
agencies
Iran Sunday launched a massive retaliatory assault on Israel using ballistic missiles and drones targeting key cities including Tel Aviv and Haifa, Arab media outlets reported. According to reports, Iran fired between 20 to 40 ballistic missiles during the coordinated attack. The barrage caused direct damage to several buildings across multiple cities, with northern coastal areas such as Mount Carmel also being hit. The strikes triggered air raid sirens across more than 400 Israeli towns and cities, forcing residents into shelters and creating panic throughout the country. Arab media confirmed that significant explosions were heard in Tel Aviv and Haifa, with videos circulating on social platforms showing widespread
damage to infrastructure. Iranian officials, in a defiant tone, declared, “You started this. We will finish it,” signalling a dangerous escalation in the ongoing conflict. The assault follows growing tensions in the region and is being described by analysts as one of the most serious military actions between the two nations in recent memory. Iran says targeted Ben Gurion airport, other sites in attack on Israel Iran’s armed forces said Sunday they targeted multiple sites in Israel including Ben Gurion airport, after US attacks on key nuclear sites in the Islamic republic. “The twentieth wave of Operation Honest Promise 3 began using a combination of long-range liquid and solid fuel missiles with devastating warhead power,” the armed forces said in a statement quoted by Fars news agency.
being held today ISLAMABAD
staff report
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has convened an important meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) today at 12 pm at the Prime Minister’s House to have an overview of the situation emanating from the US attacks on Iran’s nuclear programme sites and escalating situation in the Middle East. According to sources, the NSC meeting will be attended by both civil and military leadership of Pakistan, including Field Marshal Asim Munir, who is expected to brief participants on his recent visit to the United States. Senior cabinet members including Deputy Prime Minister and Ministers for Defence, Interior and Finance will also be in attendance. Services Chiefs would also attend. The session will include consultations on the ongoing Iran-Israel-US tensions, with major decisions likely regarding Pakistan’s support for Iran and other key matters. The internal security and border situation of the country will also be reviewed in detail during the meeting.
Pakistan condemns US attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities ISLAMABAD
staff report
Pakistan on Sunday condemned the US attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities which followed the series of attacks by Israel. “We are gravely concerned at the possible further escalation of tensions in the region. We reiterate that these attacks violate all norms of international law and that Iran has the legitimate right to defend itself under the UN Charter,” the Foreign Office Spokesperson said in a press release. The unprecedented escalation of tension and violence, owing to ongoing aggression against Iran was deeply disturbing. Any further escalation of tensions would have severely damaging implications for the region and beyond, it was added. The spokesperson further said that Pakistan emphasised the imperative need to respect civilian lives and properties and immediately bring the conflict to end. “All parties must adhere to international law, particularly International Humanitarian Law,” it was asserted.
pM Shehbaz phones iranian president, says dialogue and diplomacy only way forward ISLAMABAD
staff report
Terming the US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities a grave violation of international law, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Tehran has the right to self-defence and stressed the need to immediately return to dialogue and diplomacy, calling them the only viable path forward. PM Shehbaz and President Pezeshkian held a telephone conversation on Sunday afternoon, the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement. The contact was made after US President Donald Trump announced that Washington had carried out air strikes that “completely and totally obliterated” Tehran’s nuclear facilities including the Fordow nu-
clear enrichment plant along with the Natanz and Isfahan sites which raised tensions in the Middle East. The premier conveyed Pakistan’s condemnation of the US attacks, which followed Israel’s unprovoked and unjustified aggression over the past eight days. He reaffirmed Islamabad’s unwavering solidarity with the brotherly people and the Iranian government, while expressing heartfelt condolences on the loss of precious lives and prayed for the swift recovery of the injured. PM Shehbaz also expressed concerns that the US strikes had targeted facilities that were under the safeguards of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). “These attacks constituted a serious violation of international law and the IAEA Statute,” he added.
While noting Iran’s right to self-defence, as enshrined under Article 51 of the UN Charter, the premier stressed the need to immediately return to dialogue and diplomacy as the only viable path forward. He also called for urgent collective efforts to de-escalate the situation and reiterated Pakistan’s readiness to play a constructive role in this context. President Pezeshkian conveyed his deep appreciation for Pakistan’s support to Iran. He thanked PM Shehbaz, the government and the people of Pakistan, including the military leadership, for standing in solidarity with the Iranian people and its government. The two leaders emphasised the need and urgency of forging unity among the Ummah at this critical juncture. They also agreed to remain in close contact.