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Ukraine Says 10,000 Russian Troops Engaged in Fighting in Kursk Region as Kyiv Expands Cross-Border Operations

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Ukraine Says 10,000 Russian Troops Engaged in Fighting in Kursk Region as Kyiv Expands Cross-Border Operations

KYIV, Ukraine (BN24)— Ukrainian forces are fighting approximately 10,000 Russian soldiers in Russia’s Kursk region, where Ukraine says it now controls about 90 square kilometers of territory, according to the country’s top military commander.

Col. Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, in remarks published Sunday by his office, said Ukraine’s presence in Hlushkov district, deep within Russian territory, is part of a preemptive strategy to blunt any forthcoming enemy attack.

“We control about 90 square kilometers of territory in the Hlushkov district of the Kursk region of the Russian Federation,” Syrskyi stated. “These are our preemptive actions in response to a possible enemy attack.”

The Ukrainian military said the cross-border engagement is also serving a secondary goal: to divert Russian troops away from the Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine, where some of the fiercest and most sustained fighting of the war has taken place.

“Russian forces committed to defending Kursk are being pulled from the Donetsk front, easing pressure on Ukrainian defenses in the east,” a military statement said.

Despite the tactical success, the 1,200-kilometer front line remains under constant threat, with Ukrainian forces working to repel waves of small-scale Russian assaults that have intensified through May and June. Military officials said the attacks come with significant Russian casualties but continue to strain Ukrainian lines.

Facing relentless missile and drone attacks by Russian forces, Ukraine has stepped up efforts to defend its infrastructure and cities further from the front. Ukrainian officials say they are now intercepting roughly 82% of Iranian-made Shahed drones, but more advanced surface-to-air missile systems are urgently needed to protect vital sites.

The air force is also developing new tactics to counter Russia’s aerial assault, including light aircraft interceptors and anti-drone operations, especially critical as Russian attacks often involve swarms of drones launched simultaneously.

Ukraine continues to use its long-range strike capabilities to inflict damage inside Russian territory. From January to May, the Ukrainian military estimates it has caused $1.3 billion in direct losses to Russia’s oil refining and fuel infrastructure, along with energy, transport, and strategic communications networks.

An additional $9.5 billion in indirect losses have been recorded due to the destabilization of the Russian oil sector and logistical bottlenecks caused by Ukrainian strikes, according to military officials.

It remains unclear whether these figures include losses from Operation Spider’s Web, a sabotage mission that Ukraine claims inflicted billions in damage to Russian air power by targeting warplanes stationed deep inside Russian bases.

The presence of Ukrainian troops on Russian soil signals a notable expansion of the conflict’s geographic scope, a shift that Kyiv describes as necessary to raise the costs of war for Moscow. While Russia continues to escalate its campaign through persistent drone and missile strikes, Ukraine is increasingly looking beyond its borders to reshape the battlefield dynamics.

As the war grinds on past its three-year mark, Ukraine’s strategy now hinges on both tactical defense at home and strategic disruption of Russia’s military and economic capabilities abroad.

Israeli Forces Recover Bodies of 3 Hostages in Gaza as Campaign Intensifies

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Israeli Forces Recover Bodies of 3 Hostages in Gaza as Campaign Intensifies

TEL AVIV (BN24) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed Saturday that the bodies of three hostages — including an Israeli soldier and two civilians — were recovered in the Gaza Strip during an ongoing military operation, as Israel presses forward with its dual campaign against Hamas and Iran.

The remains of Yonatan Samrano, Ofra Keidar, and Staff Sgt. Shai Levinson were retrieved by Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and internal security agency Shin Bet, marking a grim but significant development in Israel’s continued efforts to bring home both living and fallen hostages from the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack.

“I thank our commanders and fighters for a successful operation, for their determination and courage,” Netanyahu said in a statement. “We will not rest until we return all of our abductees home — both the living and the dead.”

The IDF did not disclose the exact location in Gaza where the remains were found, but confirmed the operation was conducted on Saturday. The retrieval brings the total number of hostages’ bodies recovered this month to eight.

Ofra Keidar, 71, was murdered during the October 7 Hamas assault on an Israeli kibbutz. Her body was taken into Gaza by militants.

Staff Sgt. Shai Levinson, 19, was killed in combat on the morning of the attack while engaging with Hamas gunmen. The IDF called his actions heroic, underscoring his sacrifice in the earliest hours of the war.

Yonatan “Yonati” Samrano, who would have turned 23 on Saturday — the day his body was recovered — was captured during the Hamas incursion. His father, Kobi Samrano, shared the news on Instagram: “Yesterday was Yonati’s Hebrew birthday. On the very day he was born, our Yonati was rescued in a heroic operation by the brave soldiers of the IDF and the Shin Bet.”

In a statement, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, which represents relatives of those still held in Gaza, said:
“Our hearts are with the Keidar, Samrano, and Levinson families today. Alongside the grief and pain, their return provides some comfort to the families who have waited in agony, uncertainty, and doubt for 625 days.”

The group added that amid recent military successes against Iran, the continued return of hostages must remain Israel’s central priority. “There will be no victory until the last hostage returns.”

The three hostages were among 251 people taken captive during Hamas’s October 7 cross-border assault, which also left approximately 1,200 people dead in Israel. In response, Israel launched a sweeping military campaign in Gaza.

According to the Gaza Health Ministry, more than 54,677 Palestinians have been killed in the ensuing conflict, which has devastated the enclave and displaced hundreds of thousands.

The Israeli military believes 54 hostages remain in captivity, including 31 presumed dead.

As Netanyahu faces pressure both domestically and internationally, the recovery of hostages — whether alive or deceased — continues to serve as a key pillar of Israel’s war objectives, alongside degrading Hamas’s military infrastructure and confronting Iran’s regional influence.

Global Reaction Divided After U.S. Strikes Iranian Nuclear Sites

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Global Reaction Divided After U.S. Strikes Iranian Nuclear Sites

WASHINGTON (BN24) — The global response to the United States’ airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear sites was swift and deeply divided on Sunday, with U.S. allies offering measured support and adversaries condemning the move as a reckless escalation that could ignite a wider regional war.

The operation, personally announced by President Donald Trump, marked the U.S.’s most direct military intervention yet in the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict. Trump confirmed strikes on Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan — facilities central to Iran’s nuclear enrichment infrastructure.

While Israel praised the U.S. for what it called a bold stand against a dangerous adversary, other nations — including Iran, Cuba, Venezuela, and Qatar — denounced the attack as illegal and destabilizing. Meanwhile, global powers such as the United Nations, Britain, Japan, and the European Union urged restraint and a return to diplomacy.

Reactions From Around the World

Israel – Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu:
“Congratulations, President Trump. Your bold decision to target Iran’s nuclear facilities with the awesome and righteous might of the United States will change history,” Netanyahu said. “History will record that President Trump acted to deny the world’s most dangerous regime the world’s most dangerous weapons.”

Iran – Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi:
Calling the strikes a “grave violation of the UN Charter,” Araghchi warned on social media that the attacks on “peaceful nuclear installations” would have “everlasting consequences.” He asserted that Iran reserves all options in defense of its sovereignty under international law.

United Nations – Secretary-General António Guterres:
Guterres condemned the U.S. strikes, calling them a “dangerous escalation” and warning of a conflict spiraling “out of control.” He urged member states to avoid “a spiral of chaos,” stressing that “there is no military solution. The only hope is peace.”

United Kingdom – Prime Minister Keir Starmer:
Starmer said Iran’s nuclear ambitions “must never culminate in a nuclear weapon” and acknowledged the U.S. had acted to alleviate that threat. However, he emphasized the need for diplomatic solutions to bring stability to the region.

European Union – Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas:
Kallas echoed concerns over Iran’s nuclear program but urged all parties to “step back” and seek diplomacy. EU foreign ministers plan to discuss the crisis imminently.

Qatar – Foreign Ministry:
Qatar expressed regret and concern over the U.S. bombing of Iran, warning that the “dangerous tension” could lead to “catastrophic repercussions” on both regional and global levels.

Japan – Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba:
“We are monitoring the situation with grave concern,” Ishiba said, calling for immediate de-escalation.

Italy – Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani:
Tajani said he hoped the strikes, which had “caused massive damage to nuclear weapons production,” would open a path toward renewed negotiations.

New Zealand – Foreign Minister Winston Peters:
Calling the strikes “extremely worrying,” Peters urged all sides to return to talks, insisting that “diplomacy will deliver a more enduring resolution.”

Australia – Government Spokesperson:
Reaffirming concerns about Iran’s nuclear program, Canberra called on all parties to prioritize de-escalation and diplomacy.

Mexico – Foreign Ministry:
Mexico reiterated its pacifist stance, urging the parties to “urgently pursue diplomatic dialogue.”

Venezuela – Foreign Minister Yvan Gil:
Venezuela denounced the strikes as “U.S. military aggression” carried out at Israel’s behest. Caracas demanded an immediate cessation of hostilities, calling the bombing illegal and destabilizing.

Cuba – President Miguel Díaz-Canel:
Díaz-Canel issued a harsh rebuke, condemning the U.S. attack as a “dangerous escalation” and “a serious violation of international law.” He warned of “irreversible consequences for humanity.”

Iranian Opposition – Maryam Rajavi, National Council of Resistance of Iran:
Rajavi welcomed the destruction of Iran’s nuclear assets, declaring, “Khamenei must go.” She blamed the regime’s nuclear ambitions for costing the nation lives and more than $2 trillion.

As international leaders scrambled to contain fallout from the strikes, Trump remained defiant, saying his administration would continue pressuring Iran to dismantle its nuclear program entirely. The world now braces for Tehran’s promised response — and what could become the gravest Middle East crisis in decades.

Reuters

U.S. B-2 Stealth Bombers Carried Out Iran Nuclear Strikes, Official Confirms

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U.S. B-2 Stealth Bombers Carried Out Iran Nuclear Strikes, Official Confirms

WASHINGTON (BN24) — A U.S. official confirmed Saturday that B-2 Spirit stealth bombers were used in the U.S. airstrikes targeting Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, hours after President Donald Trump announced that the United States had struck three key sites in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to Reuters, provided the first official acknowledgment that America’s most advanced long-range bombers were involved in the operation, which marked a sharp escalation in U.S. military involvement in the Israel-Iran conflict.

Earlier on Saturday, Reuters had reported movements of B-2 bombers, capable of deploying the 30,000-pound GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator, a bomb designed to reach and destroy fortified underground facilities — including the uranium enrichment plants buried deep within Iran’s mountainous terrain.

The Pentagon has not publicly confirmed the bombers’ participation or released details of the operation. However, military analysts had speculated that only U.S. B-2 bombers based in Missouri and occasionally forward-deployed to Guam or Diego Garcia are capable of executing a precision strike on deeply buried Iranian nuclear sites.

President Trump had stated earlier that all U.S. aircraft involved in the operation had successfully exited Iranian airspace and returned safely following the mission. The strike was described as “very successful,” with a “full payload” reportedly dropped on Fordow, the heavily protected underground facility.

The use of B-2s underscores the strategic nature and technical complexity of the airstrikes, which were intended to disable Iran’s nuclear capability while avoiding broad civilian casualties or nuclear fallout.

The confirmation follows a week of intensifying air warfare between Israel and Iran, with both sides exchanging missile and drone strikes, and escalating concerns that the U.S. military is now becoming deeply entangled in a potential regional war.

U.S. Strikes Three Iranian Nuclear Sites, Trump Confirms, Joining Israeli Military Offensive

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U.S. Strikes Three Iranian Nuclear Sites, Trump Confirms, Joining Israeli Military Offensive

WASHINGTON (BN24) — President Donald Trump confirmed Saturday that the United States military has directly joined Israel’s campaign to dismantle Iran’s nuclear program, conducting airstrikes on three fortified nuclear sites inside Iran in what marks a significant escalation with potentially explosive consequences for the region.

In a post on social media, Trump declared, “We have completed our very successful attack on the three Nuclear sites in Iran, including Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. All planes are now outside of Iran air space. A full payload of BOMBS was dropped on the primary site, Fordow. All planes are safely on their way home.”

The strikes, which mark America’s first direct military involvement in Israel’s war with Iran, come after days of Israeli-led assaults aimed at degrading Tehran’s missile infrastructure and nuclear enrichment capacity. U.S. officials, speaking anonymously, said only American B-2 stealth bombers, capable of carrying the 30,000-pound GBU-57 bunker-busting bomb, could reliably target Iran’s deeply buried uranium enrichment sites.

The Iranian government has vowed retaliation, warning of dire consequences if the U.S. continues its intervention. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, speaking in Turkey during an Organization of Islamic Cooperation summit, said American participation in the attacks would be “very, very dangerous for everyone.”

The Fordow enrichment facility, embedded in a mountain and considered one of Iran’s most impenetrable sites, was reportedly struck with bunker-buster munitions. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed extensive damage at Isfahan, where a centrifuge production site was also hit. The agency assured there was no off-site radiation risk.

Meanwhile, Israeli Defense Forces announced that their air campaign had already destroyed over half of Iran’s missile launchers, with Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin stating the military is preparing for a “prolonged campaign.”

The Houthi rebels in Yemen, aligned with Tehran, warned they would resume Red Sea attacks on U.S. vessels if American forces deepened involvement. The group had halted such actions under a previous agreement with Washington, but said the U.S. strikes nullify the deal.

The U.S. has now begun “assisted departure flights” from Israel, marking the first such evacuations since Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack on Israel ignited the Gaza war.

According to the Washington-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, at least 722 Iranians, including 285 civilians, have been killed since hostilities began on June 13. Over 2,500 have been injured, including many caught in Israeli and U.S. airstrikes on military and nuclear infrastructure.

Videos from Tehran hospitals showed civilian victims describing blasts that blew apart homes and businesses. One woman said, “I’ve had five surgeries. I think I have nothing right here that is intact.”

In Israel, at least 24 people have died and more than 1,000 injured in Iranian missile and drone retaliation, according to official estimates.

Iran maintains that its nuclear program is purely peaceful, though it is the only non-nuclear nation enriching uranium up to 60%, a step away from weapons-grade. Israel and the U.S. claim Iran is dangerously close to acquiring a nuclear bomb.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian reiterated Saturday that Tehran will not renounce its nuclear ambitions, stating during a call with French President Emmanuel Macron that “war and threats” will not alter Iran’s course, but that the country is willing to provide transparency measures.

Trump, who withdrew the U.S. from the 2015 nuclear agreement during his first term, has consistently rejected any Iranian enrichment, demanding a full shutdown of its nuclear program. His administration views the current campaign as a final effort to eliminate what he calls the “existential threat” posed by Iran’s atomic capabilities.

Among the recent Israeli and U.S. strikes, the death of Saeed Izadi, commander of the Quds Force’s Palestine Corps and a key figure in arming Hamas for its Oct. 7, 2023, assault, was announced by Israel. Separately, Behnam Shahriyari, who oversaw weapons transfers to Hezbollah and Hamas, was also killed in western Iran.

A third commander, Amin Pour Joudaki, who led Iran’s drone operations against Israel, was reported killed as well.

Amid the military escalation, Iran’s leadership accused IAEA Director Rafael Grossi of providing Israel with justifications to strike. An adviser to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei warned online that Grossi would “pay” for his remarks once the war ends.

Grossi had earlier cautioned against attacks on Iran’s Bushehr nuclear reactor, saying such a strike could cause catastrophic radioactive fallout.

Despite fears of escalation, neither Israel nor the U.S. has targeted nuclear reactors directly, instead focusing on enrichment centers, centrifuge workshops, and heavy water facilities.

Trump said he would delay a decision on deeper U.S. involvement for up to two weeks to “see whether or not people come to their senses,” leaving the door open to a broader military role.

No further diplomatic talks are currently scheduled following deadlocked Geneva negotiations. The conflict continues to evolve with increasing intensity, and global powers remain divided — with Russia and China demanding de-escalation, and Europe struggling to mediate.

As the Middle East teeters on the brink of a wider war, the full implications of America’s direct entry into the battlefield remain uncertain. But for now, the bombs have fallen — and the consequences are only beginning to unfold.

French National Charged with Orchestrating Online Child Sex Abuse in Colombia

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French National Charged with Orchestrating Online Child Sex Abuse in Colombia

PARIS (BN24) — A 55-year-old French national has been arrested and charged in France for orchestrating online child sex abuse in Colombia, as part of an extensive transnational investigation into livestreamed pedophile crimes, French prosecutors announced Saturday.

According to the Paris prosecutor’s office, the suspect faces a string of grave charges, including complicity in human trafficking involving minors under 15, rape and sexual assault of children — including incestuous acts — as well as possession, acquisition, and viewing of child pornography. He was formally charged this week and has been remanded into custody pending trial.

Authorities allege the man transferred over €30,000 (approximately $35,000 USD) to individuals in Colombia, paying for the live-streamed sexual abuse of children, some of whom have now been identified and placed under protective care. Prosecutors say the operation uncovered a network that included local abusers, intermediaries, and so-called ‘money runners’, all of whom were arrested in a coordinated action with Colombian law enforcement.

Weapons were also reportedly found in the suspect’s residence in France, although authorities have not yet clarified their connection to the broader investigation.

The case has drawn international attention to a particularly heinous form of child exploitation known as livestreaming abuse, where predators in wealthier nations commission sexual assaults on minors abroad in real-time. These crimes are often carried out by the victims’ own relatives in return for payment, with the abuse streamed live to the perpetrators.

“This kind of abuse is particularly insidious and difficult to detect, as it crosses borders and is often facilitated through encrypted digital transactions and private video platforms,” said a law enforcement source familiar with the case.

The prosecutor’s office stressed that this arrest marks a significant breakthrough in a multi-agency international effort to dismantle livestreaming pedophile rings. French and Colombian authorities cooperated closely to ensure the simultaneous arrests of the French suspect and his co-conspirators in Colombia, preventing further harm to vulnerable children.

Child protection advocates have long warned of the rising threat of online abuse-for-hire models, urging governments to expand monitoring of cross-border financial transactions and digital content sharing. The French suspect’s arrest now puts a spotlight on the global infrastructure enabling such crimes — and the urgent need for coordinated responses.

Legal proceedings in France are ongoing, and prosecutors say the suspect could face decades in prison if convicted on all charges. Meanwhile, authorities in Colombia continue working to identify additional victims and unravel further links in the abuse-for-profit network.

Brazil Hot-Air Balloon Tragedy Kills 8, Injures 13 in Fiery Plunge Over Santa Catarina

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Brazil Hot-Air Balloon Tragedy Kills 8, Injures 13 in Fiery Plunge Over Santa Catarina

PRAIA GRANDE, Brazil (BN24) — A hot-air balloon burst into flames mid-air and crashed to the ground in southern Brazil’s Santa Catarina state on Saturday, killing eight people and injuring 13 others in one of the country’s deadliest ballooning disasters in recent memory.

The tragedy unfolded in Praia Grande, a popular ballooning destination near the Serra do Rio do Rastro mountain range, where the balloon caught fire during flight and fell rapidly with 21 people aboard, including the pilot.

Graphic video footage shared by local outlet G1 and on social media showed the balloon engulfed in flames as it plummeted. In one harrowing clip, two passengers can be seen falling through the air as the fire spread through the aircraft’s basket.

According to Santa Catarina’s military fire brigade, 13 survivors were pulled from the wreckage and taken to nearby hospitals. Among the deceased, three were found embracing each other, a detail shared by state civil police chief Ulisses Gabriel on X. “It hurts the soul,” he wrote.

Officials say the crash occurred just minutes into what was supposed to be a 45-minute flight reaching an altitude of 1,000 meters. The experience reportedly cost around 550 reais (about $100 USD) per passenger.

In a public statement, Santa Catarina Governor Jorginho Mello expressed deep sorrow and pledged full support to the victims and their families. “We are in mourning. A tragedy has happened. Now is the time for the state to act—rescue, assist, bring comfort,” Mello said in a video posted to X.

Initial reports from police suggest the fire broke out inside the basket, possibly from a fuel source or burner malfunction. As the blaze intensified, the pilot ordered passengers to jump when the balloon was close to the ground. “Some managed to jump, others didn’t. The fire grew, and the balloon crashed,” said Tiago Luiz Lemos, Praia Grande’s chief police officer, in comments to Folha de São Paulo.

The crash occurred during Brazil’s June festivities, a time of high tourism in the region and cultural celebrations honoring Catholic saints like St. John, whose feast is on June 24. Balloon rides are a popular activity in the area during this time of year.

The incident comes less than a week after another hot-air balloon mishap in São Paulo state killed a 27-year-old woman and injured 11 others, raising further concerns over ballooning safety standards in Brazil.

Authorities have launched a full investigation into the Santa Catarina disaster, including an assessment of the balloon’s licensing, maintenance records, and the pilot’s emergency protocols.

As families mourn and survivors recover, the nation now grapples with the aftermath of a spectacle turned catastrophe—one that has shaken the festive spirit of southern Brazil.

U.S. Deploys B-2 Bombers to Guam as Trump Considers Military Role in Israel-Iran Conflict

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U.S. Deploys B-2 Bombers to Guam as Trump Considers Military Role in Israel-Iran Conflict

WASHINGTON (BN24)— The United States has quietly moved B-2 Spirit stealth bombers to Guam, U.S. officials confirmed Saturday, as President Donald Trump weighs whether to commit American military forces to Israel’s escalating conflict with Iran.

While the officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, declined to confirm a direct link between the deployment and the Middle East crisis, the move is being interpreted by defense analysts as a strategic signal of readiness. The B-2 bombers are capable of carrying the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator — a 30,000-pound bunker-busting bomb widely believed to be designed for targeting deeply buried nuclear facilities like Iran’s Fordow enrichment site.

“No forward orders have been issued yet beyond Guam,” one official said, adding that details such as the total number of bombers deployed remain classified. The Pentagon declined to comment on the movement.

The aircraft transfer comes as Trump has delayed a final decision on direct U.S. involvement in the Israel-Iran conflict. Speaking Friday in New Jersey, the president said he would take up to two weeks to assess the situation, stating, “We’re ready, willing and able — and we’ll see what happens.”

Military experts are closely monitoring whether the B-2s will be relocated from Guam to Diego Garcia, a remote U.S.-British base in the Indian Ocean that provides ideal strike access to the Middle East. The U.S. had previously stationed B-2s there before recently rotating in B-52 bombers.

“This could be classic power projection,” one senior U.S. defense analyst said. “Guam is a strategic waypoint. But if the B-2s start flying out of Diego Garcia, it’s a clear shift toward operational readiness.”

The B-2 deployment coincides with a marked uptick in U.S. global military movements. As Reuters first reported this week, the U.S. has relocated a large number of aerial refueling tankers to Europe and bolstered forces in the Middle East with additional fighter jets. An aircraft carrier in the Indo-Pacific is also now en route to the Middle East.

The latest moves come as Israel intensifies its air campaign, claiming Saturday to have killed a senior Iranian Quds Force commander in a strike on Qom. Iran, for its part, reiterated it will not resume nuclear talks while under military threat.

Israel alleges Iran is on the verge of weaponizing its nuclear program — a claim Tehran denies, maintaining its atomic activities are solely for peaceful purposes. But U.S. officials have warned that any strike on Iranian nuclear sites could escalate rapidly into regional war, potentially drawing in American forces.

As Israel’s airstrikes on Iran continue, the White House has kept diplomatic channels open, while reinforcing its deterrence posture. Trump’s Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, recently told reporters that the U.S. intelligence community has assessed Iran is taking steps consistent with nuclear weapons development — a claim Iran rejects.

With the B-2 bombers now positioned within striking range, U.S. military readiness has quietly entered a new phase — one that reflects deepening uncertainty over how far the current conflict could spiral.

“Guam is just the beginning,” said one former senior Pentagon official. “Where those bombers go next will tell the world how close we are to a wider war.”

Iran’s Khamenei Prepares for Succession Amid Assassination Fears, Orders Secret List of Replacements

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Iran’s Khamenei Prepares for Succession Amid Assassination Fears, Orders Secret List of Replacements

TEHRAN, Iran (BN24) — Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has secretly selected a trio of potential successors, according to officials briefed on the matter, as fears mount within Tehran that he could become the next high-value target in a wave of lethal Israeli strikes that have decimated the ranks of Iran’s top military commanders.

The 86-year-old cleric, who has ruled since 1989, reportedly drew up the list while sheltering in a fortified bunker, and instructed Iran’s Assembly of Experts — the powerful clerical body responsible for choosing the next Supreme Leader — to select from his handpicked candidates in the event of his death, The New York Times reported.

“The ayatollah is clearly rattled. His preemptive move to name successors signals just how fragile the regime sees itself right now,” a senior U.S. official told The Post.

While the names on the list have not been formally disclosed, Iranian political analysts say Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i, 68, the current head of Iran’s judiciary, is widely viewed as the frontrunner. He is known for his hardline posture and loyalty to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), making him a likely candidate to preserve the system’s continuity under crisis.

Other prominent contenders include Mohsen Qomi, 65, a senior cleric in the Assembly of Experts and foreign affairs adviser close to Khamenei, and Mohsen Araki, another longtime Assembly member. Guardian Council member Alireza Arafi and cleric Hashem Hosseini Bushehri have also been floated by Iranian insiders.

Notably absent from the succession list is Mojtaba Khamenei, the Supreme Leader’s influential 55-year-old son. Long rumored to be a possible heir due to his ties to the IRGC, his exclusion may be a strategic attempt by Khamenei to avoid the appearance of establishing a dynastic rule. However, some experts argue the Assembly could still sideline his father’s wishes and appoint Mojtaba regardless.

“This is an unprecedented deviation from Iran’s traditional succession process,” said Vali Nasr, a Middle East scholar at Johns Hopkins University. “But for Khamenei, the top priority now is regime preservation — not clerical formality.”

Khamenei’s decision comes amid Israel’s ongoing military campaign that has seen the elimination of several senior Iranian operatives. Most recently, Saeed Izadi, commander of the Quds Force’s Palestine Corps, was killed in a strike on the city of Qom. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz called the operation a “major intelligence and military success,” linking Izadi directly to Hamas’ preparations for its October 7, 2023, attack on Israel.

Two other senior officers were also eliminated: Benham Shahriyari, head of the Quds Force’s weapons transfer unit responsible for arming Hezbollah and the Houthis, and Amin Pour Joudaki, commander of Iran’s UAV Brigade, who reportedly oversaw hundreds of drone attacks on Israeli territory.

The Iranian regime has responded by intensifying internal security protocols. The Ministry of Intelligence has ordered all senior government and military officials into underground bunkers and barred the use of electronic communications. Khamenei himself has remained hidden since Israel began its strikes on June 13, having vacated his compound in Tehran known as beit rahbari (leader’s house).

Despite two pre-recorded addresses to the public in which Khamenei vowed not to yield, the mounting death toll among his top commanders has exposed deep vulnerabilities in Iran’s military leadership. Human rights monitors say at least 639 people, including senior officers and nuclear scientists, have been killed in Israeli airstrikes on Iranian soil since the conflict erupted.

Former U.S. officials say Iran’s top leadership is being rapidly decimated. “These guys aren’t just losing commanders — they’re losing the entire command structure,” a national security source familiar with the Trump administration’s Iran policy told The Post. “If I were in their shoes, I’d be buying a one-way ticket out of Tehran.”

While Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence remains silent, internal memos seen by multiple sources confirm that government operations are now being coordinated through a single trusted aide — a measure aimed at preserving secrecy amid espionage fears.

The current crisis has added a volatile dimension to the question of Iran’s future leadership. Analysts say the preemptive succession plan suggests Khamenei sees his own survival as far from guaranteed.

“This is not just about mortality — this is about assassination,” said Gabriel Noronha, a former State Department adviser on Iran. “Khamenei has watched his inner circle get picked off one by one. Now he’s planning for the unthinkable.”

Belarus Opposition Leader Sergei Tikhanovsky Freed in Surprise U.S.-Brokered Deal

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Belarus Opposition Leader Sergei Tikhanovsky Freed in Surprise U.S.-Brokered Deal

VILNIUS, Lithuania (BN24) — Belarusian opposition leader Sergei Tikhanovsky, who had been jailed for more than five years, was released Saturday along with over a dozen political prisoners in a surprise deal hailed as a “symbol of hope” by human rights advocates and Western leaders.

Tikhanovsky’s release, brokered with the help of the United States, marks one of the most significant prisoner releases in Belarus in recent years and signals a potential shift in diplomatic engagement with the country’s long-standing authoritarian regime. His wife, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who launched her political career in 2020 after his arrest, shared a video on social media embracing her husband with the caption: “FREE.”

“It’s hard to describe the joy in my heart,” she wrote on X, formerly Twitter. The couple was reunited in Lithuania, where the released prisoners are receiving care and protection.

The U.S. played a pivotal role in negotiating the release. Tikhanovskaya thanked President Donald Trump, crediting his administration with facilitating the transfer. The announcement came just hours after Trump’s special envoy, Keith Kellogg, met with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in Minsk — the most senior U.S. visit to Belarus in years.

Tikhanovsky, 46, had intended to run against Lukashenko in the August 2020 presidential election but was arrested weeks before the vote. His wife, a political novice at the time, stepped into the race, rallying opposition forces and becoming the face of Belarus’s pro-democracy movement.

A charismatic YouTuber and activist, Tikhanovsky gained notoriety for mocking Lukashenko as a “cockroach,” and rallied supporters around the slogan “Stop the Cockroach.” In 2021, he was sentenced to 18 years in prison for charges including “organizing riots” and “inciting hatred,” later receiving an additional 18 months for “insubordination.” He was reportedly held incommunicado, with rumors of his death circulating as recently as 2023.

Video footage released by the Viasna Human Rights Center on Saturday showed a visibly altered Tikhanovsky—shaved head, emaciated face—as he stepped out of detention for the first time in years.

Among the other 13 freed detainees were Radio Liberty journalist Igor Karnei, jailed in 2023 for alleged ties to an “extremist” group, and Galina Krasnyanskaya, a Swedish-Belarusian citizen accused of supporting Ukraine. They were all transferred to Lithuania, according to Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys.

Belarus remains one of Europe’s most repressive states, still holding over 1,000 political prisoners, according to Viasna. Lukashenko, who has ruled since 1994, has outlawed all opposition parties and continues to be the only European leader to enforce the death penalty.

The release follows growing U.S.-Russia détente under President Trump, who has ended efforts to isolate Russian President Vladimir Putin and reopened back-channel negotiations with Kremlin allies, including Lukashenko.

European leaders welcomed the move but emphasized the broader crisis of political repression in Belarus.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called the release “fantastic news and a powerful symbol of hope” and urged Minsk to release all remaining political detainees.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul echoed that sentiment, calling Tikhanovsky’s release “fantastically good news” but stressing, “Lukashenko must finally release them all.”

Former Belarusian Culture Minister Pavel Latushko, now an exiled opposition figure, described the event as an “important moment” but insisted that those freed had been “jailed illegally.”

Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski added: “The free world needs Tikhanovsky. My sincerest joy goes out to Svetlana and your entire family.”

Tikhanovsky’s release is widely seen as a rare moment of hope for Belarus’s democratic movement—one that still faces daunting challenges under Lukashenko’s firm grip on power.

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