Larry Lee
The Latest
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Zelensky Identifies Three Growing Threats as North Korea, Iran and China Expand Support for Russia's War
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused North Korea, Iran and China of playing increasingly significant roles in supporting Russia's war effort, warning that Kyiv is simultaneously confronting three distinct external threats ranging from troop deployments and drone supplies to satellite technology. Speaking in an interview with Sky News, Zelensky said Ukraine is preparing for the possibility that the involvement of Moscow's partners could deepen even further as the conflict enters another critical phase. 
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused North Korea, Iran and China of playing increasingly significant roles in supporting Russia's war effort, warning that Kyiv is simultaneously confronting three distinct external threats ranging from troop deployments and drone supplies to satellite technology. Speaking in an interview with Sky News, Zelensky said Ukraine is preparing for the possibility that the involvement of Moscow's partners could deepen even further as the conflict enters another critical phase. -
Iran Rejects U.S. Ceasefire Proposal as Trump Weighs ‘Massive Attack’ and Warns Tehran Over Houthi Strikes
Iran has rejected a U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal delivered through Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, according to The New York Times, as President Donald Trump signaled he is nearing a decision on a possible large-scale military strike and warned Tehran it would be held responsible for future Houthi attacks on commercial shipping. 
Iran has rejected a U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal delivered through Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, according to The New York Times, as President Donald Trump signaled he is nearing a decision on a possible large-scale military strike and warned Tehran it would be held responsible for future Houthi attacks on commercial shipping. -
Israel Believes Iran Moved Nuclear Centrifuges to Pickaxe Mountain as Trump Warns U.S. Could ‘Take Out’ Site
Israeli intelligence believes Iran has relocated thousands of nuclear centrifuges to the heavily fortified Pickaxe Mountain complex near Natanz, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal, a development that comes as President Donald Trump warns the United States could strike the site and the White House weighs whether to pursue a ceasefire or expand military operations against Tehran. 
Israeli intelligence believes Iran has relocated thousands of nuclear centrifuges to the heavily fortified Pickaxe Mountain complex near Natanz, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal, a development that comes as President Donald Trump warns the United States could strike the site and the White House weighs whether to pursue a ceasefire or expand military operations against Tehran. -
Iran Threatens to ‘Crush’ Regional Targets as Trump Warns Power Plants and Bridges Could Be Hit
Iran threatened sweeping retaliation against U.S. interests and regional infrastructure after President Donald Trump warned that Iranian power plants and bridges could be targeted unless Tehran returns to negotiations. The exchange marked a sharp escalation beyond the recent fighting around the Strait of Hormuz, where U.S. forces have repeatedly struck Iranian military assets. 
Iran threatened sweeping retaliation against U.S. interests and regional infrastructure after President Donald Trump warned that Iranian power plants and bridges could be targeted unless Tehran returns to negotiations. The exchange marked a sharp escalation beyond the recent fighting around the Strait of Hormuz, where U.S. forces have repeatedly struck Iranian military assets. -
Ukraine Intensifies Attacks Inside Russia as Reuters Says Putin Is Preparing to Escalate Conflict
Russian President Vladimir Putin is increasingly determined to intensify the war in Ukraine rather than pursue a ceasefire, according to Reuters, even as President Donald Trump expresses optimism that negotiations could bring the conflict closer to an end. The diverging assessments come as Ukraine expands long-range strikes deep inside Russian territory and both sides seek military advantages ahead of any potential diplomatic breakthrough. 
Russian President Vladimir Putin is increasingly determined to intensify the war in Ukraine rather than pursue a ceasefire, according to Reuters, even as President Donald Trump expresses optimism that negotiations could bring the conflict closer to an end. The diverging assessments come as Ukraine expands long-range strikes deep inside Russian territory and both sides seek military advantages ahead of any potential diplomatic breakthrough. -
Russia Adapts to Ukraine's Deep Strikes With Electronic Warfare, Hidden Fuel Convoys and New Logistics Strategy
Russia is rapidly expanding electronic warfare capabilities and overhauling battlefield logistics to counter Ukraine's increasingly effective long-range drone campaign, according to Ukrainian military personnel interviewed by Reuters. The changes include deploying systems designed to disrupt SpaceX's Starlink satellite network, disguising military fuel shipments as civilian vehicles and restructuring supply convoys to reduce exposure to Ukrainian unmanned aircraft. 
Russia is rapidly expanding electronic warfare capabilities and overhauling battlefield logistics to counter Ukraine's increasingly effective long-range drone campaign, according to Ukrainian military personnel interviewed by Reuters. The changes include deploying systems designed to disrupt SpaceX's Starlink satellite network, disguising military fuel shipments as civilian vehicles and restructuring supply convoys to reduce exposure to Ukrainian unmanned aircraft. -
Ukraine Strikes Russia's Largest Oil Refinery as Zelensky Warns Putin: 'More Is Coming'
Ukraine said it struck Russia's largest oil refinery in Siberia, extending its long-range drone campaign more than 1,500 miles into Russian territory as President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that even deeper attacks are planned. The strike on the Omsk refinery, one of Russia's most important energy facilities, comes as Kyiv intensifies efforts to target infrastructure it says helps finance Moscow's war while signaling that the reach of its domestically produced drones continues to expand. 
Ukraine said it struck Russia's largest oil refinery in Siberia, extending its long-range drone campaign more than 1,500 miles into Russian territory as President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that even deeper attacks are planned. The strike on the Omsk refinery, one of Russia's most important energy facilities, comes as Kyiv intensifies efforts to target infrastructure it says helps finance Moscow's war while signaling that the reach of its domestically produced drones continues to expand. -
Saudi Arabia Weighs Expanding Red Sea Pipeline as Gulf States Move to Bypass Strait of Hormuz
Saudi Arabia is exploring a major expansion of its oil export infrastructure to reduce reliance on the Strait of Hormuz, according to Reuters, as Gulf producers reassess their energy supply routes following heightened tensions with Iran. The discussions come as Tehran continues to assert greater control over the strategic waterway, prompting several regional exporters to accelerate plans aimed at bypassing one of the world's most critical maritime chokepoints. 
Saudi Arabia is exploring a major expansion of its oil export infrastructure to reduce reliance on the Strait of Hormuz, according to Reuters, as Gulf producers reassess their energy supply routes following heightened tensions with Iran. The discussions come as Tehran continues to assert greater control over the strategic waterway, prompting several regional exporters to accelerate plans aimed at bypassing one of the world's most critical maritime chokepoints. -
Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei Remains Absent as Funeral Draws Global Attention, Fueling Succession Questions
Iran's new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has yet to make a public appearance since the state funeral for his father, Ali Khamenei, began on July 4, adding to uncertainty over the country's leadership transition as millions of mourners gather across Iran and officials cite security concerns for his continued absence. Iran's new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has yet to make a public appearance since the state funeral for his father, Ali Khamenei, began on July 4, adding to uncertainty over the country's leadership transition as millions of mourners gather across Iran and officials cite security concerns for his continued absence. -
Russia Pounds Kyiv as Ukraine Fails to Intercept 23 Ballistic Missiles, Zelensky Urges More Patriot Systems
Ukraine's air defense network came under mounting pressure after a large-scale Russian missile and drone assault killed at least 12 people in the Kyiv region, highlighting Kyiv's growing shortage of U.S.-made Patriot interceptors as President Volodymyr Zelensky appealed to NATO allies for additional military support ahead of this week's summit. Ukraine's air defense network came under mounting pressure after a large-scale Russian missile and drone assault killed at least 12 people in the Kyiv region, highlighting Kyiv's growing shortage of U.S.-made Patriot interceptors as President Volodymyr Zelensky appealed to NATO allies for additional military support ahead of this week's summit.
