Iran needn’t worry. It’s got two powerful friends

Both Russia and China have made it clear that neither will abandon ally Iran in its urgent time of need. China sent several large mystery shipments and Russia hosts the Iranian president in Moscow.

There’s a lot of evidence to suggest that Iran either has nukes now or will receive them from its friends, and Israel is no longer the one Middle East country with nukes.

Offhand I’d say the Middle East equation has been changed in favor of the Resistance and that is permanent. Israel looks finished.

Here’s a quick rundown of the events you need to know about on the Werleman show:

Translation with my notes in bold and in [brackets]

https://tsargrad.tv/dzen/tretja-mirovaja-kitaj-budet-mstit-ssha-na-blizhnem-vostoke-a-chto-sdelaet-rossija_1291418

World War III: China to take revenge on US in Middle East - what will Russia do?

In recent days, the world has witnessed some very interesting events related to Iran and its strategic ally China. Amid the ongoing conflict between Tehran and Tel Aviv, mysterious cargo flights sent from China to Iran have attracted attention. These flights raise many questions about the contents of the cargo, as well as about what lengths Beijing is willing to go to in order to preserve one of its main allies in the Middle East. At the same time, the question arises about Russia's reaction to these events. World War III seems to be close, and China will not miss the opportunity to take revenge on the US. Details are in the Tsargrad article.

Secret cargoes flying from China: Beijing has joined the game

According to the British publication The Telegraph, China is apparently transferring weapons and military equipment to Iran, but is doing so without unnecessary publicity. While Washington openly supports Israel, it is giving Tehran an ultimatum to capitulate, which points to a new stage in the Middle East war, says Tsargrad military observer Ilya Golovnev.

According to the publication, a cargo plane took off from China a day after Israel’s strike on Iran. Another flight followed from the coastal city the following day, and on June 16, another plane took off from Shanghai. All three flights were heading west, flying over northern China and crossing Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan before disappearing from radar as they approached Iran. Adding to the intrigue is the fact that the final destination was listed as Luxembourg, although the planes never even got close to Europe.

These flights have raised serious concerns among Western experts. They note that the Boeing 747s used are usually used to transport military equipment and fulfill government contracts. Such cargo could mean support for Iran from China, which cannot but arouse interest in the context of current geopolitical tensions.

Let's assume that China will take revenge on the United States in the Middle East; what will Russia do?

Who and why destabilized the Middle East: a detail that many did not notice

Amid the recent strikes on Iran, an interesting detail has emerged that many may not have noticed. As Golovnev writes, the first missiles on Iranian territory began to arrive almost simultaneously with the launch of a new railway route from China to Iran. The first train from Xi'an, China, arrived at the Iranian logistics hub of Aprin on May 25, 2025. This route has been in development since 2021, immediately after the signing of a strategic agreement between Iran and China worth about $400 billion as part of the One Belt, One Road initiative.

The essence of the new project is that industrial goods from China are now delivered to Iran directly by land, bypassing the US zones of influence and their military bases. This allows Iran not only to receive supplies, but also to become a key transit hub connecting several directions: to the south - the North-South corridor through Russia, the Caspian and India; to the west - land access to Iraq, Syria, Turkey and the Mediterranean; to the east - direct access to Chinese supply chains. The new route also weakens the maritime monopoly, especially given the US control over the Strait of Hormuz and the Suez Canal.

It is not difficult to guess that such changes pose a serious geo-economic threat to the US and its allies. Therefore, it is not surprising that with the beginning of Iran's integration into trans-Asian logistics, attempts to destabilize it have intensified. The issue concerns not only the nuclear program, but also preventing Iran from becoming a logistics hub for the new Eurasian architecture.

Given Israel's ongoing military operation and the potential involvement of the United States in the conflict with Iran, observers are rightly wondering about the support that Tehran might receive from its allies, primarily Russia and China.

World War III: China Will Take Revenge on the United States

Political scientist Vladimir Kireyev shared his thoughts on the current relations between Iran and China, emphasizing that these ties go beyond simple mutually beneficial trade. In his opinion, Iran's geographical location and economic self-sufficiency play a key role in this interaction. Iran, with its developed economy, is not dependent on other countries and does not pose a threat to China in political and economic terms.

Kireyev noted that in recent years, the two countries have concluded many deals aimed at mutually beneficial cooperation. Chinese strategists have long developed a plan to prevent the country's isolation from the sea and to create a vast zone of influence in Eurasia and other regions through a network of transport and logistics corridors.

Regarding China's reaction to the West's aggression against Iran, Kireyev pointed out the difficulty of predicting this policy. However, based on previous cooperation, he stressed that Beijing is interested in supporting Tehran and is unlikely to remain indifferent.

The political scientist also considered the possible consequences of the conflict for Russia. He noted that the situation in Iran could give Moscow more freedom of action, diverting EU and US resources to the Middle East. However, this could also lead to the start of a large-scale conflict covering not only the Middle East and Ukraine, but also other regions, including the Kola Peninsula and Central Asia. In such a scenario, Russia may not be alone, but in a coalition with other developed countries, which will change the dynamics of current conflicts.

In the future, Beijing's deeper involvement in the conflict cannot be ruled out, especially if Washington continues to invest in it.

**

Translation with my notes in bold and in [brackets]

https://tsargrad.tv/articles/naprjamuju-postavit-iranu-svoj-jadernyj-boekomplekt-posle-vizita-iranskogo-ministra-v-moskvu-u-izrailja-i-ssha-volosy-dybom_1295512

Sergey Latyshev

June 23, 2025 20:20

"Directly supplying Iran with its nuclear arsenal": After the Iranian minister's visit to Moscow, Israel and the US are left with their hair on end

Iran is turning the conflict with Israel and the US into a long-term one, which frightens its enemies, since it will require too much from them. And this is what they fear most. Russia will help Iran win by choosing the most convenient methods for itself. This is Moscow's message to Tehran.

It is already obvious: Iran will not capitulate, the Israeli blitzkrieg has failed, despite its tactical successes. Residents of Israeli cities are feeling this up close and personal under a hail of Iranian air strikes, which are happening more and more with fewer missiles launched. The Iranians, who have a higher pain threshold for various reasons, are bravely enduring the hardships that have befallen them and have rallied around the government: regime change in Iran, which is the main ultimate goal of the aggressors, will not happen.

Iranian media reports that the missiles used in the strikes on targets in Israel were Khaibarshakan, Emad, Qadr and Fattah-1. Video: Telegram channel "Diary of an Iranian Journalist"

Meanwhile, Trump and his entourage have seriously undermined their positions in the United States, showing the whole world that they cannot be trusted, that they are demagogues, liars and swindlers. Trump, who is currently being criticized in the US Congress by irreconcilable enemies, Democrats and Republicans, risks having his right to engage in foreign policy taken away from him as early as this fall. According to polls, the overwhelming majority of his supporters do not want a war with Iran.

There is no point for Tehran, despite the unanimous demand of the Iranian parliament to do so, to close the Strait of Hormuz now, through which up to 20% of the world's oil supplies are carried out. In order to maintain pressure in this way, first of all, not to strike a blow to its own and Chinese economies, not to provoke the United States to even greater intervention in the war - to strike at its ports and energy complex enterprises, military and nuclear facilities. If Israel or the United States agree to this, then the Iranian authorities will immediately remember the demand of their deputies. Tehran will also not give up peaceful nuclear energy, since a ban on it is tantamount to a loss of sovereignty. Iran will take revenge on Israel - the main ally of the United States. It looks like several weeks or even months of war lie ahead. And the longer it continues, the softer the peace terms will be for Iran, especially in the context of assistance from Russia and China. This is what Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is discussing with the Russian leadership in Moscow on Monday.

This is the essence of the current moment. And now - the details of this picture.

Araghchi in Moscow

For a long-term war, Russia's position is extremely important for Iran. In order to get a full picture of it first-hand, "coordinate positions", the Iranian minister arrived in Moscow, stating in an interview with the Iranian state television and radio company:

In the current new dangerous circumstances, when the world order is actually under threat, our consultations with Russia can certainly be of great importance.

The Iranian Foreign Minister said some more very important words:

We and Russia have always had common concerns, common anxieties and common opponents. We always share common convictions, conduct close consultations with each other in order to counter common challenges and threats. This is exactly what will be done on Monday during the meeting with the Russian president.

Araghchi stressed that the actions of Israel and the US have "serious consequences and create problems not only for Iran, but also for the region, for the international community, and for international law."

Russia thinks likewise.

Moscow is angry

In its statement, the Russian Foreign Ministry "strongly condemned" the US strikes on nuclear facilities in Iran, "which followed the Israeli attacks on the Islamic Republic." They were called "irresponsible" and "unacceptable," "grossly violating" international law, the UN Charter, and UN Security Council resolutions.

And it is clear why: the West, not meeting the necessary resistance, including in the person of its henchmen - Israel and Ukraine, is constantly raising the stakes. Therefore, the question naturally arises: who, in fact, is next among the countries that do not accept its dictate? Is it Russia, for example?

Moscow pointed out that "a dangerous escalation has begun, fraught with further undermining of regional and global security," and "the risk of an escalation of the conflict in the Middle East, already engulfed in multiple crises, has increased significantly." The document notes that great damage has been done to the authority of the NPT and the IAEA, the UN Security Council, and therefore "it is necessary to collectively reject the confrontational actions of the United States and Israel." Russia demanded "an end to aggression, and increased efforts to create conditions for returning the situation to a political and diplomatic channel."

Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov repeated these theses during a telephone conversation with his Hungarian counterpart Peter Szijjarto: there is "a new, dangerous escalation of the conflict, which may have the most unpredictable consequences and has already caused damage to the nuclear non-proliferation regime, regional and global security."

Putin's Word

For obvious reasons, the general public will not know the details of the Russian-Iranian negotiations, but Russia's President Vladimir Putin clearly voiced Russia's determination to help its ally.

Putin received Araghchi in the Kremlin. He asked him to convey "best wishes" to the President of the Islamic Republic Masoud Pezeshkian and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Vladimir Putin received Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in the Kremlin. Video: TG channel Kremlin.ru

The Russian President called the aggression of Israel and the United States "absolutely unprovoked", having "no basis and no justification". The Russian President further emphasized:

We have long-standing, good, reliable relations with Iran. For our part, we are making efforts to assist the Iranian people.

No comments are needed. No details are needed.

What does "Medvedev's third point" mean?

Moscow found an opportunity to say even more (the main thing now is that words do not replace deeds) through the mouth of the former president, head of the ruling party and deputy chairman of the Security Council Dmitry Medvedev. He listed the reasons for the failure of the American-Israeli aggression against Iran in his Telegram channel and issued one, even two sensations, from which the ruling circles of the USA and especially Israel certainly had their hair standing on end. Here is what is being discussed:

The critical infrastructure of the nuclear cycle, apparently, was not damaged or was damaged insignificantly.

The enrichment of nuclear materials, and now we can directly say - and the future production of nuclear weapons - will continue.

A number of countries are ready to directly supply Iran with their nuclear weapons.

Israel is under attack, explosions are thundering, people are in a panic.

The USA is drawn into a new conflict with the prospect of a ground operation.

The political regime of Iran is preserved, and with a high degree of probability it has become stronger.

The people are consolidating around the spiritual leadership, even those who did not sympathize with them.

Trump, who came as a peacemaker president, started a new war for the USA.

The absolute majority of countries in the world are against the actions of Israel and the USA.

With such success, Trump will not see the Nobel Peace Prize, even despite all the venality of this nomination. A good start, congratulations, Mr. President!

There is no respect for Trump and Co. here, apparently counting on the fact that for the sake of "concessions" in Ukraine, which the Americans will then replay, Russia will allow them and the Israelis to "eat" Iran.

Dmitry Medvedev is confident in the failure of the American-Israeli aggression against Iran.

In the USA, it seems, they were sure that if the Russians were patted on the shoulder and winked about Ukraine, then Russia in other respects will turn into a cur wagging its tail, and will start playing along with the Americans. Otherwise, there is no explanation for the dissatisfaction of the head of the US State Department, Marco Rubio, in connection with the fact that Araghchi came to Moscow for negotiations instead of surrendering to the Americans and the Israelis, and there Putin receives him in the Kremlin!

Point three from Medvedev about some countries providing Iran with nuclear weapons so that they will not touch it, many experts even refuse to comment on.

Here is a very typical example from the TG channel "MIG of Russia":

Statements that some countries are ready to provide Iran with nuclear weapons should be considered as a stand-up comedy on international political topics. Of course, there is no point in discussing this seriously.

But Medvedev came up with this point, and it is clear that this is not an amateur performance. And the situation is too serious to joke like that.

Let's draw conclusions

Then what is this? And what is the second point, which says that Iran will now produce nuclear weapons?

Yes, this is the same American "peace through force" by available means, only in reverse. Russia, China and Pakistan [all nuclear powers] have distributed among the members of the UN Security Council a draft resolution condemning the US attack on Iran. All three countries have nuclear weapons. And the DPRK, whose leadership is not short of courage and which does not like American imperialism, also has them. And Iran, after what Israel and the US did to it, is quite understandable... "Strategic ambiguity" is another tool from the Western arsenal that can be used in both directions.

It is already obvious that the US and Israel will not be able to limit Iran's sovereignty by depriving it of the right to nuclear energy because of their desires and phobias. Iran will not give up enriching uranium for peaceful purposes, continuing to follow its obligations under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), and no one can take away its right to do so, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi said on the air of the German TV channel ARD.

The Strait of Hormuz: it will be closed if...

There is no point in Tehran blocking this strategically important artery now, through which 21 million barrels of oil and 10 billion cubic meters of LNG are transported daily. Up to a quarter of the world's supplies of these energy resources pass through this "bottleneck" of maritime hydrocarbon trade. Moreover, up to 80% of them go to the countries of East and Southeast Asia. Iran has no enemies there. On the contrary, China will suffer greatly - its current main ally, which is probably already providing Iran with military assistance.

However, if Tehran makes such a decision, it will take, according to the estimates of the head of the IRGC Navy, Alireza Tangsiri, "several hours". Of course, Iran can be forced to do this. If the US expands its intervention in the conflict and begins, for example, to destroy Iranian ports and oil refineries. Or if Israel, which has nothing to lose, tries to do this.

There are a number of critical targets located on the shores of the Persian Gulf, dangerously close to American bases, which are easy for the US and Israel to hit militarily, but attacks on which will force Iran to close the "bottleneck".

In the battle between the US and Iran, all moves have long been calculated - and they do not benefit the States. Video: TG channel "Pool No. 3"

Firstly, this is the largest Iranian deep-water sea port in Bandar Abbas, through which 50% of Iran's imports pass. Secondly, the oil terminal on Kharg Island, through which 90% of all Iranian oil exports go. Thirdly, the largest natural gas processing plant near the Kengan gas field, thanks to which most of the gas turbine power plants in Iran operate.

And here there is one curious nuance: if Israel, believing in its impunity, acted alone, it would most likely strike at these vital Iranian facilities, having become convinced of the failure of the blitzkrieg. But after the intervention of the United States in the war, which still has to think about its global role and responsibility, this threat has diminished.

Iran is held hostage - Washington and Beijing, Moscow is winning

Now Iran has the role of a victim in the eyes of the world community, and it is unlikely to want to lose it by proactively blocking the strait, harming itself first of all. But if it is deprived of the opportunity to earn on energy resources, then it will be a different matter... All the countries concerned (Iraq, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, partly Saudi Arabia and the UAE) know that they are hostages of sorts. And the US and Israel also know about this long-standing tradition.

Russia, by the way, as the largest oil and gas supplier, will only benefit from this. Wall Street predicts a surge in oil prices to $130 per barrel and higher if the strait is closed.

Therefore, the currently unclosed Strait of Hormuz is Iran's leverage over the US (the Iranians are putting pressure on Israel with missiles), and, as Americanist Malek Dudakov correctly noted in his Telegram channel, "the risk of an oil shock is forcing Trump's team to literally ask Iran not to close the strait." Because the rise in global oil prices will cause an energy crisis in the United States in the spirit of 2022, when the cost of a gallon of gasoline jumped to five dollars on average, and in problem states like California almost reached double digits.

Biden's ratings then fell to 30%. Trump will face the same. The American electorate does not forgive any president for a sharp rise in fuel prices. In addition, the Federal Reserve is already predicting stagnation in the US economy - with growth of only slightly more than 1% in 2025. And the oil shock will certainly drive it into recession. These risks are forcing Trump's team to fuss, otherwise the current escalation may ultimately bury the Republicans themselves, the expert believes.

And the best Russian Sinologist Nikolai Vavilov clearly saw another aspect of the situation: this is also Iran's leverage over China, which buys 75% of the oil it consumes abroad. "Iran is showing Beijing that it is ready to go for broke if its aid stops," Vavilov is sure.

And that's the background

In the meantime, Saudi Arabia, which condemned the strikes on Iran, has put its armed forces on maximum alert. A state of emergency has been declared in Bahrain and Qatar. And two Chinese warships, including a radio-electronic intelligence ship, have entered the Persian Gulf to eavesdrop and spy on the Americans, their future opponents in the battle for Taiwan.

What are Chinese ships doing in the Persian Strait? Screenshot: IRGC TG channel

Meanwhile, panic is growing in Israel. They clearly did not expect that Iran had many fairly accurate missiles, and even on TV (Channel 13) they are already stating that they would like to end the war in the coming days, that Iran's nuclear program cannot be destroyed. And the newspapers are starting to write ("Yediot Ahronot" - what a name!) that Israel "will immediately agree" to a ceasefire if Iran offers one. [THAT is a HUGE change in tone!]

The unyielding Yemeni Houthis have issued a statement asking the Americans to keep their ships away from their territorial waters, because by attacking Iran they have nullified the agreement reached with Washington not to attack each other. Everything points to the fact that the Iranians have asked their belligerent ally to limit itself to the Red Sea for now. Meanwhile, the US is declaring through Rubio that it is ready to resume negotiations with Iran on the nuclear program as early as Monday. [Another major change in tone, from “surrender immediately” to “pretty please?”]

The Wall Street Journal reported, citing sources, that the US informed Iran, a nearly 100 million-strong country, through a Middle East intermediary that Israel was seeking a speedy end to the conflict. This is probably true, but not the whole truth. And who asked Israel, whose current government started this mess, to do this? Of course, the Americans themselves.

Israel is seeking to resolve the conflict with Iran as quickly as possible, writes The Wall Street Journal.

They seem to have realized that the Iranian government cannot capitulate, since it will lose supporters inside the country and abroad. And this would lead to the overthrow of the regime, because it will become a sign of weakness, which Israel and the US, with Britain joining them, will certainly use to enslave or destroy Iran, seize its natural resources, and deprive Russia and China of an important geopolitical partner.

Conclusion

In the meantime, as Fars [an Iranian news service] reports: Iran is preparing for a war with Israel that will last "at least two to six months." Iranian media reports that the strikes on Israel will continue. And the longer the war lasts, the stronger Iran's position will be in the world that will come after the war, the less weapons Ukraine will receive.

Helping Iran hold out, putting the United States and Israel with their minions in their place, trying to legalize the law of the jungle in international life, is the task and direct responsibility of all sovereign countries that face similar threats from the West, not wanting to submit to it. Western countries are uniting against those who crossed them, in order to bring them to their knees. Russia and China, first of all, need to urgently draw the necessary conclusions from this, otherwise they will be strangled one by one, starting with lies and deceit. And these conclusions, it seems, have already been made. The right conclusions.

**

Jews in Iran are FINE, not scared

ONLY Israel and US want you to think Iranian Jews are NOT ok! Ted Cruz is an ignoramus and war criminal.

The world SHOULD be scared of the terror states of US and Israel

Today is 6-25, 2025

breezy_politics

A post shared by @breezy_politics

**

Note that Arab writers not aligned with the US-Israel crime syndicate almost never use the word “Israel” because they recognize that this entity has nothing to do with ancient Israel and was not formed legitimately - having been formed by European Jewish terrorists.

Instead of “Israel,” they use terms such as: entity, occupying entity, temporary entity, occupied Palestine, Zionist entity, etc

Translation with my notes in bold and in [brackets]

https://alkhanadeq.com/post/8883/انتصار-إيران-في-الوعد-الصادق-3-يبدد-أوهام-نتنياهو

Tuesday, June 24, 2025, 04:44 AM

Iran's Victory in "True Promise 3" Dispels Netanyahu's Illusions

The recent Iranian attack on the occupied city of Beersheba is more than an unconditional ceasefire. It is a victory achieved by the Islamic Republic of Iran after a confrontation lasting more than 11 days. Iran thwarted all the goals of the American-Israeli aggression against it and inflicted heavy losses on the temporary entity, which Netanyahu and his allies will not be able to cover up, let alone compensate for, in the coming days.

The occupying entity, whose existence and fabrication by the West and the Zionist movement were conceived as a forward base confronting "savage Asia," has demonstrated its inability to confront a state under siege for more than 45 years, relying solely on its own capabilities. It is also not a safe haven for millions of settlers, despite decades of open Western support—military, financial, and technological—both quantitatively and qualitatively, while ensuring its predominance in the West Asia region.

It suffices to review the stated and unstated goals of the aggression, as stated by Benjamin Netanyahu in the early days of Operation Rising Lion, and to measure the extent of their achievement to demonstrate Israel's great failure:

- Completely eliminating the Iranian nuclear program:

This was never achieved, not by targeting facilities or even by assassinating martyred nuclear scientists and specialists. The Islamic Republic had prepared for this scenario for years, by localizing nuclear knowledge and enabling it to grow and multiply, and by strengthening the security of nuclear facilities so that even the most dangerous bunker-busting bombs and missiles could not reach them.

Therefore, after 11 days, according to statements made by Islamic Republic officials on this matter, Iran will reactivate its nuclear activity to its previous level, perhaps at a doubled pace.

_ Eliminating the Ballistic Missile Program:

Iran has succeeded in striking deep inside the occupied Palestinian [Israeli] territories with unprecedented military force in the history of the entity, using advanced missiles and drones, and in large numbers, reaching approximately 600 missiles and 1,000 drones. It has also been able to bypass more than five layers of air defense and interception systems.

_ Weakening the Islamic Republic Regime:

The Israeli-American aggression against Iran has once again confirmed that the people of the Islamic Republic, with all their political and ethnic components, are confronting the external war with the highest form of unity, under the leadership of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Imam Sayyed Ali Khamenei.

Iran's National Security Council Declares Victory

Despite the announcement by the United States and later the Israeli occupation entity that they had reached a ceasefire agreement, the final offensive strike fell on the Islamic Republic, as the party attacked and the party with the right to this confrontation. The latest Iranian attack was extremely destructive, especially in the Beersheba area, where, according to Israeli statements, six people were killed.

The ceasefire agreement did not enter into force until after the Iranian National Security Council issued a statement stating:

"Regarding the imposition of a ceasefire on the Zionist enemy and its evil allies, O proud and resilient Iranian people, in the face of the Zionist enemy's aggression, your brave and self-sacrificing sons in the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran responded to the call of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, and responded to all evil and aggression from the enemy with a crushing response and rare courage. The most recent of these responses was the targeting of the American Al-Udeid base, followed by a comprehensive missile attack on the occupied Palestinian territories.

Your awareness, precise timing, and rare steadfastness and unity foiled the enemy's basic strategy and paved the way for the Islamic fighters to demonstrate their astonishing strength, built on years of creative jihad and continuous perseverance. During 12 days of bloody and measured resistance, they were able to respond to every aggression in a timely and appropriate manner.

The victory achieved is a divine gift. As a culmination of the profound and conscious positions of this people, the struggles of the heroic fighters, and the wise leadership embodied by the Imam's plan, this victory forced the enemy to repent, accept defeat, and cease its attacks unilaterally.

Therefore, the Secretariat of the Supreme National Security Council of the Islamic Republic of Iran announces to our dear and heroic people that the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran, without placing any trust in the enemy's words, remain on full alert, with their fingers on the trigger, and are prepared to respond decisively and painfully to any future aggression.

An Internal Conflict is Coming in the Entity

On the other hand, the semblance of consensus that Netanyahu achieved during his aggression against Iran has begun to crack, due to his failure to achieve his goals. Immediately after the ceasefire, voices emerged from opposition officials, experts, and analysts asserting that the war had not achieved its objectives. Netanyahu, therefore, did not emerge from the war as the hero he had hoped, but rather as a reckless man who caused heavy losses to the entity and its settlers (the positions of Avigdor Lieberman, Gadi Eisenkot, Yair Lapid, and Yair Golan).

Therefore, it is highly likely that the internal conflict within Israel will escalate in the coming period, especially after the true extent of the losses incurred by the entity during the aggression is revealed.

Writer: Editorial Room

*

Translation with my notes in bold and in [brackets]

https://tsargrad.tv/dzen/ssha-sdelali-tolko-huzhe-kitaj-i-rossija-vyhodjat-na-novyj-uroven_1297732

16:47

The US has only made things worse: China and Russia are reaching a new level

The conflict in the Middle East has become an unexpected catalyst for a new round of China's interest in the Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline project. In the context of geopolitical tension, Beijing is considering the possibility of diversifying its energy supplies, which could radically change the balance of power in the global energy market. China and Russia are reaching a new level, because the US has only made things worse. Political scientist Evgenia Voiko explained the nuances.

An unexpected outcome of US intervention in the game in the Middle East

The conflict between Israel and Iran has drawn China's attention to the Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline project. This was reported by The Wall Street Journal, citing informed sources. As a result of the aggravation of the situation in the region, Chinese leaders have again become interested in the pipeline, which involves transporting Russian natural gas to China.

According to the publication, Beijing may have a significant influence on the development of this project. In addition, China is ready to reconsider the terms of natural gas supplies from the Middle East, given that about 30% of gas imports come from Qatar and the United Arab Emirates through the Strait of Hormuz.

[Here is an example of how US policies work against the US. By antagonizing Israel, the US and its sidekick Israel have pushed Iran toward the closing of the Hormuz Strait. Even by just mentioning this step, Iran has caused some increase in oil prices. So the US economy is thereby weakened, but at the same time, this war crisis has spurred Russia and China to promote a gas pipeline from Russia to China, enabling China to skirt the coming energy inflation. By offering Iran assistance and buying Iranian energy, China also secures its energy supply even as the US and its hapless allies are stuck with higher – inflationary – prices. The sanctions on Russian energy is also a big shot to the foot for the US and allies. It is a double whammy which will weaken itself while boosting its enemy’s economy. Not a good position going into a war! But then, not too many Americans still believe Trump know his a $$ from a hole in the ground]

It is noteworthy that in May, Russian Energy Minister Sergei Tsivilev reported that Russia and China were in the active stage of negotiations on the Power of Siberia 2 project. He also noted that the possibility of laying a pipeline through Mongolia was being discussed. The current geopolitical situation could become a catalyst for the implementation of an important energy project. The United States, hoping to implement its plans through Israel, only made things worse: China and Russia are reaching a new level, despite the escalation in the Middle East.

Evgenia Voiko, political scientist and associate professor of the Department of Political Science at the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, spoke about this in more detail.

War: Everyone Knew It Would Happen

First of all, Voyko noted that the escalation of the situation in the Middle East, on the one hand, was unexpected due to the active phase and strikes from Israel. However, in the global context, she does not believe that something new or extremely unexpected happened. The expert emphasized that the parties had already exchanged threats and Israel had repeatedly declared its readiness to strike.

Moreover, such strikes were expected more than once both from Iran and after the assassination of Qassim Soleimani [during Trump 1.0] and Ismail Haniyeh. Voyko pointed out many moments when it seemed that Iran should have responded to Israel, but this did not happen. Perhaps such a silent reaction from Iran pushed Israel to more active actions and the involvement of America, which ultimately happened.

Russia and China: What to Expect from Cooperation?

As for China, the development of direct supplies from Russia for Beijing is, among other things, an option to get rid of dependence on Middle Eastern hydrocarbons. Plus, China is now quite actively trying to develop the Northern Sea Route. Again, in order to no longer depend on the Indian Ocean in the sphere of non-hydrocarbon supplies. This is especially true for LNG. Hydrocarbons are precisely the Northern Sea Route. And accordingly, gas, first of all, is Russia. Therefore, here the fact is that these military actions did take place, this exchange took place, and again the problem of the Strait of Hormuz came to the forefront, continues Tsargrad’s source, adding that, although the situation may not change instantly, the very fact of discussing this topic does not contribute to the creation of a positive context both around the Strait of Hormuz and around Middle Eastern energy resources.

The political scientist emphasized that this serves as an additional argument for Russia, pointing out that the Russian track is optimal and does not depend on such plots. Moreover, Voiko added that Russia is fully prepared to assist and supply gas to China, which makes the situation in this regard advantageous for Moscow. However, from China's point of view, according to her, it is beginning to fear an increase in dependence on our hydrocarbons, although it also receives small supplies from Central Asia.

Voiko pointed out that the Middle East has always been a high-risk zone, and in the current conditions these risks are only increasing.

Israel and Iran have exchanged, say, a willingness to cease fire, but no one guarantees that this will not happen again in the foreseeable future. And it is clear that countries that purchase oil and gas from Middle Eastern countries are forced to take this into account in their energy strategies one way or another, Tsargrad's source concluded.

**

Business optimism collapses under Trump

Business optimism collapses under Trump

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Translation from Arabic with my notes in bold and in [brackets]

https://alkhanadeq.com/post/8692/الاختراق-الناعم-3-إيران-الجبهة-الأصعب

Wednesday, May 21, 2025, 12:59 PM

Soft Penetration (3): Iran, the Toughest Front

The Enemy's Failure to Infiltrate Iranian Society.

Continuing our series of articles on "soft penetration," which we have described as the enemy's infiltration of a specific society after identifying its weak points with the aim of subjugating it, in this article we present the model of soft penetration practiced by the enemy against the Islamic Republic of Iran, using various tools. After the enemy failed in a direct armed confrontation with Iran, and given its growing regional influence and support for resistance movements, it began to view it as a real existential threat. Therefore, it resorted to soft methods aimed at infiltrating Iranian society internally, influencing its culture and principles, in order to weaken the state and undermine its regional role. What tools has the enemy used to infiltrate Iranian society? What are its actual goals for this infiltration?

Soft Penetration Tools Against Iran

As part of its soft war, the enemy has consistently employed flashy slogans in targeted societies as a means of influencing people's awareness and values. Prominent among these slogans are "women's rights," "freedom," and "openness." In this context, it seeks to draw deceptive comparisons, presenting its lifestyle as ideal, full of luxury, personal freedom, and cultural openness. However, the paradox is revealed in the field experience of many who have closely interacted with Western society, both Iranians and Arabs, who have discovered that the promoted image does not reflect reality. Western society suffers from severe structural crises: family disintegration, loss of identity, widespread addiction and drug trafficking, high rates of suicide and crime, and widespread moral decay. Therefore, the image promoted by the enemy is artificial, not reflecting reality, but rather a distorted model used as a tool to sow frustration and doubt within targeted societies. In contrast to this artificial image, we find the Iranian model dealing with concepts such as respect for women from a realistic and effective perspective; women are given a pivotal role in society, and their dignity is preserved through a combination of modesty and active participation. This balance is what the Western model lacks, despite all its propaganda. The second tool the enemy relies on is directed media, which is used to spread rumors and distort the image of the Islamic Republic. This is done via Persian- and Arabic-language platforms, which convey a false and incomplete picture of the Iranian interior. A prominent example of this is the case of the spy network arrested by the Iranian authorities. The network included Iranians with foreign citizenship, most notably Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who was used as a media tool to sway public opinion and mislead observers. The third tool is the economic blockade, which is used as a hidden weapon to stifle internal Iranian affairs, with the aim of pushing the people to rebel against the regime and creating a state of collective discontent. This blockade is accompanied by carefully calculated media campaigns promoting the idea that the roots of Iran's economic crisis lie in the nature of the Islamic regime, not external sanctions. Openness to the West is presented as the only solution, in an attempt to drag Iran into abandoning its value systems and identity. The Real Goals of Soft Infiltration

Through this infiltration, the enemy seeks to spread despair and frustration among Iranian society, especially among the youth, who constitute the vital infrastructure for the country's future. It also aims to create a rift between the people and the regime by casting doubt on the legitimacy of the Islamic Revolution and the state that emerged from it. Among the most prominent goals of this approach is to undermine the image of the Supreme Leader and seek to separate religion from politics, given the great danger posed by the presence of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, a symbol of steadfastness and leadership in the face of Western plots. The enemy is also working to transform the street into a tool in its hands, mobilizing it at will, whether through targeted media or through successive economic pressures and sanctions to destabilize the country. Ultimately, it aims to undermine the Islamic model from within, transforming it into a shell devoid of its essential content, by emptying it of its values ​​and principles.

The Elements of Immunity in the Iranian Model:

Conscious Leadership

Leader Ali Khamenei is distinguished by his ability to confront this type of warfare, not through reactions, but rather through analysis and guidance. He possesses an advanced awareness of the dangers of soft warfare and its hidden tools. He has devoted extensive research and readings to this field, confirming his understanding of the nature of this confrontation and the necessity of confronting it with effective and rational means.

Strengthening Community Awareness

Cultural and media mobilization constitutes one of the fundamental pillars of confronting smear campaigns. Religious and educational institutions are supported to produce a solid and convincing discourse, in parallel with active work in the field of film and documentary production that highlights the strengths and effective model of the Islamic Republic, presenting an image different from that which the enemy seeks to establish.

Active Participation of Women

Contrary to what Western media portrays, Iranian women are not isolated or withdrawn, but rather emerge as an effective model in society. Shining examples of women have emerged who have excelled in the fields of medicine, politics, the military, and scientific research, completely refuting the image of oppression sought to be exported. This experience offers a distinct alternative to Western perceptions of the role and status of women.

Self-Sufficiency and Empowerment

The Islamic Republic has chosen to rely on self-sufficiency in vital areas, such as industry, agriculture, energy, and pharmaceuticals. This has enabled it to dispense with Western services, which often come with conditions and cause greater harm than good. Iran has transformed the economic blockade into an opportunity to build an independent and resilient economy, free from dependence and the dominance of the global system.

The resilience of the Islamic Republic and its leadership has prevented it from falling into the enemy's traps as planned and has contributed to thwarting its efforts to transform the Iranian arena into an arena that serves its interests. Despite all its plots, the enemy continues to build a stronghold for Iran.

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Air strike update for 6-25, 2025

Translation with my notes in bold and in [brackets]

https://www.1tv.ru/news/2025-06-24/513320-rossiyskaya_armiya_nanesla_massirovannyy_udar_vysokotochnym_oruzhiem_po_ukrainskim_voennym_tylam

June 24, 2025, 18:03

The Russian army launched a massive strike with high-precision weapons on the Ukrainian military rear

In Dnepropetrovsk, eyewitnesses report four powerful explosions. The target of the Russian missiles was probably the Yuzhmash plant, one of the key ones in the Ukrainian military industry. According to some reports, Neptune missiles are assembled there. [We recall that the Yuzhmash plant was also hit hard by the new Oreshnik missile some months ago]

There is also information about the Dnepropetrovsk diesel locomotive repair plant, which was used to transfer equipment and ammunition. Now, apparently, it has been destroyed, which is confirmed by footage from the scene. This is how Telegram channels write: its ruins against the background of a passing train. The train itself is intact, which speaks of the pinpoint accuracy of the Iskanders. The Russian Armed Forces are striking exclusively at military facilities associated with the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Also, an enterprise of the Ukrainian military-industrial complex was hit in Kharkov, explosions thundered in the Odessa region, including in the port through which Western weapons are supplied.

Footage from the front line. Russian fighters are reported to have established control over Petrovskoye in the LPR. There have been no official statements from the Ministry of Defense yet.