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Tuesday, June 16, 2026

'Iranian reformist likens critics of Araghchi to fleeing thief'

 

Iranian reformist figure Mohammad Sohofi pushed back against attacks on Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, saying that some of those accusing him of being a "mole" or traitor were themselves responsible for harming the country.

In a post on X, Sohofi invoked a Persian proverb about a thief who joins the crowd shouting "thief, thief" while fleeing pursuit.

"Some individuals who are infiltrators and traitors to the country whose identities have now been exposed are attempting to deflect blame by accusing Araghchi of being an infiltrator and calling for his execution," Sohofi said.


https://www.iranintl.com/en/liveblog/202606139149 

'Tehran could have forced end to conflict without talks, Iran MP says'

 

Iranian lawmaker Malik Shariati said on Tuesday Tehran could have compelled its adversaries to halt the conflict through greater military pressure and did not need negotiations, while backing the leadership's decision to pursue a framework understanding with the United States.

Speaking to the Student News Network (SNN), Shariati said Iran could have struck targets that would have caused its opponents to "back down" but added that the current approach enjoys broad support within the country's leadership.

"The decision was approved through the Supreme National Security Council with authorization from Supreme Leader and should be supported as a memorandum of understanding for future negotiations," Shariati added.


https://www.iranintl.com/en/liveblog/202606139149

Senate rejects bid to limit Trump's Iran war powers

 

The US Senate on Tuesday narrowly rejected a resolution that would have limited President Donald Trump's authority to continue military operations against Iran without congressional approval, underscoring ongoing divisions in Congress over the conflict despite a recently announced framework agreement with Tehran.

The measure, introduced by Democratic Senator Raphael Warnock, failed in a 47–48 vote after four Republicans joined most Democrats in support, while Democratic Senator John Fetterman voted against it.

https://www.iranintl.com/en/liveblog/202606139149

Venezuelan state oil firm, Repsol sign oil, gas deal

 Venezuela's state-owned oil company Petroleos de Venezuela S.A. (PDVSA) and Spain's energy giant Repsol S.A. signed a memorandum of understanding on Tuesday covering crude oil and natural gas.

Repsol CEO Josu Jon Imaz (pictured) said at the signing ceremony in Caracas that the Spanish company committed to investing in Venezuela in order to contribute to the country's economic growth. He also hailed "Venezuela's efforts to increase production of its hydrocarbon resources to supply the world."

Venezuela's Acting President Delcy Rodriguez attended the signing ceremony and welcomed Repsol's return to the Venezuelan market, claiming that the Spanish company has always been "a strategic partner, but also a committed partner," even in tough times.

https://breakingthenews.net/Article/Venezuelan-state-oil-firm-Repsol-sign-oil-gas-deal/66518203

Microsoft said exit Oracle co-op talks amid security fears

 Microsoft Corporation gave up on a prospective deal with Oracle Corporation on using the latter's cloud services, citing security and compliance worries, the Business Insider reported on Tuesday.

According to a person familiar with the matter, the failed agreement was estimated at $3 billion.

The sources said that Microsoft was exploring potential deals with other cloud providers to ensure its customers' priority access to its own service, Azure.

https://breakingthenews.net/Article/Microsoft-said-exit-Oracle-co-op-talks-amid-security-fears/66518493

'Israel media: US said to have stopped Israel's Gaza operation'

 The Trump administration recently stopped Israel from carrying out a military operation in the Gaza Strip, the Israeli Channel 13 reported on Tuesday.

According to the report, the operation was discussed at "senior political and security levels" before the US side shut it down, but the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) then decided to start working on a "creeping and quiet annexation" of the Gaza territories. The report claimed that there is not likely to be any public confrontation with the international mediators regarding the Israeli military's plans, because of the mediators' "anger" over Hamas allegedly not fulfilling its commitment made to the Trump administration.

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu previously ordered the IDF to seize 70% of the Gaza Strip, despite some countries in the region being against his plans.

https://breakingthenews.net/Article/US-said-to-have-stopped-Israel's-Gaza-operation/66518071

FBI Raids Soros-Connected Ohio Voter Mobilization Group In Fraud Investigation

 Via American Greatness,

Federal investigators executed search warrants at the headquarters of a Soros-aligned voter mobilization organization in Ohio as part of what sources described as an ongoing fraud investigation.

FBI agents searched the offices of the Ohio Organizing Collaborative on June 11 and conducted interviews with members of the organization across the state, according to reports. Some agents reportedly served subpoenas or sought to seize electronic devices during the operation.

Multiple sources familiar with the matter later told CBS News that the federal action was tied to a fraud-related investigation.

The Department of Justice declined to discuss the specifics of the case.

“Search warrants are authorized by a judge and anything said by any organization or others in the media is unfounded speculation, as the target of any investigation is not privy to the search warrant affidavit until after indictment,” a DOJ official told Fox News Digital.

The Ohio Organizing Collaborative is a nonprofit group involved in voter registration and voter mobilization efforts and works closely with Democrats in Ohio. The organization has also played a prominent role in statewide ballot campaigns and referendum efforts.

The investigation is part of the Trump administration’s effort to increase enforcement of election-related laws and allegations of voter fraud.

Tax records show the organization reported more than $10 million in revenue during 2024.

Funding for the group has come from several major Democratic-aligned organizations and labor unions, including entities connected to the Soros family, the New Venture Fund, the Tides Foundation, the American Federation of Teachers and the Service Employees International Union.

According to the report, the Soros family’s Foundation to Promote Open Society provided approximately $1.9 million to the organization between 2019 and 2020.

The Open Society Action Fund later contributed an additional $1 million to a related organization in 2021 and another $1 million in 2023.

The organization has been active in recent Ohio political battles.

It spent $250,000 in 2023 opposing a Republican-backed effort related to abortion policy and another $300,000 the following year opposing a Republican redistricting proposal.

Organization leaders criticized the federal investigation and suggested it was politically motivated.

“How can they distract and intimidate civil rights leaders and voters and community leaders who are helping people get registered to vote, and create a national spectacle about it?” OOC board member Prentiss Haney told MS Now.

“That is the only reason why they would choose to do that, do it now, in the middle of a contested political election in the state. There’s no other reason. They have no evidence of that.”

The group has previously faced scrutiny related to voter registration activities. In 2017, a paid canvasser working with the organization pleaded guilty in connection with a fraudulent voter registration operation.

https://www.zerohedge.com/political/fbi-raids-soros-connected-ohio-voter-mobilization-group-fraud-investigation