International
Russia and Iran will sign a strategic agreement three days before Trump’s inauguration
Russia and Iran will sign a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement on Friday in the Kremlin, which will include defense cooperation, three days before the investiture of US President Donald Trump.
Russian presidential spokesman, Dmitri Peskov, said that Moscow attaches “great importance” to the signing of the agreement during the first visit to this country of Iranian leader Masud Pezeshkian.
Pezeshkian and Russian President Vladimir Putin have met twice in recent months, the last time last October in Kazan during the BRICS summit, to prepare the document.
Relations between Russia and Iran have strengthened in recent years, especially in the context of the war in Ukraine, where Moscow has the support of Tehran, which would have supplied drones and even missiles to the Russian side, according to the West.
Russians and Iranians are the great losers of the fall of the Syrian regime of Bashar al-Asad, who went into exile last December in Moscow.
With the background of the mutual assistance clause in case of external aggression signed between Russia and North Korea, on the eve of the visit there was speculation about the possibility that Moscow and Tehran seal a similar agreement.
In view of the antagonism between Iran and Russia on the one hand and Israel and the United States on the other, this would put Moscow in a very delicate situation, when the war in Ukraine has not even ended yet.
Both Foreign Ministers, the Russian Sergei Lavrov and the Iranian Abbas Araqchi, admitted that the 47 points of the agreement will include aspects of defense and security, but denied that it is directed against Washington.
“This agreement, like the one we have with North Korea, is not directed against any other country and has a constructive character,” Lavrov said at a press conference.
He stressed that the document “is aimed at strengthening the capacity of Russia and Iran in various parts of the world (…) and guaranteeing a reliable defense potential.”
Meanwhile, his Iranian colleague stressed that the document is not a threat to anyone and only represents “a strengthening of common security”.
“One of the main aspects of the agreement is the strengthening of cooperation on security and defence. Iran and Russia have invaluable experience in the fight against terrorism and extremism,” he said.
And he added that this cooperation is aimed at strengthening regional and global stability, and “responds not only to the interests of both countries, but to the interests of peace throughout the world.”
The signing of the agreement will take place on the eve of the arrival at the White House of Donald Trump, who has Tehran in his sights for his second presidential term.
“The numerous speculations about the choice of the date for the signing of the agreement between Iran and Russia on the eve of Trump’s coming to power only provoke a smile. Have fun the supporters of the conspiracy theory!” said Peskov.
He added that this ceremony “has no influence on the essence of the comprehensive Russian-Iranian agreement.”
In an attempt to reduce tension, Pezeshkian also assured the NBC television channel that his country never tried to assassinate the elected president during the election campaign.
Politicians from both countries commented in recent days that the agreement will facilitate the fight against sanctions and even encouraged other countries to enter a global coalition against the unilateral impositions of the West.
In this regard, Araqchí stressed that it is not “a simple political document, but a roadmap for the future.”
“This is more than an agreement, it is a step towards the creation of a more just and balanced world. Iran and Russia, aware of their historical responsibility, build a new order in which cooperation replaces hegemony and respect for imposition,” he said in an article published by the official agency RIA Novosti.
Last November, Tehran and Moscow connected their banking systems to boost their trade and financial transactions, in a step to address US and European Union sanctions.
Iran has also advocated that the document paves the way for a deepening of energy cooperation, which would include the transfer of technology and the transit of Russian gas to Middle East countries.
International
FBI Says It Disrupted Alleged Plot Targeting White House During UFC Event
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced Tuesday that it had disrupted an alleged plot to attack the White House during a major Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event held in Washington over the weekend.
FBI Director Kash Patel said the threat was identified on June 10 through a joint investigation involving multiple law enforcement agencies. According to Patel, swift action by authorities led to the arrest of several suspects before the alleged plan could be carried out.
“On June 10, the FBI and our law enforcement partners became aware of a potential threat targeting UFC America 250 in Washington. Thanks to the rapid response of the FBI and our partners, multiple individuals are now in custody, and the alleged attack plans were stopped before they could be executed,” Patel said.
He emphasized that the operation demonstrated the ability of security agencies to detect and prevent potential threats at large public gatherings. Patel added that the investigation remains ongoing and that additional details will be released as court proceedings move forward.
According to reports from U.S. media outlets, five individuals have been arrested so far. The suspects were identified as Tycen Proper of Ohio, Daniel Eskridge of Missouri, Abraham Hermosillo Álvarez of Nebraska, and Bryan Omar Roa and Michael Alan Thomas, both from California. Authorities are also investigating the possible involvement of 18 additional individuals.
Investigators allege that the plot involved the use of drones equipped with explosives to target buildings near the sporting event. The plan reportedly sought to trigger a mass evacuation and direct attendees toward areas where snipers were allegedly positioned. Authorities further claim that a second phase of the operation included an attempted assault on the White House.
The U.S. Secret Service confirmed that it worked closely with the FBI throughout the operation. Secret Service Director Sean Curran stated that security teams conducted extensive efforts to identify those involved and eliminate any threat to attendees and protected facilities.
The investigation reportedly uncovered communications conducted through the messaging application Signal, where several suspects allegedly discussed details related to the planned attack. A forensic analysis of one of the seized mobile phones revealed at least 23 users participating in conversations connected to the alleged planning activities.
Court documents also indicate that some of the suspects allegedly intended to target U.S. political figures. Among the reported targets were members of Congress who had received contributions from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). Investigators further stated that one of the primary suspects had posted antisemitic messages and expressions of support for Adolf Hitler on social media, evidence that is now part of the ongoing judicial investigation.
International
Brazil helicopter crash in Rio de Janeiro kills six, including pilots and international figures
The Rio de Janeiro Civil Police confirmed on Monday the identities of three of the six victims killed in a helicopter collision that occurred the previous morning in the Recreio dos Bandeirantes neighborhood.
All three identified victims are Brazilian nationals: the pilots of the aircraft, Charles Marsillac and Alexandre Souza, and music producer Lucas Brito.
The identities of the three foreign victims have not yet been officially confirmed. They include U.S. singer Oliver Tree, Argentine YouTuber Gaspar Prim—known online as “Gaspi”—and Argentine producer Lucas Vignale, all of whom were listed on the flight manifest.
According to police, forensic experts from the Legal Medical Institute have already collected DNA samples in order to identify the foreign victims, whose bodies were severely burned.
One of the helicopters crashed into a private parking lot, triggering a fire that destroyed around twenty electric vehicles. That aircraft was carrying the pilot and four passengers, including the three foreign nationals.
The second helicopter, which had only the pilot on board, crashed approximately 100 meters away from the first impact site.
Rio de Janeiro’s deputy mayor, Eduardo Cavaliere, stated that both helicopters were operating transport flights toward Angra dos Reis on the Rio coastline and toward the mountainous region of the state.
Oliver Tree, 32, was in Brazil as part of an international tour. The artist, known for songs such as “Life Goes On” and “Miss You,” had performed to a large audience in São Paulo a week earlier and was scheduled to continue his tour in Europe.
Argentine content creator Gaspar Prim, 23, had built a following of more than two million on social media platforms, gaining popularity for humorous and often controversial video productions that had occasionally been removed by hosting platforms.
International
Mexico and U.S. Launch New Bilateral Security Group to Combat Fentanyl and Organized Crime
The governments of Mexico and the United States officially launched the Bilateral Implementation Group (BIG) on Friday, a new initiative aimed at strengthening cooperation on security issues and enhancing joint efforts against transnational crime.
In a statement, U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ronald Johnson announced that he and Deputy Foreign Minister Roberto Velasco addressed officials from both countries who will lead what he described as a “new phase of bilateral cooperation.” The initiative seeks to curb the flow of fentanyl and other illicit drugs, illegal firearms, and human trafficking across the shared border.
Earlier this week, Mexico’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs had confirmed that senior security officials from both nations would meet in Mexico City on June 12 to review and advance existing cooperation agreements.
Through social media, Ambassador Johnson explained that the new bilateral group is designed to improve coordination between the two governments by placing greater emphasis on implementation, accountability, and measurable results. The effort will also focus on combating transnational criminal organizations operating across North America.
“The participation of 15 U.S. government agencies, working alongside their Mexican counterparts, reflects the seriousness of this effort and our shared commitment to delivering measurable results,” Johnson said.
The ambassador also highlighted several achievements that he attributed to ongoing bilateral cooperation. According to Johnson, maritime drug trafficking into the United States has declined by more than 95 percent, while overdose deaths have fallen by 35 percent.
He further noted that Mexican authorities have seized more than 400 metric tons of illegal drugs and dismantled over 2,300 clandestine laboratories as part of their efforts to combat organized crime and narcotics production.
The launch of the Bilateral Implementation Group marks the latest step in the security partnership between Mexico and the United States, as both countries seek to address shared challenges related to drug trafficking, arms smuggling, human trafficking, and the activities of criminal networks operating across the region.
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