Iran Slams State Department Report: US is the Main Instigator in Supporting Terrorism

Woman with Palestinian flag sitting outside the former US embassy in Tehran (Reuters)
Woman with Palestinian flag sitting outside the former US embassy in Tehran (Reuters)
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Iran Slams State Department Report: US is the Main Instigator in Supporting Terrorism

Woman with Palestinian flag sitting outside the former US embassy in Tehran (Reuters)
Woman with Palestinian flag sitting outside the former US embassy in Tehran (Reuters)

Iran responded to the US State Department's annual report on terrorism, accusing Washington of using terrorism as a tool against others, and demanded that it prosecute those involved in the assassination of al-Quds Force Commander Qassem Soleimani.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani strongly criticized the annual report by the State Department on global terrorism, labeling it as "biased and politically motivated."

Kanaani argued that the report, aimed at portraying certain countries as threats to the US, lacks "international credibility" and fails to represent nations' "genuine efforts to combat terrorism accurately."

The Iranian News Agency (IRNA) quoted Kanaani as saying that after 20 years of publishing such unilateral and targeted reports, the international community and public opinion are in a better position to understand and judge the US administration and its actions and double standards in dealing with terrorism.

He underlined the importance of not distorting the true nature of the legitimate actions undertaken by regional resistance movements, which have garnered international recognition for their steadfast efforts against the occupation of lands by foreigners.

The US is the main instigator in organizing, training, equipping, and directing terrorists, particularly from groups like ISIS, he stressed, highlighting the extensive support that Washington provides to Israel, a recognized sponsor of terrorism, including giving various bombs and lethal weapons.

Furthermore, Kanaani pointed out that the US consistently hampers UN Security Council resolutions calling for a halt to Gaza bombings, making this country complicit in the deaths of over 15,000 civilians, including women and children, in the Strip.

He indicated that the US administration is aware of the involvement of some of its former officials in the assassination of Soleimani and continues to avoid its responsibility in holding those responsible accountable.

He highlighted that the US not only facilitates the transfer, financing, and refuge of terrorists but also shamelessly employs terrorism as a tool to advance its foreign policy agenda.

- Bagheri to Baghdad

Iranian media reported that Chief of Staff General Mohammad Bagheri arrived in Iraq at the head of a high-level military delegation for a three-day visit.

During this visit, Bagheri is scheduled to meet several high-level political and military officials and discuss bilateral and regional cooperation.

- Joint training with Russia and China

Meanwhile, Iran, Russia, and China's naval forces are set to stage a joint exercise in the Gulf.

Iranian Navy Commander Rear Admiral Shahram Irani told a news channel that the drills will include various divisions, adding that delegates from Pakistan, Brazil, Oman, India, South Africa, and several Caspian Sea littoral states will participate as observers.

The Commander explained that the joint naval maneuvers between Iran and Oman took place on Thursday for maritime rescue operations, adding that they take place annually.

He explained that the maneuvers developed throughout the years, and now both countries can participate in rescue missions.

- UUV to destroy mines

During a defense exhibition, the Iranian Navy revealed an unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) capable of destroying sea mines.

Iranian media said this new submarine can operate up to 200m deep and identify and destroy all anchored and hidden mines.



Israel Says Campaign on Iran to Intensify as Tehran Pledges 'Destructive' Attacks

A building stands damaged in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, in Tehran, Iran, June 14, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS
A building stands damaged in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, in Tehran, Iran, June 14, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS
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Israel Says Campaign on Iran to Intensify as Tehran Pledges 'Destructive' Attacks

A building stands damaged in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, in Tehran, Iran, June 14, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS
A building stands damaged in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, in Tehran, Iran, June 14, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS

Israel pounded Iran for a second day on Saturday and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said its campaign would intensify, while Tehran stated that "heavy and destructive" attacks by Iran against Israel were expected within the coming hours.

Netanyahu said Israel's strikes had set back Iran's nuclear program possibly by years and rejected international calls for restraint.

"We will hit every site and every target of the Ayatollahs' regime, and what they have felt so far is nothing compared with what they will be handed in the coming days," he said in a video message.

In Tehran, Iranian authorities said around 60 people, including 29 children, were killed in an attack on a housing complex, with more strikes reported across the country. Israel said it had attacked more than 150 targets.

Iran had launched its own retaliatory missile volley on Friday night, killing at least three people in Israel. Air raid sirens sent Israelis into shelters as waves of missiles streaked across the sky and interceptors rose to meet them.

In the first apparent attack to hit Iran's energy infrastructure, Iranian media reported a fire on Saturday after Israel bombed the South Pars gas field in southern Bushehr province. The semi-official Tasnim news agency said some gas production there was suspended following the attack.

"If (Supreme Leader Ali) Khamenei continues to fire missiles at the Israeli home front, Tehran will burn," Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said.

Iran said 78 people were killed on the first day and scores more on the second.

A military official on Saturday said Israel had caused significant damage to Iran's nuclear facilities at Natanz and Isfahan, but had not so far taken on another uranium enrichment site, Fordow, dug into a mountain.

The official said Israel had "eliminated the highest commanders of their military leadership" and had killed nine nuclear scientists who were "main sources of knowledge, main forces driving forward the (nuclear) program.”

Satellite images analyzed by The Associated Press revealed some of the damage sustained by Iran’s ballistic missile arsenal in an Israeli attack on the country.

Images from Planet Labs PBC taken Friday showed damage at two missile bases, one in Kermanshah and one in Tabriz, both in western Iran.