Morning Briefing: June 17, 2025
Anadolu’s recap of top stories from around the globe
ISTANBUL
Here is a rundown of all the news that you need to start your Tuesday with, including the latest developments in the Iran-Israel conflict, Arab and Muslim nations condemning Israeli strikes on Iran, G7 nations meeting in Canada against Iran having a nuclear weapon, and Russia, Ukraine declaring the fifth swap of bodies under the deal reached at Istanbul peace talks.
TOP STORIES
Iran launched a new missile barrage against Israel, the Israeli army said early Tuesday.
"Sirens sounding across northern Israel following another barrage of Iranian missiles," it said on X.
Tensions have escalated since Friday, when Israel launched coordinated airstrikes and drone attacks on multiple sites across Iran, including military and nuclear facilities, prompting Tehran to launch retaliatory strikes.
Twenty-one Arab and Muslim countries issued a joint statement Monday condemning Israel’s airstrikes on Iran and calling for regional de-escalation, nuclear disarmament “without selectivity,” and respect for international law, according to Egypt’s official news agency MENA.
The statement was the result of an initiative by Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty following consultations with his counterparts across the region.
The initiative includes Türkiye, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, Bahrain, Brunei, Chad, Gambia, Algeria, Comoros, Djibouti, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Somalia, Iraq, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Libya, Egypt, and Mauritania.
The foreign ministers condemned Israel’s attacks on Iranian territory, calling them violations of international law and the UN Charter.
The joint statement emphasized the need to respect national sovereignty, territorial integrity, and principles of good neighborliness, and called for peaceful dispute resolution.
Leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) nations meeting in Canada said Monday that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon as tensions in the Middle East continued to rise.
"Iran is the principal source of regional instability and terror,” the leaders of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, and the US said in a statement.
"We have been consistently clear that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon,” they added.
Reiterating their commitment to peace and stability in the Middle East, they said: "In this context, we affirm that Israel has a right to defend itself. We reiterate our support for the security of Israel."
They also affirmed the importance of the protection of civilians.
- Russia, Ukraine declare 5th swap of bodies under deal reached at Istanbul peace talks
Russia and Ukraine on Monday declared that a fifth exchange of bodies took place under agreements reached between the two countries during their recent direct talks in Istanbul.
Moscow handed over the bodies of 1,248 Ukrainian servicemen to Kyiv, while the Ukrainian side transferred the bodies of 51 Russian soldiers, said a Russian Defense Ministry statement.
It added that Russia “fulfilled the agreements” reached in the Turkish metropolis earlier this month by transferring a total of 6,060 bodies to Ukraine, while Moscow received a total of 78 in return.
“We are ready at this stage to transfer another 2,239 bodies of the deceased servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to the Ukrainian side,” the statement said.
Russian presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky, who led Russia’s delegation during the Istanbul peace talks earlier this month, also confirmed the exchange on Telegram, saying that prisoner swaps are also continuing.
NEWS IN BRIEF
- US President Donald Trump urged civilians Monday to evacuate Tehran "immediately" amid rising tensions between Israel and Iran.
- The assassination of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei would "end" the ongoing conflict between Tehran and Tel Aviv, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday as he refused to rule out taking the action amid the highly volatile regional conflict.
- Iran's UN envoy, Amir Saeid Iravani, on Monday urged the UN Security Council to immediately condemn Israel's attacks on Iran and hold both the "aggressor and their enablers" accountable.
- The US Embassy in Israel directed all US government personnel and their family members Tuesday to shelter in place "until further notice" as Israel-Iran tensions increase.
- The US will defend its assets in the Middle East amid rising tensions between Israel and Iran, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Monday.
- From the very beginning, Türkiye has advocated for discussions on Iran’s nuclear program to take place at the negotiating table, and this is still the same stance today, said President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday.
- The Israeli army on Monday targeted the official Iranian TV building during a live broadcast, Iranian media reported.
- At least 27 more Palestinians were killed, with many seeking to get humanitarian aid, in fresh Israeli attacks in the war-torn Gaza Strip on Monday, the Health Ministry said.
- The military tension between Israel and Iran increases the risk of nuclear radiation leaks and delays efforts to prevent the possession of nuclear weapons, warned the IAEA head on Monday.
- Iran on Monday said that authorities will decide whether to withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
- The Israeli army on Monday targeted the official Iranian TV building during a live broadcast, Iranian media reported.
SPORTS
- Chelsea defeat LAFC 2-0 in 2025 Club World Cup
England’s Chelsea defeated US team Los Angeles FC 2-0 in a Group D match Monday of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
The first match of Group D was played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.
Chelsea took the lead in the 34th minute with a stylish goal by Pedro Neto, and the first half ended 1-0.
The Blues secured a 2-0 victory in the second half with a goal by Enzo Fernandez in the 79th minute.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
- US, UK reach new trade agreement that Trump hails as 'fair'
The US and UK announced Monday the signing of a new trade agreement that US President Trump hailed as being "fair" for both countries.
Trump said the agreement will "produce a lot of jobs, a lot of income, and we have other many, many other ones coming," as he further lauded his personal relationship with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Starmer said the agreement concerns car tariffs and aerospace, hailing it as "really important" and saying it has been "implemented."
- Tariff uncertainty impacts China’s economy in May
China’s economy started to feel the effects of tariff uncertainties last month as trade tensions with the US escalated.
The country’s retail sales rose 6.4% and industrial output 5.8% year-on-year in May, while fixed asset investments climbed 3.7% in the last five months on an annual basis, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.
Industrial production rose 5.9% in January and February, 7.7% in March, and 6.1% in April.
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