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23 Russian diplomats expelled over the poisoning of a former spy in the UK have been sent back to Moscow

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Russian Spy Plane Tupolev Tu-154M-Alan Wilson


  • The UK expelled 23 Russian diplomats and their families to Moscow.
  • Prime Minister Theresa May blamed Russia for the poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter.
  • Russia has repeatedly denied any involvement, and said it would expel 23 British diplomats back to London in a retaliatory measure.
  • The incident has become the worst crisis between the two countries since the Cold War.

Twenty three expelled Russian diplomats and their families left London for Moscow on Tuesday as Britain and Russia traded recriminations over a nerve agent attack in England that has plunged relations into their worst crisis since the Cold War.

Prime Minister Theresa May blamed Russia for the attack on a Russian double agent and his daughter — the first known offensive use of a nerve toxin in Europe since World War Two — and gave 23 Russians whom she said were spies working under diplomatic cover one week to leave London.

Russia has repeatedly denied any involvement in the attack on Sergei Skripal and his daughter and, in a reciprocal gesture on Saturday, gave 23 British diplomats a week to leave Moscow as well as closing the British Council in Russia.

As May met top officials and advisers on national security, her spokesman announced new steps to track people coming into Britain who could be deemed a threat to national security.

This was in line with an announcement by May last Wednesday that Britain would draw up new legislation to toughen defenses against “hostile state activity”.

A state-owned Russian Ilyushin-96 plane, with “Rossiya” and the white, blue, and red of the national flag emblazoned on the side, made a special flight from Moscow to London’s Stansted airport to pick up the diplomats who were given a warm-send off by Russia’s top diplomat in London.

Thanking them on behalf of President Vladimir Putin, who on Sunday after his re-election repeated that Moscow had played no part in the attack, ambassador Alexander Yakovenko said: “We are proud of you.”

Russia has refused to explain how Novichok, a nerve agent first developed by the Soviet military, was used to strike down Skripal, a former colonel in Russian military intelligence who betrayed dozens of spies to Britain.

Skripal, 66, and his 33-year-old daughter Yulia have been critically ill since they were found unconscious on a bench in the English city of Salisbury on March 4. A British policeman who was also poisoned is in a serious but stable condition.

Russia says it knows nothing about the poisoning and has repeatedly asked Britain to supply a sample of the nerve agent that was used against Skripal.

The US and European powers say they share Britain’s belief that Russia is culpable for the poisoning though they have given no indication of what they will do about it.

British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said last week that it was overwhelmingly likely that Putin himself made the decision to use the toxin against Skripal.

The two sides continued to exchange accusations over the affair.

Russian diplomats told the Conference on Disarmament at the United Nations in Geneva that Britain may have produced the toxin itself and that Moscow did not owe any explanations.

Britain’s ambassador to the forum, Matthew Rowland, said Russia had given misleading statements on its Novichok programme.

“Instead of engaging on the substantive concern, Russia has sought to confuse the picture with at best misleading procedural arguments,” Rowland said. Russia was using “a series of wild hypotheses and half truth and half lies” to deflect attention from the truth, he said.

The Russian foreign ministry has invited foreign envoys to a meeting on March 21 with arms control experts to discuss the affair, the state-run TASS news agency reported on Tuesday.

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Global Affairs

Iranian Missile Strikes Soroka Hospital: Assessing June 19 Attack & Broader Devastation–Tracking Times

Soroka Medical Center—responsible for over 1 million residents—activated emergency protocols: evacuating major wards, diverting patients to underground shelters and limiting admissions. Though physical casualties were few, the psychological toll across patients and staff is considerable.

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Iranian Missile Strikes Soroka Hospital: Assessing June 19 Attack & Broader Devastation–Tracking Times

On Thursday, June 19, 2025, an Iranian ballistic missile struck Soroka Medical Center in Be’er Sheva southern Israel. It also hit Ramat Gan with extreme devastating losses.

The direct hit inflicted extensive damage—blown-out windows, collapsed ceilings—while hospital staff evacuated patients safely. No fatalities were reported, though 40–65 people suffered injuries across southern and central Israel. Additional impacts hit residential towers in Ramat Gan, Holon, and Tel Aviv. (timesofisrael.com)

The images below show collapsed sections, debris fields, and stunned rescue teams.


2. Impact on Medical Services & Patients

Soroka Medical Center—responsible for over 1 million residents—activated emergency protocols: evacuating major wards, diverting patients to underground shelters and limiting admissions. (1news.co.nz) Though physical casualties were few, the psychological toll across patients and staff is considerable.

A volunteer recounted:

“Everything fell apart. Glass, ceilings – everything fell.” (timesofisrael.com)

Nearby towns also reported shattered windows and structural damage. The widespread fear has triggered mental health alerts and community trauma interventions.

Also Read: Israel-Iran Conflict: History, Latest Impact & Solutions–Trackingtimes

Iran–Israel War Escalates: Today’s Attacks, Trump’s Warning & Biblical Insights

Iran’s ‘Great Surprise Tonight’: Implications, Risks & Strategies to Avert War — Tracking Times


3. Broader Missile Assault 19–20 June (200 words)

The Guardian and AP News had reported that the hospital hit is part of a wider Iranian missile onslaught. On June 18–19, Iran launched over 30 ballistic missiles, striking Be’er Sheva, Tel Aviv, Ramat Gan, and Holon. (theguardian.com) Casualties included 40–65 wounded, including at least 6 seriously injured, with reports of war-crime allegations from Israeli authorities.

Also stated that the Israeli Military and residential targets were affected alongside civilian infrastructure. Israel responded with intensified airstrikes on Iran’s Arak heavy water reactor and strategic sites. (apnews.com)


4. International Reactions & Analysis

  • Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu firmly denounced the hospital attack as a “war crime” and pledged severe retaliation on Iran.
  • Israeli Health Minister, Uriel Buso labeled it “terror attack” and crossing “red lines.”
  • Iran’s government asserts it targeted military-related sites, urging Israel not to act surprised.
  • Experts: International Crisis Group’s Ali Vaez warns this marks a dangerous turning point that tests Israel’s air-defense thresholds and risks deeper regional conflict escalation.

Global leaders including the U.S., EU, China, and Russia are calling for de-escalation amid warnings of broader consequences. (theguardian.com)


5. Consequences & Risk Factors

  • Medical infrastructure under pressure: Continued attacks risk crippling health services and expose vulnerable civilians.
  • Escalation risk: Retaliatory cycles may pull in Iran-backed proxies (Hezbollah, Houthis).
  • Humanitarian strain: Trauma from hospital strikes leads to population displacement and mental health crisis.
  • Economic fallout: Markets react sharply; Israeli insurers, medical supplies, and rebuilding faces strain.
  • Legal implications: If civilian hospitals are repeatedly targeted, Israel or Iran could face international legal scrutiny.

6. Defense & Humanitarian Recommendations (150 words)

  1. Enhance Civil Defense: Rapid upgrades to hospital bunkers, emergency drills, and medical staff PTSD training.
  2. Diplomatic Pressure: Immediate UN Security Council intervention to demand respect for medical neutrality.
  3. Early-Warning Integration: Coordinate air-defense notifications directly with hospitals and city shelters.
  4. Aid Corridors: International NGOs partner with Israeli agencies for supplies, counseling, and medical evacuation planning.
  5. Media Transparency: Accurate reporting and documented damage log to support legal accountability and aid calls.

Conclusion

The missile strike on Soroka Hospital starkly illustrates the human cost of this conflict. Immediate defensive, diplomatic, and humanitarian responses are vital—not just to save lives but to deter further escalation. We must act urgently before retaliation spirals into regional war.


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Global Affairs

Iran’s ‘Great Surprise Tonight’: Implications, Risks & Strategies to Avert War — Tracking Times

That statement followed Supreme Leader Khamenei’s own warning that “the battle begins”—signaling Iranian resolve to respond decisively.

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Iran’s ‘Great Surprise Tonight’: Implications, Risks & Strategies to Avert War — Tracking Times

Iranian state media had issue a warning of “a great surprise will occur—one that the world will remember for centuries.”

Though the exact wording varies slightly by translation. In fact, multiple outlets report that during a live Tehran broadcast, a state television anchor cautioned:

“Tonight, a great surprise will occur—one that the world will remember for centuries.”

According to The Print and unionesarda, “This ominous statement wasn’t aimed at local viewers. It was meant for an international audience, setting a deliberate tone of imminent, dramatic escalation” (theprint.in, unionesarda.it)


1. Context & What Was Said

During live state TV coverage of Israeli strikes, an anchorman declared:

“Tonight, a great surprise will occur, one that the world will remember for centuries.”

That statement followed Supreme Leader Khamenei’s own warning that “the battle begins”—signaling Iranian resolve to respond decisively (nypost.com).

Read Also: Israel-Iran Conflict: History, Latest Impact & Solutions–Trackingtimes

Iran–Israel War Escalates: Today’s Attacks, Trump’s Warning & Biblical Insights


2. What Could the “Surprise” Be?

a. Large-Scale Missile Strike
Given past patterns, Iran could launch an unprecedented barrage of ballistic missiles and drones targeting deep into Israel or U.S. bases in the region.

b. Innovative Weapons Unveiled
New IRGC stealth drones will debut. Hypersonic missiles or electronic warfare systems could also be introduced. These innovations might strike both military targets and critical infrastructure.

c. Proxy Network Activation
Iran-backed groups—Hezbollah, Iraqi militias, Houthis—might start simultaneous attacks across multiple fronts (Lebanon, Gaza, Red Sea).

d. Cyber or Space Operations
Potentially disruptive digital attacks on Israel’s infrastructure or satellite interference—amplifying effects beyond conventional warfare.


3. Immediate Impacts & Risks

  • Civilian Casualties: Higher death tolls, mass evacuations, infrastructure damage.
  • Oil Supply Threats: Attacks on tankers or Strait of Hormuz closure could spike global oil prices.
  • Regional Expansion: Spillover violence increases chance of a broader Middle East war.
  • Global Economic Panic: Markets dip, safe-haven buying surges, flight cancellations from region.
  • Media & Propaganda Blitz: State outlets on both sides will escalate rhetoric, complicating diplomacy.

4. Strategies to Avert Disaster

  1. Immediate Diplomatic De-escalation: Third-party nations (EU, Turkey, GCC) must urgently broker an Iran–Israel communications channel.
  2. UN Security Council Pressure: Immediate resolution calling for pause and reducing aerial incursions.
  3. Establish Crisis Hotline: A direct military-to-military “red phone” between Tehran and Jerusalem to avoid miscalculations.
  4. Proxy Restraint Coordination: U.S. and European sanctions could target non-state actors to limit escalation via militias.
  5. Global Humanitarian Planning: Neighboring countries should prepare refugee shelters, medical assistance, and aid corridors.

5. Long-Term Consequences If Ignored

  • Potential Widespread Conflict: Major powers drawn into localized theaters leads to proxy or direct war.
  • Economic Shockwaves: Energy prices surge, supply chains disrupted, trend toward global recession.
  • Humanitarian Toll: Millions displaced, with little stable response capacity due to simultaneous crises.
  • Global Realignments: Countries may strategically reorient to China, Russia, or alternative trading blocs.

6. Recommended Path Forward

StrategyPurpose
Diplomatic MediationLower tensions before military triggers
Third-Party Escalation TalkReduce risks of blowback from attacks
Public TransparencyMaintain civilian trust and compliance
Technological CautionShare intel on drone/missile tests
Humanitarian & Refugee PrepEnsure readiness for civilian fallout

️Final Take

Iran’s “great surprise tonight” warning is grim—but not inevitable. With thoughtful global diplomacy, military restraint, and coordinated crisis-response, escalation can be prevented.

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Global Affairs

Iran–Israel War Escalates: Today’s Attacks, Trump’s Warning & Biblical Insights

The Iran–Israel conflict has surged into a full-fledged air war with growing humanitarian tolls. Trump’s evacuation call adds urgency and affects global stability.

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Iran–Israel War Escalates in today’s Attacks

Latest Developments

  • Israel’s Operation Rising Lion launched coordinated airstrikes targeting Iran’s nuclear sites (Natanz, Isfahan, Fordow), key IRGC commanders, and missile infrastructure—including in Tehran—claiming “total air superiority” (theguardian.com).
  • Iran retaliated with over 300 missiles and drones, landing in Tel Aviv, Haifa, and other regions (apnews.com).

Current Casualties & Damage

  • Iran: Health Ministry reports 224 killed, ~1,277 injured; independent sources suggest up to 400+ deaths, many civilians, with extensive damage to city infrastructures—water, power, hospitals (theguardian.com).
  • Israel: Official sources confirm 24 civilian deaths, ~60–500 injured from Iranian strikes (apnews.com).

Official Statements

President Donald Trump

  • Urged all Tehran residents to vacate right away; left G7 early to address crisis (reuters.com).
  • Pushed for a “real deal” nuclear agreement with Iran, denying ceasefire claims (reuters.com).

Israeli Government (PM & IDF)

  • PM Netanyahu stated the operation will persist “as many days as needed to neutralize the threat”—emphasizing hits on nuclear/scientific and missile facilities (understandingwar.org).
  • The military claims destruction of 120 missile launchers (~1/3 of Iran’s stockpile) and “total air superiority” over Tehran (theguardian.com).

Iranian Response


Humanitarian Impact & Civilian Exodus

  • Over 100,000 Tehran residents have fled northwards to Mazandaran, Gilan, and Alborz provinces (en.wikipedia.org).
  • Reports of fuel shortages, hospital strain, internet blackouts, and psychological distress are emerging (en.wikipedia.org).

🔮 What’s Next?

  1. Further military escalation — Iran may strike U.S. or allies if intervention continues (understandingwar.org).
  2. Nuclear diplomacy in limbo — Iran paused talks pending Israeli ceasefire; Trump supports negotiation .
  3. Broader regional ripple effects — Proxy groups, including Hezbollah, Houthis, and Iraqi militias, could escalate (en.wikipedia.org).
  4. Global economic disruptions — Oil prices spiked after Tehran warnings; airlines diverted flights (en.wikipedia.org).

Biblical Perspective

  • Operation Rising Lion invokes Isaiah 31:4 (“As a lion… roars!”), reinforcing Israel’s belief in its God-given resolve (newarab.com).
  • Some Christian prophecy scholars see this as part of eschatological build-up (Ezekiel 38, Isaiah 17)—though cautioned by others to avoid hasty conclusions (forums.crosswalk.com).
  • Biblical themes abound: calls for justice, divine defense, and the lament over cities under siege echo Psalms and prophets (e.g., Lamentations 2:1; Joel 3:2). Prayer for peace and wisdom is urged.

Key Takeaways

  • The Iran–Israel conflict has surged into a full-fledged air war with growing humanitarian tolls.
  • Trump’s evacuation call adds urgency and affects global stability.
  • Expect continued conflict, potential negotiations, and regional escalation.
  • Many believers are interpreting the events through biblical lenses—prayers for peace are critical.

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