Links to SEVEN reports: from Middle East Monitor, Middle East Eye, and the Associated Press; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials. (Scroll up or down for UKRAINE, GAZA, WEST BANK, LEBANON and MEDIA, and down for IRAN 6-5-26.) — MCM

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Pope Leo says U.S.-Isreali war against Iran not ‘just war.’ From Middle East Monitor. Pope Leo XIV said today the war being waged by the United States and Israel against Iran is not a “just war,” arguing that the centuries-old theory no longer reflects the realities of modern warfare, Anadolu reports. READ MORE . . .

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Iran condemns U.S strikes on coastal facilities, calls the ceasefire violation. From Middle East Monitor. Iran’s Foreign Ministry today condemned U.S. strikes on radar and coastal surveillance facilities in the southern Sirik region and on Qeshm Island, describing them as a clear violation of the April 8 ceasefire agreement and an act of aggression against the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, Anadolu reports. READ MORE . . .

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Iran says U.S. and Israeli strikes to blame for partial loss of nuclear oversight. From Middle East Eye. Iran’s deputy foreign minister said U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear sites have prevented the International Atomic Energy Agency from being able to monitor them fully. READ MORE. . .

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FROM JUNE 5  U.S. military shot down Iranian drones launched toward Strait of Hormuz, by Michelle L. Price | AP  CHIPPEWA FALLS, Wisc. — The U.S. military said it shot down four Iranian drones that were launched toward the Strait of Hormuz on Friday and then struck some of the Islamic Republic’s coastal surveillance radar sites in response. READ MORE . . .  Click HERE for same AP report in Spanish, and HERE for others.

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FROM JUNE 5   Lebanese leaders lash out at Iran and say their country should not be used as a ‘bargaining chip,’ by Fadi Tamil and Hussein Malla | AP  DIBBINE, Lebanon — Lebanon’s president and prime minister criticized Iran on Friday for opposing the latest ceasefire deal between the Lebanese government and Israel, saying their country should not be used by Tehran as a “bargaining chip” in its talks with Washington. READ MORE . . . Click HERE for same AP report in Spanish; and HERE for others.

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FROM JUNE 5  U.S. CENTCOM commander visits Middle East, meets regional leaders. From Middle East Monitor. Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Central Command, traveled across the Middle East to meet with senior regional leaders, the command said Friday, Anadolu Agency reports. READ MORE . . .

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FROM JUNE 4  UN nuclear watchdog says it’s been unable to inspect Iranian facilities, by Stephanie Liechtenstein| AP  VIENNA — The International Atomic Energy Agency has reported that it “cannot provide any information on the current size, composition or whereabouts of the stockpile of enriched uranium in Iran or whether Iran has suspended all enrichment-related activities.” READ MORE . . .

A link to a commentary from the Associated Press; other published material is available by clicking on its name or initials. (Scroll up for UKRAINE, GAZA, WEST BANK, LEBANON, IRAN and UKRAINE, and down for MEDIA 6-4-26.) — MCM

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FROM JUNE 5  Longtime CBS correspondent Scott Pelley lived many workers’ fantasy: telling your boss off, by Matt Sedensky | AP  NEW YORK — As if Scott Pelley’s years in a glamorous, globetrotting, seven-figure “Sixty Minutes” dream job weren’t enough, he’s pulled off one more thing to stir your envy. READ MORE . . .

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Links to reports from the Associated Press and Middle East Eye; others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials. (Scroll down for GAZA, IRAN and UKRAINE, and for LEBANON 6-4-26.) — MCM

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Israel strikes southern Lebanon after evacuation warnings to several villages, by Fadi Tawil | AP  DIBBINE, Lebanon — Israel’s air force struck different parts of southern Lebanon today as the military issued evacuation warnings for nine villages, including one that has been spared much of the destruction and was sheltering thousands of people displaced by the three-month war. READ MORE . . .

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FROM JUNE 4  Hezbollah chief demands ‘comprehensive’ ceasefire and Israeli withdrawal. Middle East Eye. Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem has demanded a comprehensive ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Lebanon, urging Lebanese authorities to abandon direct talks with Israel after a truce agreement was announced. READ MORE . . .

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Links to reports from the Associated Press and National Public Radio; others are accessible by clicking on its name or initials. (Scroll up or down for LEBANON, IRAN and UKRAINE, and down for GAZA 6-4-26.) — MCM

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FROM JUNE 4  At least 10 killed in strikes on Gaza, hospitals say, by Wafaa Shurafa | AP  DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — Israeli strikes in Gaza killed at least 10 Palestinians on Thursday, hospitals said, even as much of the world’s attention was focused on the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. READ MORE . . . Click HERE for same AP report in Spanish, and HERE for others.

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FROM JUNE 4  Does Israel still need U.S. support? Reported by Franco Ordoñez and Greg Myre | NPR  In recent years, Israel’s relationship with the U.S. has changed — not for the better, some analysts say. Now, new tensions have emerged between President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. Click HERE to listen and read.

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Links to two reports from National Public Radio; others are accessible by clicking on its name or initials. (Scroll up or down for LEBANON, GAZA and UKRAINE, and down for IRAN 6-4-26.) — MCM

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FROM JUNE 5  Republican lawmaker on why he voted to end the war in Iran. Reported by Tinbete Ermyas, Michelle Aslam, Ailsa Chang and Luke Garrett | NPR  Chang talks with Republican Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick about his decision to join Democrats and three other Republicans to vote to end the war in Iran. Click HERE to listen and read. 

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FROM JUNE 4  Does Israel still need U.S. support? Reported by Franco Ordoñez and Greg Myre | NPR  In recent years, Israel’s relationship with the U.S. has changed — not for the better, some analysts say. Now, new tensions have emerged between President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. Click HERE to listen and read.

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A link to a commentary from Informed Comment; other published material is accessible by clicking on its name. (Scroll down for UKRAINE, LEBANON, IRAN and MEDIA, and for GAZA 6-3-26.) — MCM

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Could Israel’s wars throw the whole world into chaos? by Dan Steinbock | Informed Comment  SINGAPORE — Israel’s Obliteration Doctrine is a lethal mix of scorched earth policy, collective punishment and civilian victimization, coupled with massive indiscriminate bombardment and systematic use of artificial intelligence. READ MORE . . .

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Russia’s economic forum opens against backdrop of Ukrainian strikes. Reported by Charles Maynes and Leila Fadel | NPR  The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum — Russia’s answer to Davos — opens under the shadow of Ukrainian drone attacks and growing economic uncertainty. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.