Morning Briefing: June 22, 2025

ISTANBUL

Here is a rundown of all the news you need to start your Sunday, including Israel claiming the killing of a third senior Iranian commander in an overnight strike in western Iran; Turkish President Erdogan meeting Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi to discuss the Israel-Iran conflict; and officials reporting the arrest of a cousin of ousted regime leader Bashar al-Assad in Syria.

TOP STORIES

• Israel claims killing of 3rd senior Iranian commander in overnight strike in western Iran

The Israeli army claimed that it carried out a targeted strike in western Iran that killed Behnam Shahriari, commander of the Combat Vehicle Transport Unit (Unit 190) of Iran’s Quds Force.

Israeli army spokesman Avichay Adraee said Shahriari was eliminated inside his vehicle.

Shahriari is the third high-ranking Iranian commander to have been reportedly killed recently by Israel.

• Turkish President Erdogan meets Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi to discuss Israel-Iran conflict

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Istanbul to discuss the Israel-Iran conflict on the sidelines of the 51st Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

The two leaders discussed the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran as well as broader regional and global issues, according to a statement by Türkiye's Communications Directorate on X.

Erdogan emphasized that Türkiye has shown a firm stance against Israel’s attacks on the Gaza, Strip, Lebanon and Syria, and maintains the same position regarding strikes against Iran.

• Cousin of ousted regime leader Assad arrested in Syria: Officials

Syria’s Interior Ministry announced that Wassim Badi al-Assad, a cousin of ousted regime leader Bashar al-Assad and a top suspect in war crimes and large-scale drug trafficking, was arrested during a security operation.

A statement on Telegram said Wassim was captured in a joint operation by the General Intelligence Directorate in coordination with Interior Ministry units.

NEWS IN BRIEF

• The Israeli army said it pummeled drone and ammunition warehouses in the Bandar Abbas area of southwestern Iran.
• Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that US participation in Israel’s attacks on Iran would be “very unfortunate” and “extremely dangerous for everyone.”
• Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned against a "new Sykes-Picot order" in the Middle East and urged stronger solidarity among Islamic nations to counter Israeli actions and regional destabilization.
• Russian President Vladimir Putin has reaffirmed Moscow’s opposition to the spread of weapons of mass destruction, including any potential acquisition by Iran.
• Iran’s Deputy Health Minister Iraj Harirchi announced that the death toll from Israeli airstrikes rose to 430, with more than 3,500 civilians wounded since the start of the attacks on June 13, according to a Health Ministry statement that was cited by local media.
• Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko released 14 prisoners and journalists, including 10 foreigners, in an unexpected move reportedly facilitated by Keith Kellogg, US President Donald Trump's special envoy to Ukraine and Russia.
• Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who also serves as chairperson of the Economic Community of West African States, has called for West African countries to work together to transform their economies.
• Thailand’s ruling Pheu Thai Party said Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra will not resign nor dissolve parliament, rejecting opposition demands following a leaked phone conversation with Cambodia’s Senate president.
• The interim Taliban administration in Kabul rejected a United Nations’ quarterly report on Afghanistan's security, human rights and economic situation as "inaccurate information."

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

• Trump says he ‘maybe’ will reconsider firing Fed Chair Powell

President Donald Trump again took aim at Fed Chair Jerome Powell, accusing him of harming the US economy by refusing to lower interest rates.

In a lengthy post on Truth Social, Trump said cutting interest rates to between 1% and 2% could save the US up to $1 trillion per year.

Calling Powell "a dumb guy, and an obvious Trump Hater," he said his predecessor, Joe Biden, should not have reappointed him.

• Fundamental changes needed in debt transparency practices: World Bank

The World Bank said in a report that more developing economies are turning to off-budget and more complex borrowing arrangements, noting that the situation makes it difficult to fully assess public debt risks.

The report, “Radical Debt Transparency," recommended fundamental changes in the way debtor and creditor countries report and disclose their debts to address the issues, including expanding the scope of reporting and providing more detailed disclosures on a loan-by-loan basis.