Iran assesses the damage and lashes out after Israeli and US strikes damage its nuclear sites

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran is assessing the damage and lashing out over the American and Israeli airstrikes on its nuclear sites, though Tehran kept open the possibility Tuesday of resuming talks with Washington over its atomic program. The comments by government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani also included another acknowledgment that Fordo, Isfahan and Natanz — key sites within Iran’s nuclear program — had been “seriously damaged” by the American strikes. Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency quoted Mohajerani as making the remarks at a briefing for journalists. That acknowledgment comes as Iran’s theocracy has slowly begun to admit the scale of the damage wrought by the 12-day war with Israel, which saw Israeli fighter jets decimate the country’s air defenses and conduct strikes at will over the Islamic Republic.

Hurricane Flossie could become a major hurricane off the Pacific coast of Mexico

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Hurricane Flossie has strengthened to a Category 2 storm off Mexico’s Pacific coast and could become a major hurricane before weakening later this week. The National Hurricane Center reports the storm has maximum sustained winds of 110 mph. It was located Tuesday about 180 miles southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico. Rain is currently affecting parts of the coastal region. Flossie is moving northwest at 10 mph and is expected to continue in that direction. Flossie is expected to continue strengthening and become a major hurricane as soon as Tuesday night. Then, it is expected to rapidly weaken starting late Wednesday.

Ukrainian drone hits a plant deep inside Russia after record Russian drone attacks in June

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Officials say a Ukrainian drone has struck an industrial plant deep inside Russia, injuring several people and causing a fire. Ukrainian officials say the plant produces drones and air defense systems. The attack Tuesday came as Ukraine prioritizes drone development to counter Russia’s expanded drone attacks. Both nations are ramping up drone capabilities, turning the war into a testing ground for advanced unmanned weaponry. In June, Russia launched a record 5,438 drones at Ukraine, according to data collated by The Associated Press. Ukraine has been using long-range drones to target Russian facilities deep inside its territory. Meanwhile, Russian drones struck a large southern Ukrainian city, leaving many without power.

Court suspends Thailand’s prime minister to investigate a leaked phone call

BANGKOK (AP) — Thailand’s Constitutional Court has suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. That is pending an ethics investigation over accusations that she was too deferential to a senior Cambodian leader when the two discussed a recent border dispute in a phone call that was leaked. Paetongtarn has faced growing dissatisfaction over her handling of the dispute. It involved an armed confrontation on May 28 in which one Cambodian soldier was killed. Paetongtarn attempted to defuse tensions in a call with Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen. But she instead set off a string of complaints and public protests by critics who accused her of being too fawning. Paetongtarn’s suspension on Tuesday raises the possibility of renewed instability in Thailand.