Iran
From Iran jail, Nobel laureate Narges Mohammadi pushes for Middle East peace
Narges Mohammadi, an incarcerated Nobel Peace Prize laureate, issued a call for Middle Eastern peace from Tehran's notorious Evin prison on the first anniversary of her honour. In an interview with Italy's Corriere della Sera, the Iranian human rights campaigner stated: "Today, the dark shadow of war once again hangs over our beloved country." I loathe war. All those responsible for war are not only condemned by the people of the lands and times they destroy, but they are also permanently shamed and ostracized in the annals of human history.
Iranian supreme commander says missile attack on Israel ‘will be done again if necessary’
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei delivers his first statement at Friday prayers in five years, following Iran's launch of at least 180 missiles toward Israel on Tuesday night. Iran's supreme leader has asserted that its missile attack on Israel was "fully legal and legitimate," warning that it will be repeated if necessary. In an unusual speech, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei characterized Hamas' strike on Israel on October 7 as a "legitimate" act, urging Tehran's allies to "double your efforts and capabilities" against a "common enemy".
Netanyahu receives stern Biden remarks on peace accord and electoral influence
Joe Biden had terse words for Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Friday, saying he didn't know if the Israeli prime minister was holding up a Middle East peace deal - where Israel is at war with Hamas in Gaza and on a military offensive against Hezbollah in Lebanon - to influence the outcome of the 2024 US presidential election. "No administration has done more for Israel than I have. None. There are none. And I think Bibi should remember that," Biden remarked, referring to Netanyahu by his nickname. He went further: "And whether he's trying to influence the election, I don't know - but I'm not counting on that."
Russian views of Israel-Iran escalation: chaos desirable, war terrible
Anna Levina, a Russian researcher and photographer-documentarian based in Beirut, has been stockpiling supplies in anticipation of Israel's assault on Lebanon, and she has had non-perishables in her kitchen since last October when Hezbollah and Israel began firing missiles at each other. "The feeling is, of course, unpleasant, but I've been waiting for this moment for a year," Levina said of Israel's major escalation of missile strikes on numerous sections of Lebanon, including Beirut, during the past two weeks, which has killed over 2,000 people. On Tuesday, Israel also announced the start of ground operations in southern Lebanon, where its forces have since clashed with Hezbollah fighters.
Iran Prepares for Israeli Strikes as Supreme Leader Calls for Western Withdrawal from Middle East
Iran is preparing for potential Israeli attacks on its nuclear facilities after Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader, urged Western nations to exit the Middle East. During a meeting with students and scientists on Wednesday, Khamenei made his first public appearance since ordering a high-risk missile strike on Israel, in retaliation for Israel's recent strikes on Hezbollah leadership. Hezbollah, a Lebanese armed group backed by Tehran, lost its leader, Hassan Nasrallah, in an assassination last Friday.
Israel and Iran exchange threats, raising regional war risk
Israel and Iran have launched retaliatory threats against one other, raising long-held anxieties about the possibility of a regional war. Israel, with support from its US ally, has threatened to reply to Iran's massive missile attack late Tuesday. Iran has stated that any such reprisal will face an even "tougher" response. Meanwhile, Israel renewed its attacks on Lebanon on Wednesday, announcing that it will send more troops to carry out the ground offensive that began on Tuesday.
Israel may target Iranian oil plants in retaliation strikes
Israel may strike Iranian oil refineries in retaliation for Tuesday night's attack, in which Tehran launched an estimated 180 ballistic missiles at Tel Aviv and other locations across the country, dramatically escalating the situation between the two countries. According to the US website Axios, Israeli officials are considering a "significant retaliation" to the Iranian attack within the next few days, which may target Iranian oil production facilities and other vital targets. Israeli officials are said to be consulting with the United States on how to tailor their military reaction, which may push the Middle East closer to a regional war.
The U.S. is already at war
Iran launched a missile barrage at Israel yesterday in revenge for Israel's death of Hezbollah secretary-general Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut last week and of Hamas' political chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran in July. United States President Joe Biden directed the US military to assist Israel in neutralizing the missiles - not that Israel does not already have multiple layers of ultra-sophisticated protection against incoming projectiles, allowing it to slaughter people left and right while suffering minimal damage in return.
IDF claims Iran launched missiles into Israel
Iran has launched missiles into Israel, according to the Israeli military. The attack, in retaliation for Israel's campaign against the Hezbollah militia in Lebanon, represents a dramatic escalation in the conflict. Approximately 200 missiles were launched, according to Israeli army radio. Warning sirens rang out in Jerusalem just after 5.30 pm5.30 pm UK time, and explosions were heard.
UK and US worried over Iran-Russia nuclear deal
Britain and the United States have expressed concern that Russia has traded nuclear secrets with Iran in exchange for Tehran providing Moscow with ballistic missiles to destroy Ukraine. During their visit in Washington, DC, on Friday, Keir Starmer and US President Joe Biden recognized that the two countries were expanding military cooperation at a time when Iran was enriching enough uranium to complete its long-standing objective of building a nuclear weapon.
Biden hinted at lifting Ukraine’s long-range weapons limits
President Joe Biden has signaled that Washington will ease limits on Ukraine's use of US long-range missiles against Russia. If allowed, it would meet Ukraine's repeated pleas to lift restrictions on US-supplied weapons, which authorities have claimed have left them battling Russia's full-fledged invasion with their hands tied. Russia has yet to respond, although President Vladimir Putin has already stated that any action may result in "serious problems."
‘A threat to all of Europe’: US secretary of state warns Iran sells Russia ballistic missiles
During a visit to the UK, Antony Blinken stated that Moscow had received the missiles and had educated Russian military troops on how to use them in Iran. Iran has transferred short-range ballistic missiles to Russia, and the Kremlin is expected to use them in Ukraine within weeks, according to the US secretary of state. During a visit to the United Kingdom, Antony Blinken stated that the development was "a threat to all of Europe." He demonstrated Iran's "destabilizing influence reaches far beyond the Middle East."