Iran
Israeli attack kills at least 14 people in central Syria, according to state media
Israeli missiles have killed at least 14 individuals in central Syria, according to state media reports. According to SANA, Syria's official news agency, the attack on Sunday night caused a fire and material damage near the city of Masyaf in Hama province. The update, which reportedly reported 43 injured, adds to the previous reports of five dead and 19 wounded. Around 11:20 p.m. on Sunday, the Israeli enemy started an air attack from northwestern Lebanon, targeting several military sites in Syria's central region, a military source told SANA.
No need to be scared off by Russia’s nuclear threats, says CIA chief
Western leaders should not be scared by Kremlin threats of nuclear escalation, the CIA director said on Saturday, amid a dispute over whether Anglo-French Storm Shadow missiles should be deployed within Russia. Bill Burns, on a visit to London with the chief of MI6, said the US had dismissed a prior Russian nuclear panic in autumn 2022, indicating that Moscow's warnings should not always be taken seriously. "Putin is a bully. "He'll continue to saber rattle from time to time," Burns explained. "We must not be scared by saber-rattling and remain vigilant. The United States has provided great assistance to Ukraine, and I am confident that the president will consider more methods to help them."
A bus disaster in Iran killed at least 28 Pakistani pilgrims
A bus transporting Pakistani pilgrims toppled in Iran, killing at least 28 people, according to Iranian official television. According to Reuters, the collision occurred on Tuesday night in Yazd, central Iran, and was caused by a malfunctioning braking system. According to Pakistan's ambassador to Iran, Muhammad Mudassir Tipu, an additional 23 passengers were hurt, 14 of them critically.
As Middle East simmers, European leaders urge moderation
France, Germany, and the United Kingdom have urged Iran and its allies to desist from planned strikes on Israel in response to the recent assassinations of prominent Hamas and Hezbollah members. On Monday, the leaders of the three European governments released a joint statement urging "de-escalation and regional stability" in the Middle East, as well as an immediate ceasefire. The death of two Iran-aligned leaders last month heightened global concern that the battle in Gaza will expand into an all-out regional warfare.
Iran keeps the area guessing as it considers reprisal attacks
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), a group of 57 countries, held an emergency conference in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Wednesday at Iran's request to examine, among other things, the death of Hamas senior leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran last week. The event provided an opportunity for Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, who has promised "harsh punishment" for the death, to spell out the reasons for an expected retaliation. Both Iran and Hamas claim the assassination on July 31 was carried out by Israel, which has not reacted but is widely assumed to be responsible.
Hamas leader’s funeral draws throngs in Iran
Thousands have attended the funeral procession in Iran for Hamas political chairman Ismail Haniyeh, who was murdered in a strike in Tehran on Wednesday. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's Supreme Leader, conducted prayers for the Hamas leader, whose remains will be interred in Qatar. Iranian officials have told US media that the supreme commander has ordered a direct attack on Israel, which they blame for the attack on Iranian land.
Iran and Sudan exchanged ambassadors after eight years
Sudan's de facto leader has received an Iranian ambassador and dispatched his own to Tehran, completing a reconciliation after an eight-year break. Sudan's army leader, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, met with the new Iranian ambassador, Hassan Shah Hosseini, in Port Sudan on Sunday and appointed Abdelaziz Hassan Saleh as the African country's ambassador to Tehran.
Iran labels Israeli strike ‘infiltration,’ downplaying Supreme Leader’s birthday attack
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken maintains that the United States was not "involved in any offensive operations" and emphasizes that de-escalation and preventing a wider Middle East conflict are the primary concerns. Blinken has refused to be drawn on the incident on multiple occasions. Iran has stated that it has no intention of retaliating against Israel for its unprecedented missile and drone assault on the country, downplaying the possibility of an attack.
How successfully could Iran defend against an Israeli attack?
In response to the missile and drone strikes initiated by Tehran in retaliation for the fatal bombardment of its consulate in Syria at the start of this month, Israel has threatened to "exact a price" from Iran. Israeli Army Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi has stated that a military response is assured in light of Saturday's unprecedented direct attacks on Israel. The Israeli war cabinet has met multiple times to discuss a course of action to supplement a diplomatic drive against Iran.
Iran issues a dire warning to Israel regarding ‘reckless’ retaliation
A "much stronger response" awaits Israel in any "reckless" retaliation it may offer in response to Iran's unprecedented aerial assault, Iran has warned. Iran fired over three hundred unmanned aerial vehicles and missiles at Israel during the night that followed the Israeli attack on the Iranian consulate in Syria on April 1. The Allies and Israel claimed to have intercepted 99 per cent of the munitions.
Apologies, but Iran is not at war in this instance
Iran fired hundreds of drones and missiles at Israel on Saturday, April 13, in retaliation for an April 1 Israeli strike that claimed the lives of Iranian consulate personnel in Damascus, Syria. With the consistently supportive United States military, Israel's air defence system successfully intercepted the overwhelming majority of the projectiles, resulting in minimal damage. Iran, having completed its retaliatory actions, has now declared that the dispute can be considered "resolved." However, Israel is not one to concede defeat to others.
What prompted Iran’s assault on Israel?
Israel was targeted by Iranian drones and missiles in retaliation for an Israeli assault that destroyed the Iranian consulate in Damascus, the capital of Syria. It is widely believed that Israel was responsible for the consulate assault, although it has not officially admitted to doing so. It is the initial frontal assault by Iran against Israel.