Iran reacts to US, UK, Israel airstrikes on Yemen
Araghchi made the remarks during a meeting with UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg in the capital Tehran on Sunday.
According to PressTV, the top Iranian diplomat stressed that these joint operations are a clear violation of Yemen”s territorial integrity and national sovereignty, describing them as a serious threat to regional peace and security, the consequences of which have affected all countries in the region.
Araghchi also reaffirmed Tehran”s support for the United Nations’ initiatives to help improve the situation in Yemen.
Grundberg, for his part, hailed Iran”s commitment to playing an effective role in maintaining stability and security in the region, particularly in Yemen.
He also emphasized the need for continuing consultations with Iran on regional issues, as he presented a report on the UN’s latest efforts to establish peace and stability in Yemen, as well as his recent visit to Sana”a.
Yemenis have declared their open support for Palestine’s struggle against the Israeli occupation since the regime launched a devastating war on Gaza on October 7 after the territory’s Palestinian Resistance movements carried out a surprise retaliatory attack, dubbed Operation Al-Aqsa Storm, against the occupying entity.
Yemeni Armed Forces have said that they won’t stop their attacks until unrelenting Israeli ground and aerial offensives in Gaza, which have killed at least 27,948 people and wounded another 67,459 individuals, come to an end.
The United States and Britain in December announced a military coalition to target Yemen in support of Israel.
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Iran to regulate ties with any Syrian gov’t chosen by people
The top diplomat made the comments in a decree he issued to appoint Mohammad Reza Raouf Sheibani as his special representative for Syria’s affairs.
The top Iranian diplomat said that making decisions about Syria’s future is up to the Syrian people, adding that Iran would regulate its relations with any governing system emerging from the collective will of the Syrian people, on the basis of mutual respect and interests, and in accordance with international law.
Terming Syria as an important country in the West Asia region, Araghchi stressed Iran”s emphasis on the necessity of maintaining the Arab country”s territorial integrity and respecting the will of Syrian people to decide their own fate without foreign interference and presence.
Elsewhere in his remarks, the Iranian foreign minister underlined that security and stability in the region will be achieved only through cooperation and common understanding among regional countries.
The top diplomat also urged Raouf to negotiate with all relevant parties, including friendly countries in the region, to fulfill the assigned responsibilities and regularly report to the foreign minister.
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5k killed or missing in north Gaza amid Israeli military campaign
Another 9,500 Palestinians were injured as a result of the Israeli military operation in the north that was launched in early October, a medical source told Al Jazeera on Sunday.
Gaza’s Government Media Office on Sunday described the Israeli siege as “the most horrific form of ethnic cleansing, displacement and destruction” that has affected hundreds of thousands in the war-ravaged area.
Kamal Adwan Hospital, the most prominent healthcare facility in the north, was torched and destroyed by Israeli soldiers in late December as part of the siege, and the fate of its arrested director Hussam Abu Safia remains unknown.
As Israeli politicians and settler groups openly discuss prospects of building settlements in north Gaza, the siege shows no signs of stopping.
US President Joe Biden spoke with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday, the White House announced, as US officials try to reach a Gaza captive and ceasefire deal before Biden leaves office on January 20.
Biden “stressed the immediate need for a ceasefire in Gaza and return of the hostages with a surge in humanitarian aid enabled by a stoppage in the fighting under the deal”, it added.
Biden’s national security adviser Jake Sullivan also told CNN’s State of the Union programmde earlier on Sunday that the parties were “very, very close” to reaching a deal, but still had to get it across the finish line.
But Israeli leaders have emphasised that the war will not end even if an agreement is reached, and that they will maintain military control of the enclave, even as they continue to occupy the West Bank, large parts of Syria, and areas in southern Lebanon.
Despite another large-scale demonstration against the Israeli government and in favour of a deal in Tel Aviv on Saturday night, far-right ministers in the administration remain opposed.
Netanyahu was scrambling on Sunday to ensure Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir do not threaten the stability of his ruling coalition by abandoning it in case of a deal.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire, meanwhile, as the Israeli military continues to block most aid from entering while creating an unsafe situation that has enabled the armed looting of aid convoys.
Thousands of families are forced to brave the open or hunker in dilapidated tents amid famine-like conditions across Gaza as Israeli forces keep attacking hospitals and ordering them to evacuate.
Israel has killed more than 46,000 Palestinians and injured over 109,500 in the besieged enclave so far.
Source: Ifp Media Wire
Top Iranian official advocates for direct talks with the US
In a recent meeting, Abdolalizadeh recounted being asked by a reporter during Iranian presidential campaign in June last year about the repercussions of potential presidency of Donald Trump. He responded that Iran is open to negotiations and dialogue, stressing that issues cannot be left unresolved.
He highlighted the necessity of “direct, honorable, and man-to-man” conversations to defend national interests, rather than relying on intermediaries.
Abdolalizadeh emphasized the importance of face-to-face discussions with US officials, stating that intermediaries often distort messages.
He expressed satisfaction that the Iranian government has reached a consensus on the necessity of direct talks with American officials.
Source: IFP Editorial Staff
سفر نخست وزیر عراق به انگلیس
به گزارش خبرگزاری مهر به نقل از خبرگزاری رسمی عراق، محمد شیاع السودانی نخست وزیر عراق امروز سفری رسمی به انگلیس خواهد داشت.
بر اساس بیانیه صادر شده از دفتر نخست وزیر عراق، وی در این سفر چندین دیدار انجام خواهد داد که از جمله آنها دیدار با چارلز سوم پادشاه انگلیس و کِر استارمر نخست وزیر این کشور خواهد بود.
بیانیه رسمی نخست وزیری عراق هدف از این سفر را تقویت افق همکاری بین دو کشور خوانده و تصریح کرد که در این دیدار توافقنامهها و یادداشت تفاهمهایی در زمینههای مختلف به ویژه اقتصادی، سرمایهگذاری و امنیتی به امضا خواهد رسید.
هیئتی عالی رتبه از تعدادی از وزرا و اعضای مجلس نمایندگان و استاندار بصره و تعداد دیگری از مشاوران دولتی در این دیدار همراه نخست وزیر خواهند بود. نمایندگان بخش خصوصی و بازرگانان و صنعتگران متخصص در زمینههای مختلف نیز در این سفر نخست وزیر عراق را همراهی خواهند کرد.
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Iran’s energy minister visits Iraq to discuss bilateral coop.
Aliabadi and his accompanying delegation were received and welcomed by Iraq’s Minister of Electricity Ziad Ali Fadel upon their arrival at Baghdad International Airport on Sunday evening.
The two sides are scheduled to discuss the development of cooperation between Iran and Iraq in the field of energy and ways to ensure its stability.
The trip follows an official visit last week of the Iraqi government delegation headed by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani to Tehran.
On the sidelines of the government meeting, Aliabadi held talks with Fadel on Thursday and discussed electricity exchanges and the export of technical and engineering services related to the industry.
Key issues addressed in the meeting included the repair of 5,000 transformers in Iraq, Iranian companies’ participation in equipment supply, power plant construction and repair, and the significance of training and knowledge exchange.
During the meeting, the Iraqi minister also invited Iranian companies to contribute to Iraq’s electricity sector. It was also agreed that Aliabadi would follow up on the discussed topics during his visit to Iraq, involving the private sector.
Source: Marzieh Rahmani
Yemen launches drone attack on southern Israel
A drone launched at Israel from Yemen was intercepted a short while ago by the Israeli Air Force, the Israeli military claimed, according to Zionist sources.
An IAF helicopter shot down the drone near the southern community of Gvulot, a military source claimed.
No sirens sounded in towns, “according to protocol,” the military said.
Earlier on January 3 Zionist regime”s media sources reported that an Israeli military base in western Ramallah was hit by Yemen.
A missile fired from Yemen has hit a military base in the west of Ramallah city, according to the reports suggested by the Israeli media.
Admitting the failure to counter the Yemeni missile, the Zionist regime”s military announced that a missile entered the airspace of occupied Palestine and efforts were made to counter it, and the results are under investigation.
Zionist regime”s television also announced that 12 settlers were injured while fleeing to shelters and 9 others were taken to medical centers due to fear.
Yemenis have declared their open support for Palestine’s struggle against the Israeli occupation since the regime launched a devastating war on Gaza on October 7 after the territory’s Palestinian Resistance movements carried out a surprise retaliatory attack, dubbed Operation Al-Aqsa Storm, against the occupying entity.
Yemeni Armed Forces have said that they won’t stop their attacks until unrelenting Israeli ground and aerial offensives in Gaza.
The United States and Britain in December announced a military coalition to target Yemen in support of Israel.
Source: Marzieh Rahmani
Iranian diplomat warns against US-led aggression in Yemen
Ali Asghar Khaji, a senior aide on political affairs to Iran’s foreign minister, was speaking at a Sunday meeting with the United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, who is in Tehran at the head of a delegation.
During the meeting, Khaji condemned the military aggression of the United States, Britain and the Israeli regime against Yemen’s people, infrastructures and residential areas.
He hailed the Yemeni government’s constructive approach in signing a peace agreement and emphasized that the US military and political interference in Yemen would further complicate the situation in the Red Sea.
The UN envoy, for his part, said he held positive talks with Yemeni officials during his visit to Sana’a last week.
“Worsening situation”
Grundberg expressed concern over the worsening situation in the region and stressed the importance of making constant efforts and utilizing the opportunities to find a political solution and implement a peace agreement.
The US and its allies have been bombing Yemen over the past months in violation of the country’s sovereignty and international law.
The illegal attacks came in response to Yemen’s campaign in solidarity with the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip amid a genocidal Israeli war.
As part of their campaign, the Yemeni Armed Forces have targeted ships heading to or departing ports in the occupied territories, or those linked to Israel, in the southern Red Sea, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the Gulf of Aden, and even in the Arabian Sea.
They have also conducted strikes against Israeli targets in the occupied lands.
The Yemeni forces have stressed that they will continue their anti-Israel operations until the occupying regime ends its bloody Gaza onslaught.
During a meeting with Grundberg on Sunday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned as “a blatant violation of international law and the UN Charter” the joint US-British-Israeli airstrikes against Yemen, warning that such acts pose a grave threat to regional peace and security.
The top Iranian diplomat reaffirmed Tehran’s support for the United Nations’ initiatives to help improve the situation in Yemen.
Source: Marzieh Rahmani
Iran-Russia partnership agreement covers all areas
“The accord includes a preamble and 47 articles, and covers all areas of bilateral cooperation,” he said, TASS reported.
According to the envoy, while working on the accord, the focus was “on balance, the principles of sovereignty and respect for territorial integrity.”
The Iranian ambassador announced on December 26 that the agreement would be signed in Moscow on January 17, 2025, during talks between the two countries’ presidents.
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Ukraine ready to return captured North Korean soldiers to Kim or find ‘other ways’: Zelensky
Alternatively, Kyiv is willing to explore other options for North Korean soldiers who do not wish to return, he said.
Zelensky’s remarks come a day after the president announced that Ukrainian forces had captured two North Korean POWs in Russia’s Kursk Oblast. The wounded soldiers are in the custody of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and are reportedly receiving medical attention.
“In addition to the first captured soldiers from North Korea, there will undoubtedly be others,” Zelensky stated, adding, “It is only a matter of time before our guys manage to capture more.”
Ukraine is prepared to return North Korean personnel in future prisoner exchanges or explore “other ways” of handling those captured soldiers who do not want to go back to North Korea, according to Zelensky.
“Ukraine is ready to hand over his people to Kim Jong Un if he can organize their exchange for our soldiers who are held captive in Russia,” he continued.
“For those North Korean soldiers who do not want to return, there may be some other ways. In particular, those Koreans who wish to bring peace closer by spreading the truth in Korean about this war will have this opportunity.”
Zelensky posted video footage of the SBU’s interrogation of the two POWs, mediated by Korean translators. In the video, one of the captured soldiers says he would like to return to North Korea, while the other answers that he wants to live in Ukraine.
Some 12,000 North Korean soldiers have been deployed in Kursk Oblast, where Ukraine launched a surprise cross-border incursion in August 2024. North Korean personnel have suffered high casualties while fighting alongside Russian forces, according to US and Ukrainian officials.
Russia has neither confirmed nor denied the presence of North Korean troops in Kursk.
White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby stated in late December that some North Korean soldiers have reportedly taken their own lives rather than surrender to Ukrainian troops, out of fear their families will be targeted over their capture.
Zelensky has recently noted that the capture of the North Korean POWs was a difficult task to carry out, as Russian and North Korean forces go to greath lengths to suppress evidence of Pyongyang’s involvement.
Source: Ifp Media Wire
Easing Syria sanctions on EU’s agenda: Top diplomat
“We will be looking at how to ease sanctions. But this must follow tangible progress in a political transition that reflects Syria in all its diversity,” Kallas said at a Syria meeting held in the Saudi capital Riyadh.
Stressing that both hopes and challenges exist in Syria, Kallas wrote on X that she will discuss the ongoing transition process in Syria with the foreign ministers of Persian Gulf, Middle Eastern, and European countries.
She expressed the EU’s readiness to help in the transition process.
“The EU is here to help in this transition, where we are needed and can be of most use,” she added.
Foreign ministers from Arab and Western countries held a meeting in Riyadh on Sunday to discuss the situation in Syria following last month’s fall of the Bashar al-Assad government.
Assad, Syria’s leader for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia after armed groups took control of Damascus last month.
The takeover came after Hayat Tahrir al-Sham fighters captured key cities in a lightning offensive that lasted less than two weeks.
A new administration led by Ahmed al-Sharaa has now taken control of the country.
Source: Ifp Media Wire
Iran achieved nuclear progress despite enemies obstacles
Adressing the 14th Conference on Management Technology and Innovation, Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Mohammad Eslami said, “In recent years, special attention has always been paid to the rapid growth of science and new technology.”
Although the enemies have created many obstacles for Iran in the nuclear field the country has achieved much progress, Eslami said, adding, “We must move forward in this direction with more strength.”
“They seek to create international restrictions to prevent Iran from becoming a nuclear power plant builder and stop our progress,” he said, criticizing, “They are against turning our country into a manufacturer of nuclear power plants, while countries are moving towards clean energy.”
In the field of new and emerging technologies, there is no limit, Eslami also noted.
Acquiring new technologies in the country should be exponential because the world is looking for more use of technology, AEOI chief stressed.
“We should seek to facilitate the activities of elites and top talents in the country,” Eslami further said.
Source: Marzieh Rahmani
Iran”s defense power nightmare for enemies
As false rumors spread about the alleged isolation of Iran and the weakening of the Islamic Republic”s defense power, the Iranian Army and the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) unveiled new achievements in recent days.
The recent achievement includes the unveiling of a new IRGC underground missile city, the joining of new defense equipment to the Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran, as well as the staging of military drills in different sensitive sites inside Iran”s soil.
In his remarks in February 2018, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei called for efforts to maintain and boost Iran’s defense capabilities, hitting back at the enemies for disputing the country’s missile program.
In his remarks, the Leader described the air defense base as a very crucial part of the Armed Forces that is at the frontline of confronting the enemies of Iran.
The Leader also stressed the importance of accelerating the capabilities of the base and the Air Forces” staff.
In line with the directives issued by the Leader, the Islamic Republic’s Armed Forces, including the Army and the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), have been continuously enhancing their military hardware and combat readiness.
Considering the importance of permanently increasing the country”s defense capability, on January 7, 2025, the air defense units attending a large-scale military exercise practiced tactics to simulate the protection of the Natanz nuclear facility in Iran’s central province of Isfahan with the aim of showing their full preparedness to safeguard the country”s critical sites.
During the first stage of the drill, the air defense units exercised plans for the protection of the Natanz nuclear site in central Iran.
The air defense division of the IRGC Aerospace Force employed point-defense tactics to protect the nuclear site in Natanz against an array of aerial threats amid possible electronic warfare.
The following video footage shows that the IRGC Ground Forces launched quadcopters to hit targets during the final phase of the Great Prophet 19 exercise.
The following day, IRGC Ground Force Commander Brigadier General Mohammad Pakpour, referred to the “Payambar-e Azam (The Great Prophet) 19” military exercise, said that the drill was held with security and defense aspects.
The Payambar-e Azam 19 exercise is a part of the IRGC Ground Force”s annual programs, and its purpose is to increase combat power and improve the ability to identify and confront potential threats, according to him.
“Any threat or encroachment on the borders of the Islamic Republic of Iran will be met with a strong and decisive response by our armed forces. Our readiness to defend the country is at the highest level and border security is the main priority of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps,” according to him.
A couple of days later, the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Crops (IRGC) Aerospace Force unveiled its latest achievement, the Rezvan loitering drone during the Great Prophet 19 joint military drill with the Iranian army.
Speaking on a program of the national Iranian TV on the recent military drill held across the country by the IRGC and the Army, General Alireza Shaykhian, Commander of the Air Defense Unit of the IRGC Aerospace Force said that despite the fact that identifying F22 and F35 fighters are not easy, Iran has indigenously developed air defense systems to confront those advanced warplanes.
There are plans for F22 and F35 fighters, according to General Shaykhian.
“After the successful performance of the Dey-9 [air defense] system in the joint exercise of the country”s air defense codenamed Power, a large number of these systems will be handed over to the country”s defense ring,” he added
“The successful performance of this system, along with systems such as Dezful and the 3rd of Khordad in the joint exercise of the country”s air defense, showed that the claim of the destruction of Iran”s defense made by the Zionists was false,” the senior IRGC general said.
The most significant achievement was unveiled on January 10, when an advanced missile complex developed by domestic Iranian experts was unveiled in the presence of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) commander Major General Hossein Salami.
Deputy Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Ashtianion Sunday said that the country has weapons that have not been unveiled so far and are unknown to the enemies.
“We have weapons that we have not spoken about so far and the enemy has no information about them. Some of these weapons may be tested during the drills,” he told reporters.
He added that the Iranian Armed Forces have constantly held drills to improve their combat power in various fields and ensure the country”s defense readiness.
Just as Iran monitors the enemies’ moves, they also monitor the developments in the region and the Islamic Republic’s military drills, Ashtiani noted, PressTV reported.
He added that Iran seeks to improve peace, stability and tranquility in the region.
He reiterated that all the developments in the region are under the surveillance and control of the Iranian Armed Forces.
“We will counter any excessive demands, deviations, and misconceptions that the enemies may have,” the senior commander said.
Ashtiani’s remarks came on the same day that the Iranian military launched new exercises in the country”s western and northern air defense zones including Fordow and Khondab which host uranium enrichment and heavy water facilities.
Also on Sunday, the Iranian Army unveiled a state-of-the-art laser-powered air defense system during its Air Defense Forces’ military maneuvers in the country’s western and northern areas.
The equipment, named Seraj (Light), was wheeled out on Sunday as the defense forces were drilling near the country’s Fordow uranium enrichment facility.
The Army identified the system as only one of the layers providing the site with air defense services.
On Monday morning, as many as 1,000 strategic, stealth, and anti-fortification unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) joined the Iranian Army’s Combat Organization.
The delivery took place on Monday following a relevant announcement made by Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari, deputy chief of the Army for Coordination.
It was on the orders of the Army’s Chief Commander Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi and was overseen by Defense Minister Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh as well as commanders of Ground Forces, Air Defense Forces, Air Forces, and the Navy.
During the integration ceremony, the drones entered the Combat Organization across various locations in a simultaneous manner.
The aircraft can fly more than 2,000 kilometers (1,242 miles) and have the optimal destructive power and ability to cross the enemies’ defensive layers using their low Radar Cross Section (RCS) levels.
The new drones have long flight endurance and autonomous performance as they are needless of navigation and control throughout the entire length of their missions.
The capabilities outfit the drones with the means of taking part in special operations, enhancing the quality of their surveillance and border control operations, and increasing their combat capability and destructive power in the face of far-reaching targets.
In conclusion, the recent achievements and military advancements of the Iranian Armed Forces and the IRGC underscore Iran”s unwavering commitment to safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Through the unveiling of cutting-edge technologies, strategic military drills, and steadfast readiness to counter any threats, Iran has demonstrated its ability to confront any challenge.
These developments not only serve as a powerful deterrent but also reinforce the nation”s self-reliance in defense capabilities. As the Iranian leadership and Armed Forces continue to prioritize innovation and resilience, it is evident that Iran”s defense power remains a formidable force, ensuring peace and stability within its borders and across the region.
Reported by Mohaddeseh Pakravan
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Iranian Foreign Ministry says removing sanctions, high priority in talks with E3
Iran and the E3 – The UK, Germany and France- will resume their negotiations later on Monday in Geneva.
Baqaei added that despite Iran’s capabilities, the Iranian officials are bound rightfully to remove the sanctions, which he described as oppressive and illegal.
The Foreign Ministry spokesperson said in these discussions, a range of topics, including regional and international issues, as well as bilateral matters between these three countries and Iran and also the nuclear issue will be examined.
He said that Iran has learned to strengthen itself and to bolster its economy in light of its capabilities for the purpose of blunting the impact of the sanctions.
Baqaei said Monday’s meeting is a continuation of talks held in December and serves as an opportunity to hear each other’s views and positions.
Source: IFP Editorial Staff