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Biden Says Israel Should Explore Alternatives To Attacking Iran Oil Sites

President Biden said Israel must be significantly more cautious about civilian casualties, reports Asian Lite News

US President Joe Biden, addressing the Israel-Iran conflict, stated that if he were Israeli, he would consider alternatives to striking oil fields.

Biden mentioned that Israeli authorities are still deliberating on how they would proceed with any strikes. He remarked, “The Israelis have not yet decided on the specifics of their response. If I were in their position, I would explore alternatives to targeting oil fields.”

While defending Israel’s right to respond to attacks, Biden stressed the importance of caution regarding civilian casualties. He said, “What I know is that the plan I proposed has received support from the UN Security Council and the majority of our global allies as a means to resolve this conflict. Israel has every right to defend itself against vicious attacks, not just from Iran, but also from Hezbollah and the Houthis. However, they must be significantly more cautious about civilian casualties.”

When discussing efforts to prevent a full-scale war in the Middle East, Biden highlighted the US’s ongoing efforts, though he acknowledged the challenges posed by groups like Hezbollah. “We are doing a lot. The primary focus is rallying global allies, like the French in Lebanon, to de-escalate the situation. But when dealing with irrational proxies such as Hezbollah and the Houthis, it’s difficult to determine the best course of action.”

Meanwhile, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) reported on Friday that they had eliminated over 2,000 military targets and approximately 250 Hezbollah militants in the past four days. (ANI)

ALSO READ: LEBANON SEEKS UN HELP

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Iran calls for emergency UNSC meet 

In the letter, Iran’s UN envoy Iravani called on the Council to “take immediate and decisive action to stop Israel’s ongoing aggression and prevent… from dragging the region into full-scale war”…reports Asian Lite News

Iran on Saturday called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council in protest at the killing of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah in an Israeli air strike in Lebanon.

In the letter, Iran’s UN envoy Amir Saeid Iravani called on the Council to “take immediate and decisive action to stop Israel’s ongoing aggression and prevent… from dragging the region into full-scale war.”

Earlier, Nasrallah was killed following an Israeli attack on Beirut’s southern suburb on Friday evening, the organization had announced. Nasrallah, 64, led Hezbollah for nearly 30 years.

The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps said Abbas Nilforushan, deputy commander for its operations and for that of the Quds Force in Lebanon, also died in the strike.

Supporters of Hezbollah took to the streets where they had been displaced, expressing their deep sorrow over the killing. Heavy gunfire erupted in various neighborhoods and black flags were raised.

The Lebanese army took to the streets to prevent clashes between Nasrallah’s supporters and opponents, although several confrontations took place.

A statement from Hezbollah praised Nasrallah’s “leadership, wisdom, and support for Palestine,” emphasizing that the party would “continue its struggle in confronting the enemy, in support of Gaza and Palestine, and in defense of Lebanon and its steadfast and honorable people.”

Nasrallah’s supporters posted on social media calling for “unity to overcome this phase, even though the news was hard to believe.” Some speculated that Nasrallah’s death could be a turning point, even though the future was uncertain.

On Saturday, the Israeli military continued its pursuit of Hezbollah members and their supporters through intensive airstrikes and drone attacks. In Lebanon, 11 people died and 19 others — including doctors, nurses and paramedics — were injured in offensives targeting civil defense centers and Islamic Health Organization clinics in Taybeh and Deir Siriane.

Those who fled their homes on Friday night following Israeli threats endured a tumultuous night filled with relentless shelling and assaults that persisted into the early morning. The shocks continued with confirmation of Nasrallah’s death from the Israeli army, who used F15 warplanes in the attack. Some 85 bombs, each weighing one tonne, were deployed.

The Israeli army said the raids targeted “Hezbollah’s southern front commander Ali Karaki and several other leaders.” Daylight revealed the scale of the devastation inflicted upon residential buildings, many of which were reduced to rubble.

A drone strike on a van on the Zahle road in the Bekaa Valey left its passengers injured, while another killed the owner of a vehicle in Daher El-Baydar.

An airstrike on the old Sidon road hit a residential apartment, killing three and injuring four, and there was a further attack in the Galerie Samaan area. The targeted locations were key transit and supply routes for Hezbollah.

Iran Air suspended flights to Beirut following an incident in which the Israeli military breached the airport’s control tower. The Israeli army issued a warning against allowing an Iranian civilian aircraft to land, stating that failure to comply would result in the use of force.

Minister of Transport Ali Hamieh instructed the airport to ask the plane “not to enter Lebanese airspace.” The Israeli army said its air force targeted over 140 Hezbollah positions from late Friday into the early hours of Saturday.

The strikes affected not only the southern suburbs but also towns in the Bekaa Valley and areas in Mount Lebanon, including the outskirts of the Bhamdoun-Soufre road. Civil defense personnel were unable to extinguish the fire and one of its members was killed. Those who fled during the night took to the sidewalks in the Sanayeh area of Beirut. Mosques and churches opened their doors to provide shelter, while schools were converted into accommodation centers.

The scenario was repeated in Shebaa, where the Israelis demanded that residents evacuate the area before subjecting the town to intense shelling. It is believed this recent action is part of a broader effort to clear the border region of inhabitants ahead of a possible ground military operation.

The evacuations mitigated human losses to some extent. Meanwhile, casualties were reported due to airstrikes in northern and central Bekaa, where residents were not instructed to evacuate. The Ministry of Health requested hospitals inside and around southern Beirut to move the wounded and sick to other hospitals in order to receive possible casualties.

Hezbollah, meanwhile, continued its military assaults on the Israeli side. Media correspondents observed an uneasy calm along the front when Hezbollah announced Nasrallah’s death.

The militia launched an attack on several locations, including the settlements of Kabri, Sa’ar, Rosh Pina and Katzrin, the Ramat David military base and airport, the Sadah site, and a building in Ma’a lot, Western Galilee. Sirens were activated in Safed and various towns throughout Upper Galilee.

According to Israeli Channel 12: “Sixteen rockets were launched from Lebanon targeting the Galilee region. One of these rockets landed in Nazareth Illit, located in the city of Acre.” IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari said: “We are on high alert around the clock. Difficult days are ahead of us, and this will take some time.”

He said: “Nasrallah, along with other leaders and the group’s command center, were legitimate military targets under international law. Nasrallah was one of Israel’s fiercest enemies, and Israel is not seeking broader escalation but aims to recover hostages and ensure our borders are secure.”

ALSO READ: Iran’s Khamenei Moved to Secure Location After Hezbollah Chief Killing

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Iran’s Khamenei Moved to Secure Location After Hezbollah Chief Killing

Without commenting on Nasrallah’s fate, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that Friday’s strikes will not be able to inflict any significant damage on the “solid structure” of Lebanon’s Hezbollah.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has reportedly been moved to a safe and secure location after Israel confirmed on Saturday that it has eliminated Hezbollah chief Hasan Nasrallah in airstrikes conducted by its fighter jets in the Daha area of Beirut late Friday.

85-year-old Khamenei, a former President of the country who took over the role as country’s ‘Supreme Leader’ in 1989, has fully backed Hezbollah and Hamas over the last many decades.

“All the Resistance forces in the region stand with and support Hezbollah. The Resistance forces will determine the fate of this region with the honorable Hezbollah leading the way,” a statement issued by Khamenei’s account on X said Saturday afternoon which was his first reaction to Israel’s overnight attack on Lebanon.

Without commenting on Nasrallah’s fate, he also said that Friday’s strikes will not be able to inflict any significant damage on the “solid structure” of Lebanon’s Hezbollah.

“The Lebanese haven’t forgotten there was a time when the soldiers of the occupying regime were advancing toward Beirut, & Hezbollah stopped them & made Lebanon proud. Today too, by the grace & power of God, Lebanon will make the transgressing, malicious enemy regret its actions,” he added.

The reports of Khamenei being moved to a secure location with the country came as Israel vowed to continue its operation “New Order” to eliminate leaders of the terror organisations.

“This is not the end of the toolbox, it should be very clear. There are more tools to go forward. The message is a simple message: whoever threatens the citizens of the State of Israel – we will know how to reach them. In the north, in the south, even in more distant places,” said Israeli Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi on Saturday.

Nasrallah has been associated with Hezbollah since the group’s inception in 1982 following the Israeli invasion of Lebanon. In 1992, he took over as the leader of the organisation with an aim to make it a hybrid political-military entity.

“During the 32 years of the terrorist Hassan Nasrallah’s tenure as the leader of Hezbollah, he was responsible for the murder of many Israeli civilians and soldiers, and for the planning and execution of thousands of terrorist acts against the State of Israel and around the world. Nasrallah was the main decision-maker and the sole approver of strategic-systemic decisions, and sometimes also tactical decisions in the organisation,” said Halevi.

ALSO READ: Hezbollah Chief Nasrallah KIlled in Beirut Airstrike

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US says Iran sent stolen Trump campaign info to Biden campaign

Speaking at a rally in this New York suburb, Trump asserted that Iran had carried out the hack to help the Kamala Harris campaign….reports Arul Louis

 In a case of election interference attempt, Iran hacked electronic data from Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump’s campaign and sent it to people associated with President Joe Biden, US intelligence agencies said.

Reacting to the report, Trump said on Wednesday, “This is election interference” by a foreign country.

Speaking at a rally in this New York suburb, he asserted that Iran had carried out the hack to help the Kamala Harris campaign.

Officials from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency said in a joint statement.

They said that since June excerpts of “stolen, non-public material” material from Trump’s campaign were sent to people associated with the campaign of Biden before he withdrew from the race, and to news media.

They said that the “malicious cyber activity” was part of Iran’s attempt to “stoke discord and undermine confidence in our electoral process”.

According to them, the Biden campaign did not respond to the overtures and a Harris spokesperson said that some individuals were targetted on their emails but they were seen as “spam or phishing attempts”.

“We condemn in the strongest terms any effort by foreign actors to interfere in US elections including this unwelcome and unacceptable malicious activity,” the spokesperson said.

The Washington Post reported in August that they had received such material and that the FBI was investigating it.

The Trump campaign acknowledged at that time that it had been hacked and the Republican candidate immediately blamed Iran.

According to reports, Iranian hackers gained access to the email account of a Trump adviser, Roger Stone, and through it infiltrated other accounts.

Trump said that during his last election run, Democrats had screamed interference by Russia and claimed the laptop belonging to Biden’s son Hunter with incriminating information was a Moscow plant.

But after inquiries costing millions of dollars, they could not prove that there was any Russian collusion and the laptop was proved to be genuine, he said.

Iran has a special animus towards Trump because he withdrew the US from an international agreement with Iran to curtail its nuclear arms activity in return for loosening sanctions.

ALSO READ: Trump pledges tariffs, repeats false claims of Chinese automakers

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Pezeshkian says direct Iran-US talks possible

Trump had argued the deal was too lenient on Tehran and re-imposed strict sanctions, prompting Iran to gradually breach the agreement’s nuclear limits….reports Asian Lite News

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian suggested on Monday that direct talks with the United States could be possible if Washington demonstrates “in practice” that it is not hostile towards Iran.

Speaking at a news conference in Tehran, Pezeshkian responded to a question about the potential for negotiations to revive the 2015 nuclear deal, which was abandoned by former US President Donald Trump in 2018.

Trump had argued the deal was too lenient on Tehran and re-imposed strict sanctions, prompting Iran to gradually breach the agreement’s nuclear limits.

Pezeshkian emphasized that Iran is not hostile toward the US and called on Washington to show goodwill through action. “We are brothers with the Americans as well,” he added.

After taking office in 2021, US President Joe Biden attempted to renegotiate the nuclear deal, under which Iran had limited its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. However, Iran refused direct talks with Washington, opting instead to communicate via European and Arab intermediaries.

Addressing recent claims by Yemen’s Houthis, Pezeshkian also denied that Iran had provided hypersonic missiles to the group, which had fired a missile at Israel. The Iranian president questioned how such a missile could have reached Yemen, despite Iran presenting its own domestically-made hypersonic missile, “Fattah,” last year.

Recently, Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi has denounced certain Western countries over fresh sanctions imposed on Tehran, which was accused of selling ballistic missiles to Russia.

The Iranian Foreign Minister made the remarks in an interview with Iran’s IRIB news agency, which was published on Saturday, while reacting to the sanctions imposed by the US, France, Britain, and Germany on Iran.

“The Western states should know, and it is surprising that they still do not know, that sanctions are a failed tool and they will not be able to impose their intentions on Iran, whether with regard to the nuclear issue or other ones, through sanctions,” Araghchi said.

He stressed that Iran would “continue its path with strength,” adding that although the country had always been open to dialogue and had never abandoned “constructive” talks on achieving a common understanding about different issues, such a diplomatic process should be based on mutual respect, not threats or pressure, Xinhua news agency reported.

Also on Saturday, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani said that any claim about Iran’s sales of ballistic missiles to Russia is “basically false,” while referring to the Western sanctions as “a path that not only fails to help resolve problems, but also is part of the problem and will be responded by Iran”.

Iran has condemned allegations by Western countries that it has supplied short-range missiles to Russia for use against Ukraine and pledged to respond to new sanctions imposed by a trio of European states.

Tehran’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Araghchi said last Wednesday that Iran had not delivered ballistic missiles to Russia and that the US and its allies were acting on “faulty intelligence”.

Last Tuesday, the Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani called the sanctions announced by Britain, France and Germany “economic terrorism” against the people of Iran and pledged that the three European countries would face “appropriate and proportionate action”.

France, Germany and Britain announced the sanctions earlier last Wednesday after the US formally accused Iran of supplying the weapons to Moscow.

The measures revoke bilateral deals for providing air services to Iran and impose sanctions on flag carrier Iran Air that will restrict its ability to fly to Europe.

“In addition, we will pursue the designations of significant entities and individuals involved with Iran’s ballistic missile programme and the transfer of ballistic missiles and other weapons to Russia,” the three European states said.

The Iranian spokesman’s statement did not mention similar sanctions that were announced by the US.

“Any claim that the Islamic Republic of Iran has sold ballistic missiles to the Russian Federation is completely baseless and false,” Kanaani said.

ALSO READ: Starmer Renews Special Ties With the US

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India hits out at Khamenei’s remarks

The Ministry of External Affairs expressed strong disapproval and urged the countries to check their own track record on minority rights before “making any observations about others”…reports Asian Lite News

India expressed strong disagreement with Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, over his recent statement that individuals who remain indifferent to the plight of Muslims in India cannot be considered Muslims.

India has dismissed the comments as misinformed and unacceptable. The Ministry of External Affairs expressed strong disapproval and urged the countries to check their own track record on minority rights before “making any observations about others.”

“We strongly deplore the comments made regarding minorities in India by the Supreme Leader of Iran. These are misinformed and unacceptable,” the MEA said in a press release.

“Countries commenting on minorities are advised to look at their own record before making any observations about others,” the release further said.

Notably, in a post on X, Ali Khamenei wrote, “The enemies of Islam have always tried to make us indifferent with regard to our shared identity as an Islamic Ummah.”

He added, “We cannot consider ourselves to be Muslims if we are oblivious to the suffering that a Muslim is enduring in #Myanmar, #Gaza, #India, or any other place.”

Meanwhile, in another post, Khamenei spoke about Gaza and Palestine and said, “Achieving the important goal of upholding the Islamic Ummah’s honor can only be realized through unity. Today, it is definitely our duty to support the oppressed people of Gaza and Palestine. Anyone who neglects this duty will surely be questioned by God.”

Lately, India and Iran have maintained a cordial relationship, signing a long-term contract for the strategically located Chabahar port in May this year amid Israel’s war in Gaza.

However, Khamenei has criticised the Narendra Modi-led government in the past as well over the communal violence that broke out in New Delhi in March 2020. The violence, which followed the passing of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (2019), triggered the ire of some other Muslim-majority countries as well. Indonesia, Malaysia and Turkey, at the time, condemned the CAA and the Delhi riots.

The CAA offers Indian citizenship to persecuted religious minorities, such as Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis or Christians from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan. Muslims do not come under the ambit of the law.

At the time, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) reacted to the law passed in India, saying it was closely following “recent developments affecting [the] Muslim minority in India”. However, Muslim-majority countries such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates avoided direct condemnation of the new law.

In March 2020, days after 50 died in the Delhi riots, Khamenei said the Modi government must confront “extremist Hindus and their parties”.

Before that, India had summoned the then-Iranian envoy to India, Ali Chegeni, over a comment by Iran’s Foreign Minister Javad Zarif. Zarif had called on Indian authorities to “not let senseless thuggery” prevail while criticising the “wave of organised violence” that erupted in New Delhi over the CAA.

Teheran is the biggest supplier of crude in West Asia. New Delhi and Teheran also share concerns of terror from Pakistan and Afghanistan and hope for the Chabahar port.

Terror is also what binds India with Israel, with both nations suffering during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, which was why India lent support to Israel in the first few hours of the October 7 terrorist attacks by Hamas.

In August 2019, Khamenei had expressed concern over the situation of Muslims in Kashmir, two weeks after the government revoked Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir.

“We’re concerned about Muslims’ situation in Kashmir. We have good relations with India, but we expect the Indian government to adopt a just policy towards the noble people of Kashmir and prevent the oppression & bullying of Muslims in this region,” he had tweeted. India had rejected his comments.

Tehran had last criticised India after the 2002 Gujarat riots and, a decade earlier, after the 1992 Babri Masjid demolition. While 1992, 2002 and 2020 are moments when Khamenei spoke out on Indian Muslims, he has time and again raised the issue of Kashmir, the last being in August 2019.

Before that, he had mentioned Kashmir in 2017 — for the first time in seven years — when he said, “The Muslim world should openly support the people of Yemen, Bahrain, and Kashmir and repudiate oppressors and tyrants who attacked [them].”

The last time violence in J&K was explicitly brought up by Iranian leaders was in 2010, when not just the Iranian supreme leader, but also the country’s foreign ministry raised questions about Kashmir.

In July and November of 2010, Khamenei had raised the need for the Muslim community to support the “struggle” in Kashmir – and put it in the same category as Gaza and Afghanistan.

ALSO READ: India Condemns Temple Vandalism in New York

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Iran seeks closer ties with Iraq

Pezeshkian responded by affirming Iran’s readiness to strengthen bilateral ties and improve coordination on mutual interests…reports Asian Lite News

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has arrived in Baghdad for his first official foreign visit since taking office in July.

During his visit, Pezeshkian on Wednesday met with Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid, who expressed his country’s intent to enhance bilateral cooperation on counterterrorism, border security, and efforts to ease regional tensions, according to a statement from the Iraqi Presidency.

Pezeshkian responded by affirming Iran’s readiness to strengthen bilateral ties and improve coordination on mutual interests, Xinhua news agency reported, citing the statement.

The Iranian President also held discussions with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani, during which 14 memorandums of understanding (MoUs) were signed. These agreements cover various sectors, including the economy, training, youth and sports, cultural and educational exchanges, media, communications, free zones, agriculture, natural resources, social security, and chambers of commerce, according to al-Sudani’s media office on the social media platform X.

Before the signing ceremony, al-Sudani and Pezeshkian discussed bilateral cooperation on border security and other issues, the statement noted.

Pezeshkian emphasised the importance of the deep bilateral relationship and its impact on regional stability. Both leaders condemned Israel’s “ongoing aggression” in the Gaza Strip, warned of potential threats to regional security and stability, and called for efforts to halt what they described as Israeli “genocide” against Palestinians.

Following the signing ceremony, al-Sudani and Pezeshkian held a joint press conference, where al-Sudani stated that the MoUs would “form a roadmap” for bolstering bilateral cooperation.

Pezeshkian affirmed Iran’s desire for “a strong, stable, secure, independent, and peaceful Iraq” and expressed confidence in building robust relations between the two nations.

The Iranian President’s visit also includes trips to the provinces of Basra, Karbala, and Najaf, as well as Erbil, the capital of Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdistan region.

Vows to remove trade obstacles

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has underlined the need for forming a special working group and designing a long-term plan to remove the hurdles on the way of trade exchanges between Iran and Iraq. 

Pezeshkian made the remarks in a meeting with Iranian businesspeople active in the Arab country on Wednesday.

“We have come to Baghdad to facilitate things for Iranian merchants, businesspeople and investors in Iraq,” he said.

Pezeshkian added that he had “positive” talks earlier in the day with the Iraqi prime minister on bilateral trade and economic cooperation.

President of Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines, and Agriculture (ICCIMA), who was also present at the meeting, said that trade cooperation with Iraq have to move towards further investments.

Putting the current level of trade between Iran and Iraq at $12 billion, Samad Hassanzadeh said that the figure can be increased to $20 billion.

He noted that Iran can make investment in different Iraqi sectors including, agriculture, petrochemicals, plastic, glass, shoes and clothes.

Iran’s ambassador to Iraq Mohammad Kazem Al-e-Sadeq also addressed the meeting, referring to Iraq as a key trade partner of Iran.

He said that Iran’s oil exports to Iraq account for some 20% of the total trade exchanges between the two nations. 

The ambassador invited the Iranian businesspeople to make investment in Iraq, noting that the country has good potential for investment.

A number of Iranian economic operators present at the meeting also talked about the problems impeding the increase of trade exchanges and investment in Iraq.

ALSO READ: India-UAE Launch Virtual Trade Corridor

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UK imposes new sanctions on Iran over missile transfers to Russia

The measures follow repeated warnings from the UK and international partners calling on Iran to cease its planned transfer of the deadly weapons to Russia…reports Asian Lite News

The government announced new measures against Iran and Russia, following the Iranian regime’s transfer of ballistic missiles to Russia for use on the battlefield in Ukraine.

Sharing a post on X, Foreign Secretary David Lammy said, “Iran’s export and Russia’s procurement of Iranian ballistic missiles is a further escalation in support of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. With our international partners, we have taken significant steps to respond to this direct threat to European security.”

“In coordination with our international partners, the UK will cancel its bilateral air services arrangements with Iran, which will restrict Iran Air’s ability to fly in to the UK,” a press release by the UK government said.

Notably, the measures follow repeated warnings from the UK and international partners calling on Iran to cease its planned transfer of the deadly weapons to Russia.

Criticising Iran for providing ballistic missiles to Russia in their war against Ukraine, Lammy said, “Iran supplying Russia with ballistic missiles to fuel its illegal invasion of Ukraine is a significant and dangerous escalation. We have been clear in that any transfer of ballistic missiles by Iran would face a significant response. Today, alongside our international partners, we are calling out this behaviour and its attempts to undermine global security.”

Expressing the UK’s stand for Ukraine, Lammy added, “Iran must stop supporting Putin’s (Russian President Vladimir Putin) unprovoked, premeditated and barbaric attack against a sovereign democratic state. The UK will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes.”

Alongside the US, the UK is sanctioning a number of key individuals and organisations for their role in facilitating Iran’s military support to Russia, including those involved in ballistic missile and drone supply chains, the release added.

Brigadier General Seyed Hamzeh Ghalandari, Director General for International Relations of the Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL): linked to Iran’s exports of defence products to its partners; Second Brigadier General Ali Jafarabadi, head of the Space Command of the IRGC Aerospace Force (IRGC-ASF): oversees Iran’s testing of space launch vehicles which has supported the development of Iran’s long-range ballistic missile arsenal; Majid Mousavi, Deputy Commander of the IRGC-ASF and Deputy to the IRGC-ASF Commander Amir Ali Hajizadeh: oversees the development and operation of Iran’s inventory of ballistic missiles have been subjected to travel ban.

Those subject to an asset freeze include Anzali Free Trade Industrial Zone Organisation (Anzali FTZ); Baharestan Kish Company; Saad Sazeh Faraz Sharif (SSFS); and Chekad Sanat Faraz Asia (CSFA).

The press release further said that several Russian organisations are also sanctioned for their intent to use the weapons systems to bring destruction to Ukraine. These include — The 924th State Centre for Unmanned Aviation, The Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) and Command of the Military Transport Aviation (VTA).

Notably, to date, the UK has more than 400 sanctions designations in place on Iranian individuals and entities, including those that seek to use malign influence regionally and internationally. The UK has also sanctioned 2,000 individuals and entities under the Russia sanctions regime, with over 1,700 of which sanctioned since Putin’s full-scale invasion. (ANI)

Lammy and Blinken to visit Ukraine

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and British Foreign Secretary David Lammy on Tuesday put up a united front on Ukraine and the Middle East.

Blinken is in London for talks with Lammy and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The wars in Ukraine and the Middle East are on top of the agenda.

At a time when Russia is pressing on with the assault on the strategic city of Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine, Lammy announced in a joint press conference at the UK Foreign Office that they would travel together to Kyiv this week to show support and better understand the situation.

“On Russia and Ukraine, today I can confirm that Tony and I will be traveling to Kyiv this week — the first joint visit of this kind for well over a decade. We are the closest of allies, so I’m delighted that we will travel together, demonstrating our commitment to Ukraine,” said Lammy.

Blinken and Lammy also put a united front against Iran, which has emerged as a common irritant in both the Middle East and Ukraine. In the Middle East, Iran sponsors terrorist groups Hamas, Lebanon-based Hezbollah, and Yemen’s Houthis in the war against Israel and destabilisation of the region. It has also been supplying arms to Russia for use in the war on Ukraine.

ALSO READ: UK govt wins vote on winter fuel cut

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Iran, Bahrain vow to continue bilateral political talks

Al Zayani also expressed his hope that bilateral political talks would be promoted during the new Iranian administration’s term…reports Asian Lite News

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi and his Bahraini counterpart, Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, have highlighted the necessity to continue political talks between the two countries.

In a phone call, the Bahraini Foreign Minister congratulated Araghchi on his recent appointment as Iran’s Foreign Minister and noted the significance of ties with Iran for his country, according to a statement released by the Iranian Foreign Ministry on Thursday.

Al Zayani also expressed his hope that bilateral political talks would be promoted during the new Iranian administration’s term, Xinhua news agency reported.

Araghchi, for his part, said that expanding relations with neighbours was among the Iranian administration’s main priorities, calling for the continuation of bilateral talks and discussions within the framework of the agreements between the two countries.

In late June, Iran and Bahrain announced in a joint statement that they had agreed to start talks on the resumption of bilateral political relations following an eight-year diplomatic freeze.

In 2016, Bahrain severed diplomatic relations with Iran following Saudi Arabia’s decision to cut ties with Tehran.

The move came in response to attacks on Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran, which occurred after the execution of a Shia cleric by Saudi Arabia.

In March 2023, Saudi Arabia and Iran reached an agreement to restore diplomatic relations and reopen their embassies and missions.

The two countries formally declared in April of last year the resumption of diplomatic ties with immediate effect.

ALSO READ: Iran closely monitors Israeli threats

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Pakistan’s Pipeline Procrastination Pushes Patience to the Brink

The pipeline, once envisioned as a “Peace Pipeline,” now stands as a monument to Pakistan’s diplomatic incompetence and economic mismanagement, writes Dr Sakariya Kareem

In a dramatic escalation of tensions between Iran and Pakistan, Tehran has served its final notice to Islamabad regarding the long-delayed Iran-Pakistan (IP) gas pipeline project. The Iranian government has made it clear that it is left with no option but to move the case to the International Court of Arbitration in Paris this September, following Pakistan’s failure to construct its portion of the pipeline within the extended 180-day deadline.

This development underscores Pakistan’s chronic inability to fulfill its international commitments and highlights the country’s precarious position in the complex web of regional geopolitics and energy security. The saga of the IP gas pipeline project is a testament to Pakistan’s diplomatic unreliability and economic short-sightedness. Conceived as a symbol of energy partnership between the two neighboring countries, the project’s agreement was initially signed in 2009. Pakistan committed to completing its part of the pipeline by December 2014, a deadline that came and went with no progress in sight. The contract included stiff penalties of $1 million per day for delays starting January 1, 2015, a clause that now hangs like a Damocles sword over Pakistan’s already fragile economy.

Iran, for its part, has demonstrated remarkable patience and goodwill. Despite investing $2 billion to construct its 1,150-kilometer share of the pipeline, inaugurated with much fanfare in 2013, Iran has watched helplessly as Pakistan’s 780-kilometer portion remains a pipe dream. The Iranian government’s frustration is palpable and justified, having extended multiple deadlines and renegotiated terms to accommodate Pakistan’s perpetual excuses.

Pakistan’s primary justification for its inaction has been the specter of U.S. sanctions against Iran. While these sanctions do present genuine challenges, they also serve as a convenient smokescreen for Pakistan’s lack of political will and economic mismanagement. The Pakistani government’s attempts to invoke force majeure in 2023, citing factors beyond its control, were promptly and rightfully rejected by Iran, exposing the hollowness of Islamabad’s excuses.

The fact that Pakistan announced the start of construction on an 80-kilometer first phase within its borders in February 2024, only to halt progress after a cautionary statement from U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Donald Lu, reveals the country’s diplomatic ineptitude.  Pakistan’s inability to navigate the complex terrain of international relations and secure necessary waivers or alternative arrangements speaks volumes about its government’s competence and foresight.

Pakistan’s failure to complete the pipeline is not just a diplomatic embarrassment; it’s an economic catastrophe in the making. With its own proven gas reserves set to run dry in just over a decade, Pakistan desperately needs the 21 million cubic meters of natural gas per day that the pipeline promises to deliver. The country’s energy crisis, characterized by frequent blackouts and industrial slowdowns, continues to stifle economic growth and social development.

Shehbaz Sharif.(photo:instagram)

Moreover, the looming threat of international arbitration could result in penalties of up to $18 billion, a staggering sum that would cripple Pakistan’s already beleaguered economy. Fresh from securing a $7 billion IMF bailout, Pakistan can ill afford such a financial blow. The irony is palpable: in trying to avoid U.S. sanctions, Pakistan may have walked itself into an economic minefield of its own making.

Iran’s steadfast commitment to the project stands in stark contrast to Pakistan’s vacillation. Despite facing severe international sanctions and economic pressures, Iran completed its portion of the pipeline, demonstrating strategic foresight and a commitment to regional energy cooperation. Pakistan, on the other hand, has allowed itself to be paralyzed by fear of U.S. reprisals, showcasing a lack of sovereign decision-making and strategic autonomy.

The disparity in approach is further highlighted by the fact that Iranian traders, hampered by sanctions, still manage to smuggle up to $1 billion worth of natural gas into Pakistan annually. This underground economy underscores the real demand for Iranian gas in Pakistan and the missed opportunities for legitimate, state-level cooperation. Pakistan’s handling of the pipeline issue reveals a broader failure in its foreign policy. Caught between the pressures of U.S. sanctions and the need for energy security, Pakistan has chosen the worst possible path: inaction. This paralysis has not only strained relations with Iran but has also exposed Pakistan’s vulnerability to external pressures.

Iran President Pezeshkian

The statement from Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, claiming “robust channels of communication” with Iran, rings hollow in the face of years of delays and broken promises. Pakistan’s inability to leverage its strategic importance to negotiate sanctions waivers or find alternative solutions highlights a fundamental weakness in its diplomatic capabilities. As the September 2024 deadline for international arbitration approaches, Pakistan finds itself cornered.

The options are limited and unappealing: face billions in penalties, risk U.S. sanctions by rushing to complete the pipeline, or continue the strategy of delay and obfuscation that has proven so costly thus far. The government’s current exploration of options, as mentioned by an unnamed official, seems too little, too late. The dismissal of the $18 billion penalty figure as “pure speculation” smacks of denial rather than strategic thinking. Pakistan’s history of costly arbitration settlements, such as the $1 billion paid to an Australian mining company, suggests that the financial consequences of this debacle could be severe.

The Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline saga is a case study in diplomatic failure, economic short-sightedness, and strategic myopia. Pakistan’s inability to honor its commitments, navigate complex geopolitical waters, and prioritize its long-term energy security has led to this crisis. As Iran prepares to take legal action, Pakistan stands to lose not just billions in potential penalties but also its credibility on the international stage. The pipeline, once envisioned as a “Peace Pipeline,” now stands as a monument to Pakistan’s diplomatic incompetence and economic mismanagement. As the clock ticks towards September, the world watches to see how Pakistan will extricate itself from this self-made quagmire. One thing is clear: the cost of Pakistan’s pipeline procrastination will be high, and the repercussions will be felt for years to come.

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