Iran’s Foreign Ministry summoned the British charge d’affaires in response to the UK’s recent sanctions on three Iranian individuals and one entity….reports Asian Lite News
According to a ministry statement on Tuesday, the diplomat was summoned by Majid Nili Ahmadabadi, the ministry’s director for Western European nations, following London’s announcement on Monday that it had imposed sanctions on Hamid Fazeli, Behnam Shahriari, Abdolfatah Ahvazian, and Unit 700 of the Quds Force of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
The British government accused these individuals and the entity of supporting activities aimed at destabilising Israel, Iraq, Yemen, Lebanon, Britain, and other nations.
During the meeting, Ahmadabadi condemned the sanctions, asserting they conflicted with the new British government’s purported policies of engagement and cooperation.
The Iranian diplomat also criticised Britain for its support of Israel’s actions against Palestinians and its backing of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, claiming these contributed to regional instability.
The statement noted that the UK charge d’affaires said Iran’s concerns would be conveyed to the British government.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said Israel had prepared the ground for a “harsh punishment” for itself….reports Asian Lite News
Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf vows a ‘crushing and smart’ response to the assassination of Hamas Politburo Chief Ismail Haniyeh
The response would make Israel and its supporters regret their action, forcing them to revise their system of calculations to refrain from making another “mistake” detrimental to their own security and regional peace, said Qalibaf, who made the remarks at an open session of the Iranian Parliament, reports Xinhua news agency, quoting IRIB.
Meanwhile, Hossein Taeb, a senior advisor to the chief commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), was quoted by IRIB as saying that the scenario designed to avenge Haniyeh’s assassination would be “new and surprising” and “unpredictable.”
Also on Sunday, Ebrahim Rezaei, spokesman of the Iranian Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, said Iran’s intelligence authorities had assured that the assassination of Haniyeh was not the result of “infiltration.”
Necessary measures regarding the “terrorist action” and completing the required data were being implemented, Rezaei was quoted as saying by the Iranian official news agency.
Haniyeh, who had been invited to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday, was killed along with his bodyguard early Wednesday when their residence in Tehran was hit, according to the IRGC, which said Israel had carried out the attack and vowed “a harsh and painful response.”
Meanwhile, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said Israel had prepared the ground for a “harsh punishment” for itself.
Tensions intensified following the assassinations of Hezbollah’s senior military commander, Fouad Shokor, in Beirut, and Hamas’ political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, in Tehran on July 31….reports Asian Lite News
The foreign ministers of the Group of Seven (G7) countries urged all actors involved in the current Middle East crisis to refrain from any step that could possibly escalate the conflict further.
“We call on the parties concerned to desist from any initiative that could hinder the path of dialogue and moderation and encourage a new escalation,” the G7 Italian presidency said in a statement on Sunday.
After discussing the latest developments in a videoconference, the ministers expressed “strong concern about recent events that threaten to lead to a regionalisation of the crisis, starting with Lebanon,” according to Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani.
The G7 extraordinary meeting was called after a recent escalation in the crisis, reports Xinhua news agency.
Tensions escalated after the assassinations of Lebanese group Hezbollah’s senior military commander, Fouad Shokor, in Beirut and Hamas’ political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, in the Iranian capital Tehran on July 31.
A few days earlier, a rocket strike in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights had killed 12 children and teens.
Iran, Hamas, and Hezbollah blamed Israel for the killings and threatened to retaliate. Israel claimed responsibility for Shokor’s death, saying it was in retaliation to the strike in the Golan, but it did not confirm involvement in the killing of Haniyeh.
Since then, the exchange of fire and rockets ongoing across the Israel-Lebanon border has intensified, and so have the diplomatic efforts to contain the crisis.
“We reaffirmed the priority of a successful conclusion of negotiations on a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of the hostages and confirmed our commitment to intensify humanitarian aid to the populations of the Strip,” the G7 presidency stressed.
Also on Sunday, Italy’s Foreign Minister called on all Italians temporarily in Lebanon to leave the country as soon as possible due to “the worsening situation” and to all citizens to avoid travelling there. Earlier, many other governments, including those of France, the United States, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom and Jordan also issued advisories.
The G7 comprises Canada, the US, France, the UK, Italy, Germany and Japan.
Hamas Politburo Chief Ismail Haniyeh was killed in the Iranian capital city of Tehran on Wednesday morning…reports Asian Lite News
Hamas said that wide consultation has started in its leadership and consultative institutions to choose a new chief for the movement.
Past decades witnessed the killing of a number of its leaders, but the group was quick to choose alternatives to them in accordance with the regulations of the movement, Hamas said in a statement on Saturday.
The movement’s executive institutions and its Shura, the main consultative body, are continuing their work, and it will announce the results of its consultations once they are completed, reports Xinhua news agency, quoting the Hamas statement.
Hamas Politburo Chief Ismail Haniyeh was killed in the Iranian capital city of Tehran on Wednesday morning after he attended the inauguration of Iran’s new President Masoud Pezeshkian.
General Kurilla’s visit, initially planned before recent tensions over Ismail Haniyeh’s killing, is now viewed as a key strategic move…reports Asian Lite News
US Central Command’s General Michael Kurilla arrived in the region on Saturday amid preparations for a possible attack by Iran on Israel in response to the recent killings of senior Hamas and Hezbollah leaders, US-based news website Axios reported, citing two US officials.
General Kurilla’s visit, which was planned before the recent escalation between Israel, Iran, and Hezbollah following the killing of Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, is now seen as a strategic move. He is expected to mobilise the international and regional coalition that previously defended Israel against an attack from Iran on April 13, Axios reported, citing a US official.
Three US and Israeli officials said that they expect Iran to launch an attack on Israel as early as Monday. Iranian and Hezbollah leaders have pledged to retaliate for the killings of Hezbollah’s top military commander, Fuad Shukr, and Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh.
According to a US official, Kurilla is expected to visit several Gulf nations, including Israel and Jordan. Jordan is a key stop, as it played an important role during the April 13 attack by intercepting Iranian drones bound for Israel and allowing US and Israeli jets to use its airspace for interception.
The official said that the US hopes the same will happen again if needed. The US is boosting its forces in the Middle East in preparation for Iran’s possible attack on Israel and sending more warships and fighter jets to the region, the Pentagon said on Friday, according to Axios report.
US officials expect Iranian retaliation to follow a similar pattern as their previous attack on Israel but may also involve Hezbollah in Lebanon, Axios reported. The US government is concerned that it may be more difficult to mobilise the international and regional cooperation of nations that defended Israel from the previous Iranian attack, as Haniyeh’s killing has drawn sharp sentiments against Israel across the region.
US and Israeli officials said they do not know whether Iran and Hezbollah will carry out a coordinated attack or operate separately. The officials said that they think Iran and Hezbollah are still working on finalising their military plans and giving them approval at the political level.
A US official said the Biden administration wanted to announce the bolstering of US forces on Friday as Iran and Hezbollah were discussing regarding their response with the hope that the announcement will help to deter and influence their military plans.
When asked on Saturday whether he believes Iran will back down, US President Joe Biden replied, “I hope so. I don’t know.”
On July 31, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said that Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh was killed in an attack in Tehran. In a statement, the IRGC said that Haniyeh and one of his bodyguards were killed when their residence was hit in Tehran.
A projectile hit a residence allocated to war veterans in Tehran at 2 am (local time) on Wednesday, according to a Press TV report. Ismail Haniyeh, who was based in Qatar, travelled to Tehran to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the Iranian President-elect, Masoud Pezeshkian, according to a Press TV report.
Meanwhile, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said that top Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr was killed in the Israeli strike in southern Lebanon on Tuesday (local time).The IDF said Shukr was “responsible for the majority of Hezbollah’s most advanced weaponry, including precise-guided missiles, cruise missiles, anti-ship missiles, long-range rockets, and UAVs” and for the terror group’s “force build-up, planning, and execution of terror attacks against the State of Israel,” The Times of Israel reported.
On July 30, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that his nation has delivered “crushing blows” to enemies in the last few days, CNN reported. He made the remarks hours after the deaths of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh and senior Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr. (ANI)
Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh delivers a speech in Gaza City, on Jan. 23, 2018. The Islamic Hamas movement called on Tuesday for Palestinian national conference to discuss a new Palestinian strategy. Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh stressed in a televised speech the need for a new strategy that addresses the U.S. and Israeli declaration aimed at striking the Palestinian issue. (Xinhua/Wissam Nassar/IANS)
The statement added the “terrorist” attack had been designed and carried out by Israel with the US government’s support…reports Asian Lite News
Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has said that Hamas Politburo Chief Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated by a “short-range projectile loaded with an almost 7-kg warhead”.
“Given the conducted investigations, the terrorist operation has been carried out through firing from outside the guests’ residence a short-range projectile loaded with an almost 7 kg warhead, causing an intense explosion,” the IRGC said on Saturday in its third statement about Haniyeh’s assassination in an alleged Israeli attack in the Iranian capital Tehran, according to the armed force’s official news outlet Sepah News.
The statement added the “terrorist” attack had been designed and carried out by Israel with the US government’s support, Xinhua news agency reported.
The IRGC stressed that “the revenge for Haniyeh’s blood will be definite,” adding the “adventurist and terrorist” Israel would receive a “decisive response to this crime, which is a harsh punishment, at the appropriate time and place and with the appropriate quality”.
Haniyeh, who had been invited to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday, was killed along with his bodyguard early Wednesday when their residence in Tehran was hit.
The statement came as the United States said it will deploy additional fighter jets and Navy ships to West Asia to defend Israel.
An Iranian state TV anchor on Saturday said that the world will witness “extraordinary scenes” in the coming hours, as reported by Iran International English, an Iran-based news channel.
“In coming hours, the world will witness extraordinary scenes and very important developments,” the reporter said in the local language.
In a post on X, Iran International English stated, “In coming hours, the world will witness extraordinary scenes and very important developments,” an Iranian state TV anchor said in a live program focused on Tehran’s retaliation against Israel over the assassination of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.”
The statement came as the United States said it will deploy additional fighter jets and Navy ships to West Asia to defend Israel.
Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh on Friday said that the deployment will be in response to threats from Iran and Iranian-backed militias. Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Singh said on Friday, “This morning, Secretary of the Defence Lloyd J. Austin III followed up on those conversations with Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant.”
#BREAKING "In coming hours, the world will witness extraordinary scenes and very important developments," an Iranian state TV anchor said in a live program focused on Tehran's retaliation against Israel over the assassination of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. pic.twitter.com/vDjNfGlR32
— Iran International English (@IranIntl_En) August 2, 2024
Washington is also taking steps to increase its readiness to deploy more land-based ballistic missile defence, the Pentagon said.
US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin “has ordered additional ballistic missile defence-capable cruisers and destroyers to the US European Command and US Central Command regions,” a statement from the US Department of Defence (DOD) read.
Meanwhile, Hundreds of people gathered at a mosque in Qatar on Friday for the funeral of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, who was killed in Iran.
The United Nations Security Council on Thursday urged for urgent diplomatic efforts to “change the trajectory” and seek a path towards regional peace and stability amid rising tensions in West Asia following the recent killings of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and Hezbollah’s military commander Fuad Shukr. (ANI)
As per reports in Hebrew media, the members of the elite Ansar al-Mahdi unit of the Iranian army, Islamic Red Guards Corp (IRGC), were hired by Mossad to execute Haniyeh, reports Asian Lite News
After the assassination of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, there are reports that the Israel intelligence agency, Mossad, used the services of its Iranian agents.
As per reports in Hebrew media, the members of the elite Ansar al-Mahdi unit of the Iranian army, Islamic Red Guards Corp (IRGC), were hired by Mossad to execute Haniyeh.
According to reports, the original plan of Mossad was to kill Haniyeh during his visit for the funeral of the then-Iranian President Ebrahim Rasi in May this year. However, it was called off due to certain difficulties.
Meanwhile, sources in Israel’s Defense Minister’s office told IANS that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) were prepared for any counter-attack from Iran and its proxies against the killing of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.
The sources said that IDF has strengthened the Israel borders in both south and north of the country to prevent any probable attempts from Hamas, Hezbollah or Houthis.
Arab media outlets quoted that the murder of Haniyeh, allegedly by hired agents of the country’s elite members, has shocked the Iranian regime. According to information available, Iran’s intelligence agency has already commenced a crack down on those who were used by Mossad to execute the high profile Hamas leader.
Tehran made the plea in phone calls with Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Turkey and Qatar, while stressing that Iran reserved its “inherent and legitimate” right to retaliate the “blatant crime,”…reports Asian Lite News
Iran’s Acting Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani has called for an emergency ministerial meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in condemnation of the assassination of Hamas Politburo Chief Ismail Haniyeh.
He made the plea in phone calls with his counterparts from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Turkey and Qatar, while stressing that Iran reserved its “inherent and legitimate” right to retaliate the “blatant crime,” according to statements released by his ministry.
Speaking to Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Bagheri Kani said Israel had seriously jeopardized regional stability and security by crossing several red lines, citing its “terrorist aggression” in assassinating Haniyeh and violating Iran’s national security.
The strike on Haniyeh, widely attributed to Israel, was not acknowledged or commented upon by the Israeli government.
Bagheri Kani stressed that Iran would take a “regret-inducing and decisive action” against Israel to make it “eternally rue its constant insanity,” calling for convening an emergency OIC meeting to discuss the “conspicuous Israeli crime.”
The Saudi foreign minister, for his part, condemned the assassination of Haniyeh and action against Iran’s territorial integrity, assessing the region’s current circumstances as “critical and dangerous.”
He highlighted the necessity of de-escalating tensions in the region, welcoming the holding of the OIC meeting, Xinhua news agency reported.
In his phone call with Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, Bagheri Kani urged all regional and Muslim states to take action to counter the “terrorist aggression” by Israel.
The Egyptian minister said his country had, in an official statement, condemned the “criminal” move of assassinating Haniyeh, while supporting Iran’s initiative for convening an OIC meeting to counter the “terrorist actions.”
With Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Bagheri Kani said, “Israel martyred a prominent figure of the Muslim world and an indefatigable warrior of the Palestinian resistance.”
Urging for the OIC meeting, Bagheri Kani called on all regional states to condemn the “heinous Israeli crime” and take “decisive” actions to counter such “terrorist moves.”
Fidan condemned the “terrorist move,” saying Türkiye fully supported Iran’s “legitimate and diplomatic” initiative to hold an emergency OIC meeting.
Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, in his phone call with Bagheri Kani, expressed condemnation of the assassination of Haniyeh, and welcomed the immediate holding of an OIC meeting.
Haniyeh, who had been invited to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday, was killed along with his bodyguard early Wednesday when their residence in Tehran was hit, according to Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, which said Israel had carried out the “terrorist attack” and vowed “a harsh and painful response.”
Hezbollah fires rockets into Israel
As tensions continue to escalate in the Middle East, dozens of rockets were fired from Lebanon toward Israeli territory in the late hours of Thursday (local time), CNN reported citing Israel Defence Forces.
The IDF said that only five of the barrage of rockets could enter Israel and there are no reports of damage or injuries.
Hezbollah has taken responsibility for the rocket fire on Western Galilee, its first attack in over 48 hours, since the killing of the terror group’s military chief in Beirut, Times of Israel reported.
In a statement, Hezbollah claims to have launched dozens of rockets at the northern border community of Metzuba in response to an Israeli strike in the Lebanese village of Chamaa earlier today.
The strike in Chamaa reportedly killed four Syrians and wounded several Lebanese civilians.
In response, the Israeli forces struck a Hezbollah rocket launcher in southern Lebanon’s Yater, which was being used to fire a barrage at the Western Galilee this evening, as reported by Times of Israel.
According to the IDF, several rockets launched in the attack this evening were intercepted by air defences, while others impacted open areas.
The IDF says that a short while after the attack, the launcher in Yater was struck.
Houthi leader vows ‘military response’
Yemen’s Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi has warned that the group will “inevitably” mount a military response to Israel’s recent “escalation”.
“The stance of the ‘axis of resistance’ is unequivocal: There must be a military response to Israeli transgressions,” al-Houthi said on Thursday in a televised address.
The Houthi leader condemned the killing of Hamas Politburo chief Ismail Haniyeh as “a blatant violation of international norms”, and “a brazen crime that underscores Israel’s disregard for human rights”, Xinhua news agency reported.
He further denounced Tuesday’s Israeli airstrike in the Lebanese capital of Beirut that killed a senior Hezbollah commander, Fouad Shokor, labelling it a “dangerous escalation.”
The Houthi group, now controlling large swathes of northern Yemen, is aligned with the anti-Israel “axis of resistance,” which also includes Iran, Hezbollah, Hamas, and militant groups in Iraq, among others.
Since November last year, the Houthi group has been targeting ships linked to Israel in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden using ballistic missiles and bomb-laden drones to show solidarity with the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
The meeting discussed a number of issues related to the relations between the UAE and Iran…reports Asian Lite News
Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, received H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, on the sidelines of latter’s participation in the presidential inauguration ceremony, held on Tuesday at the Iranian Parliament.
H.H. Sheikh Abdullah conveyed the congratulations of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to the Iranian President, along with his wishes for success in serving his country.
In turn, the President of Iran conveyed his greetings to President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and his wishes for continued growth and prosperity for the UAE.
The meeting discussed a number of issues related to the relations between the UAE and Iran.
During his meeting with President Dr. Pezeshkian, the UAE top diplomat stressed the UAE’s commitment to boosting its ties with the Islamic Republic of Iran to serve the interests of their countries, and support efforts to achieve lasting peace, and maintain security and stability in the region.
Attending the meeting were Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy; Mohamed Hassan Al Suwaidi, Minister of Investment; Khalifa Shaheen Al Marar, Minister of State; Dr. Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the Defence, Interior and Foreign Affairs Committee at the Federal National Council (FNC); Dr. Tariq Humaid Al Tayer, First Deputy Speaker of the FNC; and Saif Mohammed Al Zaabi, UAE Ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Pezeshkian warns of plots against Iran-Saudi ties
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has warned against conspiracies by “enemies and ill-wishers” to sow discord between Iran and Saudi Arabia.
He made the remarks on Tuesday at a meeting with Saudi Minister of State Prince Mansour bin Mutaib bin Abdulaziz, who is also the special representative of Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, in the Iranian capital Tehran, Xinhua news agency reported, citing a statement published on the website of the Iranian president’s office.
Pezeshkian said that “the enemies and those wishing ill towards Iran and Saudi Arabia seek to sow discord between the two countries to achieve their illegitimate demands. Iran and Saudi Arabia should foil such conspiracies through vigilance, unity, and solidarity.”
He described as “constructive” his comprehensive phone call on July 17 with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, stressing, “Relations between Tehran and Riyadh have been tied with religious bonds and commonalities in addition to the neighbourly considerations and brotherly and cordial exchanges.”
The Saudi minister, for his part, conveyed the congratulations of the Saudi king and crown prince to Pezeshkian, saying the age-old relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran were founded on the basis of the two countries’ common history and culture as well as neighbourliness and fraternity.
He stressed that the two peoples had been connected to each other by a common religion, Islam.
The Saudi official voiced the willingness of his country’s leaders to expand relations with Iran, adding that the agreement on the resumption of bilateral relations last year was a beginning for treading the path of safeguarding mutual interests, which would also benefit the region and the world.
Pezeshkian on Tuesday was sworn in as Iran’s ninth president in a ceremony in Tehran.
