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FM warns Iran’s armed forces ready to respond, following Trump’s threat

Abbas Araghchi

“Those in Iran impacted by transient exchange rate volatility have recently been peacefully protesting, as is their right,” the foreign minister said in a post on X on Friday.

“Separate from that, we have witnessed isolated incidents of violent riots—including attacks on a police station and throwing of Molotov cocktails at police officers.”

Referring to Trump’s domestic record, Araghchi stated that the US president should understand that violence against public property cannot be tolerated anywhere.

“Given President Trump’s deployment of the National Guard within US borders, he of all people should know that criminal attacks on public property cannot be tolerated,” he added.

Araghchi was responding to a social media post by Trump in which he said US forces are “locked and loaded,” threatening Iran with military action under the guise of supporting protests triggered by the sharp fall of the national currency.

The Iranian foreign minister warned that such language only fuels instability.

“This is why President Trump’s message today, likely influenced by those who fear diplomacy or mistakenly believe it is unnecessary, is reckless and dangerous,” he said.

“As in the past, the Great People of Iran will forcefully reject any interference in their internal affairs,” he continued.

He added that Iran’s military stands ready to respond to any violation of its sovereignty.

“Similarly, our Powerful Armed Forces are on standby and know exactly where to aim in the event of any infringement of Iranian sovereignty.”

Protests erupted on Sunday after some shopkeepers in Tehran temporarily closed their businesses to protest the sharp fall of the rial, which plunged to record lows against the US dollar.

Iranian officials have acknowledged the economic pressure on the public and said peaceful protests are legitimate, while warning that foreign-backed elements are seeking to exploit the situation and fuel violence.

 

UN chief urges Israel to reverse NGO ban in Gaza, West Bank

In a statement on Friday, Guterres called the work of the groups “indispensable to life-saving humanitarian work”, according to spokesperson Stephane Dujarric. He added that the “suspension risks undermining the fragile progress made during the ceasefire”.

Israel banned the humanitarian groups for failing to meet new registration rules requiring aid groups working in the occupied territory to provide “detailed information on their staff members, funding and operations”. It has pledged to enforce the ban starting March 1.

Experts have denounced the requirements as arbitrary and in violation of humanitarian principles. Aid groups have said that providing personal information about their Palestinian employees to Israel could put them at risk.

The targeted groups include several country chapters of Doctors Without Borders (known by its French acronym, MSF), the Norwegian Refugee Council, and the International Rescue Committee.

To date, Israel has killed about 500 aid workers and volunteers in Gaza throughout its genocidal war. All told, at least 71,271 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since October 7, 2023.

In his statement, Guterres said the NGO ban “comes on top of earlier restrictions that have already delayed critical food, medical, hygiene and shelter supplies from entering Gaza”.

“This recent action will further exacerbate the humanitarian crisis facing Palestinians,” he added.

Nearly all of Gaza’s population has been displaced throughout the war, with many still living in tents and temporary shelters.

Israel had maintained severe restrictions on aid entering the enclave prior to a ceasefire going into effect in October. Under the deal, Israel was meant to provide unhindered aid access.

But humanitarian groups have said Israel has continued to prevent adequate aid flow. Ongoing restrictions include materials that could be used to provide better shelter and protection from flooding amid devastating winter storms, according to the UN.

 

Many countries urge Israel to lift Gaza aid restrictions as Palestinians suffer

In a statement on Friday, the foreign ministers of Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Turkiye, Pakistan and Indonesia warned that “deteriorating” conditions in Gaza had left nearly 1.9 million displaced Palestinians particularly vulnerable.

“Flooded camps, damaged tents, the collapse of damaged buildings, and exposure to cold temperatures coupled with malnutrition, have significantly heightened risks to civilian lives,” the statement reads.

They called on the international community “to pressure Israel, as the occupying power, to immediately lift constraints on the entry and distribution of essential supplies including tents, shelter materials, medical assistance, clean water, fuel, and sanitation support”.

Israel has maintained stringent restrictions on the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza despite its obligations under international law to ensure that the basic needs of Palestinians in the enclave are met.

A United States-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which came into effect in October, also stipulated that the Israeli authorities must allow hundreds of aid trucks into Gaza daily.

But Israel has failed to abide by that requirement, continuing to block deliveries despite increasingly difficult winter conditions in the coastal territory and a lack of adequate shelter, blankets and other supplies.

Hundreds of thousands of Palestinian families have sought refuge in makeshift shelters and overcrowded tent encampments across Gaza because their homes were destroyed in Israel’s genocidal war.

Several people were killed in recent weeks as damaged buildings collapsed under the weight of heavy rainfall and flooding. Palestinian children have also died from hypothermia as low temperatures continue to grip the enclave.

In Friday’s statement, the foreign ministers commended the United Nations and other humanitarian groups for continuing to support Palestinians “under extremely difficult and complex circumstances” in Gaza.

They also demanded that Israel allow UN agencies and international nonprofit organisations to operate in Gaza and the occupied West Bank “in a sustained, predictable, and unrestricted manner” given the role they play in providing humanitarian support.

“Any attempt to impede their ability to operate is unacceptable,” they added.

The condemnation comes as Israel this week moved to implement a ban on 37 international NGOs working in Gaza and the West Bank for failing to meet new registration requirements.

Experts have denounced the Israeli government’s new rules – which require the targeted groups to provide detailed information on their staff members, funding and operations – as arbitrary and a violation of humanitarian principles.

The NGOs have also raised concerns that giving Israel personal information about their Palestinian employees puts those workers at risk of being targeted by the Israeli military.

According to Gaza’s Government Media Office, Israel has killed about 500 aid workers and volunteers in the enclave since its war began in October 2023.

Iranian parliament speaker warns US against interference amid protests

Ghalibaf said the Iranian people have disappointed far more experienced enemies throughout history.

In a post on X on Friday, Ghalibaf said attempts by armed field agents linked to foreign intelligence services to turn legitimate protests by merchants and guilds into violent urban clashes had failed due to the historical awareness of the Iranian nation.

He stressed that protesters should not be equated with foreign mercenaries, adding that Iranians stand united against external threats.

Ghalibaf warned that any US adventurism would make US forces and assets across the region legitimate targets.

Foxes enter Tehran’s streets as drought and habitat loss intensify                                        

Hossein Sadeghi, head of the Urban Harmful Animals Control Department at Tehran’s Waste Management Organization, said shrinking natural habitats around Tehran, driven by urban expansion and construction, has pushed wildlife into the city.

He noted that foxes are highly adaptable and face fewer natural predators in urban environments. Sadeghi also warned that feeding animals and improper waste disposal contribute to the problem, urging residents to dispose of garbage at designated times to reduce animal presence.

Defense minister: Iran’s missile capability is neither negotiable nor destructible

Aziz Nasirzadeh added that no one in the Islamic Republic believes the missile issue should be brought up in the negotiations.
He said Iran’s missile capability cannot be destroyed by bombs, negotiations, or the cowardly assassination of scientists and commanders, because this knowledge is embedded in the minds and thinking of Iran’s children and is actively present in universities and among the country’s youth.
Nasirzadeh said this capability cannot be dismantled even through resolutions or political pressure.
He maintained that the issuance of resolutions by countries with only a 250-year historical record will have no impact on the missile power of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Nasirzadeh referred to the enhancement of the country’s defensive capabilities, adding that Iran’s current capabilities are far beyond those during the 12-day war.
He underlined that if the Islamic Republic of Iran faces any threat, the response of the armed forces will be delivered with full force, decisiveness, and without any consideration.

Iran’s cyber police caution against rise in AI-made fake Images, videos targeting security figures

Brigadier General Vahid Majid, citing received reports and expert assessments by FATA specialists, said that in recent days a number of social media pages—particularly on Instagram—have exploited advanced AI technologies to create entirely fabricated images and videos and falsely attribute them to police commanders, senior officials, and military forces.

He added that such fake content is produced and circulated with the aim of creating doubt, spreading misinformation, and undermining public psychological security, stressing that these materials have no basis in reality and bear no connection to armed forces personnel or officials.

The FATA chief emphasized that those who misuse artificial intelligence capabilities are engaging in deception and the manipulation of public opinion.

Majid further noted that under existing national laws, the production, publication, and even the deliberate resharing of fake images and videos attributed to individuals or institutions constitute a criminal offense.

He urged citizens to verify the authenticity of online content before sharing it and to refrain from reposting unverified images and videos, especially those attributed to the police, military forces, and other official bodies.

US denies visa to Iranian table tennis player

Hedayati, a member of Iran’s national team and a medalist at the Hangzhou Asian Games and the Islamic Solidarity Games, was unable to obtain a US visa due to new regulations restricting visa issuance to citizens of several countries.

As a result, he lost the opportunity to compete in the upcoming season of the American table tennis league.

The Iranian athlete had a strong performance last season with the team Texas Smash, attracting attention across the league. Following his successful campaign, he received three offers from different US teams and ultimately reached an agreement with New York Slayers for the new season.

Despite finalizing the contract and preparing for his return to the US, Hedayati’s visa application was rejected.
This comes despite the fact that he had previously obtained US residency visas on three separate occasions, according to reports.

The decision has raised concerns over barriers Washington’s policies have imposed on ordinary Iranian citizens and athletes.

Security chief cautions against US meddling in Iran’s domestic affairs

His remarks came in response to threats made by the U.S. president and officials of the Israeli regime against Iran.

In a message posted on his official X account, Larijani said recent statements by Israeli officials and Donald Trump had exposed the true intentions behind the developments.
Addressing recent protests by segments of Iran’s economic sector over fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, he stressed that the authorities differentiate between the legitimate demands of protesting shopkeepers and disruptive elements.

Larijani reiterated that Washington should realize any U.S. involvement in this domestic issue would trigger regional disorder and damage American interests.

On Friday, U.S. President Donald Trump publicly backed the unrest in Iran, alleging that Iranian authorities were firing on “peaceful protesters.” Writing on his Truth Social account, Trump claimed that if such actions continued, the United States would step in to protect the protesters.

Larijani added that the American public should be aware that Trump initiated this adventurism and should be mindful of the safety of their own troops.

Iranian embassy expresses condolences over deadly Switzerland fire

In a statement issued on Friday, the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Bern said it was deeply saddened by reports of the fatal incident that occurred at the Crans-Montana ski resort in the canton of Valais.
The message conveyed sympathy to the families of those killed and wished a swift recovery for the injured.

The incident involved a powerful explosion followed by a fire at a nightclub located within the luxury ski resort, resulting in multiple casualties.

Swiss authorities said the fire erupted during New Year celebrations, when the venue was crowded with revelers.
Media reports indicate that around 40 people were killed and at least 115 others were injured, some of them seriously.

Emergency services were deployed rapidly, and investigations into the cause of the explosion and fire are ongoing.