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Afghan caretaker govt. envoy thanks Iran for hosting refugees

Amirabdollahian and Abdul Ghani Baradar

In a meeting with Iran’s minister of foreign affairs, Hossein Amirabdollahian, in Tehran on Sunday, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar said, in addition to the necessity of upholding neighborly necessities, developing cooperation with Iran is a conscious choice for Afghanistan.

“We want to develop these cooperation in various fields, especially economically and commercially. We are fully prepared and we will maintain friendly relations with Iran.”

He appreciated Iran’s valuable assistance to the victims of the Harat earthquake and considered it as an indication of the generosity of the Iranian government and nation.

He also considered the Israeli regime’s crimes against the Palestinian Muslim nation “intolerable” and expressed hope that all Muslim governments and nations will rush to help the Palestinian Muslim brothers and sisters.

Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar pointed out that Iran has always stood by the Afghan nation since the American invasion of Afghanistan and added: “Iran has been hosting Afghan immigrants generously for years, and we are grateful to the Islamic Republic of Iran from the bottom of our hearts.”

Amirabdollahian, for his part, referred to the important position of Afghanistan in the foreign policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran and expressing his satisfaction with the departure of the American invaders from this country, who have caused great suffering to the Afghan nation for many years, and said: “The independence and development of Afghanistan, the comfort and welfare of the people, and the stability and security of this country are very important for the Islamic Republic.”

He added that the Islamic Republic of Iran, considering the neighborly relations, is determined to help Afghanistan overcome the current situation.

Referring to the war crimes committed by the Zionist regime against the oppressed Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank under the full support of the United States, the top Iranian diplomat added: “Afghanistan’s positions regarding Palestine and the current developments in Gaza are of interest, and the Palestinian people expect Islamic countries to effectively support them against the war crimes and genocide of the Zionist regime.”

The Iranian foreign minister considered the development of economic and commercial cooperation between the two countries to be important in line with common interests of Tehran and Kabul. Considering the responsibility of the Deputy Prime Minister of Afghanistan in the economic field, as well as the economic ministers accompanying him, he emphasized the readiness of the Islamic Republic of Iran for strengthening economic relations, trade, industry, and new technologies.

Amirabdollahian, referring to the population of several million Afghan immigrants who came to Iran following the special conditions of Afghanistan, said that the Islamic Republic of Iran has made a lot of efforts to host Afghani brothers and sisters.

However, he stated: “considering the various dimensions of issues, matters, and problems related to immigrants, it is necessary to plan tactfully and manage the issue of immigration and issues and problems related to immigrants with joint cooperation.”

The Iranian minister of foreign affairs also considered the issue of water and securing the water rights of the Islamic Republic of Iran to be very important and emphasized that the sensitivity of the water issue and its direct impact on the environment, life, and livelihood of the people require that the realization of Iran’s water rights be given special attention by the caretaker government of Afghanistan.

“Israel’s efforts to extend conflict to Iran must fail to bear fruit”

Gaza War

In an op-ed published via Etemaad Daily, Hashemi warned of potential Iranian involvement and a possible alliance between the U.S. and Israel against Iran.

Highlighting the heavy toll of the decades-long conflict—100,000 Palestinian martyrs, 10,000 Israeli fatalities, and millions displaced—he urged global condemnation of the Israeli regime’s actions.

Citing historical instances of proxy wars, Hashemi stressed the need for vigilance against Israeli moves and the decline of Western influence.

He emphasized lasting peace hinges on securing Palestinian rights, and underscored that the occupiers’ security remains an unattainable illusion.

Noting the ongoing Middle East turmoil, Hashemi blamed Western superpowers for their anti-humanitarian support for Israel and urged preventing Israel’s extremist efforts to expand conflict zones, which could draw Iran into a larger war.

Ayatollah Khamenei: Iran to stand by Palestinians

Ayatollah Khamenei and Haniyeh

Ayatollah Khamenei made the remarks in a meeting with Ismail Haniyeh, the Head of Hamas’s political bureau and his accompanying delegation in Tehran.

Ayatollah Khamenei reiterated appreciation for the unwavering resilience of the people of Gaza and strongly condemned the transgressions of the Zionist regime, which he said were backed by direct support from the United States and certain Western nations.

The Leader reiterated the Islamic Republic of Iran’s principled position vis-a-vis supporting the Palestinian resistance forces in the faces of the Zionist occupiers.

He emphasized the urgent need for Islamic countries and international organizations to take meaningful action and for Islamic governments to provide comprehensive support to the people of Gaza.

During the meeting, Haniyeh, the political chief of the Palestinian movement Hamas, provided an update on the latest developments in Gaza, the crimes committed by the Zionist regime there, and the ongoing situation in the West Bank.

Israel’s war against Hamas amounts to war on democracy: Iran’s president

Ebrahim Raisi

During a telephone conversation with Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre on Saturday night, Raisi welcomed Oslo’s position on the need for an immediate end to Israel’s killing of civilians in Gaza as well as international efforts to lift the siege on the coastal enclave and deliver aid to its residents.

He also expressed Iran’s readiness to cooperate with the Norwegian Justice Ministry in an investigation into the atrocities committed by Israel in Gaza, stressing that the regime’s war crimes and the US support for such criminal acts should not go unpunished.

“Hamas is the legal, elected and legitimate government of Gaza,” he said, adding, “The war against Hamas is a war on democracy.”

Israel waged a bloody war on the blockaded Gaza Strip on October 7 after Hamas’s Operation Al-Aqsa Storm against the occupying entity.

Since the start of the aggression, the Tel Aviv regime has killed at least 9,500 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured more than 26,000 others.

It has also imposed a “complete siege” on the coastal sliver, cutting off fuel, electricity, food and water to the more than two million Palestinians living there.

Raisi noted that the killing of almost 10,000 Gazans, including 4,000 children, is the result of the massive shipment of weapons and equipment by the United States to the Zionist regime.

“The fact that a child is killed in Gaza almost every 10 minutes is horrible and a clear example of crime against humanity and genocide. The disgusting silence of the US and some European countries along with their weaponry support for the Zionist regime prove the West’s double standards and its obvious partnership in the Zionists’ crimes,” he continued.

The Iranian chief executive further censured the ineffectiveness of 180 UN resolutions to change Israel’s behavior.

The Islamic Republic, he added, has presented a UN-registered democratic and fair solution to the Palestinian issue based on the idea of one vote for every Palestinian.

The Norwegian premier, for his part, said his country is aware of Iran’s important and effective role in the region.

He also appreciated Tehran’s attempts to reduce regional tensions and called for interactions with the Islamic Republic toward resolving the Palestine issue.

Iran and Norway, he emphasized, can consult and cooperate through diplomatic channels to find a solution that immediately ends the fighting, lifts the Gaza siege and provides relief aid to its people.

Extraordinary Mazandaran: where history, nature unite!

The northern province, renowned for its historical significance, boasts a generous sea that gracefully hugs its shores, a picturesque view of the mighty Damavand Mountain, lush green forests stretching towards the sky, and vast, breathtaking plains that stretch as far as the eye can see.

Mazandaran’s clean climate and crystal-clear springs add to the allure of this colorful land, making it a haven for those seeking a harmonious blend of nature and culture.

In a world of hustle and bustle, Mazandaran stands as a haven where the past and present meet. November 5th marks the Mazandaran Day. Happy Mazandaran Day and let’s delve into the land of unparalleled beauty through Ehsan Fazli Osanlou’s camera…

 

Gaza war to cost Israel $51bn: Report

Israel Hamas Attack

The report said the estimate, equal to 10 percent of the GDP, was premised on the war lasting between eight to 12 months, being limited to Gaza without full participation by Hezbollah, Iran or Yemen, and on some 350,000 Israelis drafted as military reservists returning to work soon.

Calcalist described the ministry as deeming 200 billion shekels an “optimistic” estimate. But the ministry announced it does not stand by Calcalist’s data.

The report added half of the cost would be:

  • One billion shekels a day in defence expenses.
  • Another 40 to 60 billion shekels would come from a loss of revenue.
  • 17 to 20 billion for compensation for businesses
  • Ten to 20 billion shekels for rehabilitation.

The latest escalation between Hamas and Israel began in early October, when the Palestinian fighters launched a surprise attack on multiple locations along the Gaza border in response to Israel’s repeated aggression against Palestinians and desecration of the al-Aqsa Mosque.

Israeli officials estimate that at least 1,500 people have been killed in the Hamas assault and over 5,500 have been wounded.

Israeli massive air strikes on the densely-populated Gaza Strip, has so far killed almost 9,500 people, mainly children and women.

Iran-Taliban intel operation foils drone attack by Israeli Mossad

Iran Air Defense System

IRNA reported, three Mossad agents with Iranian nationality were arrested in the intelligence operation in mountainous areas between Iran and Afghanistan.

The detainees intended to fire suicide drones from across the Afghan border into targets inside Iran.

They will soon be transferred to Iran for interrogation.

Hamas says dozens of captives lost due to Israel’s airstrikes

Israel Hostages

Abu Ubaida, the spokesman for the al-Qassam Brigades, made the announcement in a post on the brigades’ Telegram channel on Saturday, which was also confirmed in an official statement.

“Since October 7 until now, the barbaric Zionist [regime’s] bombing of Gaza has caused the loss of more than 60 enemy captives in Gaza,” he said.

The spokesman added that the bodies of 23 captives are trapped under the rubble of the buildings and structures that have been destroyed by the Israeli strikes.

“It seems that we will never be able to reach them due to the continued brutal aggression of the occupation against Gaza.”

On October 7, Gaza-based Palestinian resistance groups captured around 250 Israeli soldiers and settlers during Operation al-Aqsa Storm, their biggest operation against the occupying entity in years.

Following the operation, Abu Ubaida stated 200 of the captives were being held by al-Qassam Brigades, while the rest were kept by other Palestinian resistance factions.

Last month, the brigades announced that around 50 of the captives were killed in the devastating war that the Israeli regime has launched against Gaza since the Palestinians’ operation.

The Israeli war has so far killed at least 9,400 Palestinians, including nearly 3,900 children and 2,500 women. Over 24,000 Palestinians have also been wounded.

On October 28, Hamas’ leader in Gaza Yahya Sinwar said in a statement that the group was prepared for an “immediate” exchange of prisoners with Israel, but the regime was stalling.

The movement has so far released four of the captives on humanitarian grounds.

Late last month, Hamas released a video of three captured Israeli women voicing outrage at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his declining to agree to a swap deal and a ceasefire.

One Palestinian killed every four minutes in Gaza: Health ministry

Gaza War

Palestinian Health Minister Mai al-Kaila said issued a statement that Israel has intensified its attacks, deliberately targeting hospitals, and that all the laws designed to protect medical and ambulance teams have been violated by the regime.

She added that the international community’s silence over aggressions in Gaza “is giving the green light to Israel to shed Palestinian blood, and commit other atrocities”.

Over 25,000 tonnes of explosives have been dropped on Gaza by Israel since the start of the war on 7 October, Gaza’s media office has announced on Saturday.

A total of 9,425 people have been killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza since October 7, according to figures released Saturday by the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Ramallah.

An additional 24,000 others have been injured, the ministry added.

According to the ministry’s report, nearly 73% of the fatalities are from among vulnerable groups, including children, women and the elderly.

The Palestinian Ministry of Health has also warned of a “catastrophe within Gaza hospitals”, adding that wounded people are “taking their last breaths” due to the lack of medical resources and fuel.

The ministry announced “16 hospitals and 32 primary healthcare centers have been taken out of service”.

The Israeli military continues to encircle and pound the Gaza Strip with airstrikes. Calls for a ceasefire by aid organizations and global community have been rejected by Tel Aviv.

Protests target Netanyahu over release of captives

Israel Hostages

Police held back hundreds of protesters outside Netanyahu’s residence on Saturday. Waving blue and white Israeli flags, demonstrators chanted “Jail now!” as a crowd pushed through security barriers.

In Israel’s commercial hub Tel Aviv, several thousand protesters, including relatives and friends of some of the captives, chanted: “Bring them home now”.

“I expect and demand from my government, think out of the box,” stated Hadas Kalderon, who said five members of her family were among the kidnapped.

“I find myself in hell,” she continued, adding, “Every day I wake up to another day of war. A war for the life of my children.”

Netanyahu has so far not accepted personal responsibility for the failures that allowed the surprise assault which saw hundreds of Hamas fighters storm into southern Israel on October 7, killing more than 1,400 people and taking at least 240 captive.

The war Israel has since launched on Gaza has so far killed more than 9,400 Palestinians, most of them women and children, and reduced large areas of the besieged enclave to rubble.

Public anger in Israel has been growing, with many families of the captives held in Gaza bitterly critical of the government’s response and calling for their relatives to be brought home.

Even before the war, Netanyahu had been a divisive figure, fighting corruption charges, which he denies, and pushing through a plan to curb the powers of the judiciary that brought hundreds of thousands to the streets to protest.

On Saturday, a poll for Israel’s Channel 13 Television found 76 percent of Israelis thought Netanyahu, now serving a record sixth term as prime minister, should resign and 64 percent said Israel should hold an election immediately after the war.

When asked who is most at fault for the attack, 44 percent of Israelis blamed Netanyahu, while 33 percent blamed the military chief of staff and senior Israeli Defence Force officials and 5 percent blamed the defence minister, according to the poll.

On Saturday, United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed the US is calling for “humanitarian pauses” in Gaza, during a press conference in Amman with his counterparts from Jordan and Egypt.

But the Jordanian and Egyptian ministers rebuked that position, instead reiterating the need for an immediate ceasefire – echoing calls from other Arab leaders.

The armed wing of Hamas said on Saturday that more than 60 captives are missing because of Israeli air raids on Gaza.

Abu Obeida, a spokesman for the Qassam Brigades, also stated on Hamas’s Telegram account that 23 bodies of Israeli captives were trapped under the rubble.

“It seems that we will never be able to reach them due to the continued brutal aggression of the occupation against Gaza,” he added.