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Iranian doctors remove 47 metal screws from man’s stomach without surgery

Iran Surgery

The procedure took place at Imam Ali Hospital in Karaj, west of Tehran, and was performed using endoscopy, a non-invasive technique.

Dr. Mohsen Rajabnia, a gastroenterology specialist and faculty member at Alborz University of Medical Sciences, led the medical team.

“In a rare and delicate operation, we were able to safely remove all 47 screws without causing any injury to the gastrointestinal or respiratory systems,” Dr. Rajabnia said in a statement.

“The entire procedure was completed in a short time, and without complications.”

The patient is currently in stable condition and is expected to be discharged soon with no lasting health issues, hospital officials confirmed.

The reasons behind the patient’s ingestion of the screws remain unclear.

Former Iran president Khatami: Negotiation is not surrender; hope for reform must be preserved

Seyed Mohammad Khatami

“Negotiation and engagement are not signs of submission to the coercion of enemies, but actions aligned with national interests,” Khatami stated.

He noted that a significant portion of both voters and non-voters have found a glimmer of hope for reform and called for that hope to be protected, Entekhab news outlet reported.

Khatami also voiced concern about political restrictions, saying, “If house arrests and limitations are not lifted, the country’s problems will multiply.” He stressed that while opposing voices should not be silenced, it is unjust for the dominant platform to belong to those who view sanctions as a blessing.

Referring to recent political developments, Khatami warned against undermining civil order and reminded that reform is not revolution. “We must prevent the dim light of reform from being extinguished,” he said.

He urged the administration of President Pezeshkisn to remain committed to its promises, expressing hope that the president and government officials will not backtrack on their pledges to the people.

Two Israeli embassy staff in US shot dead

The shooting occurred at about 9pm on Wednesday (01:00 GMT, Thursday) near the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, DC, according to authorities.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry named the two victims as Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim.

Pamela A Smith, the chief of the Metropolitan Police Department, stated authorities had detained a single suspect over the shooting, identified as 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez of Chicago, Illinois.

“Prior to the shooting, the suspect was observed pacing back and forth outside of the museum. He approached a group of four people, produced a handgun and opened fire, striking both of our decedents,” Smith said at a news conference.

Smith added Rodriguez chanted, “Free, free, Palestine”, while in custody.

Smith did not elaborate on a suspected motive for the attack.

Washington, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser told reporters her administration would not tolerate “violence or hate in our city”.

“We will not tolerate any acts of terrorism, and we’re going to stand together as a community in the coming days and weeks to send a clear message that we will not tolerate anti-Semitism,” Bowser added.

The American Jewish Committee, which had hosted an event at the museum, announced it was “devastated that an unspeakable act of violence took place outside the venue”.

US President Donald Trump has also expressed condolences to the families of the victims, and stressed the killings were “based obviously on antisemitism”.

“Hatred and Radicalism have no place in the USA,” Trump said on Truth Social, adding, “Condolences to the families of the victims. So sad that such things as this can happen! God Bless You ALL!”

US Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem said federal authorities were investigating the attack and would bring its “depraved perpetrator” to justice.

Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon called the shooting a “depraved act of anti-Semitic terrorism”.

“Harming the Jewish community is crossing a red line,” Danon said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he has instructed Israeli missions around the world to beef up security after the attack.

Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar has also stated he is “very worried” about more attacks on diplomatic missions around the world following the incident.

“I have been worried for the past few months that something like this would happen and it did, and the list of fallen foreign service members has grown today,” Sa’ar said, speaking at a news conference in Jerusalem on Thursday.

He also added there have been a number of attacks and attempted attacks on Israeli missions around the world, many of which he says have not been reported.

“Picasso in Tehran” Exhibition extended until June 2 amid public enthusiasm

Initially opened on March 11, 2025, the exhibition showcases 79 works by the Spanish master Pablo Picasso, including pieces from his renowned Tauromachia (Art of Bullfighting) series; and 26 aquatint prints considered valuable highlights of his printmaking career.

Key works such as The Painter and His Model, Baboon and Young, Weeping Woman (I, III, IV), and Open Window on the Rue Penthièvre are among the featured pieces from the museum’s permanent collection. The show also includes video works and graphic motion displays to contextualize Picasso’s influence.

In addition, nine selected works by prominent Iranian artists inspired by Picasso, including Bahram Dabiri, Bahman Mohasses, and Parvaneh Etemadi, are displayed alongside works by his contemporaries like Georges Braque, Robert Delaunay, Fernand Léger, and Joan Miró.

Iran faces severe water stress amid 40% decline in dam inflows

Firooz Ghasemzadeh, Director General of the Office of Water Information and Data, said on Wednesday the decline is due to drastically reduced rainfall and record-high temperatures.

“Rainfall this year has dropped by 38% relative to the long-term average, placing it 56th out of the past 57 years,” he noted.b

This persistent drought has led to a sharp drop in river and spring flows, as well as a significant reduction in groundwater recharge, he added. As a result, pressure on existing water reserves has increased considerably.

Currently, Iran’s dam reservoirs are filled to only 52% of their capacity, 22% lower than the same period last year, with no significant rainfall expected for the remainder of the water year.

Major dams in provinces such as Tehran, Isfahan, Razavi Khorasan, Qom, Hormozgan, Zanjan, Kerman, and Markazi are in critical condition.

Iran warns Europe against triggering snapback sanctions mechanism

Abbas Araghchi

In an interview with Saudi-based Al-Sharq news outlet, Araghchi said the current situation surrounding the 2015 nuclear deal, known as the JCPOA, is not Iran’s fault.

He blamed the US for unilaterally withdrawing from the agreement and criticized European signatories for failing to mitigate the impact of the US exit.

“We continued to uphold our commitments,” Araghchi said, “but when Europe could not ensure Iran’s economic benefits, we had no choice but to reduce our obligations.”

He described the European threat to reactivate UN sanctions as “illogical” and “legally baseless,” warning that Europe would have to bear the responsibility for any fallout.

On regional ties, Araghchi noted improved relations between Tehran and Riyadh following the restoration of diplomatic ties.

“Our relationship with Saudi Arabia is progressing positively. There is ongoing political dialogue, shared views on regional and Islamic world issues, and growing cooperation,” he stated, while expressing hope for expanded economic collaboration.

Iranian president to visit Oman for high-level talks, strategic agreements

Masoud Pezeshkian

That’s according to the deputy for political affairs at the president’s office.

During the two-day visit, Pezeshkian will hold official meetings with Omani leaders and oversee the signing of several key bilateral agreements. They include four major documents covering a preferential trade agreement, mutual investment protection, customs cooperation, and a comprehensive roadmap for future relations.

In addition to the diplomatic engagements, two significant events are planned that include a joint business forum aimed at boosting economic ties and a gathering with members of the Iranian expatriate community in Oman.

Iranian officials say the growing relationship between Tehran and Muscat serves as a model for regional cooperation.

Top Iranian general: Eastern border sealing progressing rapidly

Iranian Border Guards

Bagheri made the announcement while inspecting the latest measures for securing and sealing the eastern borders. “The project is being implemented using scientific principles and successful past experiences, and remains one of the top priorities of the Armed Forces,” Bagheri said.

He also praised the Islamic Revolutiona Guard Corps (IRGC) Ground Forces for using indigenous engineering capabilities to play a key role in completing the southeastern border sealing initiative.

According to the chief of staff of the Iranian armed forces, the project is aimed at enhancing border security, countering terrorist group activities, preventing illegal immigration, and combating drug trafficking. Iran has been grappling with such challenges over the past decades.

The country is now facing an influx of illegal immigrants from neighboring Afghanistan, which has put a huge strain on Iran’s economy.

EU announces review of trade privileges to Israel amid Gaza war

“It is clear from today’s discussion that there is a strong majority in favor of review of Article Two of our Association Agreement with Israel. So we will launch this exercise,” Kaja Kallas told a press conference after an EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels.

“In the meantime, it is up to Israel to unblock the humanitarian aid. Saving lives must be our top priority,” she added.

Kallas described the humanitarian situation in Gaza as “catastrophic” and said EU-funded aid was being blocked at the borders.

“The aid that Israel has allowed in is, of course, welcome, but it’s a drop in the ocean. Aid must flow immediately, without obstruction and at scale, because this is what is needed.”

She stressed that “there are thousands of trucks” stuck at the borders and that “the 100 trucks that came in, it’s a welcome step, but it’s not enough, because the needs are much, much bigger.”

Kallas said that the decision to review the agreement signals strong political intent from EU member states.

“I will not say (exact) numbers, and I will not say member states, but I can say it was a huge majority for this.”

Separately, on Syria, Kallas confirmed the EU decision to lift all economic sanctions unrelated to the ousted Bashar Assad government or human rights violations.

“Is everything going very well (under the new Syrian administration)? No, it’s not. But I think the question that we have two choices, either we give, you know, Syrian people a chance … or we don’t give that opportunity,” she added.

Touching on Ukraine, Kallas said the EU had adopted a new sanctions package targeting Russia, including its shadow fleet skirting sanctions, and stressed the bloc is already working on another package.

“The only option is to put more pressure on Russia to negotiate seriously,” she said.

On energy-related sanctions, she added, “The oil price cap is clearly something that has a clear effect on Russia’s economy,” adding that “Russia’s national fund … is almost completely depleted.”

Iran weighs participation in next round of nuclear talks, says enrichment will continue with or without deal

Abbas Araghchi

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Araghchi stressed Iran’s commitment to diplomacy while firmly rejecting “unreasonable demands from Western negotiators.”

“We have already responded to irrational requests. Such statements do not help the talks,” he said, emphasizing that Iran’s position remains clear, asserting enrichment is a sovereign right that will not be abandoned, whether a deal is reached or not.

He added that Iran remains open to transparency measures regarding its peaceful nuclear program but expects reciprocal action on lifting “unjust sanctions” imposed over unproven allegations.

Earlier in the day, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs, Majid Takht-Ravanchi, criticized US conduct in nuclear talks, stating that negotiations should not be conducted through media channels.

He noted that while American officials often express rigid positions publicly, such as opposing any level of uranium enrichment, they frequently adopt different tones behind closed doors.

Responding to recent remarks by US envoy Steve Witkoff, who rejected all enrichment for Iran, Takht-Ravanchi emphasized that such positions are legally unfounded.

He asserted Iran’s enrichment rights under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and stated that no member state has the authority to define another’s treaty benefits.