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Govt. spokeswoman: War, negotiation both strategic tools in Iran’s foreign policy

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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Her comments came as the Foreign Minister also reiterated the importance of continuing dialogue with international counterparts.

Mohajerani thanked the people for their patience during the difficult past year and explained that the cabinet was effectively formed in wartime, immediately facing severe economic imbalances.

She noted that the government chose transparency with the public rather than concealment.

Referring to the administration’s priorities, she underlined that education justice is central, with nearly fifty meetings between the President and education officials focused on improving public schools. On the pursuit of social calm, she emphasized honesty with citizens even on difficult issues such as power cuts.

Responding to people’s concerns, Mohajerani said the government prioritized not cutting electricity to industries to preserve jobs, while promoting solar energy and repairs to power plants.

On livelihoods, she pointed to food coupons as a relief measure. Addressing internet filtering, she admitted costs had risen due to restrictions, noting the government is working to lift them, though some platforms remain blocked.

Iran’s Leader rejects US pressure, calls for unity amid regional tensions

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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Speaking during a ceremony marking the martyrdom anniversary of the eighth Shia Imam, Ali ibn Mussa al-Reza, Ayatollah Khamenei criticized those advocating direct talks with Washington, calling them “short-sighted,” and said Iran’s firm stance has foiled hostile plans.

“Forty-five years of US hostility, sanctions, threats, and pressure, all stem from one reason: they want Iran to take orders from them,” Ayatollah Khamenei said.

He condemned a meeting held in a European capital a day after the recent Israeli attack on Iran, where “opponents of the Islamic Republic discussed finding a replacement government for Iran.”

Calling the gathering “foolish,” the Leader said, “the Iranian nation, standing with its armed forces, the government, and the system, dealt a strong blow to these plots.”

Ayatollah Khamenei urged unity among the public, government, and armed forces, describing it as a “steel shield” against external pressures.

“The enemies, after failing in their military confrontation, are now trying to create internal divisions,” he warned.

The Leader called for strong public support for the administration, particularly for “the hardworking and active president,” emphasizing that unity is essential to safeguarding the country’s sovereignty and national interests.

Highlighting Iran’s resilience, Ayatollah Khamenei reiterated that “insults and threats will only strengthen the nation’s determination” and vowed that Iran will continue to stand firm against foreign pressures while maintaining its independence.

Armenians hold rally against Russian military base

By
IFP Media Wire
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Armenia, a landlocked ex-Soviet country in the Caucasus, has long relied on Russia to bolster its security in its standoff with neighbouring Azerbaijan.

But ties between the traditional allies have been strained since Azerbaijan’s 2023 offensive on Nagorno-Karabakh, in which Moscow did not intervene to back Armenia.

“We demand the withdrawal of the Russian base from the territory of Armenia. The presence of this base does not ensure security, but creates an internal threat,” said Arman Babajanyan, one of the organisers.

Some protesters held placards with slogans including: “Armenia without Russian boots” and “End the Russian occupation”.

“Russia must leave Armenia,” said protester Anahit Tadevosyan who said the Russians were “destroying Ukraine”.

“They have betrayed us, they must leave,” the 74-year-old added.

A heavy police presence outside the base — home to around 3,000 troops — prevented clashes between the anti-Russia rally and a rival protest of a few dozen people in support of the base.

The Gyumri base “ensures the independence and security of Armenia,” Manuk Sukiasyan, a member of the Mother Armenia movement said at the counter-protest.

The Russian 102nd Military Base has been in the northern Armenian city since 1995.

Last year, Russia agreed to remove some troops and border guards from Armenia, but left its forces on Armenia’s borders with Turkey and Iran.

The two countries are military allies through the Moscow-led Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO), a mutual defence pact, though Yerevan said it had de facto suspended participation amid bilateral tensions.

Armenia also joined the International Criminal Court (ICC) last year, a move that obliges it to arrest Russia’s President Vladimir Putin should he set foot on Armenian territory. Putin faces an ICC warrant on war crimes charges.

US approves sale of cruise missiles to Ukraine: Wall Street Journal

By
IFP Media Wire
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Russia Ukraine War

The munitions, which have a range of up to 280 miles, will arrive in Ukraine within six weeks. Several US officials told the WSJ that Ukraine would have to seek the Pentagon’s approval when using them.

While US President Donald Trump had criticized the previous administration for its unconditional aid to Kiev, he said earlier this week that Ukraine has “no chance of winning” unless it is capable of striking targets in Russia. Ukrainian troops have been steadily losing ground to Russian forces over the course of 2025 and struggled to replenish their ranks.

After months of uncertainty over America’s commitments, Trump said in July that any additional weapons delivered to Ukraine would be paid by NATO members in Europe.

Ukraine’s key European backers, including France and Germany, are increasingly pushing further weapons deliveries as part of the security guarantees provided to Ukraine after the end of the conflict. Russia, however, maintains that Western military aid is an obstacle to reaching a peace deal.

Iran FM urges Islamic nations to unite against “Greater Israel” threat

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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Abbas Araghchi

In an op-ed published by Asharq Al-Awsat ahead of an emergency meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Jeddah, Araghchi condemned “organized genocide and ethnic cleansing” by Israel in Gaza, with Western support enabling “unprecedented crimes.”

“The Zionist regime has turned Gaza into scorched earth, using starvation as a weapon and turning food distribution points into death traps for innocent civilians,” Araghchi wrote.

He said Israel’s actions in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen reflect an aggressive strategy aimed at regional domination under the notion of the so-called “Greater Israel.”

He urged the upcoming OIC summit to move beyond symbolic statements and adopt “decisive, coordinated measures,” including diplomatic pressure, international legal action, and economic and military sanctions against Israel.

Araghchi also called for the immediate creation of a UN- and OIC-supervised humanitarian corridor to deliver aid to besieged Gazans, adding that unity among Islamic nations is critical to safeguarding regional security and advancing the cause of an independent Palestinian state with Al-Quds as its capital.

Iranian wrestling legend Emam-Ali Habibi passes away at 94

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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Born on May 26, 1931, in a village near Babol, Habibi, widely known as the “Tiger of Mazandaran,” began his wrestling journey with the traditional local style “Locho” before entering professional freestyle wrestling in the early 1950s.

Habibi made history at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics by winning gold in the 67 kg category, becoming the first Iranian wrestler to achieve the feat.

He later secured three world championship titles in 1959, 1961, and 1962, along with a gold medal at the 1958 Asian Games in Tokyo.

Renowned for his speed and mastery of techniques such as “one arm-one leg” and “head-and-arm,” Habibi was considered the fastest wrestler of his era.

His remarkable skills earned him a place in the United World Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2012, and since 2010, an international tournament in northern Iranian province of Mazandaran, his hometown, has been held in his honor.

After retiring from competition, Habibi briefly coached new wresters.

Erdogan’s wife urges Melania Trump to speak up for Gaza’s children

By
IFP Media Wire
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Gaza War

Emine Erdogan asked Donald Trump’s spouse to write to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to show mercy to Gaza’s children.

In a letter presented to Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Alaska Summit earlier this month, she appealed to him to make peace in Ukraine for the sake of the children.

Turkey’s First Lady wrote: “I have faith that the important sensitivity you have shown for the 648 Ukrainian children who have lost their lives in the war will be extended to Gaza as well, where, in the span of two years, 62,000 innocent civilians, including 18,000 children, have been brutally killed.”

“As a mother, as a woman, and as a human being, I deeply share the sentiments expressed in your letter, and I hope that you will give the same hope to the children of Gaza, who also yearn for peace and tranquillity,” Emine wrote to Melania.

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has tried to act as a mediator between Russia and Ukraine during the war, which is in its fourth year.

On Tuesday, he accused Israel of using hunger as a weapon in Gaza, stating the images coming from the Palestinian enclave were worse than “Nazi camps”.

The United Nations on Friday officially declared a famine in Gaza, which Netanyahu dismissed as a “blatant lie”.

Iran observes martyrdom anniversary of Imam Reza with massive pilgrimage

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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The northeastern city of Mashhad, home to the revered Imam’s shrine, has become the focal point of mourning and devotion.

According to official reports, millions of pilgrims, including visitors from abroad, arrived in Mashhad by the eve of the martyrdom anniversary, on Saturday evening.

Among them, thousands made the journey on foot, a powerful gesture of reverence and spiritual commitment, as confirmed by the governor of Khorasan Razavi province.

Similar mourning rituals and gatherings are taking place in cities across the country, including Qom, where Imam Reza’s sister, Hazrat Masoumeh, is buried.

The nationwide observance reflects the deep emotional and religious significance of the occasion.

Imam Reza was martyred in 818 AD, poisoned by the Abbasid ruler Caliph Ma’mun. His martyrdom anniversary, which falls on August 24 this year, is recognized as a national holiday in Iran, drawing millions into collective remembrance.

China ready to dispatch peacekeeping troops to Ukraine: Welt

By
IFP Media Wire
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China Army

However, China is prepared to do so only “if the peacekeeping forces were deployed on the basis of a mandate from the United Nations (UN),” the sources told Welt.

China is the latest country to wade into the discussion of what peacekeeping forces could be deployed to Ukraine in the future, and under what conditions, as U.S.-mediated peace talks between Russia and Ukraine stumble.

In the past week, the discussions have heavily focused on what security guarantees could be offered to Ukraine.

Ukraine has stressed the need for robust security guarantees backed by international support as part of any peace negotiations, noting that Russia has repeatedly violated its international agreements, including prior agreements to respect Ukraine’s sovereignty.

According to Welt, reactions to China’s announcement were mixed, with some believing that a coalition of countries beyond Ukraine’s traditional Western allies would make the prospect of peacekeeping forces more acceptable to Russia.

On the other hand, “there is also a danger that China primarily wants to spy on Ukraine and, in the event of a conflict, will take a clearly pro-Russian position instead of a neutral position,” a senior EU diplomat familiar with the ongoing discussions told Welt.

Sending foreign troops to Ukraine as part of support offered by a group of allies known as the “Coalition of the Willing” is one of several proposals that have been put forth to ensure that a ceasefire is respected in the event of a deal with Russia.

Around ten European allies are willing to send troops to Ukraine, Bloomberg has recently reported. The U.K., France, Lithuania, and Estonia have publicly declared their readiness to provide troops on the ground.

The United States has ruled out sending its own troops to Ukraine though has said it is open to offering other security guarantees.

Russia, however, has rejected the idea of stationing European troops in Ukraine. Doing so would amount to “foreign military intervention,” which Moscow won’t support, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has stated.

Pentagon barred Ukrainian long-range attacks in Russia with US missiles: WSJ

By
IFP Media Wire
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Russia Ukraine War

The unannounced high-level Defense Department approval process has prevented the use of Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) against targets inside Russia since the late spring, an unnamed official said.

U.S. President Donald Trump has said that Ukraine had “no chance of winning” if not permitted to attack Russia and criticized former U.S. President Joe Biden for not letting Kyiv “fight back, only defend.”

Despite this, Trump has previously stated he disagreed “very vehemently” with the previous White House administration’s decision to permit Ukrainian long-range strikes against Russia with U.S. weapons.

The review mechanism was developed by the Pentagon’s policy undersecretary, Elbridge Colby, and oversees Ukraine’s use of American-made weapons and European weapons, which rely on U.S. intelligence and components, WSJ reported.

In addition to the review process for missile strikes, a rating system has been reportedly implemented to assess whether the U.S. has enough stock of a particular weapon. Red, yellow, and green categories were introduced by Colby to help decide what weapons may be supplied to Ukraine.

The new review process applies to the British long-range Storm Shadow missiles due to its reliance on U.S. targetting data, a British offical and two U.S. officials said.

On at least one occasion, Ukraine has planned to use ATACMS against a target within Russian territory but was denied approval, two U.S. officials noted.

Ukraine last received a shipment of ATACMS authorized by the former White House administration in the spring, unnamed U.S. officials told WSJ.

Despite Trump’s recent remarks that Ukraine can not win the war against Russia without fighting back, U.S. officials have stated Trump’s statement does not signal a policy change. Trump may change his mind and permit expanded offensive operations against Russia, one senior White House official told WSJ.

Kyiv has proposed buying U.S. weapons worth $90 billion as part of security guarantees, as Ukraine and its allies aim to maintain interest from the White House.

The proposal aims to secure U.S. security guarantees and cement Washington’s long-term commitment to Ukraine by tying Kyiv’s defense needs to a boost for American industry.

The plan would reportedly be financed by Ukraine’s European allies, which would fund the purchase of U.S. weapons.

Ukraine first received shorter-range versions of ATACMS in the fall of 2023. In the spring of 2024, the U.S. began supplying upgraded models with a range of up to 300 kilometers. At the time, Kyiv was only permitted to deploy these missiles against targets in occupied Ukrainian territory.

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