Thursday, April 9, 2026
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US pauses visas for Afghan travelers after National Guard shooting

The US State Department

“The Department of State has IMMEDIATELY paused visa issuance for individuals traveling on Afghan passports. The Department is taking all necessary steps to protect U.S. national security and public safety,” the State Department said in a post on the social platform X Friday evening.

The suspect — an Afghan national — allegedly behind the shooting Wednesday in Washington, D.C., is facing a first-degree murder charge after U.S. Army Spc. Sarah Beckstrom died from her wounds.

Rahmanullah Lakanwal, who is accused of shooting Beckstrom and U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, was charged with three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed and one count of first-degree murder.

Lakanwal entered the U.S. in September 2021 through a program for Afghans who assisted the U.S. during its two-decade war in Afghanistan.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services also announced on Friday that all asylum decisions would be halted “until we can ensure that every alien is vetted and screened to the maximum degree possible.” Lakanwal was reportedly granted asylum earlier this year.

President Donald Trump had already said on Thursday that he would stop immigration from “all Third World Countries” in the wake of the shooting.

“I will permanently pause migration from all Third World Countries to allow the U.S. system to fully recover,” the president wrote on his Truth Social platform.

The Trump administration also announced Thursday it would take another look at green cards connected with 19 countries.

Washington, D.C., police said Friday they were working in “close coordination” with the National Guard to ensure safety after the shooting.

“Law enforcement agencies across Washington, DC, including the Metropolitan Police Department, are working in close coordination with the National Guard to ensure the safety of our community,” a Metropolitan Police Department spokesperson said in an emailed statement to The Hill.

 

Iran says parliament prepared proposals for possible NPT withdrawal

Iran Nuclear Program

Azizi condemned the recent resolution passed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors, calling it politically motivated and the result of pressure from Western governments.

The resolution urges Iran to clarify the status of enriched uranium stockpiles and nuclear sites that were struck earlier this year by the US and Israel.

He criticized the IAEA’s silence regarding attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities, the assassination of scientists and commanders, and civilian casualties, stating that Iran has consistently cooperated with the agency through inspections and surveillance measures.

Despite this cooperation, he said, Iran has faced military aggression and renewed activation of the “trigger mechanism” by European parties under US pressure.

Azizi stressed that Iran’s nuclear activities are peaceful and essential to strategic national interests, adding that Tehran will not retreat from its “legal and legitimate rights.”

He also dismissed recent comments by US President Donald Trump about possible talks with Iran, calling them false and delusional.

Greek media hails Iran striker Taremi as “a luxury option” in Olympiacos attack

According to the report, Taremi has delivered “remarkable efficiency” since joining the Greek club.

Across his first 13 appearances and only 466 minutes on the pitch, he has scored nine goals in all competitions.

The outlet highlighted that these goals came from just 11 shots on target, calling his finishing “exceptionally accurate and effective.”

Taremi’s goal against Real Madrid at Karaiskakis Stadium was cited as further evidence of his growing influence and his ability to perform decisively even in major matches.

The report also commended Olympiacos’ three-man attacking unit of Ayoub El Kaabi, Mehdi Taremi and Roman Yaremchuk, describing the trio as “an outstanding combination” that enhances both the team’s tactical flexibility and scoring threat.

Gavros added that Taremi remains impactful even when deployed as a supporting forward rather than the central striker, noting that his movement and intelligence constantly disrupt opposing defenses and give the coach “a powerful and luxurious attacking option.”

Iran director Majidi receives special honor at First Eurasia International Film Festival

The festival’s top prize, Best Film and a statuette valued at the equivalent of one million dollars, was awarded to the Chinese film Against the Current directed by Xu Zheng.

The ceremony was held Thursday evening in Moscow with the attendance of Russia’s Culture Minister Olga Lyubimova, presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky, and Iran’s ambassador Kazem Jalali.
Nikita Mikhalkov, founder of the Eurasia Film Academy, presented Majidi with the festival’s “Diamond Butterfly” honor, praising his body of work.

During his acceptance speech, Majidi highlighted his long-standing focus on children and paid tribute to the “innocent children of Gaza,” expressing hope for peace for all children affected by war.
The hall screened scenes from his films, including Muhammad (PBUH), accompanied by Iranian music, followed by a minutes-long standing ovation.

The festival’s main award went to China, while winners in other categories each received a prize valued at USD 250,000.

Seventeen countries submitted 34 films to the festival’s first edition, which organizers say aims to promote ethical values and showcase the cultural diversity of Eurasian cinema.
Iran participated with Call Me Ziba, In the Arms of the Tree, and My Daughter’s Hair.

Russia says any military cooperation with Iran follows framework of strategic partnership treaty

Responding to a question on whether Moscow would provide military assistance to Iran if the US or its allies launched an attack, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated that Russia’s cooperation with Tehran is governed by the terms of the bilateral treaty.
She said the document sets out “clear parameters” for military and technical collaboration.

The agreement was signed on January 17, 2025 during Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian’s visit to Moscow.
According to Russian officials, the treaty formally entered its implementation phase on October 1.

The agreement commits the two sides to maintaining economic and trade cooperation and to engaging in close coordination during joint military exercises.
It also includes a clause stating that if either country faces aggression, the other party must not assist the aggressor.

Additionally, the treaty obliges both states to prevent their territories from being used to support separatist movements that could threaten each other’s territorial integrity.

The agreement is valid for 20 years and will automatically renew for five-year periods thereafter unless either side objects.

Iran strongly blasts Zionist regime’s crimes in West Bank

Esmael baghaei

The spokesperson pointed to the continuous attacks by Zionist forces and settlers on Palestinian camps in Nablus and Jenin, the assassination of Palestinians, arbitrary arrests of West Bank residents, and the destruction of homes and farmlands of Palestinian farmers, and called on the international community to pay attention to the brutal crimes currently taking place in this part of occupied Palestine.

Baqaei also pointed to reports from human rights organizations regarding the prolonged detention of hundreds of Palestinian children and the torture leading to the death of dozens of Palestinian prisoners in the detention centers and prisons of the Zionist regime.

He underlined the responsibility of the international community, especially the United Nations and the UN Human Rights Council, to address the gross violations of Palestinian human rights, stressing the necessity of recording each of these crimes as crimes against humanity and prosecuting and punishing the Zionist perpetrators.

Iranian MP criticizes UN forum for giving platform to separatist groups

United Nations

During the second session of the forum’s opening day in Geneva on Thursday, statements were read by groups identified as terrorist organizations, including the al-Ahwaziya movement. These groups have been involved in violent attacks inside Iran that have led many people dead or injured

Kamal Hossein-Pour, a Kurdish Sunni representative of Piranshahr and Sardasht in Iran’s parliament, delivered a sharp statement condemning a discriminatory and inhumane practice of granting such groups a platform.

He argued that the forum’s actions reflected double standards and undermined human rights principles.

Hossein-Pour also criticized the process of selecting keynote speakers, saying it lacked transparency, impartiality, and fairness as required under international law.

He objected to the choice of a representative from the Baha’i community, who used the opportunity to level accusations against Iran rather than address minority rights in general.

Concluding his remarks, Hossein-Pour stressed that in Iran, social and civic rights are guaranteed to all citizens, and no individual is deprived of rights based on personal beliefs.

Ayatollah Khamenei rejects claims of back-channel messages to U.S.

Ayatollah Khamenei said the United States brings “war, destruction, displacement, and genocide” wherever it intervenes, saying Washington is fueling global instability from Ukraine to the Middle East.

According to the Supreme Leader, the U.S. “ignited the costly war in Ukraine and failed to achieve its goals,” noting that US President Donald Trump had predicted a quick resolution but is now “trying to impose a 28-article plan by force” on the country involved.

He also said Israeli attacks on Lebanon, Syria, the West Bank, and Gaza were taking place “with full American backing,” arguing that global public opinion has turned against the U.S.

Ayatollah Khamenei strongly rejected reports that Iran had sent messages to the United States via a third country, saying: “They fabricate rumors claiming that Iran, the Iranian government, sent a message through such-and-such country to America. This is an absolute lie. Nothing of this sort has happened.”

He further said Washington has betrayed even its own allies, stating: “They support the criminal Zionist gang ruling over Palestine, and for the sake of oil and underground resources, they are prepared to ignite wars anywhere in the world—including now in Latin America. Such a government is not one with which the Islamic Republic would seek relations or cooperation.”

Ayatollah Khamenei declared that the United States suffered a “severe defeat” during the recent 12-day confrontation with Iran.

He said Washington employed “its latest offensive and defensive weapons,” including submarines, fighter jets, and advanced air-defense systems, yet “could not achieve its objectives.”

“The U.S. wanted to deceive the Iranian nation and drag it behind itself,” Ayatollah Khamenei said.

“But the opposite occurred. The unity of the Iranian people against America grew stronger, and they were able to truly thwart the enemy’s plans.”

Israel hits Lebanon with nearly 700 air raids since ceasefire: Report

Lebanon War

A ceasefire was reached between Tel Aviv and Beirut on Nov. 27, 2024, after more than a year of attacks against the backdrop of the Gaza war. Over 4,000 people were killed, and 17,000 others were injured in the attacks.

Under the ceasefire, the Israeli army was supposed to withdraw from southern Lebanon this January, but instead only partially pulled out and continues to maintain a military presence at five border outposts.

In a report, the Alma Research and Education Center found that 699 air raids were launched by the Israeli army across Lebanon over the past year on claims of targeting Hezbollah infrastructure.

According to the report, 47% of the airstrikes hit south of the Litani River, and 38.4% north of it. The Bekaa region in eastern Lebanon was targeted by 13% of the attacks, while the remaining 1.6%, which corresponds to 11 strikes, hit the capital Beirut, and its surrounding areas.

The majority of the attacks occurred in the first months of the ceasefire, with an average of 51 strikes per month.

The Israeli institute found that December 2024 and March 2025 recorded the highest number of airstrikes.

The report claimed that 218 Hezbollah operatives have been killed in the Israeli attacks.

On Sunday, senior Hezbollah commander Haitham Ali Tabatabai was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut.

“At this stage, no permanent, continuous, or significant Hezbollah presence or activity is identified along the contact line,” the report added.

 

Iran condemns Australia’s designation of IRGC as “unlawful, politicized” move influenced by Israel

IRGC

In its statement, the ministry strongly condemned “the offensive and unjustifiable action” by Canberra in labeling Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guard Corps, asserting that the Islamic Republic considers the move unlawful, indefensible, and in violation of legal and international norms governing respect for the sovereign equality of states.

While expressing its strong disapproval of  “the acquiescence of certain Australian policymakers” in the malicious policies of the “genocidal Israeli regime” aimed at spreading falsehoods against Iran, the ministry underscored the Australian Government’s international responsibility for this “wrongful act.”

The statement added that this irresponsible measure continues a grave error previously made by Australia, based on baseless accusations fabricated by Israeli security agencies—an error that turned the longstanding diplomatic relationship between Iran and Australia into a bargaining chip to appease Israel.

According to the ministry, the decision amounts to complicity between those who instigated the measure and perpetrators of crimes currently under investigation by the International Criminal Court.