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Shanghai Bloc conducts Sahand-2025 anti-terror exercise in Iran

By
IFP Media Wire
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IRGC

The drill, led by the IRGC Ground Force, is taking place in the Shabestar area.

IRGC Ground Forces public relations deputy Col. Shahram Askaryan said the exercise was designed under instructions from Iran’s General Staff of the Armed Forces, with cooperation from the Foreign Ministry and the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure.

He stressed the operation holds “special strategic importance.”

Askaryan added that Iran has long been a central actor in combating terrorism, noting that “more than 17,000 of our compatriots, including women and children, have been martyred by terrorists.”

The exercise will run for five days from Monday, Dec. 1, 2025, at the Imam Zaman mechanized brigade’s operational zone in Shabestar.

Further operational details will be released later.

 

At least 357 Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks in Gaza since ceasefire: Report

By
IFP Media Wire
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Gaza War

The majority of the victims were women and children, Gaza’s Government Media Office announced in a statement.

The office said 38 people were arbitrarily detained by the Israeli army, documenting 591 Israeli violations of the ceasefire, including direct gunfire towards civilians and their homes and tents, bombardment, and home demolitions.

These violations are proof of “the (Israeli) occupation’s insistence on undermining the agreement and creating a bloody reality on the ground that threatens security and stability in the Gaza Strip,” it added.

The repeated Israeli attacks despite the ceasefire “constitute systematic crimes intended to expand destruction and collectively punish the population, amounting to a grave breach of the Geneva Conventions,” the statement read.

The office called on US President Donald Trump, ceasefire mediators and guarantors, and the UN Security Council to take serious and effective action to halt the Israeli attacks and compel Tel Aviv to fully comply with the agreement.

The ceasefire deal, mediated by Türkiye, Egypt, and Qatar, and backed by the US, came into force on Oct. 10 to halt two years of Israeli attacks that have killed more than 70,000 people, mostly women and children, and injured over 170,000 others since October 2023.

Phase one of the ceasefire deal includes the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. The plan also envisages the rebuilding of Gaza and the establishment of a new governing mechanism without Hamas.

 

Florida talks aimed at ‘creating a pathway’ for sovereign Ukraine: Rubio

By
IFP Media Wire
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“This is not just about peace deals. It’s about creating a pathway forward that leaves Ukraine sovereign, independent and prosperous,” Rubio said at the start of the meeting.

Ukrainian security council secretary Rustem Umerov added, “We are discussing about the future of Ukraine, about the security of Ukraine, about no repetition of aggression of Ukraine, about prosperity of Ukraine, about how to rebuild Ukraine.”

The Ukrainian team led by Umerov discussed US President Donald Trump’s peace roadmap in a meeting that included the president’s peace envoy Steve Witkoff and informal adviser Jared Kushner.

Speaking to reporters afterwards, Rubio said that while progress had been made, “there’s more work to be done.”

“There are a lot of moving parts and obviously there’s another party involved here that’ll have to be a part of the equation and that’ll continue later this week when Mr. Witkoff travels to Moscow,” Rubio continued, adding that the US had been in touch with the Russians and has “a pretty good understanding” of Moscow’s position.

Umerov called the talks “difficult, yet productive,” adding that there was “tangible progress on the way to a just peace.”

Although critics in Ukraine and the West have derided Trump’s plan as favoring Russia too much, the president said it was conceived with input from both sides and was later “fine-tuned” during additional meetings earlier this month.

Ukraine has so far rejected several of Russia’s key demands, including the withdrawal of troops from the Donbass and recognizing its new borders. Russian President Vladimir Putin said last week that a ceasefire was impossible as long as Ukraine continues to occupy parts of Russian territory.

 

Israelis protest outside Herzog’s home to demand rejection of Netanyahu pardon request

By
IFP Media Wire
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Opposition lawmakers, including Knesset member Naama Lazimi, joined the protest, which demanded Herzog reject the pardon request, The Times of Israel daily reported.

Protesters held signs blaming Netanyahu for Israel’s political crisis and chanted, “You are the leader; you are the guilty.”

One demonstrator wore a Netanyahu mask and an orange prison-style jumpsuit to highlight his ongoing corruption trial.

The demonstration was held under the slogan “Pardon = Banana Republic,” with participants standing behind a large pile of bananas topped with a sign labeled “Pardon” in a satirical reference to the clemency request.

The protest came amid strong political and public reactions to Netanyahu’s move asking the president to end his years-long trial.

Earlier, Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid urged Herzog not to grant a pardon unless Netanyahu admits guilt and retires from political life.

Netanyahu, 76, formally requested clemency on Sunday without admitting guilt, despite Israeli law requiring a confession before the president can issue a pardon.

His three corruption cases include Case 1000, which accuses Netanyahu and family members of receiving expensive gifts from businessmen in exchange for favors; Case 2000, which focuses on alleged dealings with Yedioth Ahronoth publisher Arnon Mozes to secure positive coverage; and Case 4000, which centers on alleged regulatory benefits to Bezeq telecommunication owner Shaul Elovitch in exchange for favorable coverage on the Walla news site.

Beyond the domestic charges, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu on Nov. 21, 2024, for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza, where more than 70,000 people have been killed, mostly women and children, and nearly 171,000 others injured since October 2023.

 

Trump says sets no deadlines for Russia on Ukraine war

By
IFP Media Wire
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“I don’t have a deadline,” he told reporters aboard his plane as he traveled to Washington from Florida, where he spent the Thanksgiving weekend.

This was Trump’s response to a question about whether he was trying to impose any deadlines on Russia for taking steps to resolve the crisis.

“I have a deadline — when the war is over,” the US president added.

He made the remarks just hours after Secretary of State Marco Rubio held talks with the Ukrainian delegation in Florida.

Corruption remains one of Ukraine’s main problems, Trump stated, while commenting on the prospects of brokering peace between Moscow and Kiev.

Speaking to journalists aboard Air Force One on Sunday, Trump said Ukraine has “some difficult problems.”

When asked to clarify, the president pointed to a “corruption situation going on, which is not helpful.”

Trump added that both Russia and Ukraine would like the conflict to end, and that “there’s a good chance we can make a deal.”

Ukraine was rocked by a major corruption scandal last month involving figures in President Volodymyr Zelensky’s inner circle. The country’s Western-backed anti-corruption agencies alleged that Timbur Mindich, the Ukrainian leader’s former longtime business partner, was the ringleader of a $100 million kickback scheme in the energy sector, which relies heavily on foreign aid. Mindich fled the country to evade arrest, apparently after being tipped off.

The scandal led to charges against seven people and the resignation of two government ministers, with opposition MPs claiming that more top officials may have been involved.

Another of Zelensky’s close associates, Andrey Yermak, resigned as his chief of staff last week after his apartment was raided by anti-corruption investigators. Although Yermak has not been charged, he said he stepped down to avoid causing “problems” for Zelensky.

Ukraine has faced several major corruption scandals in recent years. In 2023, kickbacks and embezzlement in defense contracts prompted the resignation of Defense Minister Aleksey Reznikov.

 

NATO says needs to be ‘more aggressive’ towards Russia

By
IFP Media Wire
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NATO

Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, chair of the NATO Military Committee, told the Financial Times (FT) in an interview published on Sunday that member states have been weighing options to respond to what he described as Russia’s “hybrid war.”

“We are studying everything … being more aggressive or being proactive instead of reactive is something that we are thinking about,” Dragone said.

The commander added that a “pre-emptive strike” could be considered a “defensive action,” though it would be “further away from our normal way of thinking and behavior.”

According to FT, diplomats from Eastern Europe have been especially vocal in demanding tougher actions against Russia, including retaliatory cyberattacks. Dragone noted, however, that NATO’s decision-making has been constrained by legal and ethical concerns, as well as jurisdiction.

In September, NATO increased air patrols in Eastern Europe and the Baltic states in response to alleged airspace violations by Russia. Moscow has denied claims that its aircraft and drones encroached on NATO airspace and accused the allies of warmongering.

Politico Europe reported last week that NATO was also considering joint offensive cyber operations against Moscow. Russia has denied hacking Western institutions, insisting that it has instead been the target of numerous cyberattacks, including some claimed by pro-Ukrainian groups.

Russian Ambassador to Belgium Denis Gonchar said last week that NATO members were pursuing a “rampant militarization” of Europe under the guise of deterring Russia’s “non-existent” plans to attack them.

 

Iran’s president highlights importance of unity, cooperation among Muslim states

By
IFP Media Wire
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During a meeting on Sunday evening, the Iranian president and visiting Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan emphasized the need to strengthen bilateral relations and enhance unity within the Islamic world.

Pezeshkian highlighted the sensitive circumstances facing the Islamic world, stating that at a time when the common enemies of Muslim nations are seeking to increase pressures, Islamic countries should ease conditions for one another and avoid complicating regional issues. Iranians and Turks are brothers, he added.

The president described the relationship between Tehran and Ankara as deeply rooted in shared history and culture, noting the vast potential for expansion. He stressed that if Muslim countries move forward with a unified will based on solidarity and the exchange of experience, no external power will be able to create problems for them.

Pointing to Europe’s experience, where historical rivalries eventually gave way to integrated financial, political, and commercial structures, Pezeshkian said the Islamic world, with even deeper cultural and civilizational commonalities, can also pursue cohesive cooperation and collective development by connecting flows of trade, knowledge, and culture.

The Turkish foreign minister, who conveyed warm greetings from Turkey’s president and a message underscoring the importance of expanding economic and regional cooperation, praised President Pezeshkian’s sincere and committed outlook toward the Islamic world. He said internal divisions have cost Muslim nations valuable time and that today the regional situation demands joint and collective action.

Fidan emphasized that the time has come for Islamic countries to advance cooperation through coordinated and equal efforts, stating that nations such as Iran and Turkey, together with other Muslim countries, can help remove discord among the Islamic Ummah.

He also remarked on developments in Iran, saying that Ankara acknowledges that since the victory of the Islamic Revolution in Iran, the country has advanced with remarkable speed and dynamism.

 

Navy chief reaffirms Iran’s sovereignty over Persian Gulf Islands, says foreign claims to fail

By
IFP Media Wire
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Naaz Islands in Persian Gulf
In an interview with the Tehran-based Jam-e Jam newspaper, Rear Admiral Shahram Irani underscored Iran’s historic and indisputable sovereignty over the three islands, saying that a powerful, vigilant, and united Iran will never allow any power to infringe upon its territorial integrity.
Rear Admiral Irani highlighted the geographic, economic, military, and geopolitical significance of the islands, noting that their location enables the Islamic Republic of Iran to maintain effective control over the Strait of Hormuz.
He added that both the surface and subsurface areas of these islands contain diverse and extensive fossil and marine resources.
According to the navy commander, from a geopolitical and military perspective, control over the three islands is as strategically important as possessing aircraft carriers, as the islands can serve as critical positions for strengthening Iran’s defensive and security capabilities in the face of potential threats.
He further emphasized that the islands also hold considerable economic potential due to their clear waters, rich marine biodiversity, and sub-surface coral formations, offering strong prospects for nature-based and maritime tourism.
Rear Admiral Irani noted that the islands overlook the main waterways entering and exiting the Persian Gulf—an element that has prompted some regional states, influenced by extra-regional powers, to raise unfounded claims in an attempt to create tension around the islands.
He asserted that Iran’s adversaries must not assume they can undermine Iran’s sovereignty by promoting fabricated disputes. Based on historical and legal evidence, Iran’s ownership of the three Persian Gulf islands is definitive, continuous, and indisputable.

 

Iran offers to extend Gas deal with Turkey, calls for boost in energy, economic cooperation

By
IFP Media Wire
-

Speaking at a joint press conference in Tehran on Sunday afternoon following his meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Seyed Abbas Araqchi said that despite all efforts made and the positive results achieved, there is still a considerable gap before the full potential of the two countries—particularly in trade and economic relations—can be realized, and multiple steps must be taken to bridge that gap.

Araqchi noted that both ministers stressed the need to remove obstacles to bilateral trade and investment, adding that it was agreed the High-Level Cooperation Council and the Joint Economic Commission of the two countries would address these issues in detail.

Announcing the upcoming opening of Iran’s consulate general in the Turkish city of Van, Araqchi said the consulate would create new opportunities for bilateral ties, including enhanced cooperation between border provinces.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Araqchi said the repeated violations of the ceasefire in Gaza and Israel’s recent attacks on Lebanon and Syria show that the Israeli regime has broader plans to destabilize the region.

He stressed that stability, security, and calm in Syria are directly linked to preserving its territorial integrity, adding that the main threat to Syria’s security and stability comes from Israel’s occupation and aggressive actions.

Araqchi said it is the duty of regional countries to curb the regime’s aggression and expansionism, including in Syria and Lebanon.

He also reaffirmed Iran’s support for Turkey’s efforts to disarm the PKK terrorist group and to establish a terrorism-free zone.

Israeli PM submits formal pardon request

By
IFP Media Wire
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Benjamin Netanyahu

“The Office of the President is aware that this is an extraordinary request which carries with it significant implications. After receiving all of the relevant opinions, the president will responsibly and sincerely consider the request,” according to a statement by Herzog’s office.

US President Donald Trump wrote to Herzog earlier this month asking him to pardon Netanyahu, who has repeatedly denied wrongdoing in the ongoing court cases.

 

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