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Hamas strongly condemns US lawmaker’s demand to nuke Gaza as genocide incitement

By
IFP Media Wire
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Gaza War

“This extremist call constitutes a full-fledged crime and exposes the fascist racist mentality that governs the thinking of some American politicians,” Hamas said in a statement.

The proposal by the Republican lawmaker from the US state of Florida violates international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions, Hamas stressed, noting it constitutes public incitement to use weapons of mass destruction against Gaza’s more than 2 million civilians.

Fine’s incitement is a “monstrous call,” Hamas stressed, and the group indicated that it will not weaken the faith in the justice of the Palestinian cause, but will “once again expose the true face of the occupation and its backers.”

In an interview with Fox News, Fine said Thursday that Gaza should be “nuked,” likening it to the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki where the US dropped the atomic bomb in World War II, killing an estimated 215,00 victims in the first few months afterward.

Poll: Most Israelis believe Netanyahu cares more about holding power than releasing hostages

By
IFP Media Wire
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Benjamin Netanyahu

Asked what Netanyahu believes is his main goal, 55 percent of respondents to the Channel 12 news survey said staying in power, 36% said returning the hostages, and 9% said they were not sure.

When returning the hostages was swapped out for “winning the war”, the responses remained roughly the same.

Asked why there has not been another ceasefire accord, 53% of respondents cited political reasons, while 38% said legitimate reasons and 9% were unsure.

The survey also said half of the respondents think there is a possibility the government could cancel the elections scheduled for next year by claiming a national emergency, versus 35% who do not believe that could happen.

The question about elections was included after Netanyahu was asked during Wednesday’s press conference why he has not resigned because of the failures surrounding the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, or called elections to seek a renewed mandate from the public.

Channel 12 did not specify how many respondents were included in the poll released Friday or provide a margin of error for the results.

Iranian women crowned Asian Alysh wrestling champions

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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The Iranian team showcased a dominant performance, earning a total of six medals – three gold, two silver, and one bronze – to top the podium with 130 team points. This victory marks Iran’s successful defense of its Asian title.

Gold medals were won by Roghayeh Mahmoudabadi (65kg), Mobina Mirzapour (70kg), and Sahar Ghanizadeh (75kg). Marzieh Khandan (55kg) and Fatemeh Fattahi (60kg) secured silver, while Ezzat Ghorbanisani claimed bronze in the over-75kg category.

Kazakhstan finished second with 110 points, followed by Kyrgyzstan with 105 and host nation India with 75 points.

The Alysh competition in freestyle will be held on Saturday, with Iranian athletes also scheduled to compete.

Alysh, a form of traditional belt wrestling with roots in Central Asia, has grown in popularity in recent years, and Iran has emerged as a strong contender on the Asian stage in both women’s and men’s events.

Iran’s Armed Forces mark Khorramshahr liberation anniversary with strong messages to adversaries

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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Iran National Army Day

The Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran honored the significance of May 24, 1982, describing the recapture of Khorramshahr as a symbol of resistance and divine victory.

It declared unwavering commitment to defending Iran’s territorial integrity, independence, and security, vowing to respond decisively to any threat.

The Army emphasized it would not allow the realization of “the ominous dreams of sworn enemies.”

Separately, the IRGC echoed similar sentiments in its own statement, describing the liberation as more than a military victory and a “manifestation of national identity and strength.”

The IRGC praised the unity of the Iranian people and armed forces during Operation Beit al-Moqaddas and warned that any hostile move by enemies would be met with an “unimaginable and regret-inducing response.”

Both institutions stressed the importance of preserving the legacy of Khorramshahr as a guiding light for future resistance and national resilience.

PM condemns wave of Israeli air attacks on Lebanon

By
IFP Media Wire
-
Lebanon War

Lebanon’s official National News Agency (NNA) reported that the Israeli military struck a building in Toul, a town in the Nabatieh governorate.

Lebanese media outlets also reported Israeli bombardment in the towns of Soujod, Touline, Sawanna and the Rihan Mountain – all in the country’s south.

In a statement, Salam’s office said the Israeli attacks come at a “dangerous” time, just days before municipal elections in Lebanon’s southern districts on Saturday.

The contests are expected to be dominated by Hezbollah and its allies, and there have been growing concerns about the safety of voters, especially in border towns, amid the continued Israeli occupation of parts of southern Lebanon.

“Prime Minister Salam stresses that these violations will not thwart the state’s commitment to holding the elections and protecting Lebanon and the Lebanese,” his office announced in its statement.

As part of the November ceasefire agreement, Hezbollah fighters were to pull back north of the Litani River and dismantle military infrastructure south of that demarcation line.

For its part, Israel was to withdraw all forces from Lebanon but it has kept troops in parts of south Lebanon. It argues it must maintain a presence there for “strategic” reasons.

The truce was based on a UN Security Council resolution that says Lebanese troops and UN peacekeepers should be the only people to bear arms in southern Lebanon, and calls for the disarmament of all non-state groups.

On Thursday, the Israeli military said its forces had carried out several strikes targeting Hezbollah sites and killed one fighter in the southern Lebanon town of Rab el-Thalathine.

Hezbollah did not immediately comment on the Israeli army’s claim.

Separately, a shepherd was injured in a different Israeli attack nearby, the NNA reported.

The Israeli military added its forces also “struck a Hezbollah military site containing rocket launchers and weapons” in the Bekaa Valley in northeastern Lebanon.

The NNA described Israel’s attacks as some of the heaviest since the ceasefire went into effect.

Almost 95%% of Gaza hospitals partially or completely destroyed: WHO

By
IFP Media Wire
-
Gaza War

“Only 19 of Gaza Strip’s 36 hospitals remain operational, including one hospital providing basic care for the remaining patients still inside the hospital, and are struggling under severe supply shortages, lack of health workers, persistent insecurity, and a surge of casualties, all while staff work in impossible conditions. Of the 19 hospitals, 12 provide a variety of health services, while the rest are only able to provide basic emergency care. At least 94% of all hospitals in the Gaza Strip are damaged or destroyed,” the report says.

It adds that since the resumption of hostilities in the enclave on March 18, 2025, WHO has recorded 28 attacks on medical facilities, and since October 2023, there have been at least 697 such attacks.

“North Gaza has been stripped of nearly all health care. In southern Gaza hospitals are overwhelmed by a surge of injured people. Currently, across the Gaza Strip, only 2,000 hospital beds remain available, for a population of over 2 million people, grossly insufficient to meet the current needs,” the report reads.

“Continued hostilities and military presence inhibit patients from accessing care, obstruct staff from providing care, and prevent WHO and partners from resupplying hospitals.”

The organization called for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in the region, reiterating that “the UN and its partners have a clear, principled and effective plan to deliver aid with safeguards against diversion, a system that has worked and must be enabled to continue.”

Since March 2, Gaza has faced a full blockade of essential humanitarian supplies, compounded by the resumption of large-scale military attacks by Israeli forces.

Gaza faces catastrophic hunger levels, with UN agencies warning of imminent famine in northern Gaza, in particular, if aid access does not significantly improve.

Since March 2, Gaza has faced a full blockade of essential humanitarian supplies, compounded by the resumption of large-scale military attacks by Israeli forces.

Rejecting international calls for a ceasefire, the Israeli army has pursued a brutal offensive against Gaza since October 2023, killing more than 53,800 Palestinians, most of them women and children.

Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.

Putin says Russia set on creating ‘buffer zone’ in Ukraine

By
IFP Media Wire
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Vladimir Putin

The president made the remarks during a government meeting dedicated to the situation in Russia’s border regions, including Kursk, Belgorod and Bryansk. Additional measures to support their residents were also discussed.

“It has been decided to create the necessary security buffer zone along the border. Our armed forces are actively solving this task now. The enemy’s firing positions are suppressed, the work is going on,” Putin said.

The idea to create “a certain cordon sanitaire” in Ukrainian-controlled territory along the border was first floated by Putin last March. The president added Moscow could ultimately be “forced” to create such a zone in order to protect civilians in the border regions from Ukrainian long-range strikes.

Russian troops would create a “security zone that would be quite difficult for the adversary to overcome with its weapons, primarily of foreign origin,” if and “when we consider it appropriate,” Putin stated at the time.

Putin’s announcement comes in the wake of an indiscriminate Ukrainian strike on the Kursk town of Lgov that left at least 12 civilians wounded, including two children. According to interim Kursk Governor Aleksandr Khinshtein, the attack targeted an area near the Kursk-Rylsk highway where the route enters the town. Media reports indicated the strike involved at least three projectiles fired by a US-supplied HIMARS multiple rocket launcher.

Over the past two days, Kiev conducted a massive long-range drone attack even deeper into Russia. According to the Russian Defense Ministry, a total of 485 Ukrainian fixed-wing UAVs were downed across the country in the past 48 hours. At least 63 of the drones were intercepted in Moscow Region, while the largest number were stopped over Orel Region, the military said.

FM Araghchi: New round of Iran-US talks held professionally

By
IFP Editorial Staff
-

Announcing the conclusion of the negotiations in Rome, Italy, Araghchi pointed out “In this round, Iran’s principled positions were once again clearly and explicitly outlined.”

The top Iranian diplomat added, the Omani foreign minister had previously proposed solutions and ideas to overcome obstacles, the main points and frameworks of which were reviewed at this session.

According to Araghchi, it was agreed that, alongside further examination in the respective capitals, the Omani foreign minister would continue working on the details of the proposed ideas and provide them to both sides for further discussion.

Iran’s foreign minister said the time and location of the next round of negotiations will be set and announced later.

At the conclusion of the talks, Oman’s Foreign Minister, Badr Al Busaidi, who mediated the negotiations, posted on X: “The fifth round of Iran-US talks in Rome has ended today with some progress but without a final conclusion.”

He added: “We hope that in the coming days, the remaining issues will be clarified so we can move toward the shared goal of reaching a stable and honorable agreement.”

Fifth Round of Iran-US Nuclear Talks Begins in Rome

By
IFP Editorial Staff
-

As in previous rounds, these talks are being held indirectly, with Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi facilitating the exchange of messages between Iran and the US.

A key issue in this round of negotiations is the disagreement between Iran and the US over domestic uranium enrichment, with both sides making statements on the matter.

Recent remarks by Steve Witkowsky, Donald Trump’s special envoy, and the insistence of US officials on a complete halt to enrichment in Iran have complicated the talks.

On Thursday night, Araqchi emphasized in a televised interview that “enrichment on Iranian soil will continue.”

He stated: “Fundamental differences between us still exist. The US side does not believe in enrichment inside Iran. If that is their goal, there will be no agreement. If their goal is ensuring Iran does not pursue nuclear weapons, that is achievable. We are not seeking nuclear weapons.”

He added: “This issue remains unresolved, but there is no reason negotiations should not continue. Diplomacy never stops. Enrichment is a non-negotiable red line for us. We will keep negotiating until they accept this reality. Our enrichment activities will not be halted.”

The Islamic Republic of Iran calls for the effective lifting of unilateral and illegal US sanctions. Additionally, as a signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), Iran asserts its right to enrichment and the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

Fifth round of Iran-US talks ends, with “with progress without final conclusion”

By
IFP Editorial Staff
-

The fifth round of indirect talks between Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araqchi and Steve Witkowsky, the US Special Representative for the Middle East, ended on Friday in Rome, Italy.

These discussions were hosted by Oman’s ambassador to Italy and mediated by Badr al-Busaidi, Oman’s Foreign Minister.

Earlier, Esmail Baqaei, spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry, had commented on the fifth round of indirect talks, stating: “The negotiations are proceeding in a professional atmosphere.”

He further noted: “Overall, it can be said that this round of talks was held in a professional, calm, and reasonable environment.”

At the conclusion of the talks, Oman’s Foreign Minister posted on X: “The fifth round of Iran-US talks in Rome has ended today with some progress but without a final conclusion.”

He added: “We hope that in the coming days, the remaining issues will be clarified so we can move toward the shared goal of reaching a stable and honorable agreement.”

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