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Iran Leader urges continued focus on Palestinian struggle, denounces Israeli actions, Western support

Ayatollah Khamenei

Speaking in Tehran during a meeting with Iranian workers on Saturday, Ayatollah Khamenei emphasized the importance of maintaining unwavering attention on the plight of Palestinians and the ongoing violence in Gaza.

“Through rumors, irrelevant narratives, and the constant introduction of new distractions, there is a clear effort to sideline the Palestinian cause,” the Leader said, reiterating, “Muslim nations must not allow this to happen.”

He criticized “systematic crimes” carried out by Israel in Gaza and other Palestinian territories, stating that such acts are too grave to be dismissed or forgotten.

“The world must stand against these crimes – both against the occupying regime itself and against its supporters,” he said, referring to Western countries, including the US and European powers.

Ayatollah Khamenei reiterated his long-held belief that the Palestinian people will ultimately prevail.

“Falsehood may roam about for a few days, but it is inevitably doomed,” he said, clarifying that the appearant progress by Israeli forces in Syria and other regions does not reflect strength, but in fact, a “symptom of further weakness of them.”

Referring to recent regional developments, including the ongoing conflict in Gaza and Israel’s military measures in Syria, the Leader dismissed them as unsustainable.

“This movement will not last,” he asserted. “With divine assistance and the resilience of the Palestinian people, victory over the occupiers is certain.”

He also urged the Iranian public and the wider Muslim community to remain vigilant and hopeful. “I believe, with divine favor, the day will come when the faithful will witness the liberation of Palestine with their own eyes.”

Israel intercepts missile launched from Yemen

Israel’s military announced it intercepted the projectile on Friday using its air defence systems.

There were no reports of injuries or damage from the missile attack, according to a military statement.

The incident came days after Oman said it mediated a ceasefire deal between the United States and the Houthis, with the Yemeni group saying the agreement did not include Israel.

Houthi rebels fired a “hypersonic ballistic missile” towards Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv, while also claiming a drone attack “targeting a vital Israeli enemy target” in the same area, according to the group’s military spokesperson, Yahya Saree.

Israeli media reported that air raid sirens were sounded in several areas across central Israel, with people receiving early warning mobile messages about the missile attack.

Defence Minister Israel Katz said that Israel would respond forcefully in Yemen and “wherever necessary”, describing the Houthi missiles as “Iranian”.

Friday’s missile sent thousands of people “running towards shelters and safe rooms”.

US President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that his country would stop bombing Yemen as the Houthis had agreed to stop their attacks on US ships in the Red Sea.

But the Houthis have continued to fire missiles and drones towards Israel, most of which the Israeli military says it has intercepted, without casualties or serious damage occurring.

The Houthis have attacked numerous vessels in the Red Sea linked to Israel and its allies in what they state is an act of solidarity with Palestine.

According to Israeli media, the Houthi group has launched 28 ballistic missiles and dozens of drones at Israel since March 18, when Israel resumed its genocidal war on Gaza.

Israel has been waging a devastating war on the enclave since October 2023, killing more than 50,000 Palestinians, after a Hamas-led attack into southern Israel that month.

Trump has increasingly grown frustrated with Netanyahu amid Gaza war: Report

Trump Netanyahu

The report, citing unnamed sources, stated that Trump and his administration have “simply had enough” of Netanyahu’s refusal to align with Washington’s vision for the region.

American officials believe that Israeli resistance is “obstructing Trump’s broader goals, including aspirations for a Nobel Peace Prize.”

Trump has previously declared his ambition to be recognized with the prestigious award, citing his efforts to mediate peace in Ukraine and the Middle East, including the pursuit of a comprehensive agreement involving Israel, Palestine, and Arab nations.

Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper reported that ahead of Trump’s expected visit to the Middle East next week, the US has intensified efforts to secure a ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal in Gaza.

Behind-the-scenes negotiations, especially through Qatar, one of Trump’s key stops, are underway to reach a breakthrough on the issue of Israeli captives, the daily reported.

Despite Israeli skepticism over Hamas’ willingness to compromise, US officials remain “hopeful” that progress is achievable under Washington’s leadership.

Trump is set to begin his tour of the Persian Gulf on May 13 with stops in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.

The report also highlights a string of recent American policy moves that have ‘surprised’ Israeli officials.

These include Washington’s decision to proceed with an agreement with the Houthi group in Yemen and the apparent abandonment of efforts to secure Saudi-Israeli normalization.

According to the daily, sources familiar with the matter said it had long been an “open secret” that normalization with Saudi Arabia was on hold. Now, the US appears ready to move forward with Riyadh regardless of Israeli objections.

The newspaper noted that Israel’s official silence on these developments reflects a growing rift between Tel Aviv and Washington, with their strategic relationship showing signs of strain.

On Tuesday, Oman announced it had successfully brokered a ceasefire agreement between the US and Yemen’s Houthi group.

Trump confirmed the deal, stating that it would halt Houthi attacks on US ships in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait in exchange for an end to American airstrikes on Houthi targets.

However, the Houthis clarified that the agreement does not include Israel, and they would continue their operations against Israeli targets in solidarity with Gaza.

Sources close to Trump previously told the paper Israel Hayom that the US president is “disappointed” with Netanyahu and plans to take “independent steps” in the region without waiting for Israel.

Gaza aid operation to begin soon without Israeli involvement: US envoy

Gaza War

Speaking to reporters outside the US Embassy in Jerusalem, Huckabee said the planned aid delivery will be carried out through a mechanism agreed on by multiple partners and will not rely on any direct military coordination.

“President Trump wants food distributed in Gaza safely and efficiently,” Huckabee stated.

The announcement comes amid reports in both Israeli and American media that Washington is pushing for a new UN Security Council-backed initiative to deliver humanitarian aid to the besieged Gaza Strip without direct involvement from the Israeli military.

“Several partners have agreed to a mechanism to distribute aid to Gaza,” the official continued, without naming the partners, adding that they have “committed funding but do not want to be identified yet.”

Huckabee emphasized that Israel will not participate in the upcoming operation.

The precise timeline and logistics for the aid delivery have not yet been publicly disclosed.

Since March 2, Israel has kept Gaza’s crossings closed to food, medical, and humanitarian aid, deepening an already humanitarian crisis in the enclave, according to government, human rights, and international reports.

Nearly 52,800 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza in a brutal Israeli onslaught since October 2023, most of them women and children.

The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants last November 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.

Tehran’s Intl. Film Festival hosts many artworks from Gaza

Youssef Mansouri stated that these works were screened directly by Gazan citizens themselves, and it was captivating.

The International 100-Second Film Festival, held in Tehran over the past few days, is a cinematic event where filmmakers from different countries participate with their 100-second films.

According to Mansouri, the turnout for the 14th festival was unprecedented, especially for its side programs, including last year’s documentaries.

He added that workshops with prominent Iranian filmmakers were held during this year’s festival.

Mansouri noted that over 5,300 works were submitted to the festival’s secretariat, nearly half of which were international.

He added the Free Palestine section received significant attention, with around 700 films focusing on Palestine—22 of which came from inside Gaza.

Mansouri also praised the festival’s jury, calling them on par with Iran’s top cinema standards.

Eight family members fall into 50-meter agricultural well in Iran’s Kuhdasht

Ambulance Iran

So far, only one individual has been rescued and is receiving medical care.

The incident occurred after a child initially fell into the well. In a tragic sequence of events, other family members — including the child’s father and brother — entered the well one after another in an attempt to rescue him, only to become trapped themselves.

Emergency response teams, equipped with long rescue ropes, breathing devices, and oxygen tanks, were dispatched immediately after the alert was raised.

An additional rescue team, as well as four ambulances, were also placed on standby.

Governor Naseri confirmed that the rescued individual was transported to Kuhdasht Hospital and is currently under intensive care.

Search and rescue operations are ongoing.

Ukraine imposes sanctions on Russian nationals, companies from Russia, China, Iran

Zelensky

The sanctions list includes 58 individuals and 74 companies, with 67 Russian enterprises related to military technology.

The sanctioned individuals list includes artists and business owners, particularly Vadim Tsyganov, a poet, artist, and producer of Russian singer Victoria Tsyganova, his wife. The couple actively supports Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The sanctions were also imposed on Yuriy Churkin, CEO of the Fort machine tool plant, and Petro Vashchenko, head of the company Unimatic. The plants supply advanced technologies used in the war against Ukraine.

On May 1, Zelensky imposed other sanctions against several individuals and entities, including former presidential adviser Oleksiy Arestovych.

The restrictions were also imposed on blogger Myroslav Oleshko, political analyst Kostiantyn Bondarenko, and Dmytro Vasylets, the former head of the banned political party “Derzhava.”

In addition to individuals, the sanctions affect several Russian enterprises, including the Novolipetsk Steel Plant, Novatek, Arctic LNG, Stoilensky Mining and Processing Plant, Volzhsky Abrasive Works, and Magnitogorsk Electrode Plant.

36th edition of international book fair underway in Tehran

The annual cultural event will run until May 17 and is expected to draw large crowds of book enthusiasts from across the country.

Over 2,300 publishers have registered to participate in various sections of the fair, including both domestic and international exhibitors.

More in pictures:

FM Araghchi: Iran, US set to resume indirect talks on Sunday

Abbas Araghchi

Speaking to Shahrara News during a visit to the shrine city of Mashhad, Araghchi said Iran has expressed its readiness to participate, and the final coordination on timing and venue is being handled by Omani mediators.

“The path of the negotiations is moving forward,” he stated, noting that “But it is important that we are moving forward in a way that will gradually lead us into the details.”

Araghchi criticized the inconsistent messaging from the American side, describing Iran’s approach as professional and principled, in contrast to Washington’s “emotional” and contradictory behavior.

Iran and the US have so far held three rounds of indirect negotiations, mediated by Oman, in Muscat and Rome. The talks aim to reach an agreement on Iran’s nuclear program and the lifting of sanctions against Tehran.

Both sides have described the discussions as constructive, with officials calling the progress “positive” and indicating that the negotiations are moving in the right direction.

The minister also announced visits to Saudi Arabia and Qatar on Saturday. In Saudi Arabia, he will continue regional consultations regarding both indirect US-Iran talks and broader regional issues. In Qatar, Araghchi is scheduled to speak at the fourth Iran-Arab Dialogue Conference.

Araghchi emphasized the importance of ongoing regional dialogue, stating that sustainable agreements depend on addressing the concerns and shared interests of neighboring countries.

Russia says rejects 30-day ceasefire as long as Ukraine receives weapons

Kremlin

“Ukraine will continue their total mobilization, bringing new troops to the front line. Ukraine will use this period to train new military personnel and to give rest to their existing ones. So, why should we grant such an advantage to Ukraine?” Peskov told ABC News.

Peskov added that Russia wants shipments of Western weapons to Ukraine to stop, repeating that, otherwise, a ceasefire will be “an advantage” for Ukraine.

He went on to claim that Russian President Vladimir Putin “is doing whatever is possible to solve the problem, to achieve a settlement through peaceful and diplomatic means,” but without a clear resolution to the war in place Russia “has to” continue the war.

President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly called for a 30-day ceasefire, explaining that three-day ceasefires proposed by Russia around Easter and Victory Day were “theatrical.”

During both of the so-called ceasefires proposed by Russia, Ukrainian soldiers across the front line told the Kyiv Independent of multiple instances of Russian attacks.

International pressure is mounting against Russia to agree to a longer ceasefire, with French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk will arrive in Kyiv on Saturday as a show of support for Ukraine.

U.S. President Donald Trump has shown signs of growing frustration with Russia, despite having repeatedly praised Putin in the early stages of U.S.-brokered peace negotiations.