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Iranian president vows to render US hostilities ineffective ‘with people’s support’

Delivering a keynote speech on Monday in Tehran’s Azadi Square on the occasion of the 46th anniversary of the victory of the country’s Islamic Revolution, Pezeshkian emphasized the importance of unity among Iranians and criticized US President Donald Trump for his contradictory approach of seeking dialogue with Iran while plotting against the nation.

Pezeshkian highlighted the revolution’s success in 1979 in ousting the last Shah of Iran Mohammad Reza Pahlavi through the people’s unity and participation.

The president condemned current US efforts to sow discord and portray Iran as weakened, but said Iran remains resilient.

He sought to assure the Iranian people that the officials are committed to tackling inequality, injustice, and poverty, and urged continued resistance against corruption and external threats.

Pezeshkian also affirmed Iran’s commitment to regional solidarity and defending the oppressed, while advocating for peace and justice with neighboring and Muslim countries.

He criticized the US for supporting Israel’s crimes in the region particularly against Palestine.

He questioned the US’s commitment to peace, pointing out the contradictory actions of bombing civilians and supporting war crimes.

Palestine says Israel’s renaming of West Bank a step toward annexation

Israel Palestine West Bank

In a statement, the ministry condemned the approval by the Knesset’s Cabinet Committee for Legislation of the draft law.

The ministry described the bill as “a dangerous escalation of Israel’s illegal unilateral actions, paving the way for the full annexation of the West Bank, the imposition of Israeli law by force, and a systematic undermining of the possibility of establishing a Palestinian state and resolving the conflict through peaceful political means.”

“This legislation, along with other occupation measures, does not create any legitimate right for Israel over the land of the State of Palestine. It is null and void, illegal, and a blatant violation of international law and UN resolutions, posing a direct threat to regional and global security and stability,” the statement added.

The ministry called for urgent international intervention “to stop Israel’s attempts to alter the political, legal, and geographical status of the internationally recognized State of Palestine.”

It also urged all countries to condition their relations with Israel on its adherence to international law and compliance with UN resolutions.

On Jan. 29, the Knesset passed a preliminary reading of a bill allowing illegal Israeli settlers to register themselves as legal landowners in the occupied West Bank.

Palestinians and Israeli left-wing organizations argue that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government is accelerating efforts to impose Israeli law on the West Bank in preparation for full annexation.

In recent months, Israeli government ministers, including Netanyahu himself, have openly expressed their intention to annex the West Bank, which has been under Israeli occupation since 1967.

Iran embassy in UK dismisses Telegraph’s ‘lies’

Iran Nuclear Program

The embassy issued a statement on Sunday following a Telegraph article that claimed Iranian military commanders had privately urged the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, to revoke his fatwa (religious decree) banning the production of nuclear weapons.

Describing the allegations as “beyond absurdity,” the embassy characterized the report as part of a broader disinformation campaign against the Islamic Republic.

“The Telegraph has turned itself into an apparatus for a malign disinformation campaign against Iran,” the statement read, which was posted on the social media platform X.

“We reject all the claims and accusations it has disseminated on Iran’s nuclear programme throughout the past month, including the one published yesterday which is truly beyond absurdity,” it added.

Reiterating the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear activities, the embassy noted, “Iran’s nuclear program is absolutely peaceful and is part of Iran’s national plan for scientific, technological, and industrial development.”

“WMDs (weapons of mass destruction), in particular nuclear weapons, have no place in our defense doctrine and are prohibited under our religious beliefs and national values,” it stated.

The embassy advised the British media, not least the Telegraph, to instead focus on the “imminent threat” posed by Israel’s arsenal of nuclear weapons to international peace and security.

“Please stop spreading lies and smokescreening the real and imminent threat to world peace, namely Israel’s nuclear arsenal, militancy, and lawless behavior,” it said.

Iran’s UN mission: Tehran has never initiated escalation, responded proportionately to US threats

Iran’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations

In a message posted on X on Sunday, the mission commemorated the 47th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution in Iran, emphasizing that the revolution shattered the “American idol.”

The message read, “Happy anniversary of the victory of the Islamic Revolution of Iran. The Revolution of the Iranian people shattered the American idol, spelled an end to US domination in Iran, and sought a logical, just, and equitable relationship.”

“The Islamic Republic of Iran has never been the initiator of escalation but has always responded proportionately to the nature and intensity of US threats – a course which shall indeed continue.” it added.

The message comes amid the recent move by US President Donald Trump to re-impose “maximum pressure” policy on Iran.

Holding elections a disaster for Ukraine: Zelensky

Volodymyr Zelensky

Earlier, US President Donald Trump’s special envoy for the Ukraine conflict, Keith Kellogg, said Washington would like to see Kiev hold presidential and parliamentary votes before the end of the year. Zelensky has suspended elections indefinitely, citing martial law.

Elections in Ukraine at this time would only benefit Russia, the Ukrainian leader claimed in an interview with ITV News.

“The topic of elections has been brought up by Russians,” he stated.

Moscow has called Zelensky’s legitimacy into question since his presidential term officially expired in May 2024. In late January, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that the Ukrainian leader cannot sign international treaties as they could be declared null and void afterward due to his current status.

Putin noted at the time that the Ukrainian constitution does not envisage extensions of the president’s term, only authorizing this for the parliament, which he called a legitimate governing body in Ukraine. Moscow has not explicitly demanded that Kiev hold elections.

In his interview, Zelensky maintained that Russia only wants to see elections in Ukraine to bring about “destabilization.” He also claimed that the people do not want to have an election, and that he is “absolutely not afraid of them.”

“During this war, our population is against elections, all people are against it.”

According to Zelensky, having an election would require martial law to be lifted. “If we suspend martial law we will lose our army,” he noted, explaining that Kiev would not be able to keep the troops on the front lines otherwise.

“People will come back home and will have every right to return home,” he said, adding that even those who would not go home, would still lose their “combat capability and morale.” Ukraine launched a massive mobilization campaign after imposing martial law, following the start of Russia’s military operation in February 2022.

Kiev has since faced criticism over its heavy-handed approach toward mobilization. Numerous videos have appeared on social media showing Ukrainian conscription officers chasing potential recruits in the streets and subjecting them to abuse.

The mobilization campaign was also marred by widespread draft dodging, corruption, and desertion. Last year, the elite 155th Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces made headlines after around 1,700 members reportedly fled the unit without firing a single shot.

According to Zelensky, having an election with the military still in the trenches is “not fair.” He also described it as near impossible “logistically,” with around 8 million Ukrainians now living abroad. Earlier in the interview, he called on Kiev’s Western backers to first provide Ukraine with security guarantees and economic aid sufficient to convince people who have fled the country to return.

Iran FM firmly rejects Trump’s Gaza conspiracy

Gaza War

Seyed Abbas Araghchi, in a meeting with the chairman and members of the Leadership Council and Political Bureau of the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, in Tehran asserted that such a scheme flagrantly violates international law, UN resolutions, and, most importantly, fundamental human principles, making it entirely unacceptable.

Araghchi highlighted Iran’s ongoing efforts to convene an emergency ministerial meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to discuss the matter.

He stressed the urgent need for a unified and decisive stance by Islamic nations against this dangerous conspiracy.

Mohammad Ismail Darwish, Chairman of the Hamas Leadership Council, also condemned the U.S. president’s proposal to remove Palestinians from Gaza, underscoring a strong and unified position by Arab and Islamic nations against such schemes.

He affirmed that no force can expel the resilient Palestinian people—who endured over 15 months of genocide yet remained steadfast—from their homeland.

He declared that just as they resisted against brutal crimes and aggression, they returned triumphantly to their homes and lands, for they are as deeply rooted in Gaza as its ancient olive trees.

US committed to ‘buying and owning’ Gaza: Trump

Gaza War

Speaking to reporters on board Air Force One on Sunday, Trump said Gaza should be thought of as a “big real estate site” and other countries in the Middle East could be tasked with handling its redevelopment.

“As far as us rebuilding it, we may give it to other states in the Middle East to build sections of it; other people may do it, through our auspices,” Trump stated while en route to New Orleans to attend the Super Bowl.

“But we’re committed to owning it, taking it, and making sure that Hamas doesn’t move back. There’s nothing to move back into. The place is a demolition site.”

Trump also claimed that displaced Palestinians would prefer not to return to Gaza despite his proposal prompting backlash from Palestinian representatives and much of the international community.

“If we could give them a home in a safer area – the only reason they’re talking about returning to Gaza is they don’t have an alternative. When they have an alternative, they don’t want to return to Gaza,” the US president added.

Hamas, the Palestinian group that governs Gaza, reiterated its opposition to Trump’s proposal on Sunday, calling his latest remarks “absurd”.

“Gaza is not a property that can be bought and sold, and it is an integral part of our occupied Palestinian land,” Izzat al-Risheq, a member of the Hamas political bureau, said in a statement shared on Telegram.

“Dealing with the Palestinian issue with the mentality of a real estate dealer is a recipe for failure,” al-Risheq added.

“Our Palestinian people will thwart all displacement and deportation plans. Gaza belongs to its people.”

Earlier on Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Trump’s proposal as “revolutionary” and “creative” while addressing a cabinet meeting held hours after his return from Washington, DC, where he held talks with the US president.

Trump stunned Palestinians and the international community on Tuesday by proposing that Washington take over Gaza as part of an audacious redevelopment plan that he claimed could transform the enclave into “the Riviera of the Middle East”.

The US president doubled down on his suggestion the following day, after officials from his administration attempted to dampen blowback to the proposal by insisting that any resettlement of Palestinians would be temporary.

Trump, a real estate developer before entering politics, has provided few details about how he would implement his proposal, which would face huge practical hurdles in addition to raising legal and ethical concerns.

After initially saying he was open to the possibility of sending the US military into Gaza, Trump later said that no American soldiers would be needed to carry out the plan.

Neighbouring states such as Egypt and Jordan have roundly rejected calls to take in displaced Palestinians despite Trump’s suggestion that they could be resettled in “other countries of interest with humanitarian hearts”.

On Sunday, Saudi Arabia condemned a suggestion by Netanyahu that the kingdom’s land be used to establish a Palestinian state.

“The kingdom affirms that the Palestinian people have a right to their land, and they are not intruders or immigrants to it who can be expelled whenever the brutal Israeli occupation wishes,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed in a statement, accusing the Israeli leader of attempting to “divert attention” from Israel’s ongoing “crimes” in Gaza.

Millions of Iranians take part in Revolution anniversary rallies nationwide

In Tehran, crowds gathered along several routes leading toward the iconic Azadi (Freedom) Square.

People started rallies early Monday to “reaffirm their commitment to the ideals of the Revolution” and expressed solidarity with the oppressed, especially the people of Gaza and victims of US actions.

Marchers, including children and teenagers who were born when the 1979 happened, chanted slogans like “Death to America,” “Death to Israel,” and “We will never accept humiliation.”

The event is covered by over 200 foreign journalists and 7,000 domestic media personnel, with 350 broadcasting teams providing live coverage.

Over 2,000 booths offering cultural, artistic, and relief services have been set up by organizations and institutions. The booths also showcased Iranian industrial products, highlighting the nation’s self-sufficiency and achievements.

Senior officials, including the heads of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, attended the rally in Tehran and called for a strong turnout, describing the event as a day of divine significance and national unity.

Israel kills two, including pregnant woman, in West Bank attack

Israel Palestine

The troops opened fire on a Palestinian family at the camp, killing Sondos Jamal Muhammad Shalabi and critically injuring her husband, the Palestinian Ministry of Health said in a statement on Sunday.

The ministry added medical teams were unable to save the 23-year-old woman’s fetus, because the Israeli military prevented them from transferring the injured couple to a hospital.

In a separate statement the ministry announced that a 21-year-old woman, Rahaf Fouad Abdullah al-Ashqar, was also killed by Israeli forces in her home.

Palestine’s Wafa news agency reported that the Israeli army raided the camp in occupied West Bank’s Tulkarem region early on Sunday and deployed heavy machinery and bulldozers, raiding dozens of homes as reconnaissance planes flew at low altitudes.

Local sources told Al Jazeera Arabic they also heard sounds of heavy gunfire and huge explosions.

The Palestinian Islamic Jihad’s Tulkarem Battalion announced that it had thwarted an Israeli infiltration into Nur Shams.

Earlier, the Palestine Red Crescent Society also said Israeli soldiers prevented its medical teams from entering the camp, despite reports of casualties.

Israel, which claimed its operation targeted what it called “disruptive activities” in the camp, has imposed a curfew in the area.

The raid on Nur Shams camp came as Israeli forces continue their weeks-long military operation in the north of the occupied West Bank, targeting Jenin, camps in Tulkarem and Far’a in Tubas governorate.

The assaults have displaced more than 26,000 Palestinians from their homes in Jenin and Tulkarem in the past few weeks.

Since a ceasefire in Gaza was announced last month, Israel has increased the frequency and intensity of its attacks across the occupied West Bank.

Arab League, PGCC condemn Netanyahu’s comments on Palestinian state in Saudi Arabia

Benjamin Netanyahu

The Arab League announced in a statement that remarks by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appearing to suggest the establishment of a Palestinian state on Saudi soil showed “a complete detachment from reality”.

“The logic behind them is unacceptable and reflects a complete detachment from reality,” the regional bloc’s chief Ahmed Aboul Gheit wrote, adding that ideas such as the one aired by Netanyahu during a recent media interview “are nothing more than mere fantasies or illusions”.

The six-nation Persian Gulf Cooperation Council has also “condemned in the strongest terms” the Israeli prime minister’s comment on the establishment of a Palestinian state in Saudi Arabia.

Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi said in a statement that “these dangerous and irresponsible statements confirm the approach of the Israeli occupation forces in their disrespect for international and UN laws and treaties and the sovereignty of states”.

He affirmed the “firm and steadfast position of the Kingdom and the GCC countries to support the Palestinian people in obtaining their legitimate rights”, the necessity of achieving a two-state solution and establishing an independent Palestinian state with occupied East Jerusalem as its capital.

The official also renewed his call on the international community to “stand seriously and decisively against these aggressive Israeli statements, which pose a threat and danger to the security and stability of the region and the world as a whole”.