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Iran Security Chief: Presence of Foreigners Complicates Regional Dynamics

Iran Security Chief: Presence of Foreigners Complicates Regional Dynamics

The meeting between Ali Akbar Ahmadian, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, and Nikol Pashinyan, Prime Minister of Armenia, took place on Thursday in Yerevan.

Ahmadian stated that the presence of extraterritorial and foreign forces does not contribute to resolving regional issues.

He also expressed the readiness of the Islamic Republic of Iran to share its experiences in various fields, including industry, agriculture, nanotechnology, and biotechnology with Armenia.

The Prime Minister of Armenia, in turn, expressed interest in further participation and cooperation in the North-South corridor and utilizing its potential.

In honoring the memory of the martyr President Raisi, he emphasized the goal of achieving a $3 billion volume in economic interactions between the two countries, as agreed upon during the time of the martyr Iranian president.

The two sides stressed the importance of enhancing political, economic, and defense relations between Tehran and Yerevan during their discussions.

Prior to Yerevan, the Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council had met and discussed with officials in Azerbaijan Republic, including President Ilham Aliyev.

Spokesman: Iranian National, Child Exit Syria, to Return Home Soon

In an interview with Fars News Agency, Baqaei confirmed that necessary arrangements have been made for the return of the Iranian citizen and his child, adding that they are expected to arrive in the country shortly.

Ali Akbar Abotaleb Isfahani had traveled to Syria some time ago for a pilgrimage to holy sites but was unable to leave due to the security situation in the country.

Baqaei expressed gratitude to all parties involved in facilitating this humanitarian effort and reiterated that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spares no effort in protecting Iranian nationals abroad.

Iranian knowledge-based company produces nano diagnostic kit for rapid heart attack detection

Iranian knowledge-based company produces nano diagnostic kit for rapid heart attack detection

According to the Communications and information center of the Vice Presidency for Science, Technology, and Knowledge-Based Economy, symptoms such as chest pain, shoulder and neck discomfort, and shortness of breath often indicate the possibility of a heart attack. In such cases, doctors rely on specific tests to confirm the diagnosis.

After a heart attack, cardiac troponin (cTnI) is released into the bloodstream from damaged heart muscles. This biomarker remains elevated for 6 to 10 days, making it a reliable indicator for detecting heart attacks. Traditionally, blood samples are sent to laboratories, with results taking hours to process.

The new nano diagnostic kits can identify troponin levels in a fraction of this time, providing a life-saving advantage in critical situations. Particularly useful in emergency settings, such as ambulances, these kits enable rapid diagnosis and timely treatment.

The company has signed a collaboration agreement with Tehran’s emergency services to deploy these kits in ambulances. Additionally, their use in medical laboratories can significantly accelerate testing processes, enhancing patient survival rates through faster intervention.

IRGC aerospace cmdr. announces indigenous anti-ballistic defense system

He emphasized the strategic impact this development will have on military dynamics and the perception of adversarial nations.

General Shekhian highlighted the challenge of detecting stealth fighters such as the F-35 and F-22 but affirmed that Iran’s locally developed radar and defense technologies are designed to counter such threats.

He praised the performance of the “9th of Dey” missile system alongside the Dezful and 3rd Khordad systems during a joint air defense exercise, countering claims by the Zionist regime that Iran’s air defenses had been neutralized. “The wide-scale exercises involving both IRGC and Army units demonstrate that we have not lost any strategic capability,” Shekhian asserted.

He also detailed the rapid restoration of damaged systems post-operation “True Promise 2,” ensuring an enhanced defense capacity. He was referring to the anti-Israel operation involving missiles and drones by the Iranian Armed Forces a few months ago.

The drills, organized under the “Defenders of the Sky of Velayat” framework, simulate real-world scenarios with the Army acting as the adversary and the IRGC executing defensive strategies.

Shekhian concluded by noting that the exercises included operations around key sites like Natanz, showcasing Iran’s readiness to respond to any aggression with reinforced capabilities.

Official: Swiss national accused of espionage commits suicide in Iran’s Semnan prison

Iran Prison

The individual had been arrested by security agencies on charges of espionage, with evidence supporting the claims. The case was under investigation at the time of the incident.

The Swiss citizen was housed in a private suite with another inmate. Early this Thursday morning, the individual reportedly asked the cellmate to retrieve food from the prison canteen.

During the brief absence of the cellmate, the detainee used the opportunity to commit suicide.

Prison officials intervened promptly to save the individual, but their efforts were unsuccessful.

All evidence and circumstances surrounding the detainee’s housing have been reviewed, and preliminary investigations confirm the act as suicide.

Siberian gulls bring winter charm to Shiraz, southern Iran

These migratory birds create a picturesque scene, adding a unique touch of natural beauty to the southern Iranian city during the colder months.

Their seasonal visit has become a highlight for nature enthusiasts and photographers alike.

More in pictures:

Lebanon’s parliament elects Joseph Aoun as president

Joseph Aoun

Aoun secured 99 votes from the 128-seat parliament to win the presidency in a second round of voting on Thursday afternoon, which came weeks after a tenuous ceasefire agreement halted 14 months of fighting between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah, as the country seeks aid for reconstruction.

“A new phase in the history of Lebanon begins today,” 61-year-old Aoun told the chamber, as he arrived to take oath in Parliament.

Aoun’s victory, which saw members of parliament erupting in celebration as he reached the required threshold of 86 votes, marked the legislature’s 13th attempt to find a successor for Michel Aoun – not related – whose term ended in October 2022.

In his acceptance speech, Aoun had focused on “building” the nation and its army while sending the message that nobody had been “defeated”.

The Mediterranean country has been without a president since the term of Michel Aoun ended in October 2022, with tensions between Hezbollah its opponents scuppering a dozen previous votes.

In the first round of voting earlier in the day, lawmakers from the pro-Hezbollah bloc had voted blank, a source close to them said, leaving Aoun short of the required two-thirds majority to win outright.

The source added representatives from the bloc met Aoun at the parliament during a break before lawmakers returned for a second vote.

International pressure had mounted for a successful outcome with just 17 days remaining in a ceasefire to deploy Lebanese troops alongside UN peacekeepers in south Lebanon after a Hezbollah-Israel war last autumn.

Aoun now faces the daunting tasks of overseeing a ceasefire on the Israeli border and naming a prime minister to lead reforms demanded by international creditors to save the country from the worst economic crisis of its history.

The president’s powers have been reduced since the end of the 1975-1990 civil war.

But filling the position is key to overseeing consultations towards naming a new prime minister to lead a government capable of carrying out reforms demanded by international creditors.

Aoun was widely seen as the preferred pick of army backer the United States, as well as regional heavyweight Saudi Arabia.

He is Lebanon’s fifth army commander to become president, and the fourth in a row.

Gaza death toll surges past 46k

Gaza War

The ministry statement announced that some 109,378 others were injured in the ongoing assault.

“Israeli forces killed 70 people and injured 104 others in three massacres of families in the last 24 hours,” the ministry added.

“Many people are still trapped under the rubble and on the roads as rescuers are unable to reach them,” the statement read.

Israel has continued a genocidal war on the Gaza Strip since a Hamas attack on Oct. 7, 2023, despite a United Nations Security Council resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire.

The second year of genocide in Gaza has drawn growing international condemnation, with officials and institutions labeling the attacks and blocking of aid deliveries as a deliberate attempt to destroy a population.

In November 2024, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and 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 deadly war on Gaza.

Iranian border guard killed in clash with drug traffickers in Sistan and Baluchestan

Iran Border

The clash occurred during an operation targeting drug smuggling activities near provincial capital of Zahedan early Thursday.

The traffickers, heavily armed, initiated gunfire, prompting a fierce exchange that lasted for hours. Eventually, they fled using the cover of darkness and mountainous terrain.

The operation resulted in the seizure of over 400 kilograms of narcotics, along with weapons and ammunition.

Iran’s newest suicide drone unveiled

The IRGC unveiled and deployed its newest drone during Payambar-e Azam (The Great Prophet) 19 military exercise.

The Rezvan drone has a range of 20 kilometers and a flight endurance of 20 minutes.

Equipped with a forward-facing camera, the drone transmits images back to the operator after being launched from a cylindrical launcher, allowing the operator to select and strike a target.

This drone enhances the rapid response units of the IRGC’s ground forces, providing them with new capabilities to counter terrorist groups, particularly in complex mountainous terrains.

Loitering munitions, also known as “kamikaze drones” or “suicide drones”, are a specific type of weapon designed for precise strikes. Once launched, these systems use advanced optical and thermal sensors to detect and track targets. They patrol designated airspaces, scanning for potential threats, and when they find a target, they dive into it, detonating themselves to ensure destruction.

This unique combination of surveillance and striking capability makes loitering munitions extremely effective in modern warfare. Such weapons are especially effective in ground combat and anti-ambush operations. Their small size and portability make them an ideal weapon for ground forces.