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Iran, Russia call on IAEA to maintain technical focus before key board session

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi held a telephone  conversation at noon on Monday with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov. During their conversation, the two sides discussed and exchanged views on bilateral relations as well as regional and international developments.

The Iranian foreign minister spoke about Iran’s diplomatic initiatives and consultations with regional countries aimed at safeguarding peace and stability in the region, stressing the importance of strengthening this process with the participation of all relevant parties.

Araghchi also referred to the constructive and responsible approach of the Islamic Republic of Iran toward the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

He underlined the necessity for the agency to adhere to its technical mandate and to avoid politicized behavior or being influenced by political pressure and interference from the United States and certain European members.

Lavrov for his part welcomed the formation of a regional consultation and cooperation framework, saying Moscow is ready to continue close coordination with Tehran.

He further pointed to Russia’s efforts at the UN to uphold the principles of the UN Charter.

The two sides also underscored the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program ahead of the upcoming Board of Governors meeting and agreed to coordinate their positions within this framework.

The IAEA Board of Governors meeting will be held from Wednesday to Friday (19–21 November) at the Agency’s headquarters in Vienna.

According to reports, the three European countries—Britain, France, and Germany—along with the United States, have submitted a draft resolution concerning Iran’s nuclear program ahead of the session.

Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs, had earlier warned that if an anti-Iran resolution is adopted in Vienna, Iran will undertake a fundamental review of its approach toward cooperation with the Agency as well as its commitments under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

Palestinians say US proposal for multinational force in Gaza aims to impose external control

Gaza War

In a joint statement, the factions said the proposed mandate would pave the way for “external domination over the Palestinian national decision,” shifting Gaza’s administration and reconstruction to a supranational body with wide authority – a move they argue would strip Palestinians of their right to govern their own affairs.

The groups stressed that any humanitarian effort must be managed through “competent Palestinian institutions” under UN oversight, based on respect for Palestinian sovereignty and the needs of the population, and free from attempts to use aid as a political or security tool to reshape Gaza’s internal reality.

They warned that channeling humanitarian assistance through a foreign-run mechanism would turn aid into a tool of pressure, undermining Palestinian institutions and weakening the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), whose role they stated “must be protected as an international witness to the refugee issue and their inalienable rights.”

The factions rejected any clause involving disarmament in Gaza or any infringement on the Palestinian people’s internationally recognized right to resist the Israeli occupation.

According to the statement, any discussion related to weapons must remain “a purely national matter” tied to a political process leading to an end to the Israeli occupation and the establishment of a Palestinian state.

The statement criticized the envisioned role of a proposed multinational force, warning that it would “practically serve the (Israeli) occupation” through direct coordination with Tel Aviv.

The groups added any international mission, if established, must fall fully under UN authority, coordinate exclusively with official Palestinian institutions, and limit its tasks to protecting civilians, ensuring aid delivery, and separating forces – without becoming a security authority or supranational administration.

They also refuted any form of foreign military presence, trusteeship, or international bases inside Gaza, calling such measures a direct assault on Palestinian sovereignty.

They called for international mechanisms to hold Israel accountable for its ongoing violations, including responsibility for civilian safety and the worsening humanitarian crisis resulting from Israel’s control of Gaza’s crossings.

The statement concluded that an Arab–Islamic framework for administering Gaza is the most acceptable model, and that any future arrangements must be rooted in “the free Palestinian will” and the unity of land, people, and cause.

The Arab–Islamic framework envisions that Hamas would hand over the administration of Gaza to a transitional Palestinian administrative committee of independent technocrats.

The statement comes as the UN Security Council is scheduled to vote Monday on implementing the second phase of US President Donald Trump’s Gaza plan, which includes deploying an international force in the enclave and outlining a pathway toward establishing a Palestinian state.

The Gaza ceasefire agreement entered into force on Oct. 10 under Egyptian-Qatari-US-Turkish mediation, though Israel has continued violations and blocked the move to the second phase of the deal, which centers on security and administrative arrangements in the strip and Israeli withdrawals.

 

Iran neither opposes negotiations nor intends to abandon uranium enrichment: Ex-FM

Kharazi made the remarks on Sunday afternoon at a daylong conference titled “International Law Under Assault: Aggression and Defense.” The event, held in Tehran by the Foreign Ministry’s Institute for Political and International Studies (IPIS), brought together diplomats and analysts from Iran and several other countries, including France, Italy, Greece, Britain, Russia, Iraq, and Lebanon.

“We do not escape from negotiations; what we reject is any negotiation conducted under pressure, at gunpoint, or through acts of violence,” he said, advising US President Donald Trump to adopt a constructive approach and demonstrate readiness for talks based on equality and mutual respect.

“At the same time, you should understand that we will not abandon the peaceful use of enrichment, we will not forfeit our defensive power, and we will not sell off our independence,” Kharazi added.

He noted that Iran is a resilient nation—one that has demonstrated its resilience on numerous occasions, including during the 12-day war of aggression launched by Israel on June 13, which the United States later joined.

The Donald Trump administration must accept the reality that Iran does not bow to pressure, he emphasized.

Tehran and Washington were engaged in negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program when Israel launched the war three days before a new round of talks. The regime targeted Iran’s nuclear facilities and critical infrastructure, assassinated scientists and senior military commanders, and killed more than 1,000 civilians. Iran responded forcefully with drone and ballistic missile strikes inside Israel.

 

Lebanese military says working with ‘friendly states’ to halt Israeli violations

It comes after Israeli soldiers fired at a patrol belonging to the UN peacekeeping mission (UNIFIL), without causing injuries.

Israel “continues to violate Lebanese sovereignty, undermining stability and obstructing the full deployment of the army in the south,” the army said in a statement, describing the targeting of the UNIFIL patrol as “the latest of these condemned attacks.”

Lebanon “will work with friendly states to put an end to these ongoing violations,” the army said, stressing the need for immediate action because the situation represents a serious escalation.

Earlier Sunday, UNIFIL announced that an Israeli tank fired at its peacekeepers near a position Israel built inside Lebanese territory.

UNIFIL confirmed there were no injuries and said the shooting constitutes “a serious violation” of UN Security Council Resolution 1701.

Resolution 1701, adopted on Aug. 11, 2006, calls for a cessation of hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel and the establishment of a weapons-free zone between the Blue Line and Lebanon’s Litani River.

Tensions have been mounting in southern Lebanon for weeks, with the Israeli army intensifying near-daily air raids inside Lebanese territory, allegedly targeting Hezbollah members and infrastructure.

The Israeli army has killed more than 4,000 people and injured nearly 17,000 in its attacks on Lebanon, which began in October 2023 and turned into a full-scale offensive in September 2024.

Under a ceasefire declared in November 2024, the Israeli army was supposed to withdraw from southern Lebanon this January, but instead only partially pulled out and continues to maintain a military presence at five border outposts.

 

EU defence chief says Europe ‘not ready’ for Russian drone attack

The 27-nation bloc is scrambling to plug its drone defences after NATO jets shot down Russian drones over Poland in September.

“Why did it take us more than two years and the trigger of the Russian provocation with drones against Poland, and also against Baltic States and Romania, to understand that we are not ready to detect Russian drones and to destroy them with cost-effective means?” Kubilius said in a speech in Vilnius.

“The Russians are learning. Are we?”.

NATO has sent reinforcements to its eastern flank and is deploying more drone defences in the wake of the incident in Poland.

The EU has also stressed it wants to build a system of anti-drone defences — but details remain in flux and any plan will likely take years.

Kubilius insisted that, as European nations play catch up, they must seek to include Ukraine and its battle-hardened military of some 800,000 personnel as a key part of their broader defences.

“If we do not do that, we shall make a historical mistake, which shall leave us weaker. And which shall leave Ukraine weaker,” Kubilius added.

The rush to bolster EU defences comes as European intelligence agencies warn that Russian President Vladimir Putin could look to attack a NATO country in the coming years if the war in Ukraine ends.

 

Iran conducts first cloud-seeding operation of year in Urmia basin

Snow Iran

The operation, conducted on Saturday, involved a specially equipped aircraft dispersing cloud-seeding materials over the region.

Mohammad Mehdi Javadianzadeh, head of the Organization for the Development and Operation of Advanced Atmospheric Water Technologies, said the initiative aims to enhance rainfall in suitable weather systems that enter the country.

“We will carry out operations on all incoming systems that are favorable for cloud seeding,” he stated.

Javadianzadeh noted that no suitable rainfall system has yet reached the capital Tehran, but authorities are monitoring conditions closely.
A weak system is also forecasted for western provinces, where seeding will proceed if conditions permit.

The cloud-seeding program is scheduled to continue until mid-May 2026, using aircraft and drones as needed.

Officials emphasized that, while cloud seeding is a cost-effective method of harvesting atmospheric water, managing public expectations about the technology remains critical.

Globally, cloud seeding is also used for hail suppression, fog clearing, rainfall delay, and enhancing water storage for hydroelectric power.

Javadianzadeh said Iran’s operations focus exclusively on increasing rainfall to support the country’s critical water resources.

Iranian daily accuses Taliban minister of “deceit” over Helmand river water rights

Iran water share

According to Jomhouri Eslami, Afghanistan’s acting Minister of Industry and Trade, Nooruddin Azizi, visited Sistan and Baluchestan province for talks on expanding border trade, constructing a second route at the Milak crossing, and enhancing the use of Iran’s Chabahar port.

When questioned about Iran’s longstanding demand for its Helmand water rights, Azizi attributed the lack of water flow to severe drought in Afghanistan, saying Kabul has “no hostility or intention to divert water.”

In a commentary published by the daily, Iranian journalist Farshid Abedi argued that Azizi’s remarks contradict documented water diversions toward the Godzareh depression, which Iran says prevent Helmand waters from reaching Sistan.

The article cites satellite imagery that shows significant volumes of floodwater being diverted annually following the construction of the Kamal Khan Dam, completed during Afghanistan’s previous government.

The report further asserts that both the former Afghan administration and the Taliban have resisted proposed adjustments to the dam’s infrastructure that could restore downstream flow into Iran.

The newspaper contends that continued diversion undermines Iran’s water rights and contradicts Kabul’s claims of drought-related shortages.

Lawyer says actor Pejman Jamshidi returned to Iran voluntarily, alleged rape case still under investigation

Speaking to local media, attorney Kambiz Barjas stated that “no new developments” have occurred in the case. “The file is still under preliminary investigation and no specific action has been taken,” he said.

Barjas emphasized that Jamshidi’s recent return to the country, after his trip to Canada to visit his sister and other family members, was voluntary.

“My client came back to Iran willingly. No judicial authority had issued a summons. He stands ready to appear before the court out of respect for the law,” the lawyer added.

According to Barjas, the judiciary’s spokesperson previously confirmed that certain individuals with information relevant to the case had been questioned, but no further measures had followed.

He also noted that an earlier temporary detention order was reviewed “as a matter of urgency” by senior judges in the Court of Appeal. “The decision was overturned and the detention order was lifted. My client is now free. This ruling is final and enforceable,” Barjas said.

Trump says supports bill to sanction Russia’s trading partners, including Iran

“The Republicans are putting in legislation that is very tough sanctioning, etcetera, on any country doing business with Russia,” Trump told reporters before leaving Florida on Sunday to return to the White House.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune said in October that he was ready to bring legislation long championed by Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina that sanctions Russia to a vote, but didn’t “want to commit to a hard deadline.”

The bill would allow Trump to impose tariffs of up to 500% on imports from countries that buy Russian energy products and are not actively supporting Ukraine. This specifically targets major consumers of Russian energy, such as China and India.

“We may add Iran to that,” Trump added Sunday, without elaborating.

Democrats and some Republicans in Congress have pushed for legislation to punish Russia for its continued war on Ukraine. Trump had been reluctant to support it as he tried to bring Russian President Vladimir Putin to peace talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Putin is showing no sign of letting up in his military campaign after almost four years of war in Ukraine, with Trump failing to sway Putin even after hosting the Russian leader for a summit in Alaska.