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Israeli attacks on UNIFIL could be a war crime: UN chief

By
IFP Media Wire
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“UNIFIL peacekeepers remain in all positions and the UN flag continues to fly,” UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said in a statement.

“The Secretary-General reiterates that UNIFIL personnel and its premises must never be targeted. Attacks against peacekeepers are in breach of international law, including international humanitarian law. They may constitute a war crime,” he added.

Dujarric added that UNIFIL personnel and its premises must never be targeted.

He urged all parties, including the Israeli military to refrain from any action that put UN peacekeepers at risk.

UNIFIL announced Israel had “deliberately” fired shots at its headquarters in the town of Naqoura in recent days.

At least five peacekeepers have been wounded in recent days in southern Lebanon. The UN chief strongly condemns attacks on peacekeepers in southern Lebanon as a violation of international law and a war crime.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called on Guterres to relocate peacekeepers from southern Lebanon.

Earlier on Sunday, 40 countries contributing to the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Lebanon demanded an immediate halt to Israel’s attacks on peacekeepers.

“Such actions must stop immediately and should be adequately investigated,” said the countries in a joint statement posted on X by the Polish UN mission on Sunday.

The contributing nations reaffirm their “full support for UNIFIL’s mission and activities, whose principal aim is to bring stabilization and lasting peace in South Lebanon and the Middle East”.

UNIFIL is tasked with monitoring a ceasefire that ended a 33-day war in 2006 between Israel and Lebanon’s resistance movement Hezbollah. It was first established as an interim force in 1978 to confirm Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanon.

The mission now involves about 9,500 troops of some 50 nationalities.

Pezeshkian to Macron: Iran supports any proposal to restore regional security, stability

By
IFP Media Wire
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Pezeshkian Macron

Pezeshkian made the remarks during a phone call Sunday with French President Emmanuel Macron, where they discussed the latest developments in the region, particularly the Israeli invasion of southern Lebanon.

The president emphasized that Iran seeks a secure region free from war and conflict and welcomes any effort towards a ceasefire.

He noted that Iran exercised restraint following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on 31 July, allowing Western diplomacy a chance to broker a ceasefire agreement in Gaza.

“However, the Zionists have demonstrated a disregard for any humanitarian framework and international law by intensifying their bombings and crimes in Gaza and extending them to Lebanon,” Pezeshkian added.

On October 1 and after nearly two months, Iran launched a missile barrage at Israeli military and intelligence bases in retaliation for the assassination of Haniyeh as well as Hezbollah chief Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah and a senior IRGC commander, who were both killed in a massive Israeli airstrike on southern Beirut.

In the telephone conversation, Prezeshkian reiterated that Iran is prepared to support any proposal that would lead to “peace and stability” in the region.

The president urged President Macron to work with other European leaders to compel the Israeli regime to cease its genocidal actions in Gaza and Lebanon.

He also welcomed the French government’s decision to halt the supply of arms to the Israeli regime.

On Friday, Macron said “stopping the export of weapons” used by Israeli forces in Gaza and Lebanon was the only way to end fighting, and also condemned the “deliberate” targeting of UN peacekeepers in Lebanon.

“We all know it. It’s the unique lever that would end it,” Macron added at a summit of European and Mediterranean leaders in Cyprus.

Police chief reiterates Iran firm to expel 2mn illegal Afghan migrants within 5 months

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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Iran Afghanistan Refugee

Speaking at a ceremony in the northeastern Iranian city of Mashhad on Sunday, General Ahmadreza Radan stated, “Since the announcement of the initiative to expel foreign nationals, there has been an increase in both voluntary surrenders and arrests of illegal foreign nationals.”

Iran has been grappling with the challenges posed by a large number of illegal immigrants, primarily from Afghanistan.

The illegal immigrants, whose number is unofficially estimated at about 10 million, often seek better economic opportunities or flee conflict in their home country.

The Iranian government has been under pressure to address the issues, balancing humanitarian concerns with the need to enforce immigration laws and maintain social stability.

While Iran has been praised for its inclusive policies, such as allowing Afghan children to attend school regardless of their documentation status, the government has faced criticism from within society for its leniency towards undocumented immigrants.

The move reportedly reflects the country’s intensified efforts to address illegal immigration and enforce immigration laws more strictly.

4 Israeli soldiers killed in Hezbollah drone attack, one of bloodiest raids since October 2023

By
IFP Media Wire
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The incident late Sunday local time is one of the bloodiest attacks on Israel since the beginning of the Gaza war last October.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said an unmanned aerial vehicle, or UAV, launched by Hezbollah hit an army base adjacent to Binyamina, a town north of Tel Aviv that lies some 40 miles from the Lebanese border.

In addition to the four soldiers killed, seven soldiers suffered severe injuries, the IDF added.

According to Israel’s Magen David Adom emergency service, a total of 61 people were wounded in the attack.

Those injured in Binyamina were transported to eight different hospitals, according to Magen David Adom.

The news comes after Hezbollah said Sunday it had fired a swarm of attack drones on an Israeli infantry training camp in Binyamina. The Lebanon-based group added the attack was in response to Israeli strikes in Lebanon Thursday that killed 22 people and injured 117, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Health.

Hezbollah noted it had targeted the Golani Brigade, an infantry unit of the IDF that has been deployed in southern Lebanon. The claim of responsibility for the attack came shortly after the group released an audio message from its slain leader Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah calling on its members to “defend your people, your family, your nation, your values and your dignity”.

Israeli air defence systems tend to be very reliable, but on Sunday, there were no reports of alerts in the Binyamina area at the time of the attack, raising questions of how the drone was able to penetrate so deep into the occupied territories without being spotted.

The Binyamina attack comes almost two weeks after Israel launched a ground incursion into southern Lebanon. The IDF has insisted the operation is “localized” and “limited” – even though the reality on the ground suggests it might be preparing for a wider invasion.

More than 1,500 people have been killed and more than 8,000 injured in Lebanon since September 16, when Israel stepped up its campaign against Hezbollah.

US says to send THAAD missile defence shield to Israel amid tensions with Iran

By
IFP Media Wire
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The US Department of Defense announced on Sunday that Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin had authorised the deployment of a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) “battery and associated crew of US military personnel to Israel” to help boost Tel Aviv’s air defences.

“The THAAD Battery will augment Israel’s integrated air defense system. This action underscores the United States’ ironclad commitment to the defense of Israel, and to defend Americans in Israel, from any further ballistic missile attacks by Iran,” the Pentagon said in a statement.

The announcement comes less than two weeks after Iran fired a barrage of missiles at Israel on October 1 in retaliation for the assassinations of Hamas and Hezbollah leaders and an Iranian general.

Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have vowed to retaliate — spurring fears that the Middle East could be dragged into an all-out regional war.

Iranian officials warn Tehran will give a stronger response to any Israeli attack, stressing the regime can once again test the Islamic Republic’s will.

It is unclear when exactly the US’s THAAD system will be deployed to Israel.

While the US has said it favours diplomacy and a de-escalation in the region, critics have noted that Washington offers Israel unwavering military and diplomatic support.

The US provides Israel with at least $3.8bn in military aid annually, and the Biden administration has authorised $14bn in further assistance to its ally since the Israeli military began its war on the Gaza Strip in October of last year.

Israel also recently expanded its bombing campaign in Lebanon, after exchanging fire with Lebanese group Hezbollah across the Israel-Lebanon border for months.

Yet despite growing concerns over a widening war, the Biden administration has rebuffed calls to suspend weapons transfers to Israel to pressure Tel Aviv to end the wars in Gaza and Lebanon.

Tel Aviv already uses three integrated missile defence systems to intercept incoming rockets and missiles fired towards Israel.

The US previously deployed a THAAD battery to Israel in 2019 for training and an air defence exercise, the Pentagon noted on Sunday.

Biden also directed the military to send one to the Middle East “to defend American troops and interests in the region” after last year’s October 7 attacks by Hamas on southern Israel.

Ukraine warns of growing alliance between Russia, North Korea

By
IFP Media Wire
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Putin Kim

The president’s remarks follow reports that North Korea is likely to deploy regular troops to Ukraine to aid Russia at the front.

“We see an increasing alliance between Russia and regimes like North Korea,” Zelensky said in his address.

“This is no longer just about transferring weapons. It is actually about transferring people from North Korea to the occupying military forces.”

In light of this escalation, Ukraine’s front-line troops need “more support”, Zelensky added, emphasizing that support for Kyiv extends beyond weapons deliveries.

“It is about increasing pressure on the aggressor, which will be stronger than they can withstand. And it is about preventing a bigger war,” he continued.

Moscow and Pyongyang have deepened military cooperation as Russia seeks arms and other support in its full-scale war against Ukraine. North Korea has been supplying Russia with ballistic missiles and vast quantities of artillery shells, according to reports. Both countries, however, have dismissed the claims.

The two countries signed a mutual defense pact during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Pyongyang earlier this year.
South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong-Hyun told lawmakers in early October that North Korea was likely planning to send troops to Ukraine to fight alongside Russia. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov on Oct. 10 dismissed these reports as “fake news”.
Zelensky said on Oct. 13 that Kyiv will hold additional talks with Western partners in the coming days on Ukraine’s victory plan.
“(I)t is absolutely realistic to strengthen the position of our country, to strengthen the position of Ukraine exactly as it is necessary for a fair peace,” he added.
“And right now we need to act to prevent Russia and its allies from adapting to our capabilities.”

Iran ready for both war and peace: FM Araghchi

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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“Our region is facing dangerous challenges and is on high alert,” Araghchi stated. “Iran is fully prepared for both war and peace. We do not seek war, we do not desire war, we stand firm in our pursuit of peace.”

Referring to the Zionist regime’s aggression against Lebanon, he said the regime has minimized the ability to provide aid to Lebanese refugees, but we continue our assistance efforts to support the displaced.

Araghchi highlighted the precarious situation in the region, underscoring Iran’s ongoing diplomatic consultations on critical issues. “My visit is specifically focused on consultations regarding sensitive and dangerous developments in our region and the Persian Gulf. We have had productive exchanges of information and views.”

He reiterated Iran’s stance on regional stability, stating, “We have repeatedly declared that we are fully prepared for any situation. Other than the Zionist regime, no one in the region desires war.”

During the press conference, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein emphasized Iraq’s refusal to allow its airspace to be used for attacks on neighboring countries.

He also expressed solidarity with the Palestinian and Lebanese people in the face of Israeli aggression.

“The military aggression of the Zionist regime against Gaza and the Palestinian people continues, and this war has now expanded to Lebanon, displacing tens of thousands. The Iraqi government and people have opened their doors to Lebanese refugees, and we stand in strong solidarity with the people of Lebanon,” Fuad Hussein stated.

Hussein also expressed concern about the Zionist regime’s efforts to drag Iraq into the conflict, stating, “The Zionist regime’s threats against the Islamic Republic are intended to entangle Baghdad in the conflict.”

Hussein reiterated we are completely against the continuation and expansion of the war towards Iran. If a war were to happen, Iraq’s airspace must remain outside the conflict.

Iran’s Hadi Choopan, known as ‘Persian Wolf’, wins silver in Mr. Olympia 2024

By
IFP Media Wire
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Choopan, nicknamed ‘The Persian Wolf’, finished in second place in the 2024 Mr. Olympia, and , won $250,000.

Samson Dauda was awarded his first Olympia title and the richest prize in the sport’s history: $600,000.

It is the first time the Olympia title returns to the UK since Dorian Yates held the Sandow trophy in 1997.

The 2023 winner, Derek Lunsford, failed to successfully defend his title and finished third in this year’s event.

Choopan won two bronze medals in 2019 and 2021. The ‘Persian Wolf, claimed a historic gold medal in 2022 and also won two successive silvers in 2023 and 2024.

US putting its forces at risk by sending them to Israel: Iran

By
IFP Media Wire
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“While we have made tremendous efforts in recent days to contain an all-out war in our region, I say it clearly that we have no red lines in defending our people and interests,” he wrote in a post on X.

Araghchi noted the United States has sent record volumes of arms to Israel during its war on the Gaza Strip.

Washington is putting lives of its soldiers at risk by deploying them to Israel in order to operate US missile systems.

The comments come amid news reports that the US is considering sending its advanced THAAD missile defence system to Israel in order to defend it against a potential Iranian response to a looming Israeli attack on Iran. The system requires US personnel on the ground to operate it.

Netanyahu calls on UN to evacuate peacekeepers from Lebanon

By
IFP Media Wire
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UNIFIL

“Mr. secretary-general, get the UNIFIL forces out of harm’s way. It should be done right now, immediately,” Netanyahu said in a video statement issued by his office.

Netanyahu said the military had asked the UN to evacuate the soldiers repeatedly, adding that their presence in the area made them hostages of Hezbollah.

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati has slammed Netanyahu’s demand for UN chief Antonio Guterres to move UN peacekeepers away from the border.

Beirut “condemns Netanyahu’s position and the Israeli aggression against UNIFIL” peacekeepers, Mikati said.

“The warning that Netanyahu addressed to … Guterres demanding the removal of the UNIFIL represents a new chapter in the enemy’s approach of not complying with international [norms]”, he added.

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), is a mission of about 9,500 troops of various nationalities and was created following Israel’s 1978 invasion of Lebanon.

It is currently tasked with monitoring a ceasefire that ended a 33-day war in 2006 between Israel and Hezbollah.

Netanyahu’s appeal comes a day after the UN forces in Lebanon refused to withdraw from the border area despite five of its members being wounded in Israeli fire in recent days.

Forty countries whose soldiers serve as United Nations peacekeepers in Lebanon say they “strongly condemn” recent attacks on peacekeepers by Israel, in a joint statement released on Saturday.

The statement was posted on X by Poland’s mission to the UN, after the UNIFIL reported a fifth member of the peacekeeping force was injured in southern Lebanon on Friday.

“Such actions must stop immediately and should be adequately investigated,” the statement said, adding: “We urge the parties of the conflict to respect UNIFIL’s presence, which entails the obligation to guarantee the safety and security of its personnel at all times.”

Co-signatories of the statement include the UK, France, India, Germany and Spain.

Since Thursday, UNIFIL reported that two peacekeepers were injured after an Israeli tank fired toward its observation tower in Naqoura, causing it to collapse. On Friday UNIFIL announced two more were hurt after two explosions near the observation tower.

Sri Lanka and Indonesia, whose nationals were among the injured, condemned the incidents.

On Friday a fifth peacekeeper was hit by gunfire at its headquarters in Naqoura due to ongoing military activity nearby, according to a UNIFIL statement released on Saturday.

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