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Iran says Haniyeh assassination to consolidate unbreakable bonds with Palestine

Nasser Kanaani

Kanaani offered condolences on the martyrdom of proud Mujahid Ismail Haniyeh, to the great nation of Palestine, the Hamas movement and all Palestinian resistance factions, as well as all nations and states supporting the Palestinian cause.

Haniyeh and one of his bodyguards were killed in an attack on the residence of the Hamas leader’s residence in Tehran on Wednesday morning.

Kanaani noted a probe is underway by the relevant institutions of the Islamic Republic of Iran to find out the dimensions and details of the incident.

He said, “Undoubtedly, the pure blood of the indefatigable mujahid, who spent all his life in the honorable fight and struggle against the usurping Zionist regime and in the path of liberating Holy al-Quds and the oppressed Palestinian nation from the clutches of the Zionist occupiers, will not go in vain.”

The spokesperson of the Iranian diplomatic apparatus stressed, “The martyrdom of our Mujahid brother, Ismail Haniyeh, in Tehran, will reinforce the deep and unbreakable bonds between the Islamic Republic of Iran and dear Palestine and resistance.”

Russia, China reject US ‘election interference’ claim

“As for these accusations, they are absurd. We resolutely refute them,” the spokesman said, commenting on a US National Intelligence report alleging that Russia, Iran and China are trying to meddle in the American electoral process.

Peskov pointed out that the intelligence community was simply “following modern trends in domestic politics”.

“They too have to look for enemies. And what better enemy for the Americans than the Russians,” the spokesman emphasized.

“Of course, there will be a lot of these kinds of statements as the US election approaches, because Russia and the head of state [Vladimir Putin] personally are, in fact, significantly exploited by both the Republicans and the Democrats in their political struggle, especially in the election campaign. We’re used to it. Unfortunately, this is just the way things are with the United States,” he emphasized.

At the same time, Peskov noted that “every time the US exploits both Russia and Putin in its internal political struggle it causes new irreversible damage to bilateral Russian-American relations”.

“But this happens every political cycle. And in recent political cycles it has only gotten worse,” the spokesman continued, adding, “I would like to remind you that after the last presidential election tens of millions of taxpayer dollars were wasted on the creation and work of special commissions, groups under the US law enforcement agencies, special services and so on, which worked tirelessly for a year, with no regard for taxpayer money, to come to the conclusion that there was no influence on the election. Just a funny fact that I wanted to remind you of.”

It comes in response to a late July Election Security Update by the US Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) in which Russia, China and Iran were accused of supposedly using their influence to impact US politics and threaten the upcoming US presidential election, scheduled for November.

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian responded to the accusations by stating that “China has never interfered in and will not interfere in the US election”.

“We oppose the US spreading false information to smear China and oppose the US election using China as an excuse,” Lin stressed.

Israel claims targeted Hezbollah commander in Beirut

A loud blast was heard and a plume of smoke could be seen rising above the southern suburbs – a stronghold of the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah – on Tuesday evening.

Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported an Israeli air raid had targeted the area around Hezbollah’s Shura Council in the Haret Hreik neighbourhood of the capital and at least one person has been killed.

The Israeli military announced it conducted “a targeted strike in Beirut on the commander responsible for the murder of the children in Majdal Shams and the killing of numerous additional Israeli civilians”.

Beirut has been bracing for a potential Israeli attack since 12 people including children were killed in a rocket attack on Majdal Shams in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights on Saturday.

Following the Majdal Shams attacks, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also visited the town on Sunday and promised a “severe response”.

Israel and the United States have blamed the Lebanese armed group. But a high-ranking Hezbollah source pledged to Al Jazeera that the armed group would respond to any Israeli aggression in Lebanon, including a ground invasion.

Lebanon’s Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib said his government condemned the Israeli attack and planned to file a complaint to the United Nations.

He told the Reuters news agency he hoped any response by Hezbollah would not trigger an escalation.

Lebanon’s Health Ministry said three people, including two children, have been killed and 74 wounded in the Israeli strike.

The “non-final toll of the Israeli aggression on the southern suburbs of Beirut… is three martyrs, including a woman, a girl and a boy”.

The ministry added that “the search for missing persons under the rubble continues.”

Tuesday’s attack has been the first in the vicinity of Beirut since January, when an air raid killed top Hamas official Saleh al-Arouri. That attack was the first time Israel has hit Beirut since the 34-day war between Israel and Hezbollah in the summer of 2006.

Earlier, the Israeli military noted its air force also struck a Hezbollah observation post in Aita al-Shaab and Kfar Kila in southern Lebanon. It added that “about fifteen launches were detected” crossing from Lebanon, saying that no casualties were reported.

White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre has stated that the US does not believe war between Hezbollah and Israel is inevitable.

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin also expressed hope on Tuesday that war between the pair could still be avoided.

“While we’ve seen a lot of activity on Israel’s northern border, we remain concerned about the potential of this escalating into a full-blown fight. And I don’t believe that a fight is inevitable,” he added.

However, the stakes continue to rise as both Israel and Hezbollah fire across their shared border and accuse one another of atrocities.

Hamas confirms political chief assassinated in Israeli attack

The statement reads, “The Islamic Resistance Movement is mourning the children of the great nation of Palestine, the Arab and Islamic ummah (nation) and all the free people of the world.”

“The Mujahid leader, Ismail Haniyeh, was martyred after taking part in the swearing-in ceremony of the new president of Iran in a treacherous attack by the Zionists on his residence in Tehran,” it further added.

Mousa Abu Marzouk, a top member of Hamas’s political bureau, also said that Haniyeh’s assassination was a “cowardly move which will not go unanswered.”

Earlier, Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC), in a statement, offered condolences and said it has launched a probe to find out the circumstances of the incident.

Haniyeh on Tuesday attended the inauguration ceremony of Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian.

IRGC: Hamas Leader Ismail Haniyeh, bodyguard martyred in Tehran

Ismail Haniyeh

The statement reads, “This morning (Wednesday) the residence of Dr. Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of the political bureau of the Islamic resistance, Hamas, was stuck in Tehran, and following this incident, he and one of his bodyguards were martyred.”

The Hamas chief was in Iran to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian.

The statement added further investigation is underway and the results will be announced later.

Survey: Majority in UK, Italy and Spain support ICC warrant against Israeli PM Netanyahu amid Gaza war

Gaza War

ICC prosecutor Karim Khan announced in May that he was applying for arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his Defence Minister Yoav Gallant alongside three senior Hamas officials: Ismail Haniyeh, Mohammed Deif and Yahya Sinwar.

On Monday, YouGov published a poll in which it asked the public in several countries if it supported the arrest warrants for each Israeli and Hamas leader named by Khan.

A majority of 57 percent in Italy and Spain, and 54 percent in the UK, said they supported the arrest warrant targeting Netanyahu. No higher than 15 percent in those countries said they did not support it.

A plurality in France, Sweden, Denmark, Germany and the US also said that they backed the arrest warrant.

Respondents were also asked how likely it was that Israel and Hamas had committed war crimes during the course of the conflict.

Majorities in all those countries, ranging from 63 to 74 percent, said Israel had likely committed war crimes, except in the US where 49 percent said it likely had, almost double the 26 percent in the US who did not think it had.

Big majorities in all the countries surveyed also said that Hamas had likely carried out war crimes.

In all countries surveyed by YouGov, a majority of respondents backed an arrest warrant for Sinwar, the top Hamas leader in the Gaza Strip.

In the UK, 65 percent of respondents said they supported an arrest warrant for Sinwar, compared to 63 percent in Sweden and Spain, and 61 percent in Germany and the United States.

More than 39,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s war on Gaza, the majority of them women and children. A Lancet letter said the toll when all related deaths are factored in could be as high as 186,000.

President Pezeshkian addresses Iran Parliament, vows to defend rights, social justice, lawful freedoms

Key aspects of this vision include the promotion of religious democracy, social justice, lawful freedoms, and the preservation of human dignity and rights.

A Vision for a Developed Iran

“We envision an Iran that is developed in every aspect, adhering to our cultural, geographical, and historical conditions, and rooted in our ethical and Islamic values,” President Pezeshkian declared.

He highlighted the nation’s commitment to advanced knowledge, the capability to produce science and technology, and a robust national defense system based on comprehensive deterrence and the unity of people and government.

Commitment to Social Well-being

President Pezeshkian outlined his government’s priorities, emphasizing health, welfare, food security, social security, equal opportunities, equitable income distribution, and a strong family institution.

He envisioned an Iran free from poverty, corruption, and discrimination, enjoying an optimal environment. “We seek constructive and effective interaction with the world based on principles of dignity, wisdom, and expediency,” he added.

Engagement with the Global Community

Highlighting Iran’s dedication to meaningful global engagement, Pezeshkian stated, “We will pursue constructive and effective interaction with the world, founded on the principles of dignity, wisdom, and expediency.”

He also expressed a commitment to ensuring that no Palestinian child’s dreams are buried beneath the rubble of their ancestral home, pledging that his government will never yield to coercion or pressure.

Respect and Mutual Understanding

Reflecting on two decades of negotiations, Pezeshkian asserted that Iran has always honored its commitments. “Pressure and sanctions are futile; respect is the only viable way to address the people of Iran,” he remarked.
He underscored Iran’s consistent stance on the right side of history and humanity.

Strengthening Regional Ties

He said, the fourteenth administration’s foreign policy prioritizes strengthening relations with neighboring countries. “Our neighbors should not squander their valuable resources on conflicts and exhaustive rivalries,” Pezeshkian advised.

He envisioned a strong region where all neighboring countries collaborate for economic development, progress, and the betterment of future generations’ lives.

“Security in the region should be ensured by the countries within the region,” he asserted.

Combatting Extremism and Islamophobia

Pezeshkian condemned extremism and false narratives of Islamophobia. “No one in the world accepts that the leader of a regime that bombs women and children in Gaza should be lauded,” he declared, criticizing the double standards in the global perception of fundamental human rights.

Iran’s Stand for Palestinian Freedom

“We dream of a world where the proud people of Palestine are liberated from occupation, oppression, and genocide, where no Palestinian child’s dreams are buried beneath the rubble of their ancestral home,” he concluded.

Britain seeking new trade deals with Persian Gulf states

Jonathan Reynolds, business and trade secretary, stated on Monday he would attempt to secure free trade agreements with the six countries of the [Persian] Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) – Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Out of the other five countries in the list after the GCC, two are Middle Eastern – Israel and Turkey.

Reynolds said in a statement: “From the Gulf to India, our trade programme is ambitious and plays to the UK’s strengths to give British businesses access to some of the most exciting economies in the world.”

While in opposition earlier this year, shadow foreign secretary David Lammy said forging stronger ties between the UK and the Persian Gulf would be one of his priorities.

On Saturday, Prime Minister Keir Starmer met the emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, in Paris following the Olympic opening ceremony.

The two leaders pledged to build on the existing partnership between UK and Qatar in areas including energy, business and education, according to Downing Street.

Pres. Pezeshkian takes oath of office before Iran’s Parliament

President Pezeshkian took his oath before the Parliament on Tuesday to complete his inauguration making him Iran’s new president.

In a solemn ceremony, Pezeshkian pledged his commitment to the nation and its principles.

The ceremony was conducted in front of the Holy Quran and the Iranian people, where President Pezeshkian swore by Almighty God to uphold the official religion, the republic system, and the constitution of Iran.

He vowed to dedicate all his skills and capabilities to fulfill the responsibilities entrusted to him, focusing on serving the people, promoting the country’s development, advancing religion and ethics, supporting justice, and avoiding tyranny.

President Pezeshkian also committed to protecting personal freedoms, respecting the rights recognized by the constitution, and safeguarding the country’s borders and its political, economic, and cultural independence.

In his oath, he emphasized his reliance on God, adherence to the teachings of Prophet Muhammad and the Imams, and promised to be a devout and selfless guardian of the power entrusted to him by the nation.

He assured the people that he would pass on this sacred trust to his successor.

The oath document was signed by President Pezeshkian and subsequently endorsed by the Chief of the Judiciary and the secretary of the Guardian Council.

Iran ready to enhance relations with Tajikistan: Leader

Ayatollah Khamenei stated that the expansion of ties with the regional countries particularly those with the common language, culture, history and religion is a top priority for the Islamic Republic of Iran.

The Leader pointed out that the Islamic Republic of Iran, like in the past, stands ready to continue cooperation with Tajikistan in different areas.

He also thanked the Tajik president for visiting Iran to take part in the oath-taking ceremony of Iran’s new President Masoud Pezeshkian, adding the visits and movements between the two countries officials will pave the way for the further expansion of bilateral ties.

Ayatollah Khamenei also stressed the role of the Persian language in such countries as Iran, Tajikistan and Afghanistan.

Rahmon in turn, voiced pleasure with the new meeting with Iran’s supreme leader and referred to his talks with Iran’s new President Pezeshkian. He added as you said some years ago Iran and Tajikistan are relatives, and we seek further expansion of bilateral ties, as well as using the experiences and developments of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the scientific, health and industrial fields.

Mohammad Reza Aref, the new Iranian First Vice-President also attended the meeting.