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Iran president-elect renews pledge he would promote ‘justice’

Addressing a gathering of his electoral campaign staff on Friday in a ceremony entitled Sepas, or gratitude in Persian, Massoud Pezeshkian said “honor can be restored to Iran” through “fairness and justice.”

The president-elect, who won the snap polls on a platform of a reformist campaign, further noted that justice cannot be established without introducing reforms.

“We need reforms. Reforms do not mean to defend the interests of certain individuals or parties; reforms mean taking a path that will lead to the establishment of justice in our country and encompass all people,” he explained.

He also stressed on the comprehensive participation of all talented people in the country’s affairs regardless of their gender and ethnicity.

Pezeshkian, a heart surgeon and a veteran lawmaker, stressed on using the domestic capabilities, but at the same time noted that grounds should be paved for elites and experts to play bigger roles.

He pointed out that sanctions, economic problems, ethnic and gender issues are the top priorities that need to be dealt with.

While stressing that the electoral campaign promises should be fulfilled, the president-elect also warned against raising expectations to an unrealistic level that cannot be achieved.

Official: Incoming Iranian cabinet nominees list being finalized 

Zarif, the head of the Strategic Council for Transition Period, in a message on Thursday said the committees that are responsible for choosing nominees for ministerial positions based on a ranking system, are assessing a shortlist of between 10 and 15 candidates for each post for the second phase.

“In the second stage, the candidates will be evaluated more carefully in the committees, and if necessary, they will be invited for a voluntary interview,” he explained.

He also dismissed speculations on possible finalized nominees, saying “they have been published mostly to disturb the public opinion and cause concern, or psychological pressure.”

Pezeshkian won the snap presidential election in early July and will be sworn in before the Iranian parliament next Tuesday to replace Ebrahim Raisi who died in a helicopter crash in May.

He has pledged to put together a cabinet of national consensus by “honest, experienced, and knowledgeable people” as the first step pertaining to his incoming administration.

Iran’s Pezeshkian lambastes US for rolling out red carpet for ‘criminal’ Netanyahu

Pezeshkian posted a message on his X account on Thursday evening, saying, “The crime of killing innocent people and helpless children cannot be overlooked, nor can a criminal be purified by a standing ovation.”

He also warned the Israeli regime, that has been carrying on with its genocidal campaign since October 7 last year, that “The blood of the innocent will never spare the oppressor.”

The Iranian president-elect also cited a verse from the Holy Qur’an, which reads, “The wrongdoers will come to know what ˹evil˺ end they will meet.”

Netanyahu was greeted by massive anti-regime protests upon his arrival in the US for a three-day stay to address the Congress and meet senior US officials.

In his speech to the US Congress, Netanyahu defended the US-backed Israeli aggression against Gaza, which has so far left over 39,000 Palestinians dead, a large majority of them women and children.

Iran’s Leader highlights support for Palestine, youth resistance

Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei

Ayatollah Khamenei pointed out the substantial movement within American academic circles in support of Palestine. He emphasized that this movement has become so influential that the U.S. government, contradicting its own claims and slogans, has resorted to openly suppressing students and professors, arresting and brutalizing them in public view.

“Many experts openly acknowledge that the current global movements in favor of Palestine are driven by the spirit of the Islamic Revolution,” he said. The Leader drew parallels between today’s global slogans and positions supporting Palestine and the revolutionary sentiments that emerged from the hearts of the Iranian people during the early days of the Islamic Revolution.

The suppression of pro-Palestinian academic movements in the U.S. was highlighted by Ayatollah Khamenei, who noted that the American government has violated its own principles, with police visibly assaulting and handcuffing students and professors under the watchful eyes of the public and cameras.

He further commented, “What they intended to do in Iran has now come upon them.” The Leader attributed the recent surge in motivation and spirit among Iranian youth to confront ISIS and the Zionist regime to the same spirit that prevailed during the Iran-Iraq War of 1980s..

Reflecting on past events, Ayatollah Khamenei mentioned the significant role of the youth during the post-election unrest in Iran in 2009, saying these young people entered the field with the same motivation and spirit, effectively neutralizing the enemies’ designs to create problems for the country and its people.

Russian, Syrian leaders meet in Kremlin

Putin and Assad

“I am very interested in your opinion on how the situation in the region as a whole is developing. Unfortunately, it is tending to escalate, as we can see. This directly concerns Syria as well,” Putin said at the meeting.

“I am very glad to see you. We have the opportunity to talk about the entire complex of our relations,” Putin added.

The president also proposed to discuss the situation in the region, which tends to worsen, noting that this also applies to Syria. He also expected to discuss with Assad trade and economic relations between Russia and Syria.

Assad in turn has noted the relevance of a meeting with Vladimir Putin against the backdrop of current geopolitical events to discuss possible prospects and scenarios.

“Considering all the events that are happening today in the world and in the Eurasian region as a whole, our meeting today seems very important to discuss all the details of the development of these events, to discuss possible prospects and scenarios,” Assad said at the meeting.

Russia and Syria have gone through difficult tests over the past decades, the president stated, adding that the meeting coincides with the anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the countries.

“Over the past decades, our countries have gone through difficult trials. These decades have witnessed complex transformation processes within our countries. However, over all decades, relations between our countries have maintained a level of trust and this is an indicator of the maturity of our peoples.”

Australia puts sanctions on Israeli settlers over crimes against Palestinians

Israeli Settlers

Foreign Minister Penny Wong announced the sanctions on Thursday, directed at seven Israeli settlers and a hardline settler group known for setting up new illegal outposts.

The group, Hilltop Youth, incites and perpetrates violence against Palestinians, stated Wong, while the sanctioned settlers have committed beatings, sexual assault and torture.

“We call on Israel to hold perpetrators of settler violence to account and to cease its ongoing settlement activity, which only inflames tensions and further undermines stability and prospects for a two-state solution,” Wong said in a statement.

The Australian government’s move follows similar actions by its allies the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada and Japan.

On June 11, the US, a steadfast supporter of Israel, announced a new wave of sanctions against several Israeli settlers and a far-right Israeli nationalist group, Lehava.

“The United States remains deeply concerned about extremist violence and instability in the West Bank, which undermines Israel’s own security,” US Department of State spokesman Matthew Miller noted at the time.

“We strongly encourage the government of Israel to take immediate steps to hold these individuals and entities accountable.”

Following Australia’s announcement, Israel’s embassy in Canberra condemned violent acts against Palestinian communities.

“Israel is a state of law and will work to bring the extreme minority involved to justice,” a spokesperson told the Reuters news agency.

Israeli settlers’ violence and military raids in the occupied West Bank have spiked during Israel’s war on Gaza, killing at least 589 Palestinians since October 7, according to Palestinian officials.

Over the same period, at least 17 Israelis, including soldiers, have been killed in attacks in the territory involving Palestinians, according to official Israeli figures.

Australia considers Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory illegal and an obstacle to peace.

In a landmark ruling on July 19, the International Court of Justice found that Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territory, including the West Bank, is illegal and should end as soon as possible.

Settlement expansion has increased sharply since Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returned to power in late 2022. His Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who oversees settlement expansion and himself lives in an Israeli settlement, has promised a “million new settlers”.

Three helicopters deployed to contain wildfire in Iran’s Zagros Mountain

Wildfires Iranian forests

This action follows recent efforts to control the fire.

A water-dropping helicopter and two additional helicopters for transporting personnel have been dispatched to the three major fire zones in the Basht highlands.

The firefighting efforts are continuing with determination.

The wildfires began in the mountainous regions of Shah Bahram, Shadgan, and Lar in Basht County in recent days and remain active.

Authorities are working tirelessly to contain the blaze and prevent further damage.

With the sharp increase in temperature in most provinces of Iran in recent days, fires have also spread in forested and mountainous areas.

The temperature in some cities of Khuzestan province in southern Iran has reached 50 degrees Celsius.

Russia says Ukraine’s Zelensky has no legitimacy

President Of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky

“Our president has repeatedly said that President Zelensky definitely lost his legitimacy,” Peskov told journalists.

Another issue that “could seriously hinder the peace process” is Zelensky’s 2022 decree that “banned any Ukrainian head of state from engaging in talks with President Putin,” Peskov added.

Zelensky’s presidential term formally expired on May 20. He refused to hold an election in March, citing martial law which was imposed due to the conflict with Russia. He argued that his term was de facto extended in accordance with Ukrainian law.

Putin has stated several times in recent months that an analysis of the Ukrainian constitution and other legislation leaves no room for an interpretation that would allow Zelensky to remain in power.

Citing Article 111 of the Ukrainian constitution, Putin argued in May that Zelensky’s powers should have been transferred to the speaker of Ukraine’s parliament.

Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk, however, has insisted that Zelensky is the legitimate head of state and that anyone who questions his legitimacy is “an enemy.”

Earlier on Wednesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told journalists that Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba made it clear during a trip to Beijing that he is “ready and willing” to hold peace talks with Moscow.

Russia responded by saying it would wait for details on the Ukrainian position.

“We have not heard these statements from Kuleba himself,” Peskov said on Wednesday, adding that negotiations are preferable to continued hostilities.

Negotiations between Russia and Ukraine broke down in spring 2022, with each side accusing the other of making unrealistic demands.

Israel claims bodies of 5 hostages retrieved from Gaza

Israeli Army

The military launched a surprise attack in the city on Monday after issuing immediate evacuation orders for residents in its eastern neighborhoods.

At least 129 people have since been killed and over 400 others injured in the area, which was previously designated as a “safe zone” for displaced people by the Israeli army.

A joint statement by the army and the Shin Bet domestic security service claimed the bodies of the hostages were located in Khan Younis on Wednesday.

According to the statement, the five were killed during a Hamas attack into southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, and their bodies were taken to Gaza.

There are still around 115 Israelis held captive by Hamas in Gaza, according to Israeli media.

There has been no comment from Hamas on the Israeli statement. The Palestinian group earlier announced that some 70 hostages had been killed in Israeli attacks on the enclave.

Israel, flouting a United Nations Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire, has faced international condemnation amid its continued brutal offensive against Gaza since an Oct. 7, 2023 attack by the Palestinian resistance group Hamas.

At least 39,100 Palestinians have since been killed, mostly women and children, and over 90,000 injured, according to local health authorities.

Over nine months into the Israeli onslaught, vast tracts of Gaza lie in ruins amid a crippling blockade of food, clean water and medicine.

Hamas says Israel’s PM marketing ‘delusions’ at US Congress

Benjamin Netanyahu

The Gaza-based group made the remarks in a statement on Wednesday, reacting to an earlier speech by Netanyahu at the US Congress, in which he recounted the self-proclaimed vision.

“We in the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) affirm that the war criminal Netanyahu’s visions for the future of the Gaza Strip are mere delusions and fantasies he is trying to market,” the statement read.

The Israeli premier has alleged that the regime sought to “eliminate” Hamas from Gaza through a genocidal war that Tel Aviv has been waging against the territory since October 7.

The brutal military onslaught has so far claimed the lives of more than 39,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, but has stopped far short of realizing the regime’s goal of defeating the resistance.

Hamas asserted that it was the Palestinian people alone, who had the right to determine their fate and decide who governs them.

“They have decided to rally around the option of resistance and confront the occupation wherever it exists until it is swept away from our pure land and our independent Palestinian state is established with [the holy occupied city of] al-Quds as its capital,” it added.

Elsewhere in the statement, the movement denounced the United States for offering Netanyahu the chance to deliver the address, despite mounting international protests calling for his apprehension and prosecution for war crimes and crimes against humanity against Palestinians.

“Netanyahu should have been arrested as a war criminal and handed over to the International Criminal Court instead of being given the opportunity to polish his image before the world and cover up the mass killings and ethnic cleansing in the Gaza Strip,” Hamas asserted.

By offering Netanyahu a podium besides providing his regime with all means of political and military support, the group said, “Washington affirms its full partnership in the heinous violations committed in the Gaza Strip.”

The movement, meanwhile, stressed that the regime was persisting with its atrocities with outright American support, while various human rights reports had confirmed Tel Aviv’s perpetration of acts of genocide and ethnic cleansing in Gaza.

The atrocities, it added, included using starvation as a weapon of war and preventing aid from reaching Gaza through enforcement an all-out siege against the coastal sliver.

The Palestinian movement Islamic Jihad has also denounced Netanyahu’s speech at the US Congress as “full of lies and slander”, calling on the international community to make utmost effort to “quarantine” him following the regime’s months-long onslaught on the besieged Gaza Strip.

The Gaza-based group made the remarks in a statement on Thursday while reacting to an earlier speech by the Israeli premiere at the US Congress, with American lawmakers applauding in multiple intervals Netanyahu’s recount of the Tel Aviv regime’s genocidal war in the Palestinian territory over the past ten months.

“Netanyahu’s speech is full of lies and slander,” the statement said.

“Netanyahu’s lies that his army did not kill a single civilian in the attack on Rafah, and is not waging a war of starvation and genocide against the Gaza Strip, indicate his mockery of the world and his shameless indulgence in lies.”

The Islamic Jihad added the Israeli prime minister’s speech clearly stated that he has no intention of ending his aggression against Gaza, nor stopping the war and that he endeavors to obtain an American mandate to expand the scope of the war to include the entire region, which proves his bloodthirsty mentality on which his entity and Netanyahu’s political future feeds.

“Netanyahu’s talk about the future of Gaza confirms that he seeks to perpetuate his occupation, and that he is continuing his crimes and the war of genocide against our people, without deterrence or control,” the statement read.

The Islamic Jihad said Netanyahu proved in his speech that his fragile entity derives its existence from wars and that the occupying regime only lives on bloodshed, which confirms that the existence of this entity is a danger to all of humanity.

“We call on the free people of the world to expose Netanyahu’s plans and to make every effort to pursue and quarantine him, and we warn Western governments against falling into the trap of the criminal Nazi government in the entity,” the statement added.

“What Netanyahu and his gang are seeking is a war that spares nothing and no one, deluding themselves that it comes from the myths of the Talmud that feed their imaginations.”