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Saudi FM lauds late Iran’s president, FM’s roles in promoting Riyadh-Tehran ties

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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Bagheri Kani and Faisal Bin Farhan

The Saudi diplomat met Iran’s Acting Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani on the sidelines of the BRICS foreign ministerial meeting in the Russian city of Nizhny Novgorod on Tuesday, discussing bilateral, regional and international issues.

Bagheri Kani described the trajectory of relations between the two countries during the period of Raisi and Amirabdollahian as forward-moving.

He emphasized: “We are confident that the will of Iran and Saudi Arabia is to strengthen and enhance comprehensive relations, and this will has cast its shadow over all aspects of the two countries’ relations.”

Referring to the encounters of the two countries with various developments and phenomena at the regional and global levels, Bagheri stressed: “The interaction and solidarity between Iran and Saudi Arabia not only benefit the two countries but also ensure stable and lasting security in the region.”

The Iranian diplomat also pointed to the intensification of Zionist crimes against the Palestinian people, including the recent horrific crime in Rafah, and highlighted the necessity of coordinated and united action by Islamic countries to demonstrate their vigilance and sensitivity.

“Israel must face a serious and effective response from Islamic countries for every aggression and crime.”

Iran’s acting foreign minister also expressed appreciation for Saudi Arabia’s efforts in hosting pilgrims of the Holy Kaaba, especially Iranian pilgrims, and called for the strengthening of necessary facilities for Iranian pilgrims to perform the Hajj rituals.

Prince bin Farhan, for his part, expressed satisfaction with his renewed meeting with the Acting Foreign Minister of Iran, and emphasized the role of late President Raisi and Foreign Minister Amirabdollahian in transforming the relations between Tehran and Riyadh.

He stated: “During President Raisi’s term and my brother Mr. Amirabdollahian, not only were relations resumed, but we also reached a stage of strong cooperation and interaction between the two countries. We remain seriously determined to continue dialogue and cooperation between the two countries.”

The Saudi Foreign Minister added: “Efforts to pursue and strengthen robust relations between the two countries guarantee stability and security in the region.”

He also expressed satisfaction with the presence of Iranian pilgrims at this year’s Hajj rituals and wished them an accepted pilgrimage. He emphasized that his country will utilize all its capacities to hold the Hajj ceremonies in an atmosphere of tranquillity and health.

Russia claims Kiev’s intelligence involved in Moscow terror attack

By
IFP Media Wire
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Moscow Terror Attack

Aleksandr Bortnikov made the statement during a virtual meeting of the National Anti-Terrorism Committee (NAC) on Tuesday.

“The Ukrainian and Western intelligence services are expanding the circle of possible perpetrators, recruited to commit high-profile crimes inside Russia,” Bortikov said. Kiev and its foreign backers are also assisting “international terrorist organizations,” which train and provide equipment to those people, he added.

“A vivid example [of such activities] is the involvement of Ukrainian military intelligence in the terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall near Moscow that was established by us,” the FSB chief stressed.

The main targets of recruitment by Ukrainian and Western agencies are younger people including migrant workers, he stated.

The attack on the concert venue on March 22 claimed 145 lives and left over 550 injured. Four gunmen stormed the building ahead of a rock concert, shooting everyone in sight before setting it on fire.

The suspected perpetrators – all citizens of Tajikistan – were detained shortly after the attack while fleeing in a car towards the Ukrainian border. Almost a dozen of their accomplices have been arrested since then.

A terrorist organization known as Islamic State-Khorasan (ISIS-K) claimed responsibility for the attack. However, Moscow has suggested that Kiev had used the Islamist group as a proxy. Ukraine has denied any involvement, while the West has insisted that all evidence points to ISIS-K as the sole culprit.

Since the outbreak of the Ukraine conflict in February 2022, a total of 134 terrorist and sabotage acts have been prevented in central Russia, according to Bortnikov.

Russian security agencies have also intercepted the activities of 32 international terrorist cells, which were composed of migrants from Central Asia, and prevented attacks on key infrastructure and areas of mass gatherings, the FSB chief continued.

China says BRICS should prevent new ‘Cold War’

By
IFP Media Wire
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BRICS

Speaking at the BRICS foreign ministers’ meeting in the Russian city of Nizhny Novgorod, Wang said that some major powers still harbor a “Cold War mentality”. According to the diplomat, this attitude directly contradicts UN Security Council resolutions and undermines the authority of multilateral mechanisms.

China is willing to work with Russia to maintain strategic cooperation, respond to external pressures, and promote the sustained progress of bilateral relations, he added.

Describing BRICS as an important platform for unity and cooperation among emerging markets and developing countries, Wang stressed the expanded BRICS mechanism will play a crucial role in creating a more just and reasonable global governance system.

He accused the West of the “politicization and excessive securitization” of economic issues, which has resulted in “rampant” unilateral sanctions and technological barriers for countries such as Russia and China. Wang urged the “big BRICS to “leverage” its political significance and transform the group into a new type of multilateral cooperation mechanism.

The BRICS grouping of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa was joined by Iran, Ethiopia, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates in early 2024.

“By expanding our membership, we have ushered in a new era of joint self-reliance for the Global South, with the influence and appeal of BRICS continually rising.”

He added that in a “contest” where some forces promote global multipolarity while others maintain a “unipolar hegemony,” the BRICS countries should “stand on the side of fairness and justice, and make the right choices.”

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova claimed last week at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum that Western governments are “obsessed” with the idea of global dominance.

She argued that Western leaders continue to adopt “exceptionalism” at the expense of other ethnic and cultural identities. However, the “collective West” is a minority whose worldview is not shared by the global majority, which has already embraced the concept of multipolarity, Zakharova insisted.

Gazans killings during Israel’s freeing of captives could be war crimes: UN

By
IFP Media Wire
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Gaza War

Israel said the operation, accompanied by an air assault, took place on Saturday in the heart of a residential neighbourhood in central Gaza’s Nuseirat area where Hamas had kept the hostages in two separate apartment blocks.

The operation killed more than 270 Palestinians, according to Gazan health officials.

“The manner in which the raid was conducted in such a densely populated area seriously calls into question whether the principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution – as set out under the laws of war – were respected by the Israeli forces,” Jeremy Laurence, spokesperson for the UN human rights office, said.

Laurence added that the holding of hostages in such densely populated areas by armed groups was “putting the lives of Palestinian civilians, as well as the hostages themselves, at added risk from the hostilities”.

“All these actions, by both parties, may amount to war crimes.”

The conflict in Gaza was triggered when Hamas fighters charged into Israel on Oct. 7 and killed some 1,200 people, according to Israeli tallies. Israel’s subsequent bombardment and invasion of Gaza has killed more than 37,000 Palestinians, according to health authorities in the Hamas-run enclave.

Gunmen took around 250 hostages back to Gaza on Oct. 7, more than 100 of whom were released in exchange for about 240 Palestinians held in Israeli jails during a week-long truce in November.

There are 116 hostages left in the coastal enclave, according to Israeli tallies, including at least 40 whom Israeli authorities have declared dead in absentia.

UK approved over 100 military export licences to Israel since Gaza war

By
IFP Media Wire
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UK military aircraft

No licences were revoked after the Hamas-led attacks on 7 October, nor have any been refused with 185 applications, including some made before the attacks, still pending, according to the Department for Business and Trade.

The data, released on Tuesday, shows that more than 300 licences, including those permitting the export of UK arms and military equipment to Israel, were in place at the end of May.

Military equipment covered under those licences include components for military aircraft, vehicles and combat naval vessels, the department added.

The data comes after months of pressure from MPs for greater transparency from the government about its decision-making process on arms exports to Israel with many calling for an immediate suspension.

The department announced on Tuesday it had chosen to release the information “given the exceptional circumstances, and the significant Parliamentary and public interest”.

Campaigners told Middle East Eye said the fact that not a single licence had been rejected since 7 October was “shocking”, with some raising concerns that the data released was too sparse and will only leave the politicians and public it was meant to serve with more questions.

Neil Sammonds, senior campaigner for the UK-based War On Want, stated: “It should be shocking that the UK has not revoked any arms licences to Israel given the clear risk they might be used in violations of international law, let alone in multiple war crimes and genocide.”

Tim Bierley, campaigner for UK-based Global Justice Now, added the government’s figures “show they’ve given Israel the key to the weapons factory, underlining the severity of British complicity in the war crimes being committed by Israel”.

“As Israel flagrantly disregards humanitarian law, carrying out brutal attacks on civilians, aid workers and hospitals, any government with a shred of moral fibre would have stopped sending arms long ago.”

Emily Apple, media coordinator at the Campaign Against Arms Trade, said while the data showed it was “business as usual for arms dealers to break international law”, she was alarmed by the lack of transparency and accountability in the figures provided.

“This data release was supposed to address the political and public interest in arms sales to Israel. The figures released do not do this as they do not give any details of the equipment exported or its value,” Apple added.

“If and when we have a new Labour government, it is vital that they not only impose an arms embargo but address the lack of transparency in our export licensing system.”

UN chief: Speed and scale of carnage in Gaza beyond any imagination

By
IFP Media Wire
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Gaza War

Guterres stated in a statement to an emergency aid conference in Jordan that at least 1.7 million people – 75 percent of Gaza’s population – have been displaced many times over by Israeli military attacks.

“Nowhere is safe, conditions are deplorable, public health situation is beyond crisis level. Gaza’s hospitals lie in ruins, medical supplies and fuel are scarce or non-existent,” he said.

“More than one million Palestinians in Gaza do not have enough drinking water and face desperate levels of hunger. Over 50,000 children require treatment for acute malnutrition,” he added.

“The only way forward is through a political solution that opens a path to sustained peace based on two states – Palestine and Israel, living side by side in peace and security … with Jerusalem as capital of both states”.

“Let us keep working to keep that a reality as we work to answer today’s call to action for Palestinians in Gaza in such a profound and immediate need,” Guterres stressed.

Describing conditions in Gaza as “deplorable”, the UN chief called for all parties to reach an agreement on the latest ceasefire plan.

“I welcome the peace initiative recently outlined by President [Joe] Biden and urge all parties to seize this opportunity and come to an agreement.”

Guterres also urged parties to respect their obligations under international humanitarian law.

“This includes facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid both into and inside Gaza as they have committed. All available routes into Gaza must be operational and the land routes are absolutely crucial,” he said.

He called for safe routes for humanitarian aid delivery and for the protection of UNRWA workers who “need unimpeded access”.

“Civilians must be allowed to seek safety and civilians and the infrastructure they rely on must never be militarised or targeted,” he added.

More than 37,100 Palestinians have since been killed in Gaza, most of them women and children, and nearly 84,700 others injured, according to local health authorities.

Eight months into the Israeli war, vast tracts of Gaza lay in ruins amid a crippling blockade of food, clean water, and medicine.

Iran Judiciary provides update on Dariush Mehrjui murder case

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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Dariush Mehrjui

The first defendant has been sentenced to two counts of qisas (retribution-in-kind), the second defendant to 20 years in prison and lashes, the third defendant to 20 years in prison, and the fourth, being a juvenile, to 5 years in a juvenile correctional facility.”

He added, “An appeal has been filed against the issued verdict, and the case has been sent to the Supreme Court and is currently under review.

A final ruling has not yet been issued, and therefore, we refrain from disclosing further details about the case.”

Daryoush Mehrjui and his wife, Vahideh Mohammadifar, were found stabbed to death on 14 October 2023, in their villa in Meshkin Dasht, Karaj. Prior to this incident, Vahideh had posted on her social media page about anonymous personal threats, including threats from a non-Iranian individual with a knife.

On October 17 Iranian police arrested ten individuals suspected of being involved in the murders, including “the main killer”.

Four people were arrested by police days after the killing for their alleged involvement. One of them later confessed to being the killer, saying that he was a former employee of Mehrjui who harbored a grudge against him “due to financial issues”.

Iran’s Sahar 1 drilling rig undergoes major overhaul after 13 years

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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Iran's Sahar 1 drilling rig

Salman Zarbi, CEO of ISOICO, stated during the ceremony: “The major repairs on this rig, which commenced Tuesday, mark ISOICO’s second collaboration with North Drilling Company.”

He further mentioned that the estimated cost for the major repairs of offshore drilling rigs is $10 million. Utilizing domestic expertise, this amount can be allocated to more critical areas under current conditions.

Zarbi praised Iran’s North Drilling Company board members for their confidence in local capabilities, asserting that relying on local expertise will yield the best results.

The ISOICO CEO highlighted that the major repairs on Sahar 1 will significantly enhance drilling capacity. Additionally, conducting these repairs domestically will prevent currency outflow and boost local employment and technological advancement.

Alireza Salmanzadeh, CEO of North Drilling Company, emphasized their decision to entrust ISOICO with the major repairs of the Sahar 1 rig, acknowledging the high competency of local capabilities compared to foreign companies.

He noted that the company operates nine onshore rigs and three offshore rigs, undertaking diverse projects in the oil industry and thriving completion.

Armed conflicts hit post-WWII record last year: Report

By
IFP Media Wire
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Russia Ukraine War
Local residents react at a site of an apartment building heavily damaged by a Russian missile strike in Kryvyi Rih.

The Peace Research Institute of Oslo (PRIO) said 59 armed conflicts took place worldwide last year, led by the wars in Ukraine and Gaza.

Twenty-eight of the conflicts were in Africa, followed by Asia with 17 and the Middle East with 10. Just three conflicts were recorded in Europe and a single example in the Americas.

Although the number of conflicts grew last year, the number of countries that experienced conflicts declined from 39 in 2022 to 34.

The increase in the number of conflicts can partially be attributed to the spread of ISIL (ISIS) across Asia and the Middle East and the involvement in general of a growing number of non-state actors. That has made the work of NGOs only more difficult, the report added.

“This development makes it increasingly difficult for actors like aid groups and civil society organisations to manoeuvre the conflict landscape and improve the lives of ordinary people,” stated Siri Aas Rustad, PRIO researcher and the main author.

According to data collected by Sweden’s Uppsala University from nongovernmental and international organisations, the number of deaths in combat halved last year to 122,000.

But the number still remained the third highest since 1989, and overall, the past three years saw more conflict-related deaths than any time in the past three decades. They were driven by the civil war in Ethiopia’s Tigray region, the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the assault on Gaza.

“Violence in the world is at an all-time high since the end of the Cold War,” Rustad continued.

“The figures suggest that the conflict landscape has become increasingly complex with more conflict actors operating within the same country.”

US seeking to shadow Russian Navy in Caribbean: Report

By
IFP Media Wire
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US Navy Warship

A Russian naval detachment consisting of the frigate Admiral Gorshkov, nuclear-powered submarine Kazan, oil tanker Pashin, and salvage tug Nikolay Chiker, will pay an official visit to Cuba from Wednesday until next Monday, Havana’s Foreign Ministry announced last week.

Two US Navy destroyers and two vessels towing sonar equipment behind them are following the Russian submarine, CBS wrote, citing an unnamed US official. Another destroyer and a US Coast Guard cutter are shadowing the rest of the Russian Navy detachment, they added.

Moscow will launch a series of air and naval exercises in the Caribbean in the weeks following the visit, in the first set of simultaneous air and sea drills Russia has carried out in the region since 2019, another US official told the news network. The maneuvers will take place over the summer ahead of a worldwide naval exercise in autumn, they wrote.

White House National Security Communications Adviser John Kirby told CBS that the US believes the visit is Moscow’s reaction to American actions relating to the Ukraine conflict.

“Clearly this is them signaling their displeasure about what we’re doing for Ukraine,” Kirby stated, adding “we’re going to watch it, we’re going to monitor it, it’s not unexpected.”

The US has “no indication and no expectation that nuclear weapons will be at play here in these exercises or embarked on those vessels”, he stressed.

Soviet nuclear weapons in Cuba brought the US and the USSR to the brink of all-out conflict in 1962. Moscow had stationed the missiles in the island nation, some 140km from the coast of the US, in retaliation for the deployment of American nuclear weapons in Türkiye.

Havana stressed that none of the Russian vessels are carrying nuclear weapons for the upcoming visit, nor pose any threat to the region, and are strictly abiding by all international regulations to which Cuba is a party.

The Russian Defense Ministry has yet to comment on the visit, but in May it announced that a naval detachment headed by the frigate Admiral Gorshkov had set out on a “long-distance expedition”. The goal will be to “show the flag” and “ensure a naval presence in operationally important areas”, it stated.

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