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Egypt FM calls for strengthening ties with Iran

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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Egypt Sameh Shoukry

Shukri made the call at a Wednesday meeting with Acting Iranian President Mohammad Mokhber after attending a ceremony in tribute to late President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian.

He is the first Egyptian foreign minister to visit Iran after the Islamic Revolution’s victory in 1979.

Shukri said he would have liked to travel to Iran in a better situation, but now he is the bearer of a message of condolence from Egypt’s president and the Al-Azhar sheikh over the passing of President Raisi and Foreign Minister Amirabdollahian.

While praising the outstanding role of the late president and foreign minister in forging unity among Islamic countries, the Egyptian foreign minister said the Islamic Republic of Iran is a deep-rooted establishment with strong foundations.

Shukri added that Egypt is confident that despite this tragic event, Iran will be through this critical period and that Cairo seeks to strengthen relations with Tehran.

Mokhber for his part thanked the government and people of Egypt for their kindness and sympathy with the government and people of Iran.

He said, “We have lost great, hard-working, caring and efficient personalities, and this is a bitter loss for the Iranian nation, but Iran will get through this”.

He referred to Raisi and Amirabdollahian’s efforts in creating unity among Muslim countries around the axis of Palestine.

Mokhber then spoke about the historical and civilizational background of Iran and Egypt, adding efforts will continue to expand bilateral ties in all spheres.

Foreign officials pay tribute to late Iranian president Raisi, Foreign Minister Amirabdollahian

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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Foreign officials pay tribute to late Iranian president and FM

Acting President Mohammad Mokhber, Presidential Executive Deputy Mohammad Jamshidi and Acting Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri were among the Iranian officials attending the ceremony.

The presidents of Tajikistan and Tunisia, prime ministers of Iraq, Pakistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Syria and foreign ministers of many other countries including Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Kuwait were among those who attended the memorial ceremony.

A total of 68 heads of state and senior officials of world countries and regional and international organizations paid tribute to the president and foreign minister at the Tehran summit hall.

President Raisis and his companions were killed in a copter crash in Iran’s East Azerbaijan province on Sunday.

Foreign officials meet with Ayatollah Khamenei after attending late president’s funeral

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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Ayatollah Khamenei Qatari Emir

They included Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifah Al Thani, Hamas Political Bureau Chief Ismail Hanyah, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian and Iraqi Prime Minister Shia al-Sudani.

The foreign officials offered condolences to the leader as well as the Iranian government and people over the tragic incident.

Ayatollah Khamenei told the Qatari emir that the martyrdom of an ideal president like Raisi is a huge loss for Iran but the incident will not force Iran to change course.

In his meeting with Haniyah, the leader said the divine promise that the Zionist regime will be wiped off the map will materialize and that will be the day when the state of Palestine will be formed in the land extending from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea.

Speaking to the Armenian prime minister, Ayatollah Khamenei called for expanding bilateral relations between Tehran and Yerevan but warned that this idea has some opponents, which is why both sides need to be wary.

The leader described president Raisi as a “good brother and an efficient official”.

Iran’s Leader meets Iraqi PM, Hamas chief in Tehran

By
IFP Media Wire
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Ayatollah Khamenei Hamas Chief

Following the martyrdom of President Raisi and his companions, Prime Minister of Iraq Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani expressed his condolences in a meeting with Ayatollah Khamenei on behalf of the government and nation of Iraq.

He lauded President Raisi’s honesty, sincerity, purity, effort, and service to the people.

Referring to the presence of millions of people at the funeral ceremony of the martyred president of Iran, he said that it had clear messages, the most important of which was the strong relationship between the people and the authorities in Iran, despite all the pressures and sanctions and this unfortunate incident.

Meanwhile, Ayatollah Khamenei appreciated the Iraqi Prime Minister’s visit to Tehran, saying, “We have lost an outstanding figure.”

President Raisi was a very good brother and an efficient, competent, sincere, and serious official, he stated.

Head of the Hamas Political Bureau Ismail Haniyeh and his accompanying delegation met with Ayatollah Khamenei to convey their condolences to the Leader and the Iranian government and nation.

Referring to the remarkable resistance displayed by the people of Gaza, which has surprised the world, Ayatollah Khamenei remarked, “Who would have believed that one day, slogans in support of Palestine would be raised in US universities and that the flag of Palestine would be raised there? Who would have believed that one day in Japan and in demonstrations in support of Palestine, the slogan ‘Death to Israel’ would be chanted in Persian?”

He highlighted that there may be future events related to Palestine that may seem unimaginable at present.

The Leader then referenced Quranic verses regarding the realization of God’s two promises to the mother of Prophet Moses (PBUH).

“Now God’s first promise about the Palestinian people has been fulfilled, and that is the victory of the people of Gaza, who are a small group, against the big, powerful group [consisting of] the US, NATO, England and a number of other countries. Accordingly, the second promise, which is the elimination of the Zionist regime, can also be realized. With God’s grace, the day will come when Palestine will be established ‘from the river to the sea.’”

Ayatollah Khamenei calls ties with Pakistan important, urges removal of obstacles

By
IFP Editorial Staff
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Ayatollah Khamenei Pakistan PM

Ayatollah Khamenei added that good relations between brotherly countries are not always easy, and obstacles must be overcome and efforts must be made to seriously pursue cooperation in practice.

The Leader said for the Islamic Republic of Iran, relations with Pakistan are very important, and that Tehran views Islamabad as a brotherly nation.

Ayatollah Khamenei however noted that ties between the two side have experienced ups and downs in the past years, adding, “We believe there is a possibility of a resurgence of these relations under the new Pakistani government”.

The Leader underlined that Acting Iranian President Mohammad Mokhber will follow up the agreements Iran and Pakistan have signed before.

He further thanked Pakistan for extending its heartfelt sympathies over the passing of president Raisi and his entourage in a helicopter crash in northwest Iran.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif for his part expressed condolences on behalf of the government and people of his country on the tragic air accident.

He said the late president’s recent trip to Pakistan was very useful and laid the groundwork to further expanding of relations and future roadmap of ties between the two countries.

Sharif expressed hope that bilateral relations will improve in various fields.

Sharif, heading a Pakistani delegation, is in Tehran to attend memorial ceremony for the late Iranian president and his accompanying delegation.

3 European states to recognise Palestinian state

By
IFP Media Wire
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Israel Palestine

Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said on Wednesday that a two-state solution was in Israel’s best interest and the recognition of Palestinian statehood would come as of May 28.

“There cannot be peace in the Middle East if there is no recognition,” he said in Oslo.

Ireland’s prime minister Simon Harris made a similar announcement in Dublin, as did Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez in Madrid, to applause in parliament.

“In the midst of a war, with tens of thousands killed and injured [in Gaza], we must keep alive the only alternative that offers a political solution for Israelis and Palestinians alike: Two states, living side by side, in peace and security,” Gahr Store stated.

“Recognition of Palestine is a means of supporting the moderate forces which have been losing ground in this protracted and brutal conflict.”

Harris told a news conference: “I’m confident that further countries will join us in taking this important step in the coming weeks.”

Ireland’s foreign minister Micheal Martin wrote on X that the recognition will take place on May 28.

Sanchez, while announcing that Spain’s council of ministers would also recognise an independent Palestinian state on May 28, accused his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu of putting the two-state solution in “danger” with his policy of “pain and destruction” in Gaza.

“We hope that our recognition and our reasons contribute to other Western countries to follow this path, because the more we are, the more strength we will have to impose a ceasefire,” Sanchez said.

Harris also added that Ireland was unequivocal in recognising Israel’s right to exist “securely and in peace with its neighbours”, and called for all captives in Gaza to be immediately returned.

“But let me also be clear, Hamas is not the Palestinian people … a two-state solution is the only way out of the generational cycles of violence, retaliation and resentment,” he continued.

At least 35,6400 people have been killed and 80,000 wounded in Israeli attacks on Gaza since October 7. The death toll in Israel from Hamas’s October 7 attack is 1,200, with dozens still held captive.

Israel immediately announced it was recalling its envoys to Ireland and Norway for “urgent consultations”.

“Today, I am sending a sharp message to Ireland and Norway: Israel will not go over this in silence,” Foreign Minister Israel Katz said in a statement, adding that he planned to do the same with the Spanish ambassador.

The Israeli foreign ministry had earlier posted a video message addressed to Ireland on X warning that “recognising a Palestinian state risks turning you into a pawn in the hands of Iran and Hamas”, adding the move would “only fuel extremism and instability”.

Israel has announced plans for Palestinian recognition constitute a “prize for terrorism” that would reduce the chances of a negotiated resolution to the war in Gaza, which began on October 7 when Hamas fighters stormed into southern Israel.

Hussein al-Sheikh, the secretary-general of the executive committee of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO), posted on X: “Historical moments in which the free world triumphs for truth and justice after long decades of Palestinian national struggle, suffering, pain, occupation, racism, murder, oppression, abuse and destruction to which the people of Palestine were subjected.”

Hamas called the decision by the three countries an “important step”.

Ukraine wants NATO to shoot down Russian missiles

By
IFP Media Wire
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Russia Ukraine War

Zelensky spoke to the US outlet in Kiev on the last official day of his presidential term. He has sought to extend his term for the duration of martial law, which he declared due to the conflict with Russia. He demanded that NATO countries shoot down Russian missiles over Ukraine.

“So my question is, what’s the problem? Why can’t we shoot them down? Is it defense? Yes. Is it an attack on Russia? No. Are you shooting down Russian planes and killing Russian pilots? No. So what’s the issue with involving NATO countries in the war? There is no such issue,” Zelensky told the daily.

“Shoot down what’s in the sky over Ukraine,” he continued, adding, “And give us the weapons to use against Russian forces on the borders.”

Zelensky pointed to what the US and UK did in mid-April, when Iran targeted Israel with a drone and missile barrage. Both the US and EU have pushed back, saying the two situations are not comparable.

The Ukrainian leader also begged for Patriot air defense systems, asking if he could receive seven of them by the NATO summit in Washington.

“Do you think it is too much?” he asked.

“For a country that is fighting for freedom and democracy around the world today?”

Zelensky also dismissed any criticism of Ukrainian democracy, given the indefinite postponement of both parliamentary and presidential elections, by announcing that Kiev “doesn’t need to prove anything about democracy to anyone, because Ukraine and its people are proving it through their war, without words, without unnecessary rhetoric”.

With Russian troops advancing all along the front line, Zelensky and his aides have ramped up calls for more of everything – Patriot air defense systems and F-16 fighters in particular – but also demanded the lifting of restrictions on the use of Western-provided weapons to strike deep inside Russia.

The US and its allies have struggled to maintain the legal fiction that their missiles can only target Russian territory that Ukraine claims as its own – i.e. Crimea, Zaporozhye, Kherson, Donetsk, and Lugansk – though Western-supplied weapons have been used against Belgorod Region on multiple occasions, including the Christmas market massacre.

Armenian PM meets Iranian Leader to sympathize over President Raisi, companions’ demise

By
IFP Editorial Staff
-
Ayatollah Khamenei Armenian PM

The Iranian Leader appreciated the sympathy by the Armenian premier and pointed out the historical and geographical commonalities between Iran and Armenia.

Ayatollah Khamenei said, “Our late president was very sensitive to the border issues related to Armenia and the events surrounding this matter, and the sensitivities and care should continue to be taken into account.”

The Leader assured that Iran will continue to expand its relations with neighboring Armenia under Acting President Mohammad Mokhber.

Noting that Tehran and Yerevan enjoy strategic ties, Ayatollah Khamenei also stressed that both sides need to act cautiously as “the relations between Iran and Armenia have opponents.”

For his part, Pashinyan said the news of the death of President Raisi and his seven companions, including Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian in a helicopter crash on Sunday was shocking, “but as you said, we are sure that under your guidance and leadership, no disruption will arise in running Iran’s affairs.”

China says to continue enhancing strategic partnership with Iran

By
IFP Media Wire
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Raisi Xi

On Tuesday, Wang took part in a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s foreign ministers, on the sidelines of which he had a meeting with Safari.

“Regardless of how the situation changes, China will continue strengthening the China-Iran strategic partnership, protect common interests of both sides and continue working for peace in the region and the world,” the Chinese Foreign Ministry quoted Wang as saying on Tuesday.

During the meeting, the Chinese foreign minister expressed condolences over the deaths of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian.

Raisi was martyred alongside his accompanying delegation, including Amirabdollahian, after their helicopter crashed in the Dizmar forest in East Azarbaijan Province on Sunday.

Russia launches tactical nuclear wargames

By
IFP Media Wire
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Russia Nuclear Weapons

When announcing the drills a week previously, the ministry explained that the exercise is designed to serve as a deterrent amid continued escalation between Russia and the West, by demonstrating Moscow’s ability to respond to any external threats.

It will involve delivery of nuclear weapons to troops from storage sites, arming tactical nuclear missiles, and preparation of missile launches, Moscow announced in a statement on Telegram.

The troops will be using the Iskander-M systems, which can fire 9M723-1 ballistic missiles or 9M728 cruise missiles, both of which can carry tactical nuclear warheads with yields between five and 50 kilotons.

The Southern Military District forces will also practice covert deployment operations using the systems, as part of launch-preparation drills, according to the military.

The exercise will also involve nuclear arming of the air-launched missiles, including the state-of-the-art, hypersonic Kinzhal. The Kh-47M2 Kinzhal missiles and the Kh-32 cruise missiles that are delivered by Russian bombers are capable of carrying warheads similar to those mounted on Iskander projectiles. During the drills, Russian aircraft are to fly on patrol missions armed with these missiles, according to the ministry.

The drills are “aimed at maintaining the combat readiness of the personnel and equipment of the non-strategic nuclear-weapon units”, the ministry’s statement said. It added that Russian forces should be ready to “unconditionally” ensure sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country, amid “provocative statements and threats” made by some Western officials.

Moscow announced the drills earlier in May, citing what it called a “new” and “unprecedented” escalation in the Ukraine conflict. The Kremlin pointed to statements by French President Emmanuel Macron, who has repeatedly refused to rule out a NATO deployment in Ukraine.

Similar ideas have been voiced by US House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries. Former UK prime minister and current Foreign Secretary David Cameron also stated recently that Kiev has the right to use British weapons to strike targets deep inside Russia. In response, Moscow summoned the British ambassador and warned of a potential response to such attacks.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said later that the drills should be viewed as an attempt to “cool hot heads” in the West amid “belligerent statements” and “destabilizing actions” of the NATO countries.

The Southern Military District where the exercise is taking place covers the southern part of European Russia, mostly lying between the Black and the Caspian Seas, and comprises a total of 19 regions, including Crimea and the four former Ukrainian territories that joined Russia in autumn 2022.

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