Iran – TheNewsHub

Iran vows ‘measured and calculated’ response to Israeli attack

Diksha — Tue, 05 Nov 2024 13:25:35 +0000

Iran on Tuesday warned that it will “certainly” respond to Israel’s latest attack in a “well-measured” and “well-calculated” manner.

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi arrived in Islamabad on Monday for a two-day official visit that includes consultations with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.

During today’s joint press briefing with Dar, Araghchi said, “Iran will certainly respond to the Oct 26 Israeli attack on appropriate time and manner, and in a well-measured and well-calculated way.”

Late last month, the Israeli military had launched strikes on military bases in Iran, targeting about 20 sites over several hours across Ilam, Khuzestan, and Tehran. Tel Aviv said the strikes were in response to attacks from “Iran and its proxies.”

Araghchi emphasised that Iran reserves its “inherent” right to “legitimately” respond to Israeli strikes in line with the United Nations charter.

He accused the “Zionist regime” of spreading terrorism from Gaza to Lebanon, adding that the international community has failed to halt Israel’s “genocide” of Palestinians.

Sharing a similar stance, Dar reiterated the two countries’ call for establishing an independent Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Calling the Israeli strikes a violation of Iran’s sovereignty and international law, Dar affirmed solidarity with the Iranian people.

He said, “We reject the propensity by occupying powers to equate the right of self-determination with terrorism, which is nothing but a ploy to prolong their occupation and apartheid policies,” according to APP.

“The long-standing Palestinian issue and the issue of Jammu and Kashmir, which are based on the denial of the right to self-determination, must be addressed through peaceful means, fully respecting the rights and aspirations of the affected populations, in line with relevant UN resolutions and the UN Charter.”

Joint strategy

Araghchi said the two nations are working on a joint strategy to present at the upcoming Organization of Islamic Cooperation summit in Tehran, aiming to address the ongoing Israeli aggression.

The two sides also agreed to collaborate in countering terrorism, which Araghchi described as a “common threat” to both nations.

He praised Islamabad’s “consistent” support for Gaza and the Palestinian cause.

Earlier, Dar received Araghchi and his delegation at the Foreign Ministry, where both ministers underscored the importance of strengthening ties through increased trade, energy cooperation, and enhanced border management, according to a statement by the Foreign Office.

They expressed commitment to exploring avenues for enhanced trade, investment, and people-to-people contacts.

Both officials also discussed the Middle East situation, “strongly” condemning the Israeli aggression against Palestinians and affirming their support for the Palestinian right to self-determination.

World reacts to Israeli aggression against Iran

Diksha — Sat, 26 Oct 2024 12:59:18 +0000

The Iranian army confirmed two soldiers were killed after it said the attacks on Saturday targeted military bases but resulted in only “limited damage”, the barrage marking an escalation in the ongoing tensions in the Middle East.

The Israeli army announced that the operation was complete, and military spokesman Daniel Hagari said that if Iran carries out retaliatory strikes, Israel will be “obligated to respond”.

Iran’s air defence headquarters said the “aggressive action was successfully intercepted and countered by the country’s integrated air defense system”. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Iran was “entitled and obligated to defend itself against external aggressive acts” after the attacks on its soil.

Here are some world reactions:

Qatar

The attack was a “blatant violation of Iran’s sovereignty and a clear breach of international law,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

Its statement expressed “deep concern regarding the serious repercussions that may result from this escalation” and urged all parties “to exercise restraint, resolve disputes through dialogue and peaceful means, and avoid anything that could destabilize security and stability in the region”.

The ministry reiterated a call for the international community to intensify efforts aimed at de-escalation and “ending the suffering of the peoples of the region, particularly in Gaza and Lebanon”.

Egypt

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it “condemns all actions that threaten the security and stability of the region”.

In a statement, it said: “Egypt stresses its position that a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip should be reached quickly within the framework of a deal through which hostages are released given that it is the only way to de-escalate.”

Turkey

“Israel, which is committing genocide in Gaza, preparing to annex the West Bank, and killing civilians every day in Lebanon, has now brought our region to the brink of a wider war with this attack,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

“It is now clear that putting an end to Israeli terror in the region has become a historic task to ensure international security and peace,” it added in a statement, which called on the international community to “take immediate action to enforce the law and stop the [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu government”.

“We do not want any further war, violence, or lawlessness in our region,” it said.

Saudi Arabia

Condemning the military targeting Iran as a “violation of its sovereignty” and international laws, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged all parties to “exercise the utmost restraint and reduce escalation”.

The ministry said in a statement, “The Kingdom affirms its firm position in its rejection of the continued escalation in the region and the expansion of the conflict that threatens the security and stability of the countries and peoples of the region.”

Pakistan

The Israeli military strikes “against the sovereignty and territorial integrity” of Iran “are a grave violation of the UN Charter and the international law”, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

The attacks “undermine path to regional peace and stability and also constitute a dangerous escalation in an already volatile region,” the ministry statement said, adding that “Israel bears full responsibility for the current cycle of escalation and expansion of the conflict in the region”.

It also called on the United Nations Security Council “to play its role for the maintenance of international peace and security, and to take immediate steps to bring an end to Israeli recklessness in the region and its criminal behaviour”.

Iraq

“The occupying Zionist entity continues its aggressive policies and widening the conflict in the region through blatant attacks that it carries out with impunity”, including against Iranian targets, government spokesman Basim Alawadi said in a statement denouncing “the international community’s silence” on Israeli actions.

A statement from the prime minister’s office said Iraq “reiterates its firm stance calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon, and for comprehensive regional and international efforts to support stability in the region”.

Jordan

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates said the international community must “shoulder its responsibilities and take immediate measures to stop the Israeli aggression on Gaza, the West Bank and Lebanon as a first step towards reducing the escalation, stopping Israel’s violations of international law and [United Nations] resolutions, and protecting the security and stability of the region from the disastrous consequences of continued Israeli attacks”.

Kuwait

Condemning the Israeli attacks, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said they reflected “the policy of chaos pursued by the Israeli occupation forces through violating the sovereignty of states” and “endangering the security of the region”.

Hamas

The Palestinian group said it condemned “the Zionist aggression” against Iran.

“We consider it a flagrant violation of Iranian sovereignty and an escalation targeting the security of the region and the safety of its peoples, which holds the occupation fully responsible for the repercussions of this aggression supported by the United States of America.”

United Arab Emirates

The Gulf nation condemned the military targeting of Iran and expressed “deep concern over the continued escalation and its impact on regional security and stability”.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasised the “importance of exercising the highest levels of restraint and wisdom to avoid risks and the expansion of conflict”.

Oman

The attack was a “blatant violation” of Iran’s sovereignty, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, adding that the Israeli air strikes were “an escalation that fuels the cycle of violence and undermines efforts aimed at de-escalation and reducing tension”.

It also called on the “international community once again to take effective action to stop the aggression and put an end to violations on the territories of neighbouring countries”.

Malaysia

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs called the Israeli strikes a “clear violation of international law” that “seriously undermine regional security”.

It also said that “Malaysia calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities and an end to the cycle of violence”.

Israel’s continued attacks on countries in the Middle East continue to bring the region closer to the brink of a wider war, the ministry statement added.

Israel hits Iranian military rargets, Tehran says damage ‘limited’

Diksha — Sat, 26 Oct 2024 06:30:57 +0000

Israel struck military sites in Iran early on Saturday, saying it was retaliating against Tehran’s strikes on Israel this month, the latest attack in the escalating conflict between the heavily armed rivals.

Hours later the Israeli military said its strikes had been completed and its objectives achieved, but a semi-official Iranian news agency vowed a “proportional reaction” to Israeli moves against Tehran.

Iranian media reported multiple explosions over several hours in the capital and at nearby military bases, starting shortly after 2am (2230 GMT on Friday).

Before dawn, Israel’s public broadcaster said three waves of strikes had been completed and that the operation was over.

Iran said its air defence system successfully countered Israel’s attacks on military targets in the provinces of Tehran, Khuzestan and Ilam with “limited damage” to some locations.

The Middle East has been on edge awaiting Israel’s retaliation for a ballistic-missile barrage carried out by Iran on Oct 1, in which around 200 missiles were fired at Israel and one person was killed in the West Bank.

Tensions between arch rivals Israel and Iran have escalated since Hamas, the Iran-backed Palestinian militant group based in Gaza, attacked Israel on Oct 7, 2023. Hamas has been supported by Lebanon-based Hezbollah militants, also backed by Iran.

Fears that Iran and the US would be drawn into a regional war have risen with Israel’s intensifying assault on Hezbollah since last month, including airstrikes on the Lebanese capital Beirut and a ground operation, as well as its year-old war in Gaza.

“In response to months of continuous attacks from the regime in Iran against the State of Israel – right now the Israel Defense Forces is conducting precise strikes on military targets in Iran,” Israel’s military said in a statement announcing the attack.

‘Obligated to respond’

The military said later it had completed its “targeted” attacks in Iran, striking truck missile manufacturing facilities and surface-to-aerial equipment, adding its planes had safely returned home.

“If the regime in Iran were to make the mistake of beginning a new round of escalation, we will be obligated to respond,” the military said.

Targets did not include energy infrastructure or Iran’s nuclear facilities, a U.S. official said.

US President Joe Biden had warned that Washington, Israel’s main backer and supplier of arms, would not support a strike on Tehran’s nuclear sites and has said Israel should consider alternatives to attacking Iran’s oil fields.

Iranian authorities have repeatedly warned Israel against any attack.

“Iran reserves the right to respond to any aggression, and there is no doubt that Israel will face a proportional reaction for any action it takes,” the semi-official Tasnim news agency said on Saturday, citing sources.

A senior Biden official said Israel’s “targeted and proportional strikes” should be the end of direct exchange of fire between the two countries, but the US was fully prepared to once again defend Israel if Iran should choose to respond.

The US has multiple direct and indirect channels of communication with Iran where it has made its position clear, the official said on condition of anonymity.

US informed ahead of strikes

Videos carried by Iranian media showed air defences continuously firing at apparently incoming projectiles in central Tehran, without saying which sites were coming under attack.

The semi-official Tasnim news agency said Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps bases that were attacked were not damaged.

A spokesperson for Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization said flights on all routes were cancelled until further notice, state news agency IRNA reported. Neighbouring Iraq also suspended all flights until further notice, its state news agency said.

Israel targeted some military sites in Syria’s central and southern parts with airstrikes early on Saturday, Syrian state news agency SANA reported. Israel has not confirmed striking Syria.

Israel said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and other security officials had closely followed the operation at the military’s command and control centre in Tel Aviv.

Gallant spoke to US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin shortly after Israel’s strikes began.

Austin emphasized the enhanced force posture of the United States to defend US personnel, Israel and its partners across the region, the Pentagon said.

Israel notified the United States before its strikes, but Washington was not involved in the operation, a US official told Reuters.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in the Middle East for another attempt to broker a peace deal, said on Wednesday Israel’s retaliation should not lead to greater escalation.

Even as it sought to convince Israel to calibrate its strikes, the United States moved to reassure its closest ally in the Middle East that it would aid in its defence should Tehran decide to stage a counter-attack.

This included Biden’s decision to move the US military’s THAAD anti-missile defences to Israel, along with about 100 US soldiers to operate them.

Iran aided Russia against Ukraine. Now it needs to call in the favor

Aseem — Mon, 21 Oct 2024 05:13:47 +0000

Russian President Vladimir Putin (C) enters the hall during the meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian (not pictured), October 11, 2024, in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.

Contributor | Getty Images News | Getty Images

Iran has been one of Russia’s few staunch allies throughout the war against Ukraine, but Tehran now faces the strain of indirectly fighting its nemesis Israel on two fronts.

Under pressure — but still defiant — Iran could start looking to Russia for help, given its need for greater air defense capabilities and military intelligence to detect a highly-anticipated but yet-to-materialize direct Israeli attack on Iran, analysts told CNBC.

Russia is well-positioned to provide Tehran with such capabilities, but the extent to which it will assist the Islamic Republic remains uncertain.

“I fully expect that the Iranians have high expectations of the Russians to provide them with something,” Bilal Y. Saab, associate fellow in the Middle East and North Africa Programme at think tank Chatham House, told CNBC Thursday, noting that reputation is of the utmost importance in international relations — even among authoritarian countries.

“So if the Russians are going to bail on this, it’s going to have consequences with regards not only to its relationship with the Iranians, but to any other partner, such as the Chinese,” he said.

“They’ve got to maintain some kind of reputation that they are good for it, and so I have medium-to-high expectations that they would actually provide them with what they need. Now, whether they provide them with everything they need, this is what nobody knows.”

Russia is unlikely to offer military intervention against Israel on behalf of the Iranians, Saab said, given it is already “too bogged down in Ukraine.”

“It’s also too risky of a game to go against the United States over the Iranians … so I think that [it’s] more likely they would stay on the sidelines and try to help from as far away as possible,” he said.

CNBC has contacted the Kremlin and Iranian foreign ministry for comment and has yet to receive a response.

both countries deny drone and missile transfers have taken place. Tehran has conceded that it sent drones to Russia before the war began, however.

Russia also denies using drones to attack Ukrainian infrastructure, although there have been numerous instances of Iranian-made drones damaging Ukrainian infrastructure or being intercepted during the war.

In the meantime, Tehran has turned to Russia to help build up its own military capabilities, looking to procure sophisticated Russia air defense systems and a variety of combat aircraft, according to reports, although the details surrounding the delivery of such hardware remain hazy.

“The provision of Iranian drones and, more recently, missiles to Russia for its campaign in Ukraine marked a significant evolution in the Russia-Iran relationship. In part, the war itself served as an accelerant to the already burgeoning Russia-Iran ties, propelling their cooperation to new heights,” Karim Sadjadpour and Nicole Grajewski from the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace think tank noted in analysis earlier this month.

In return for Iran’s support, Russia has bolstered Iran’s military capabilities in several areas, they noted: “Iran has made notable progress in acquiring advanced conventional weaponry from Russia, allowing it to achieve some of its defense officials’ long-standing goals. In November 2023, Tehran secured deals for Su-35 fighter jets, Yak-130 training aircraft, and Mi-28 attack helicopters, though only the Yak-130s have been delivered so far.”

Russia has been offering Iran “an unprecedented level of military and technical support that is transforming their relationship into a full-fledged defense partnership,” National Security Council Spokesperson John Kirby said in late 2022. “This partnership poses a threat, not just to Ukraine, but to Iran’s neighbors in the region,” he said at the time.

Fast forward to October 2024 and Russia’s appetite to bolster Tehran’s military capabilities might be waning as its war against Ukraine drags on, while Iran’s ability to supply Russia with weaponry could now be limited.

Tehran is indirectly fighting its nemesis Israel on two fronts with its regional proxies, the militant groups Hamas and Hezbollah, coming under heavy and sustained Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip and in Lebanon, respectively, and looking severely weakened after the deaths of the militant groups’ leaders.

Iranian protesters shout anti-Israeli slogans while burning an Israeli flag in a celebration for Iran’s missile attack against Israel, in Tehran, Iran, on October 1, 2024.

Morteza Nikoubazl | Nurphoto | Getty Images

The factions, along with Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen, make up what Tehran refers to as the “Axis of Resistance,” which Iran backs in order to oppose Israeli and U.S. influence in the region. That shared antipathy toward the U.S. and desire to create a “new world order” are what largely binds Iran and Russia.

This week could bring more clarity on their deepening economic and strategic cooperation, when Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian meet on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Russia.

Both countries have said they are close to signing a “strategic partnership agreement” — negotiations over which began in early 2022 — and this could be finalized at forum. It remains to be seen what the partnership will entail.

said in analysis Monday.

“Nevertheless, Moscow prefers to adapt to the evolving situation rather than to get directly involved. Russia cannot — and will not — save Iran in its confrontation with Israel and the United States,” he noted.

Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (R) welcomes Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) at Al Yamamah Palace in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on December 06, 2023.

Royal Court of Saudi Arabia | Anadolu | Getty Images

Moscow’s war in Ukraine means it has “no time” for another war, according to Smagin, who added that Russia would only be motivated to involve itself indirectly in the conflict with Israel if the end result were to weaken the U.S.

“Russia could seek to support Iran by supplying weapons to Iranian proxy forces, including Hezbollah and the Houthis,” Smagin said. “However, for the Kremlin, that would be more logical if such deliveries were going to harm the United States, rather than Israel.”

Jamie Dimon says geopolitical risks are surging: 'Conditions are treacherous and getting worse'

suimt — Fri, 11 Oct 2024 18:19:23 +0000

JPMorgan Chase CEO and Chairman Jamie Dimon speaks during the U.S. Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee oversight hearing on Wall Street firms, on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., December 6, 2023.

Evelyn Hockstein | Reuters

JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon sees risks climbing around the world amid widening conflicts in the Middle East and with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine showing no signs of abating.

“We have been closely monitoring the geopolitical situation for some time, and recent events show that conditions are treacherous and getting worse,” Dimon said Friday in the bank’s third-quarter earnings release.

“There is significant human suffering, and the outcome of these situations could have far-reaching effects on both short-term economic outcomes and more importantly on the course of history,” he said.

The international order in place since the end of World War II is unraveling in light of conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, rising U.S.-China tensions, and the risk of “nuclear blackmail” from Iran, North Korea and Russia, Dimon said last month during a fireside chat held at Georgetown University.

“It’s ratcheting up, folks, and it takes really strong American leadership and Western world leaders to do something about that,” Dimon said at Georgetown. “That’s my No. 1 concern, and it dwarves any I’ve had since I’ve been working.”

The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas recently hit the one-year mark since Hamas’ attack on Oct. 7, 2023, sparked war, and there have been few signs of it slowing down. Tens of thousands of people have been killed as the conflict has broadened into fighting on multiple fronts, including with Hezbollah and Iran.

At least 22 people were killed and more than 100 injured in Beirut from Israeli airstrikes on Thursday. Iran launched more than 180 missiles against Israel on Oct. 1, and worries have risen that an Israeli retaliation could target Iranian oil facilities.

Meanwhile, the Russian government approved a draft budget last week that boosted defense spending by 25% from 2024 levels, a sign that Russia is determined to continue its invasion of Ukraine, analysts say.

Dimon also said Friday that he remained wary about the future of the economy, despite signs that the Federal Reserve has engineered a soft landing.

“While inflation is slowing and the U.S. economy remains resilient, several critical issues remain, including large fiscal deficits, infrastructure needs, restructuring of trade and remilitarization of the world,” Dimon said. “While we hope for the best, these events and the prevailing uncertainty demonstrate why we must be prepared for any environment.”

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Gulf states urges US to stop Israel from bombing Iran's oil sites

Diksha — Fri, 11 Oct 2024 06:41:44 +0000

Gulf states are lobbying Washington to stop Israel from attacking Iran’s oil sites because they are concerned their own oil facilities could come under fire from Tehran’s proxies if the conflict escalates, three Gulf sources told Reuters.

As part of their attempts to avoid being caught in the crossfire, Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar, are also refusing to let Israel fly over their airspace for any attack on Iran and have conveyed this to Washington, the three sources close to government circles said.

Israel has promised Iran will pay for its missile attack last week while Tehran has said any retaliation would be met with vast destruction, raising fears of a wider war in the region that could suck in the United States.

During meetings this week, Iran warned Saudi Arabia it could not guarantee the safety of the Gulf kingdom’s oil facilities if Israel were given any assistance in carrying out an attack, a senior Iranian official and an Iranian diplomat told Reuters.

Ali Shihabi, a Saudi analyst close to the Saudi royal court, said: “The Iranians have stated: ‘If the Gulf states open up their airspace to Israel, that would be an act of war’.”

The diplomat said Tehran had sent a clear message to Riyadh that its allies in countries such as Iraq or Yemen might respond if there was any regional support for Israel against Iran.

A potential Israeli strike was the focus of talks on Wednesday between Saudi de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, who was on a Gulf tour to rally support, Gulf and Iranian sources said.

Jonathan Panikoff, former deputy US national intelligence officer on the Middle East and now at the Atlantic Council think-tank in Washington said: “Gulf states’ anxiety is likely to be a key talking point with Israeli counterparts in trying to convince Israel to undertake a carefully calibrated response.”

The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, which is de-facto led by Saudi Arabia, has enough spare oil capacity to make up for any loss of Iranian supply if an Israeli retaliation knocked out some of the country’s facilities.

But much of that spare capacity is in the Gulf region so if oil facilities in Saudi Arabia or the UAE, for example, were targeted too, the world could face an oil supply problem.

“The Gulf states aren’t letting Israel use their airspace. They won’t allow Israeli missiles to pass through, and there’s also a hope that they won’t strike the oil facilities,” the Gulf source said.

The three Gulf sources emphasized that Israel could route strikes through Jordan or Iraq, but using Saudi, UAE, or Qatari airspace was off the table and strategically unnecessary.

Analysts also pointed out that Israel has other options, including mid-air refueling capabilities that would enable its jets to fly down the Red Sea into the Indian Ocean, proceed to the Gulf and then fly back.

World War ‘Aaj nahi to Kal’, predicts Shankar Sharma; What will be India’s role in it?

Aseem — Thu, 03 Oct 2024 09:35:11 +0000

Conflicts in the Middle East have intensified, with Israel now engaged in a multi-front war involving Palestine, Lebanon, Yemen, and more recently, Iran. This escalation comes amidst the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, which began in early 2022. These crises have led to growing concerns that the situation may evolve into a broader global conflict, potentially even another World War.

Veteran investor Shankar Sharma stirred discussions on geopolitical tensions with a tweet, predicting an inevitable escalated global conflict. He foresees the formation of two opposing blocs in the world, with the US, UK, Israel, and Europe on one side and Iran, Russia, China, and North Korea on the other.

“Apna prediction kilear hai: aaj nahi to Kal, ek World War hona hi hai. US UK Israel Europe: Side 1. Iran Russia China N Korea: Side 2. India? Referee without Penalty Powers,” Sharma said in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on October 2.

The tweet hinted at India’s uncertain role, likening it to a “referee without penalty powers” – a position of neutrality but with limited influence in mitigating the global conflict.

Sharma’s prediction aligns with growing concerns about escalating global tensions, particularly surrounding the US-China relations, the Russia-Ukraine war, and Middle Eastern conflicts involving Iran and Israel. The inclusion of major nuclear powers such as Russia, China, and the US intensifies the potential consequences of such a scenario.

Middle East tensions escalated significantly on October 1, when Iran launched around 200 ballistic missiles at Israel. In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to retaliate against Tehran, while Iranian officials warned that any further targeting of their country would provoke an even more devastating counterstrike.

Sharma’s comment on India’s role as a “referee” reflects its current foreign policy of strategic autonomy and its ‘neutral’ position. While India maintains strong ties with the West, it has also sought to balance its relations with Russia and other non-aligned nations.

This is evident in its approach during the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, where India has preserved diplomatic ties with both Russia and Ukraine. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has engaged with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, aiming to foster dialogue without explicitly taking sides.

Financial markets have been rattled by the ongoing geopolitical conflicts, with the Indian stock market indices, Sensex and Nifty 50, dropping over 2% each on Thursday. The heightened volatility in the markets have added to broader concerns about the global economic outlook amid speculations over how the conflict will evolve.

Disclaimer: The views and recommendations made above are those of individual analysts or broking companies, and not of Mint. We advise investors to check with certified experts before making any investment decisions.

Iranian Army Chief threatens to hit all Israel infrastructure if attacked

Diksha — Wed, 02 Oct 2024 11:39:03 +0000

Iran’s armed forces joint chief of staff, General Mohammad Bagheri, has threatened to repeat missile strikes on Israel with “multiplied intensity” if the Israeli regime retaliates against Iranian territory.

The warning came after Iran launched a missile salvo on Israeli military installations in response to what it described as Israel’s “continuous crimes.”

He stated, “The last two months were two very difficult months for the Iranian nation and the Axis of Resistance,” referencing Israel’s assassination of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and the West’s demands for Iran to exercise restraint in an effort to establish a ceasefire in Gaza.

He further added that the criminal Zionist regime increased its crimes with the support and the green light of the United States.

Mohammad Bagheri stated that Iran’s missile operation had successfully hit key military sites, including Mossad headquarters, Nevatim Airbase, and Hatzerim Airbase.

He emphasised that while the IRGC strike targeted military assets, “the economic and industrial infrastructure of the regime was not targeted, their people were not targeted, while this was completely possible.”

“If the Zionist regime, which has reached (the level of) madness, is not controlled by the United States and Europe and wants to continue such crimes or take action against our sovereignty and territorial integrity, tonight’s operation will be repeated on a much larger scale and all their infrastructures will be hit,” Mohammad Bagheri warned.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) confirmed that 90% of the missiles launched in the attack successfully hit their targets. Mohammad Bagheri warned that if Israel continues its crimes, Iran would escalate the situation, expanding the scale of its operations.

लेबनान: हिज्बुल्लाह के मुख्यालय पर इजरायल ने बरसाईं मिसाइलें, हमले में मारा गया कार्यकारी परिषद का प्रमुख

Aseem — Fri, 27 Sep 2024 22:39:03 +0000

इजरायल दक्षिणी लेबनान पर ताबड़तोड़ एयरस्ट्राइक कर रहा है. इजरायल लेबनान के उन रिहायशी इलाकों को भी निशाना बना रहा है, जहां हिज्बुल्लाह के आतंकियों ने हथियार छिपा कर रखे हैं. इजरायली आर्मी हिज्बुल्लाह के आतंकी ठिकानों पर चुन-चुनकर बम बरसा रही है, जिसमें उसके कमांडर मिट्टी में मिलते जा रहे हैं. 9 दिन से जारी जंग में इजरायली हमले में लेबनान के अब तक 700 लोगों की मौत हो चुकी है, जबकि 2600 लोग घायल बताए जा रहे हैं. शुक्रवार के हमले में भी 25 लोगों की जान चली गई. इसमें हिज्बुल्लाह के कार्यकारी परिषद के प्रमुख हाशेम सफीद्दीन की भी मौत हो गई. इससे पहले गुरुवार को हमलों में इजरायल ने हिज्बुल्लाह की ड्रोन यूनिट के कमांडर मोहम्मद सरूर को ढेर कर दिया था.

इस बीच शुक्रवार देर शाम (भारतीय समयानुसार) इजरायल ने लेबनान की राजधानी बेरूत में एक के बाद एक कई एयरस्ट्राइक कीं. ये हमला यूएनजीसी में नेतन्याहू के भाषण के बाद हुआ है. इसे इजरायल का लेबनान में सबसे भीषण हमला माना जा रहा है. इसके चलते आसमान में धुएं के गुबार छा गए. इजरायल ने बेरूत स्थित हिज्बुल्लाह के मुख्यालय पर भी हमला किया. ये मुख्यालय एक रियाशी इमारत के नीचे था. बताया जा रहा है कि इसमें हिज्बुल्लाह चीफ नसरल्लाह ने बंकर बनाया हुआ था. पहले बताया गया था कि बंकर में नरसल्लाह हो सकता है. हालांकि सूत्रों की मानें तो हिज्बुल्लाह की तरफ से इसका खंडन कर दिया गया है. बताया जा रहा है कि हमले से पहले इजरायल ने अमेरिका को भी इसकी जानकारी दी थी. इन हमलों में 6 इमारते पूरी तरह तबाह हो गईं. इस हमले में 2 की मौत हुई है जबकि 70 से अधिक लोग घायल बताए जा रहे हैं.

इस हमले के बाद इजरायली पीएम नेतन्याहू ने अमेरिका यात्रा को छोटा कर दिया है और वे तुरंत इजरायल लौट रहे हैं. हमलों को लेकर इजरायली सेना ने बयान भी जारी किया. शुक्रवार को सेना ने कहा कि उसने दक्षिणी बेरूत के दहिएह उपनगर में हिज्बुल्लाह के केंद्रीय मुख्यालय को निशाना बनाकर हमला किया, जिससे लेबनान की राजधानी हिल गई और शहर के ऊपर धुएं के घने गुबार छा गए. फिलहाल यह जानकारी सामने नहीं आई है कि हमलों में कितने लोगों की मौत हुई है. लेकिन स्थानीय मीडिया का कहना है कि हमलों के बाद इलाके में दहशत का माहौल है और आम नागरिक सुरक्षित जगहों की तरफ पलायन कर रहे हैं.

सम्बंधित ख़बरें

पीएम नेतन्याहू ने UNGA में हिज्बुल्लाह को दी चेतावनी

इधर, जंग के बीच न्यूयॉर्क में संयुक्त राष्ट्र संघ के मंच पर इजरायल के पीएम बेंजामिन नेतन्याहू ने लेबनान और हिज्बुल्लाह के खिलाफ जमकर भड़ास निकाली. इतना ही नहीं UNGA के मंच से नेतन्याहू ने ईरान को भी खुलेआम धमकी दी, जिसके विरोध में कई देशों के प्रतिनिधियों ने सदन से वॉकआउट कर दिया. नेतन्याहू ने कहा कि ईरान में कोई ऐसी जगह नहीं है, जहां इजरायल नहीं पहुंच सकता. उन्होंने हिज्बुल्लाह को समर्थन देने वाले ईरान को लेकर कहा कि इजरायल तब तक नहीं थमेगा, जब तक उनके देश के बंधक नागरिक सुरक्षित घर नहीं लौट आते.

इजरायली प्रधानमंत्री नेतन्याहू ने संयुक्त राष्ट्र महासभा में कहा कि हम गाजा में हमास से तब तक लड़ेंगे जब तक हमें पूरी तरह जीत नहीं मिल जाती. इजरायल भी शांति का पक्षधर है. लेकिन अगर उनके देश पर हमला होगा तो वो किसी को नहीं छोड़ेंगे. उन्होंने चेतावनी भरे लहजे में कहा कि भले ही हिज्बुल्लाह की पकड़ सभी महाद्वीपों में है, लेकिन वो हिज्बुल्लाह और उसके चीफ हसन नसरल्लाह के खात्मे तक जंग जारी रखेंगे. इस साल जंग की वजह से उनका संयुक्त राष्ट्र महासभा में आने का कोई इरादा नहीं था. लेकिन वो लेबनान, ईरान और हिज्बुल्लाह को एक्सपोज करने के लिए यहां पहुंचे हैं.

जल्द जमीनी जंग को भी अंजाम दे सकता है इजरायल!

बता दें कि इजरायल ने सैकड़ों टैंक और आर्मर्ड व्हीकल्स को लेबनानी सीमा के पास तैनात कर दिया है. डिफेंस एक्सपर्ट्स का मानना है कि इजरायल बहुत जल्द किसी भी समय लेबनान पर हमला कर सकता है. यानी जमीनी जंग की शुरूआत हो सकती है. इजरायल के उत्तर में लेबनान का दक्षिणी हिस्सा मौजूद है. ये हमले कब और किस समय होंगे, इसका खुलासा फिलहाल नहीं हुआ है. लेकिन होंगे बहुत जल्द.

हिज्बुल्लाह के लड़ाके सबसे ज्यादा हमले अपने इसी गढ़ से करते हैं. लेबनान में हाल ही में इजरायल ने कोवर्ट ऑपरेशन करके दुनिया को हैरान कर दिया था. ये कोवर्ट ऑपरेशन पेजर और वॉकी-टॉकी के धमाके थे. इजरायली रक्षामंत्री योआव गैलेंट ने भी इस बात का खुलासा कर दिया है कि उनका देश संभावित ग्राउंड अटैक के लिए तैयार है. इसका मतलब ये है कि इजरायल किसी भी समय जमीनी जंग की शुरूआत कर सकता है. गाजा पट्टी में जिस तरह घुसकर हमास को खत्म किया. ठीक उसी तरह लेबनान में घुसकर हिज्बुल्लाह का खात्मा कर सकता है.

इंटरनेशनल ऑर्गेनाइजेशन फॉर माइग्रेशन के अनुसार, इस लड़ाई ने लेबनान में 200,000 से ज़्यादा लोगों को अपने घरों से भागने पर मजबूर कर दिया है. इजरायल अधिकारियों ने सख्त चेतावनी जारी की है, जिसमें धमकी दी गई है कि अगर हिज्बुल्लाह ने अपने हमले जारी रखे तो वे लेबनान में भी गाजा जैसी तबाही मचा देंगे. इन बयानों ने इस आशंका को और बढ़ावा मिला है कि गाजा में देखी गई तबाही लेबनान में भी दोहराई जा सकती है, जिससे संघर्ष और भी बढ़ सकता है.

पेजर धमाकों के बाद अब इजरायल ने लेबनान में मचाई तबाही

पहले गाजा और अब बेरूत. इजरायल ने लेबनान पर बमों की बारिश कर दी है. बेरूत समेत तमाम लेबनानी शहरों में इजरायल तीन चार दिन से हमले कर रहा है. पेजर हमलों के बाद ये नई तबाही लेबनान पर भारी पड़ रही है. इजरायली हमलों के बाद लेबनान जाने वाली लगभग सारी उड़ानें रद्द कर दी गई हैं. इजरायली हमले और हिजबुल्लाह की जवाबी कार्रवाई के बीच कोई भी एयरलाइंस कंपनी बेरूत जाने का जोखिम नहीं उठा रही है.

कभी मिडिल ईस्ट का स्विट्जरलैंड और पेरिस था लेबनान

लेबनान हमेशा से ऐसा नहीं था और कभी इसे मिडिल ईस्ट का स्विट्जरलैंड और पेरिस कहा जाता था. लेकिन धीरे-धीरे यह इस्लामी कट्टरपंथ और आतंकवाद का गढ़ बन गया. यही वजह है कि लेबनान की राजधानी बेरूत इजरायली बम बारूद से तबाही झेल रही है. आज यहां खूंखार आतंकी संगठन हिजबुल्लाह का गढ़ है. लेकिन आज से 19 साल पहले भी इसकी तस्वीर ऐसी नहीं थी. बेरूत मॉडर्न, आजाद ख्याल और कट्टरवाद से बहुत दूर था.इसकी राजधानी बेरूत दुनिया के सबसे अमीर पर्यटकों का दिल खोलकर स्वागत करती थी. लेबनान में स्विमसूट, समुद्र तट, चहल-पहल भरी सड़कें और आज़ादी से घूमने वाले लोग थे.

Erdogan's political fate may be determined by Turkey's Kurds

Aseem — Mon, 03 Apr 2023 14:54:00 +0000

Editor’s Note: A version of this story first appeared in CNN’s Meanwhile in the Middle East newsletter, a three-times-a-week look inside the region’s biggest stories. Sign up here.

Abu Dhabi, UAE
CNN
—

Turkey’s persecuted pro-Kurdish party has emerged as a kingmaker in the country’s upcoming election, playing a decisive role that may just tip the balance enough to unseat two-decade ruler Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

In a key setback to the Turkish president and leader of the Justice and Development Party (AK Party), the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) last month announced that it would not put forward its own presidential candidate, a move analysts say allows its supporters to vote for Erdogan’s main rival.

“We are facing a turning point that will shape the future of Turkey and (its) society,” said the HDP in a statement on March 23. “To fulfill our historical responsibility against the one-man rule, we will not field a presidential candidate in (the) May 14 elections.”

It is a twist of irony for the Turkish strongman, who spent the better half of the past decade cracking down on the party after it began chipping away at his voter base. Its former leader Selahattin Demirtas has been in prison for nearly seven years and the party faces possible closure by a court for suspected collusion with the militant Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and affiliated groups. But its influence may nonetheless determine the course of Turkey’s politics.

The HDP’s decision not to field a candidate came just three days after head of the Republican People’s Party (CHP) Kemal Kilicdaroglu, Erdogan’s main rival, visited the party’s co-chairs. He told reporters that the solution to Turkey’s problems, “including the Kurdish problem” lies in parliament,” according to Turkish media.

Kilicdaroglu, who represents the six-party Nation Alliance opposition bloc, is the strongest contender to run against Erdogan in years. And while the HDP hasn’t yet announced whether it will put its weight behind him, analysts say it is the kingmaker in the elections.

“It was a carefully crafted political discourse,” Hisyar Ozsoy, deputy co-chair of the HDP and a member of parliament from the predominantly Kurdish province of Diyarbakir, told CNN. “We are not going to have our own candidate, and we will leave it to the international community to interpret it the way they wish.”

Experts say the crackdown on the HDP is rooted in the threat it poses to Erdogan politically, as well as its position as one of the main parties representing Turkey’s Kurds, an ethnic minority from which a separatist militant movement has emerged.

The party and the Kurdish people have had a complicated relationship with Erdogan. The leader courted the Kurds in earlier years by granting them more rights and reversing restrictions on the use of their language. Relations with the HDP were also cordial once, as Erdogan worked with the party on a brief peace process with the PKK.

But ties between Erdogan and the HDP later turned sour, and the HDP fell under a sweeping crackdown aimed at the PKK and their affiliates.

Kurds are the biggest minority in Turkey, making up between 15% and 20% of the population, according to Minority Rights Group International.

It is unclear if the HDP will endorse Kilicdaroglu, but analysts say that the deliberate distance may be beneficial for the opposition candidate.

The accusations against the HDP place it in a precarious position during the elections. It currently faces a case in Turkey’s Constitutional Court over suspected ties to the PKK, which is designated as a terrorist group by Turkey, the United States and the European Union. Knowing it may be banned at any moment, its candidates are running under the Green Left Party in parliament.

If the opposition is seen as allying with the HDP, Erdogan’s AK Party may use its influence in the media to discredit it as being pro-PKK, said Murat Somer, a political science professor at Koc University in Istanbul and author of Return to Point Zero, a book on the Turkish-Kurdish question in Turkey.

The HDP’s threat to Erdogan’s hold on power became apparent after the June 2015 election, the first general election it participated in. It won 13% of the seats, denying the ruling AK Party its majority for the first time since 2002. Erdogan, however, called a snap election five months later, which led to a drop in the HDP’s support to 10.7%, as well as the restoration of the AK Party’s overall majority.

“They are a kingmaker in these elections because the HDP gets about half of the votes of the Kurdish population in Turkey,” said Somer, adding that the other, more conservative Kurdish voters have traditionally voted for Erdogan’s AK Party. And last month, the Free Cause Party (HUDA-PAR), a tiny Kurdish-Islamist party announced support for Erdogan in the elections. The party has never won seats in parliament.

The HDP knows that its position is key to the outcome of next month’s vote, but that it’s also in a delicate situation.

“We want to play the game wisely, and we need to be very careful,” said Ozsoy, adding that the party wants to avoid a “contaminated political climate” where the elections are polarized “between a very ugly ultra-nationalist discourse against Kilicdaroglu and others.”

The party was founded in 2012 with a number of aims, said Ozsoy, one of which was “peaceful and democratic resolution of the Kurdish conflict.”

Somer said that the party was seen to be “an initiative” of the PKK, which later led to a heavy government crackdown on it in the name of counterterrorism.

Its former leader Demirtas remains an influential figure.

The Turkish government has been trying to link the HDP to the PKK but has so far failed to prove “a real connection,” said Asli Aydintasbas, a visiting fellow at the Brookings Institution in Washington, DC.

A post-Erdogan Turkey may give some breathing space to the Kurds and Kurdish-dominated parties in Turkey, Aydintasbas told CNN, noting that many Kurdish voters have recently left Erdogan’s camp. “For HDP, this is more than just an ideological choice,” she said. “It’s a matter of survival.”

Ozsoy says his party understands what’s at stake, not only for Turkey’s Kurds but for all its minorities.

“We are aware of our responsibility here. We are aware of our role. We know we are in a kingmaker position,” the HDP lawmaker said.

Two women arrested for not wearing hijab following ‘yogurt attack’

Two women were arrested in Iran for failing to wear the hijab in public, after a man threw a tub of yogurt at them at a store in the city of Shandiz on Thursday, according to Mizan News Agency, the state-run outlet for Iran’s judiciary.

Background: A video and report published by the Mizan News Agency showed footage of the man approaching one of the unveiled women and speaking to her before he grabs a tub of yogurt and throws it, hitting both women on the head. The video appears to show a male staff member removing the man from the store. The two women were arrested, as well as the man who threw the yogurt, according to local media.
Why it matters: Iranians have taken to the streets in protest for several months against Iran’s mandatory hijab law, as well as other political and social issues across the country. The Iranian government has continued to crack down on the protests, and on Saturday, Iran’s Ministry of Interior said that the “hijab is an unquestionable religious necessity.”

Oil prices surge after OPEC+ producers announce surprise cuts

Oil prices spiked Monday after OPEC+ producers unexpectedly announced that they would cut output. Brent crude, the global benchmark, jumped 5.31% to $84.13 a barrel, while WTI, the US benchmark, rose 5.48% to $79.83. Both were the sharpest price rises in almost a year. The collective output cut by the nine members of OPEC+ totals 1.66 million barrels per day.

Background: The reductions are on top of the 2 million barrels per day (bpd) cuts announced by OPEC+ in October and bring the total volume of cuts by OPEC+ to 3.66 million bpd, equal to 3.7% of global demand. In a note Sunday, Goldman Sachs analysts said the move was unexpected but “consistent with the new OPEC+ doctrine to act pre-emptively because they can, without significant losses in market share.”
Why it matters: The White House pushed back on the cuts by OPEC+. “We don’t think cuts are advisable at this moment given market uncertainty – and we’ve made that clear,” a spokesperson for the National Security Council said. “We’re focused on prices for American consumers, not barrels.” In October, OPEC+’s decision to cut production had already rankled the White House. US President Joe Biden pledged at the time that Saudi Arabia would suffer “consequences.” But so far, his administration appears to have backed off on its vows to punish the kingdom.

Iran blames Israel for the killing of second IRGC officer, vows to respond

A second Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) officer died following an attack in Syria on Friday, according to Iranian state media on Sunday. Iranian state media said the Iranian military adviser died after an Israeli attack near the Syrian capital Damascus left him wounded. The attack also killed another IRGC officer. In a tweet on Sunday, Iranian government spokesman Ali Bahadori Jahromi said the alleged Israeli attack wouldn’t go unanswered. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani said on Sunday that Iran has the right to respond to “state terrorism.”

Background: The Friday airstrike hit a “site in the Damascus countryside,” Syrian state news agency SANA said. Israel declined CNN’s request for comment on reports of airstrikes near Damascus on Friday, saying its military doesn’t comment on reports in the foreign media. Iranian influence has grown in Syria since a civil war broke out in the country more than a decade ago, with the IRGC building a substantial presence as “advisers” to the Syrian armed forces.
Why it matters: The Israeli military declined to comment, but it has previously claimed responsibility for attacks it has described as Iranian-linked targets in Syria. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at a cabinet meeting Sunday: “We are exacting a high price from the regimes that support terrorism, beyond Israel’s borders. I suggest that our enemies not err. Israel’s internal debate will not detract one iota from our determination, strength and ability to act against our enemies on all fronts, wherever and whenever necessary.”

Iranian-American comedian Maz Jobrani, who has been touring the Middle East, spoke to CNN’s Becky Anderson about his support for the protests in his homeland, saying that he used his standup comedy platform to highlight the “brutality against the Iranian people.”

“It was an opportunity for me to say, ‘let’s keep fighting,’” he said.

Watch the interview here.

An Iranian state news outlet is gloating at what it sees as the demise of the US dollar.

IRNA recreated a popular meme to mark China and Brazil’s decision to reportedly ditch the US dollar as an intermediary in trade, citing the Chinese state news outlet, China Daily. It shows two men representing China and Brazil posing in front of a grave labelled “USD.”

The meme was pinned to the top of IRNA’s Twitter page, and was met with laughter and ridicule. “Dream on,” said another user, pointing to the dollar’s use as the main reserve currency around the world.

China Daily said that the agreement was part of “the rising global use of the Chinese renminbi.” It would reportedly enable China and Brazil to conduct trade and financial transactions using local currencies instead of the dollar.