Iran’s interim Foreign Minister says the Islamic Republic will “legitimately” and “decisively” make Israel pay for its crimes, including the assassination of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.
In a telephone conversation with Belgian Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib on Saturday evening Ali Bagheri Kani said that the Israeli regime has destabilized West Asia with its strikes on Gaza and Lebanon and the “coward” assassination of Haniyeh on Iranian soil.
“In line with the defense of its national security, territorial integrity, and national sovereignty, the Islamic Republic of Iran will legitimately and decisively make the oppressive Israeli regime pay the price for its aggression under the international law and procedures as well as the UN Charter,” he pointed out.
For her part, Lahbib voiced deep concern over the unfolding developments in West Asia, saying, “Brussels is worried about the deterioration of the situation in the region as lack of control over the state of affairs will result in a full-blown war.”
She expressed support for the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and denounced the construction of illegal settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories.
Lahbib added that Belgium supports the right of return of Palestinian refugees and at the same time seeks imposition of sanctions against extremist Israeli settlers.
The top Belgian diplomat underlined the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, stating that all parties should exercise maximum restraint in light of the worsening situation in West Asia and that continued consultation between Tehran and Brussels is highly required in this regard.....more below
US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll is preparing to leave the Trump administration after what a new report has described as months of tension with Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, potentially triggering another change at the army’s top echelons.
According to the Friday report by The Wall Street Journal, Driscoll is expected to step down before the end of the year and could leave his post earlier. The newspaper cited people familiar with discussions over his departure.
The Journal reported that Driscoll and his family vacated the official residence assigned to the army secretary at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall this summer, a move that could indicate he was preparing to leave the position.
The reported departure would come at a time of continuing uncertainty at the top echelons of the army.
Hegseth abruptly removed Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George in April, while Trump has not yet nominated a permanent successo....more below
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The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) warns the enemies that any act of aggression against the Islamic Republic will not go unanswered.
In a statement on Thursday, the IRGC issued a “stern warning” to the enemies after US forces launched strikes against the southern Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas.
Following the US military attack on a point on the outskirts of Bandar Abbas Airport with aerial projectiles, the IRGC carried out new strikes targeting the US air base from which the attack originated in the wee hours of Thursday, it added.
“This response is a serious warning to the enemy that they should know the act of aggression will not go unanswered,” the IRGC emphasized.
The elite military force warned of a “more decisive” response if the enemy repeated any act of aggression.
It also said the responsibility for the consequences of any IRGC response lies with the aggressor.
The statement comes after the IRGC Navy on Thursday forced an American tanker to turn back. The tanker ...