Iran's military has warned that any fresh aggression against the country would provoke a 'far more severe' response extending beyond the Middle East. Abolfazl Shekarchi, spokesperson for the Iranian armed forces, said Tehran would escalate its retaliation if another round of conflict breaks out. In remarks carried by Iran's Fars news agency, Shekarchi stated that any future Iranian attacks would go beyond the region's borders and be 'heavier and more violent' than previous operations.
Iran Must Negotiate from 'Position of Victorious Power'
Iranian lawmaker Ebrahim Rezaei has said Tehran's diplomats must approach mediated talks with the United States 'from a position of victorious power' amid ongoing regional tensions. Rezaei, who serves as spokesperson for Iran's parliament National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, said Iran remained the 'definitive victor' despite the conflict. 'The definitive victor of the war has been and remains the valiant Iranian nation,' Rezaei said in a post on X. He also warned against making concessions during negotiations, stating, 'Yielding to the enemy only makes it more savage and exacerbates our problems. Please do not whitewash the red lines.'
Israeli Strike on Southern Lebanon Town Kills 12
At least 12 people were killed in Israeli strikes on the southern Lebanese town of Mashghara, according to Lebanon's National News Agency. Lebanese rescue workers recovered the bodies following the attack, while health authorities said several others were wounded. The incident marks another escalation in cross-border hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah. This is a developing story, and more details are awaited.
UAE Rejects Iran's Accusations at BRICS Meeting
The United Arab Emirates rejected allegations made by Iran and accused Tehran of carrying out 'terrorist attacks' against the Gulf nation, escalating tensions during the BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting in New Delhi. In a statement, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned what it described as Iran's attempts to justify attacks targeting the Emirates, calling them 'a flagrant violation of the United Nations Charter, international law, and the principles of good neighbourliness'. UAE minister of state Khalifa Shaheen Al Marar reaffirmed the country's 'categorical rejection' of allegations against its sovereignty and said the Emirates reserved the right to respond militarily to threats or hostile acts. 'Despite the numerous international and regional resolutions and condemnations issued, Iran has continued its terrorist attacks against the United Arab Emirates and other countries in the region, in clear disregard of the international consensus,' Al Marar said, according to the ministry. He cited UN Security Council Resolution 2817 (2026) and a Human Rights Council resolution adopted in Geneva condemning Iranian attacks. The remarks came after Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Kazem Gharibabadi accused the UAE of supporting military aggression against Iran during the BRICS meeting. 'The United Arab Emirates played a significant role in supporting and facilitating the military aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran,' Gharibabadi said. 'Every warplane that took off from the United Arab Emirates has been documented, including the exact time, date, and flight path,' he added, saying Iran had submitted 120 official notices and evidence to the UN Security Council. Responding to the accusations, Al Marar said the UAE held Iran 'fully responsible for these terrorist attacks and their repercussions' and asserted that the country was capable of defending itself.
UK Accused of Creating Political Prisoners
A new report has alleged that the United Kingdom has effectively created a growing category of political prisoners by increasingly targeting activists involved in pro-Palestine and climate protests since 2019. The report, titled 'Britain's Political Prisoners', was jointly published by the Centre for Climate Crime and Climate Justice at Queen Mary University of London and campaign group Defend Our Juries. 'This report strips away the illusion that Britain remains committed to democratic principles,' said Tim Crosland of Defend Our Juries, which co-authored the report. 'It reveals that peaceful protesters are being jailed in ever-increasing numbers, under pressure from the oil and arms industries, the Israeli government and their lobbyists,' Crosland added. The findings come amid growing debate in the UK over protest laws and state responses to political activism linked to Palestine solidarity and climate movements.
