Latest news with #AyatollahKhomeini
CTV News
an hour ago
- Politics
- CTV News
Iran says it executed 9 Islamic State group militants detained after a 2018 attack
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Iran said Tuesday it executed nine militants of the Islamic State group detained after a 2018 attack. The Iranian judiciary's Mizan news agency announced the executions Tuesday, saying that the death sentences had been upheld by the country's top court. It described the militants as being detained after they were in a clash in the country's western region with Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, in which three troops and several Islamic State group fighters were killed. Authorities said they had seized a cache of combat weapons, including a machine gun and 50 grenades, after surrounding the militants' hideout in the country's west. Iran carries out executions by hanging. The extremist group, which once held vast territory across Iraq and Syria in a self-described caliphate it declared in 2014, ultimately was beaten back by U.S.-led forces. It has since been in disarray, though it has mounted major assaults. In Iran's neighbor Afghanistan, for instance, IS is believed to have grown in strength since the fall of the Western-backed government there to the Taliban in 2021. The group previously claimed a June 2017 attack in Tehran on parliament and a mausoleum of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini that killed at least 18 people and wounded more than 50. It has claimed other attacks in Iran, including two suicide bombings in 2024 targeting a commemoration for an Iranian general slain in a 2020 U.S. drone strike. That assault killed at least 94 people. The clash with Revolutionary Guardsmen in 2018 marked a point of heightened tensions between Iran and the militant group. Iran launched ballistic missiles at parts of eastern Syria, vowing revenge after militants disguised themselves as soldiers and opened fire at a military parade in the Islamic Republic's southwest. That attack killed at least 25 people and was claimed by both the Islamic State group and local separatists. But Tehran's hand in Syria was weakened with the fall last year of President Bashar Assad, a key ally. Analysts say IS could take advantage of the security vacuum to stage a comeback while Syria's new leaders are still consolidating their control over the country and forming a national army. Gabe Levin, The Associated Press
Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Ban on dog walking: Iran extends restriction to more cities; violators warned of legal action
. Iran on Sunday expanded its ban on taking dogs in public, citing public health and security. About 17 Iranian cities had recently banned walking dogs or taking them around in public. An official from Ilam city said, 'legal action will be taken against violators', as quoted by the reformist Etemand newspaper. Meanwhile, Abbas Najafi, the prosecutor of the western city of Hamedan, said, 'Dog walking is a threat to public health, peace, and comfort.' In 2019, a police directive banned walking dogs in public. The ban has been difficult to implement as many owners continue to walk their dogs outside, reported The Guardian. The Iranian state's objection to dogs being in public is not new, and goes back to the 1979 Islamic revolution. There is no outright ban on owning dogs, however. The opposition reportedly stems from religious scholars considering owning dogs un-Islamic. They say that coming in contact with their saliva is najis or impure. Some also see having pets dog as an influence of the western culture. Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Khomeini, in 2017 said, 'Keeping dogs for reasons other than herding, hunting, and guard dogs is considered reprehensible.' He further said: 'If this practice resembles that of non-Muslims, promotes their culture or causes harm and disturbance to neighbours, it is deemed forbidden.' In 2021, 75 lawmakers condemned owning pets, calling it a "destructive social problem". They said it could 'gradually change the Iranian and Islamic way of life'.
Newsweek
6 days ago
- Business
- Newsweek
Iran's Supreme Leader Sends Nuclear Warning to U.S.
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei delivered a fiery speech on Wednesday, condemning U.S. demands over its nuclear program as "rude" and "insolent," and accusing Washington of trying to block Iran's progress and self-sufficiency. He warned that the United States "cannot do a damn thing". Why It Matters The response from Iran's Supreme Leader's is the clearest yet to the nuclear proposals made by the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, who has threatened to use military force if there is no deal. They also underline Iran's commitment to uranium enrichment, the main sticking point. Trump has said no enrichment would be allowed to prevent Iran acquiring nuclear weapons — something Tehran says it does not seek. Tensions are high as Washington awaits an official response to the proposal sent following several rounds of talks, previously described as positive by both sides. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei waves to the crowd as he arrives for a ceremony marking the anniversary of the 1989 death of the late revolutionary founder Ayatollah Khomeini at his shrine just outside Tehran,... Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei waves to the crowd as he arrives for a ceremony marking the anniversary of the 1989 death of the late revolutionary founder Ayatollah Khomeini at his shrine just outside Tehran, Iran, Wednesday, June 4, 2025. More Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader/AP What To Know "The US's first word is that Iran should not have a nuclear industry. Our response to America's nonsense claims is clear: they cannot do a damn thing in this matter," Khamenei was quoted as saying by the semi-official Mehr News Agency. Khamenei later took to social media, saying that the U.S. seeks to block Iran's nuclear industry in order to keep the country dependent on Washington for radiopharmaceuticals, energy, desalination technology, and other critical sectors. Uranium enrichment, a source of pride for Iran, is at the heart of a long rift between the two countries. While Iran says it does not seek nuclear weapons, the American administration has voiced concerns over reported significant enrichment activity, closer to bomb-grade levels. A confidential report from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) says that Iran conducted secret nuclear activities with undeclared materials at three sites long under scrutiny; in response, the U.S., Britain, France, and Germany are urging the IAEA to declare Iran in breach of its non-proliferation commitments, according to Reuters. Denying allegations, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi warned against what he described as a "politically motivated" move against that could derail Tehran's cooperation with the UN watchdog, according to the Tehran Times. What People Are Saying Iran's Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on X: "Thousands of nuclear scientists & researchers have been trained in Iran. Should we disappoint them, make them unemployed, & take away their hope in our country's future? The rude, insolent US leaders want this. They're opposed to progress & self-sufficiency for the Iranian ppl... In the current nuclear talks that are being mediated by Oman, the US's proposal is 100% against the spirit of "We can." What the US is demanding is that you should have no nuclear industry at all and be dependent on them." U.S. President Donald Trump wrote on social media: "Under our potential Agreement — WE WILL NOT ALLOW ANY ENRICHMENT OF URANIUM!" What Happens Next Iran must make a formal response to the U.S. proposals. Authorities on both sides are yet to confirm if a sixth round of nuclear talks will take place.
The Independent
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Salman Rushdie says he's ‘over' vicious knife attack
Salman Rushdie believes authors should worry about AI when it can write funny books, stating AI currently lacks a sense of humor. Speaking at the Hay Festival, Rushdie admitted he has never tried using AI and prefers to ignore its existence. The event marked Rushdie's most high-profile UK appearance since the 2022 on-stage stabbing in the US, with heightened security measures in place. Rushdie mentioned it was important for him and his wife to revisit the site of the attack, and he expressed being "over" the incident. Rushdie has faced threats since the 1988 publication of ' The Satanic Verses,' which led to a fatwa calling for his execution by Iran's Ayatollah Khomeini.
Newsweek
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Iran Ramps Up Defenses as Risks of U.S. Attack Grow
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Iranian's army chief of staff said the country's air defense capabilities have significantly increased, in preparedness for any violation of its airspace. Newsweek has reached out to the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) for comment. Why It Matters Military posturing has continued in parallel with diplomatic efforts to resolve the standoff over Iran's nuclear program, with U.S. President Donald Trump threatening military action if talks fail. The United States and Iran remain at odds over uranium enrichment, making the discussions increasingly fraught and increasing the risk of failure. A missile system is carried on a truck during a parade commemorating National Army Day in front of the shrine of the late revolutionary founder Ayatollah Khomeini, just outside Tehran, Iran, Friday, April 18, 2025.... A missile system is carried on a truck during a parade commemorating National Army Day in front of the shrine of the late revolutionary founder Ayatollah Khomeini, just outside Tehran, Iran, Friday, April 18, 2025. More Vahid Salemi/AP Photo What To Know Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, Major-General Mohammad Baqeri, told an air defense meeting that the country has seen a fivefold increase over the last year in the number of radars, monitoring systems, and detection equipment it has, according to semi-official Tasnim News Agency. The U.S. Air Force, which has been bolstering military equipment in the remote Diego Garcia airbase with strategic bombers, has meanwhile deployed additional F-15 fighter jets to the Indian Ocean island, bringing the total to six, The War Zone reported, citing a U.S. defense official. Diego Garcia would be within bombing range of Iran. As the U.S. is pressing Iran to abandon enrichment, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and senior officials have strongly opposed the demand. "For the Americans to say, 'We won't allow Iran to enrich uranium,' is utter nonsense," Khamenei posted to his X account, casting doubt on the outcome of ongoing talks. Baqeri said Iran's interception and destruction capabilities for aerial threats had increased by as much as three times, adding that Iran's airspace is under constant surveillance. Tehran has also recently unveiled a new ballistic missile capable of striking U.S. targets. Iran says that its enrichment of uranium is for a civilian nuclear program, with monitoring from International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) but the watchdog, the United States and Israel are concerned that enrichment levels and activities could enable it to make nuclear weapons. What People Are Saying Commander Matthew Comer, Indo-Pacific Command spokesperson, told The War Zone this week: "The F-15s are deployed providing force protection." Chief of Staff of the Iranian army Major-General Mohammad Baqeri, as quoted by IRNA News Agency last week: "In case the enemies make a mistake or intend to take action against the establishment and the sacred waters and soil of the Islamic Republic of Iran, our armed forces have the ability and readiness to confront them." What Happens Next Nuclear talks are expected to continue, but the risk of an impasse increases the chances of military action.
