Latest news with #Iran-Iraq
India.com
4 hours ago
- Politics
- India.com
US Slams UN Two-State Summit For Israel, Palestine As ‘Publicity Stunt', Warns India Of Fallout
New Delhi/Washington: The Donald Trump administration has sent a stern message to India: Washington is not on board with the international conference on the two-state solution for Israel-Palestine. The gathering is currently underway in New York. The United States has refused to participate in what it calls an 'ill-timed' and 'unproductive' meeting, which is being co-hosted by France and Saudi Arabia. India joins over 120 nations in attendance. A spokesperson for the U.S. embassy confirmed that American officials have directly communicated their disapproval to New Delhi. 'We have shared our views on the conference with the Government of India. The United States will not participate in this unproductive and ill-timed conference on the two-state solution in New York City. The United States will continue to lead real-world efforts to end the fighting and deliver a permanent peace,' the official said, reiterating Washington's stance,' the official said, reiterating Washington's stance. U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce went further and accused the conference of doing more harm than good. 'Far from promoting peace, the conference will prolong the war, embolden Hamas and reward its obstruction. It undermines real-world efforts to achieve peace,' she said. Bruce slammed the summit as a diplomatic distraction and 'a publicity stunt' that could derail progress towards a ceasefire and hostage release. She also linked French President Emmanuel Macron's announcement that France will officially recognise a Palestinian state to Hamas' recent statements, claiming it reflects a pattern of missteps that strengthen the group's hand. 'This only encourages Hamas to obstruct a ceasefire and undercuts our diplomatic efforts to end the suffering in Gaza,' Bruce warned. India, however, is engaging with the conference in hopes of facilitating dialogue and tangible action. New Delhi is participating in consultations with the eight working groups formed by the United Nations and civil society to shape 'concrete measures' toward the two-state goal. These working groups had been preparing for the conference since a United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) resolution last year called for a summit in June 2025. That event was delayed due to the Iran-Iraq conflict. India's representative to the United Nations Ambassador P Harish reiterated the country's long-standing position. In a statement to the UN Security Council last week, he urged for an immediate ceasefire and emphasised the release of hostages as a top priority. 'India shares historic and strong ties with our Palestinian brothers and sisters. We have always stood by them and our commitment towards the Palestinian cause is unwavering,' he said. Though India abstained from a UNGA resolution in June demanding an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, it has since been in regular contact with the working groups and is expected to contribute its formal recommendations during the summit. New Delhi continues to walk a careful diplomatic line, balancing its close and growing relationship with Israel and its principled support for Palestinian statehood. The Ministry of External Affairs reiterated India's stance in Parliament last Friday that a negotiated two-state solution is the only way forward. That vision includes the creation of a sovereign Palestine that exists in peace beside Israel within secure and recognised borders.
Time of India
18 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
US shuns 'ill-timed' UN conference for 2-state solution, conveys concerns to India
Indian ambassador to the UN P Harish The United States has conveyed its reservations to India about the ongoing UN 2-state conference that it sees as counterproductive to efforts to end the war in Gaza and ensure release of hostages. India is among the 120-odd countries and agencies participating in the conference that has been boycotted by both US and Israel. The US had urged foreign governments to not participate in the conference, as reported by Reuters last month on the basis of a US diplomatic cable seen by the agency. Asked if there had been any contact with India too about the conference, a US embassy spokesperson told TOI that Washington has shared its views with India. 'The United States will not participate in this unproductive and ill-timed conference on the two-state solution in New York City. The United States will continue to lead real-world efforts to end the fighting and deliver a permanent peace. We have shared our views on the conference with the Government of India,' said the spokesperson. As the conference co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia kicked off Monday, the State Department slammed the meeting calling it unproductive, ill-timed and also a publicity stunt that comes in the middle of delicate diplomatic efforts to end the conflict. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like For all your EV needs ScottishPower Learn More Undo 'Far from promoting peace, the conference will prolong the war, embolden Hamas, and reward its obstruction and undermine real-world efforts to achieve peace,' said spokesperson Tammy Bruce, adding that the US will not participate in this insult but will continue to lead real-world efforts for peace. Bruce mentioned said that French President Emmanuel Macron's announcement of recognition for a Palestinian state, which preceded the conference, was welcomed by Hamas. 'This reflects a pattern of counterproductive gestures that only emboldens Hamas, encourages its obstruction of a ceasefire, and greatly undercuts our diplomatic efforts to end the suffering in Gaza, free the hostages, and move the whole Middle East towards a brighter and more prosperous future,' said Bruce. India is participating in the conference, seeking a constructive and forward-leaning engagement and hoping it would pave the way for concrete steps towards achieving a 2-State solution India had also voted in favour of a UNGA resolution last year that announced an international summit in June 2025 to discuss the 2-state solution. However, the conference couldn't take place last month because of the Iran-Iraq conflict. According to France, the conference aims to chart a path towards the 2-state solution through 'concrete measures' proposed by the 8 working groups, which have conducted extensive consultations with UN member-states and civil society. The conference is drawing attention also for the announcement Macron last week that France will recognise the Palestinian state, becoming the first G7 country to do so. Indian ambassador to the UN, P Harish, had in a statement last week in the Security Council strongly called for a ceasefire to be put in place and sought release of all hostages. India, which was among the 19 countries that abstained from voting on a UNGA resolution in June for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, has been in touch with the 8 working groups and is expected to further provide its inputs on the 2-state solution during the conference. On the Gaza issue, India has continued to walk a tightrope between its vital and growing ties with Israel and the traditional support for the Palestinian cause, including the 2-state solution. While the government strongly defends Israel's right to defend itself from Hamas terrorist attacks, it also expects Israel to follow international law and not target civilians. 'India shares historic and strong ties with our Palestinian brothers and sisters. We have always stood by them and our commitment towards the Palestinian cause is unwavering,' said Harish in his remarks in the Council. The ministry of external affairs also reiterated the Indian position in Parliament on Friday that India has always supported a negotiated 2-state solution, towards establishment of a sovereign, independent and viable State of Palestine within secure and recognized borders, living side by side in peace with Israel.
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Iran executes 2 opposition members over alleged attacks on civilian sites
Iran said Sunday it has executed two members of the exiled opposition group Mujahedeen-e-Khalq after convicting them of carrying out attacks on public and civilian infrastructure. Iranian courts charged the two men with several offenses, including waging war against the state.(Representational Photo) The judiciary's official news website, Mizan Online, reported that Behrouz Ehsani Eslamlou and Mehdi Hasani were hanged on Sunday morning after being found guilty of using improvised mortar launchers to target residential areas, educational institutions and government buildings. In January, rights group Amnesty International had issued an appeal for Eslamlou and Hasani, saying the two had been interrogated without the presence of lawyers and had been subjected "to torture and other ill-treatment, including beatings and prolonged solitary confinement, to extract self-incriminating statements.' The Mojahedin Organization of Iran, also known as the People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran, issued a statement decrying the executions and said both men had been 'subjected to savage torture.' Calling for international condemnation of the executions, the group said another 14 people have been sentenced to death in Iran for alleged membership in the organization 'and are at imminent risk of execution.' Iranian courts charged the two men with several offenses, including waging war against the state, conspiracy, sabotage and membership in a terrorist organization. Prosecutors accused them of plotting to destabilize national security and damage public property. The Mujahedeen-e-Khalq, once a Marxist-Islamist group that opposed Iran's monarchy, backed the 1979 Islamic Revolution but later broke with Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini's government. It carried out a series of deadly bombings and assassinations in the 1980s and supported Saddam Hussein during the Iran-Iraq war — stances that still provoke widespread resentment within Iran. The group is now largely based in Albania but claims to operate a clandestine network inside Iran. The last known execution of Mujahedeen-e-Khalq members took place in 2009, following their conviction in connection with an attempted bombing in Tehran's central Enghelab Square.
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First Post
2 days ago
- Politics
- First Post
Iran executes 2 opposition members over alleged attacks on civilian targets, MEK ties
Iran said Sunday it has executed two members of the exiled opposition group Mujahedeen-e-Khalq after convicting them of carrying out attacks on public and civilian infrastructure. read more Iran said on Sunday that it has executed two people linked to the exiled opposition group Mujahedeen-e-Khalq (MEK), accusing them of orchestrating attacks against civilian and government infrastructure across the country. According to the judiciary's official outlet, Mizan Online, the executions of Behrouz Ehsani Eslamlou and Mehdi Hasani were carried out in the morning following their conviction for using improvised mortars to target residential zones, educational centres and government facilities. Eslamlou, whose association with MEK dates back to the 1980s, had previously served time in prison before re-joining the group upon release. Authorities said he was detained while attempting to cross into Turkey, allegedly carrying firearms, ammunition, components for mortar devices and disguise tools. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Further details reported by the semi-official Tasnim news agency claim that Eslamlou had been instructed by MEK leaders in Albania to infiltrate Iran and establish covert militant cells. His role reportedly included recruitment, training and directing operations aimed at both civilian and official targets. Iranian state media also alleged that the two men were engaged in acts of sabotage, intelligence-gathering and the filming of attacks for distribution through MEK-affiliated media platforms. Iranian courts charged the men with several offenses, including waging war against the state, conspiracy, sabotage and membership in a terrorist organization. Prosecutors accused them of plotting to destabilize national security and damage public property. The Mujahedeen-e-Khalq, once a Marxist-Islamist group that opposed Iran's monarchy, backed the 1979 Islamic Revolution but later broke with Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini's government. It carried out a series of deadly bombings and assassinations in the 1980s and supported Saddam Hussein during the Iran-Iraq war — stances that still provoke widespread resentment within Iran. The group is now largely based in Albania but claims to operate a clandestine network inside Iran. The last known execution of Mujahedeen-e-Khalq members before Sunday took place in 2009, following their conviction in connection with an attempted bombing in Tehran's central Enghelab Square. With inputs from agencies
3 days ago
- Politics
Iran executes 2 opposition members over alleged attacks on civilian sites
TEHRAN, Iran -- Iran said Sunday it has executed two members of the exiled opposition group Mujahedeen-e-Khalq after convicting them of carrying out attacks on public and civilian infrastructure. The judiciary's official news website, Mizan Online, reported that Behrouz Ehsani Eslamlou and Mehdi Hasani were hanged on Sunday morning after being found guilty of using improvised mortar launchers to target residential areas, educational institutions and government buildings. The report said Eslamlou had a long history with the group, dating back to the 1980s. He was previously imprisoned, rejoining the group after his release. Mizan said he was arrested while trying to cross the border into Turkey. Authorities said they found firearms, ammunition, materials for assembling mortars and tools for changing his appearance in his possession. The semi-official Tasnim news agency added that Eslamlou had been tasked by group leaders based in Albania to return to Iran and organize underground terror cells. His mission, according to the report, included training and directing attacks against both government and civilian targets. State media reported that the two were involved in acts of vandalism against public property, gathering intelligence, filming their activities and sending the footage for dissemination through the group's affiliated media networks. Iranian courts charged the men with several offenses, including waging war against the state, conspiracy, sabotage and membership in a terrorist organization. Prosecutors accused them of plotting to destabilize national security and damage public property. The Mujahedeen-e-Khalq, once a Marxist-Islamist group that opposed Iran's monarchy, backed the 1979 Islamic Revolution but later broke with Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini's government. It carried out a series of deadly bombings and assassinations in the 1980s and supported Saddam Hussein during the Iran-Iraq war — stances that still provoke widespread resentment within Iran. The group is now largely based in Albania but claims to operate a clandestine network inside Iran. The last known execution of Mujahedeen-e-Khalq members before Sunday took place in 2009, following their conviction in connection with an attempted bombing in Tehran's central Enghelab Square.
