Latest news with #IranianArmy
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
Video Shows Iranian Warplane Patrol Skies in Show of Force
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. A video released by Iran's Mehr News Agency shows an Iranian MiG-29 fighter jet patrolling the skies, accompanied by a stern message from Tehran amid growing regional tensions. The display of air power coincided with a declaration from Brigadier General Hamid Vahedi, Commander of Iran's Air Force, that the force remains fully vigilant and prepared to defend the country's airspace "under any circumstances." Newsweek has reached out the State Department and Iran's foreign ministry for comment. Why It Matters The show of force comes as Iran demands guarantees from the United States that it will lift sanctions as part of any revived nuclear deal. Iran's visible military activity and strong rhetoric underscore the country's effort to project strength amid fragile nuclear negotiations. Tehran is currently reviewing a formal U.S. nuclear deal proposal. While Iranian officials have stated they will respond based on national interests and principles, significant disagreements persist, particularly concerning uranium enrichment and the lifting of sanctions. In this picture released Feb. 7, 2023, by the official website of the Iranian Army, Commander of the Army Gen. Abdolrahim Mousavi, left, Chief of the General Staff of Iran's Armed Forces Gen. Mohammad Hossein... In this picture released Feb. 7, 2023, by the official website of the Iranian Army, Commander of the Army Gen. Abdolrahim Mousavi, left, Chief of the General Staff of Iran's Armed Forces Gen. Mohammad Hossein Bagheri, center, and Commander of the Air Force Gen. Hamid Vahedi visit Oghab-44, or Eagle-44, underground airbase in an undisclosed location in Iran. More Iranian Army/AP Photo What to Know Iran's Brigadier Vahedi emphasized the importance of "constant vigilance and quick response" for Iran's air defense forces. He called on his troops to maintain "continuous preparedness" and enhance their capabilities. This warning comes as Israeli officials are considering carrying out military strikes against Iran's nuclear facilities even if a nuclear deal is finalized with the U.S., according to a report in the New York Times. Iran Reviews U.S. Proposal Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed that Omani Foreign Minister Badr Al-Busaidi delivered elements of a U.S. proposal during a recent visit to Tehran. Araghchi stated that Iran would respond appropriately, considering its national interests and the rights of its people. The U.S. proposal, described by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt as "detailed and acceptable," aims to address longstanding issues in the nuclear negotiations. Tehran Demands Sanctions Relief Iran has consistently emphasized the need for clear guarantees that sanctions will be lifted as part of any new nuclear agreement. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei reiterated this stance, stating that the U.S. has yet to clarify how it intends to remove what Iran considers oppressive sanctions. Additionally, Iran insists on a right to continue uranium enrichment for civilian purposes, a point of contention in the negotiations. The U.S. has proposed alternatives, such as establishing a regional consortium for uranium enrichment outside of Iran, but Tehran has not accepted these terms. A picture taken on November 10, 2019, shows an Iranian flag in Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant, during an official ceremony to kick-start works on a second reactor at the facility. - Bushehr is Iran's... A picture taken on November 10, 2019, shows an Iranian flag in Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant, during an official ceremony to kick-start works on a second reactor at the facility. - Bushehr is Iran's only nuclear power station and is currently running on imported fuel from Russia that is closely monitored by the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency. MoreWhat People Are Saying Iran's Brigadier General Hamid Vahedi: "Under any circumstances, the air force is vigilant and fully ready to defend the country's skies." Esmaeil Baqaei, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson: "We want to guarantee that the sanctions are effectively lifted... So far, the American side has not wanted to clarify this issue." What Happens Next With Iran actively reviewing the U.S. proposal while continuing uranium enrichment and demanding firm commitments on sanctions relief, the outcome of the talks will be critical in determining whether a new nuclear deal can be reached or if tensions will escalate further.
Straits Times
7 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
China flexes military muscle with East Asian naval activity, sources say
FILE PHOTO: Members of the Chinese Navy attend the joint Navy exercise of Iran, China and Russia in the Gulf of Oman, Iran, March 12, 2025. Iranian Army/WANA (West Asia News Agency)/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo China has flexed its muscles this month by sending an unusually large number of naval and coast guard vessels through a swathe of East Asian waters, according to security documents and officials, in moves that have unnerved regional capitals. Since early May, China deployed fleets larger than usual, including navy, coast guard and other ships near Taiwan, the southern Japanese islands and the East and South China Seas, according to three regional security officials and documents of regional military activities reviewed by Reuters. On May 21 and May 27, for instance, China deployed nearly 60 and more than 70 ships, respectively, around three-quarters of them naval, the documents show. These included guided-missile frigates, destroyers and coast guard boats. Beijing also dispatched two aircraft carrier groups, with the Shandong now in the busy waterway of the South China Sea and the Liaoning off the southeastern coast of Taiwan, the documents show. "They are exerting pressure on the whole of the first island chain amid global geopolitical uncertainties," said one security official. The reference is to waters stretching from Japan through Taiwan, the Philippines and on to Borneo, enclosing the seas around China's coast. "They are trying to reinforce their dominance," the source said, adding that drills this month by the Liaoning, the oldest of China's three aircraft carriers, simulated attacks on foreign ships and aircraft around the East China Sea and the Yellow Sea. There was an "obvious" stepped-up Chinese naval presence this month, added a second source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, as did the first, citing the sensitivity of the intelligence assessment. "China clearly wants to show these are its home waters and it can operate when and where it wants," the source said. China's defence ministry did not respond to a request for comment. LIVE FIRE DRILLS Over the past two weeks China declared several live-fire drill areas off its coast, including last week one directly facing southwestern Taiwan. Last Wednesday, Chinese state television showed images of amphibious drills in the southern province of Fujian, across the strait from Taiwan, but did not give an exact location. This week, Japan has been tracking the Liaoning and its accompanying warships through the southern Japanese islands and into the Western Pacific. China seems to be trying to improve its capacity to operate far from the Chinese coast, Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said. "The Japanese government intends to keep a close eye on relevant movement and do its utmost in carrying out monitoring and surveillance activities," he told reporters on Wednesday. Speaking in Beijing, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said the ships' activities were in line with international law and practice and Japan should "look at them objectively and rationally". China has kept up its stand-off with the Philippines in the South China Sea, where its foreign ministry on Friday urged the Philippines to immediately stop "infringement and provocation". The Philippine Navy's spokesperson on South China Sea issues, Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, told Reuters that China's "illegal presence" in the maritime zones of Southeast Asian states "has been disturbing the peace in the region and is contrary to pronouncements of its 'peaceful rise'." The spike in Chinese military activity has also come as Taiwan President Lai Ching-te marked the anniversary this month of a year in office. China has staged three major rounds of war games since the inauguration of Lai, whom it calls a "separatist". On Wednesday, Taiwan's defence ministry said the Liaoning was off the island's southeast coast, adding that Taiwan would raise its combat preparedness in line with the threat level. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Newsweek
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Iran Threatens Strike on Israel as US Talks Hang in Balance
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. Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi, Commander-in-Chief of Iran's Army, said on Monday that Tehran is "fully ready" for another aerial strike, calling it a justified response to perceived Israeli aggression. He used the codename "True Promise" to describe Iran's direct attacks, echoing terminology previously employed during prior strikes. The warning came just as U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem visited Israel to brief Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the status of U.S.-Iran nuclear talks. Newsweek has reached out the State Department as well as the foreign ministries of Iran and Israel for comment. Why It Matters The threat of a third Iranian strike on Israel marks the potential for a significant escalation in a broader regional conflict, involving Iranian-aligned groups in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Yemen amid Israel's war on Gaza following Hamas's October 7, 2023 attacks. Mousavi's remarks reflect mounting pressure on Iran's leadership to respond forcefully to Israel's military operations and Western sanctions. The warning also comes as the U.S. continues to support Israel while maintaining negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program. The situation underscores the delicate balance between diplomacy and deterrence. Commander-in-Chief of the Iranian Army Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi speaks during a rally outside the former US embassy in the capital Tehran on November 4, 2019, to mark the 40th anniversary of the Iran hostage... Commander-in-Chief of the Iranian Army Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi speaks during a rally outside the former US embassy in the capital Tehran on November 4, 2019, to mark the 40th anniversary of the Iran hostage crisis. On November 4, 1979, less than nine months after the toppling of Iran's American-backed shah, students overran the embassy complex to demand the United States hand over the ousted ruler after he was admitted to a US hospital. MoreWhat to Know Mousavi's warning follows what he described as "rhetoric" from Israeli leaders. He said their threats are meaningless and claimed they "lack the capacity to harm the greatness of Iran." He vowed that any escalation would bring "extraordinary challenges" to Israel and its allies. The two previous operations dubbed "True Promise" involved mass missile and drone attacks. The first, on April 13, 2024, saw over 300 projectiles fired at Israeli military installations following the killing of two Iranian generals in Damascus. A second attack, on October 1 last year, launched roughly 200 missiles in response to assassinations of militant leaders tied to Hezbollah and Hamas. Noem to Isreal Meanwhile on Monday, Noem said she was personally dispatched by President Donald Trump to brief Netanyahu on the status of U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations, as diplomatic efforts continue despite rising regional tensions. "It was a very candid conversation," Noem said on Fox & Friends. "President Trump specifically sent me here to have a conversation with the prime minister about how those negotiations are going and how important it is that we stay united and let this process play out." Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem departs after placing a note at the Western Wall, the holiest site where Jews can pray, in the Old City of Jerusalem, Sunday, May 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, Pool Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem departs after placing a note at the Western Wall, the holiest site where Jews can pray, in the Old City of Jerusalem, Sunday, May 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, Pool Alex Brandon/AP Photo 'Something Good' Her visit followed the conclusion of a fifth round of talks between U.S. and Iranian officials in Rome last week. Trump expressed optimism about the negotiations, saying, "We've had some very, very good talks with Iran," and adding that "something good" might be announced in the coming days. What People Are Saying Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi, Commander-in-Chief of Iran's Army: "If they [Israel] are in a rush to receive another True Promise operation, we are fully ready to deliver an appropriate strike — and collect on what they already owe us." U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem: "President Trump specifically sent me here to have a conversation with the prime minister about how those negotiations are going and how important it is that we stay united and let this process play out." U.S. President Donald Trump: "We've had some very, very good talks with Iran." What Happens Next While Iran signals readiness for more military action, U.S. and Israeli officials say that sanctions, regional containment policies, and continued diplomatic engagement—set to resume in a sixth round of nuclear talks—are effectively constraining Tehran's strategic ambitions, though they warn that failure at the negotiating table could heighten the risk of escalation.
Saba Yemen
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Saba Yemen
Iranian Army Will Never Allow Evil Acts to Be Done
Tehran - (Saba): The Iranian Army, along with other armed forces, has affirmed that it is ready to defend the territorial integrity, independence, and security of the Islamic Republic of Iran and will never allow the evil acts of its enemies to be committed. According to the Iranian News Agency (IRNA), the Iranian Army issued a statement on Saturday commemorating the epic liberation of Khorramshahr, stressing that, based on the orders of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, relying on internal power and closely monitoring movements, it will firmly respond to any threat or aggression. It is ready, along with other armed forces, to defend the country's territorial integrity, independence, and security and will never allow the evil acts of the enemies of the Islamic Republic to be committed. According to this statement, the Iranian Army, while honoring the memory of the righteous martyrs, congratulating the Iranian people, the families of the martyrs, and veterans on this day, and reaffirming its commitment to the principles of Imam Khomeini and the righteous martyrs, once again affirmed its covenant with the noble Iranian people and declared that it will defend the country until the last drop of its blood and will spare no effort for the dignity and pride of Iran. Whatsapp Telegram Email Print
Asharq Al-Awsat
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Iranian Army, IRGC Threaten Decisive Response to Any Aggression
The Iranian Army and the Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) separately warned on Saturday adversaries of Iran that they would receive a decisive response in case of any act of aggression against their country. The warning came in two separate statements to mark the anniversary of the Iranian army's liberation of Khorramshahr, a southern city captured during the 1980-88 war with Iraq. It also came amid reports that Israel is drawing up plans for a rapid military strike against Iranian nuclear sites. IRGC said it works in synergy with the other Iranian armed forces to give a decisive response to any hostile action. It warned that its reaction to the acts of aggression will be beyond the enemy's imagination. The Revolutionary Guards statement also said that any aggression would provoke a retaliatory strike powerful enough to shift the strategic balance of power in west Asia. In the meantime, a statement by Iran's Army said that alongside other armed forces, it is prepared to defend the territorial integrity, independence, and security of the country and will never allow the evil dreams of the sworn enemies of this land to come true. 'The army will defend this land to the last drop of blood and will spare no effort in the path of the pride and honor of Islamic Iran,' it said. Position of Strength 'If we want (nuclear) talks to end in our favor, we must confront the Americans from a position of strength and have the finger of our armed forces on the trigger during negotiations,' former head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization, Fereydoun Abbasi, told ISNA on Saturday. 'Today, nuclear weapons aim to achieve a balance of power' rather than a military purpose. 'The Muslim world must have its own strength to confront the arrogant West,' Abbasi said. Last Thursday, Tehran's Revolutionary Guards said Israel will receive a 'devastating and decisive response' if it attacks Iran, days after CNN reported US intelligence suggesting Israel was making preparations to strike Iranian nuclear facilities. Israeli Preparations The reports were confirmed by two Israeli sources who told Axios that Tel Aviv is making preparations to swiftly strike Iran's nuclear facilities if negotiations between the US and Iran collapse. 'Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a highly sensitive meeting earlier this week with a group of top ministers and security and intelligence officials regarding the status of the nuclear talks,' an Israeli official said. The two sources confirmed a CNN report that the Israeli army have been conducting exercises and other preparations for a possible strike in Iran. 'There was a lot of training and the US military sees everything and understands Israel is preparing,' one said. Key Points of Contention On Friday, Iran and the United States held a fifth round of Oman-mediated nuclear talks in Rome, but with no breakthrough reported. However, both sides still described the meeting as constructive and expressed a willingness to continue the discussions. AFP said that one of the main obstacles seen to be hampering progress is Iran's enrichment of uranium. The United States and Western countries suspect Iran of seeking to acquire nuclear weapons, but Iran denies having such ambitions. Iran remains the only non-nuclear state enriching uranium to 60%, well above the 3.67% limit set under its 2015 accord with Western powers, but below the 90% needed for weapons-grade material. The deal was torpedoed in 2018 during President Donald Trump's first term when he unilaterally withdrew the United States from the accord. On April 27, Netanyahu urged Washington to block not only Iran's enrichment of uranium but also its missile development under any possible deal. Before the negotiations began, some analysts suggested the US might seek a broader deal that also addressed Iran's ballistic missile program. They believed the talks might touch on Tehran's support for the 'axis of resistance,' the network of anti-Israel armed groups that includes Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza and Yemen's Houthi militias. Tehran has criticised what it calls 'irrational' demands by Washington and inconsistent signals from US officials. Iran opposes non-nuclear issues being discussed in the talks, citing its sovereign rights and defence needs. Even with diplomacy under way, the United States has imposed new sanctions on Iran. Tehran denounces what it calls Washington's 'hostile approach,' noting that new sanctions were imposed just ahead of negotiations taking place.
