Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei declared victory over the enemies of the Islamic Republic in the war against the US and Israel, in a written message on the occasion of the Persian New Year Nowruz. “At this moment, thanks to the special unity that has been created among you, our compatriots, despite all differences - religious, intellectual, cultural and political - the enemy has been defeated”, said the ayatollah, who has not yet appeared in public since he was designated as the successor to his father Ali Khamenei, who was killed in an air strike on the first day of the war. Mojtaba Khamenei also said in his Nowruz message that Iran is not responsible for the recent attacks on Oman and Turkey. “I want to emphasize the fact that the attacks that were carried out in Turkey and Oman, both of which have good relations with us, were in no way carried out by the armed forces of the Islamic Republic, nor by other forces of the Resistance Front“, he said, blaming Israel.“
Trump accuses NATO countries of being “cowards” because they do not want to help open the Strait of Hormuz
“Without the US, NATO IS A PAPER TIGER. They did not want to join the fight to stop a nuclear-armed Iran. Now that the military battle is WON, with very little risk to them, they complain about the high oil prices they have to pay, but they don't want to help open the Strait of Hormuz, the US president wrote on his platform “Truth Social”, adding: “COWARDS, and we will REMEMBER!“
More high-ranking Iranian figures eliminated
The Israeli army said today that it had killed the head of intelligence for the “Basij” paramilitary militia in a strike in Tehran. “Esmail Ahmadi, who held the position of head of the intelligence department of the “Basij” "was eliminated on the night of March 16-17, in a strike targeting a meeting of several commanders of this paramilitary organization, in which its leader, General Gholamreza Soleimani, was also killed," a statement from the Israeli forces said.
The Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) confirmed today the death of its spokesman Ali Mohammad Nani, who was killed in US-Israeli strikes this morning, Agence France-Presse reported. The spokesman "died as a martyr in the vile criminal terrorist attack carried out by the American-Zionist forces in the early hours of the day," the IRGC said in a statement published on its news website, Sepah News.
Iran threatens American and Israeli leaders
Tehran has threatened American and Israeli leaders that it will pursue them even in the places where they rest. "We are watching your cowardly leaders and officers, your devilish pilots and soldiers," army spokesman Abolfazl Shekarchi was quoted as saying by Iranian state television. “From now on, according to the information we have for you, seaside resorts, tourist and entertainment sites around the world will no longer be safe places for you”, he warned.
London has warned Iran against any direct attack on its bases or interests
British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has warned Iran against any direct attack on British bases or interests. The warning was made during a telephone conversation between Cooper and her Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi. “Ms Cooper warned Iran against any direct attack on British bases, territories or interests and confirmed that the UK's priority remains regional stability and security,” a spokesman for Cooper said.
France calls on Iran to make significant concessions
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot has called on Tehran to make significant concessions. "Whatever the outcome of the ongoing military operations, they must be complemented by a political solution with lasting effect," Barrot said during a visit to Tel Aviv. "In this regard, the Iranian regime must commit to significant concessions and a radical change in behavior that allows Iran to peacefully coexist with its regional environment," he added.
China calls on France to work together to resolve the conflict
The Chinese foreign minister has urged Paris to work together to resolve the conflict. "Despite the difficulties, the correct way out of the crisis remains dialogue and negotiations. China and France should work together in this direction," Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told Emmanuel Bonne, diplomatic adviser to French President Emmanuel Macron, in a phone call.
NATO temporarily withdraws its mission from Iraq
NATO announced that it was “temporarily” withdrawing its mission from Iraq. A NATO spokesman explained that the Alliance was “adapting” the deployment of its mission in Iraq.
Israel said it had hit more than 2,000 targets linked to “Hezbollah” in Lebanon
The Israeli army announced that it had struck over 2,000 "terrorist" targets in Lebanon since the start of its operation against the pro-Iranian Islamist movement "Hezbollah".
"Hezbollah" denies any presence in the UAE
The pro-Iranian Lebanese group "Hezbollah" has rejected the "false" accusations of the United Arab Emirates, which announced the discovery of a terrorist network linked to Iran and "Hezbollah" on its territory. "Hezbollah" "There is no presence in the Emirates or any other country under the guise of commercial or other activity," she said in a statement.
Over 100 arrested in Abu Dhabi for spreading "misleading information" about the war
Abu Dhabi police announced the arrest of 109 people "of various nationalities" for filming and spreading "misleading information" about the war.