Iran says it replaced air defenses damaged in Israel war
During the conflict in June, Israel's air force dominated Iran's airspace and dealt a heavy blow to the country's air defenses while Iranian armed forces launched successive barrages of missiles and drones on Israeli territory.
"Some of our air defenses were damaged; this is not something we can hide, but our colleagues have used domestic resources and replaced them with pre-arranged systems that were stored in suitable locations in order to keep the airspace secure," Mousavi said.
Reuters
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
L'Orient-Le Jour
6 hours ago
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Israel bets on MAGA influencers to win over US youth
Israel's Foreign Ministry plans to fund a visit for figures aligned with the Make America Great Again (MAGA) and America First movements, according to the Israeli daily Haaretz. These conservative groups represent a key part of President Donald Trump's base. In order to counter what authorities consider a decline in support for Israel among young Americans, the tour will bring together 16 U.S.-based social media personalities under the age of 30, each with several hundred thousand to several million followers. The ultimate goal is to encourage the spread of pro-Israel messages in line with government. The contract has been awarded to the NGO Israel365, which will receive 290,000 shekels (about $86,000). The organization was selected because of its "unique position to advocate a pro-Israel vision close to the MAGA and America First movements." Founded in 2012, Israel365 promotes support for its state on "spiritual, biblical, and political" grounds. Its website states that it "unequivocally defends the divine right of the Jewish people to all of the land of Israel." The two-state solution is described there as a "delusion." The NGO says its mission is to "protect Western civilization against the dual threat of left-wing extremism and global jihad." According to Haaretz, ties between Israel365 and the MAGA movement have only grown stronger since the Hamas attacks in October 2023. This project is expected to mark a major turning point in the way the Israeli state communicates with the American public, according to the daily. The objective is now to reverse the trend and leverage the huge audiences of young influencers to bolster Israel's image in the United States. "While older Republicans remain supportive of Israel, positive views of Israel are declining across all younger age groups," sources from the Foreign Affairs Ministry told Haaretz. These officials acknowledge the effectiveness and impact of influencers on young people, stating that "their networks are immensely successful and their messages are more effective than if they came directly from the ministry." A strategy that has already proven successful during the recent 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran in June. Pro-Israel messages were viewed 1.8 billion times online, thanks in particular to social media influencers who have millions of followers. The Foreign Affairs Ministry has set a goal of bringing 550 delegations of influencers to Israel by the end of 2025 to continue this work.
LBCI
6 hours ago
- LBCI
Russian and Iranian Defense Ministers discuss boosting cooperation
Russia's defense minister Andrey Belousov and his Iranian counterpart Aziz Nasirzadeh discussed strengthening military cooperation during a meeting in Moscow on Monday, according to Russia's state-run RIA news agency. The meeting took place a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks with Ali Larijani, an advisor to Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Their discussions focused on the situation in the Middle East and issues related to Iran's nuclear program. A strategic partnership agreement binds Russia and Iran. Moscow has condemned Israeli and U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites that took place in June. Reuters
LBCI
6 hours ago
- LBCI
MP George Bouchikian denies fleeing Lebanon ahead of immunity lift request
Lebanese MP George Bouchikian on Monday denied media reports suggesting he left the country to avoid legal prosecution, saying his recent departure was a long-planned personal trip and that no legal action had been initiated against him at the time. In a statement issued from abroad, Bouchikian said he left Lebanon on July 7 for a family trip that had been arranged months in advance. 'At the time of my departure, no decision had been issued to pursue legal action against me, nor was there any formal request to lift my parliamentary immunity,' he said. 'The General Security's travel records clearly confirm my departure date and the purpose behind it.' The request to lift Bouchikian's immunity, submitted by Lebanon's public prosecutor, was dated July 9—two days after he had already left the country. 'This completely discredits claims that I left to evade accountability,' he added. Bouchikian reaffirmed his willingness to cooperate with judicial authorities. 'I am fully prepared to respond to any competent legal body, in the appropriate place and time, in full respect of the constitutional process and transparency,' he said. The MP also noted that his legal team took immediate action upon being notified of the request to lift his immunity. Formal submissions were filed to the Speaker of Parliament, the Parliament Bureau, and the Administration and Justice Committee. 'A detailed legal memorandum was also submitted, laying out factual, legal, and constitutional arguments in response to the request,' he said, adding that the document is now in the hands of lawmakers ahead of the parliamentary session scheduled for July 23. Bouchikian expressed confidence in Parliament's ability to handle the case fairly. 'I trust that MPs will address this matter objectively and without influence from media pressure or populist narratives,' he said. 'No one is above accountability, and no one should be denied legal protection,' he concluded. 'Justice cannot be achieved through double standards.'
