Latest news with #AxisofResistance
Shafaq News
a day ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Tehran warns: Next round will exceed imagination
Shafaq News – Tehran On Monday, Yahya Rahim Safavi, senior adviser to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei warned that any renewed "Israeli hostilities" would trigger unprecedented retaliation. Safavi predicted Israel's near collapse and emergence of a "new Middle East", asserting a new regional order is forming around the Axis of Resistance (a coalition of factions opposed to American and Israeli influence). He cautioned that another confrontation would bring 'serious danger' to US and Israeli assets. 'Israel will drown in the blood of the oppressed, and its demise, along with Netanyahu's, is near,' he warned. Safavi accused Israel and its allies of seeking a temporary ceasefire to regroup. 'We know their structures, forces, and interests in the region,' he added, claiming that 'thousands of missiles' are preprogrammed to strike their bases. He further stated that the IRGC's operational reach extends 'beyond the Middle East,' without elaborating on specific targets. 'If they launch a new round, Iran will respond with a phase beyond anything they can imagine,' Safavi said. On June 13, Israeli airstrikes hit targets in Iran, prompting Tehran to fire missiles at Tel Aviv, and the United States intervened on June 22 by striking Iranian nuclear sites. Iran retaliated with a missile barrage targeting Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, which hosts US forces.
Shafaq News
a day ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iran: Israel's collapse imminent
Shafaq News – Tehran On Monday, Yahya Rahim Safavi, senior adviser to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei warned that any renewed "Israeli hostilities" would trigger unprecedented retaliation. Safavi predicted Israel's near collapse and emergence of a "new Middle East", asserting a new regional order is forming around the Axis of Resistance (a coalition of factions opposed to American and Israeli influence). He cautioned that another confrontation would bring 'serious danger' to US and Israeli assets. 'Israel will drown in the blood of the oppressed, and its demise, along with Netanyahu's, is near,' he warned. Safavi accused Israel and its allies of seeking a temporary ceasefire to regroup. 'We know their structures, forces, and interests in the region,' he added, claiming that 'thousands of missiles' are preprogrammed to strike their bases. He further stated that the IRGC's operational reach extends 'beyond the Middle East,' without elaborating on specific targets. 'If they launch a new round, Iran will respond with a phase beyond anything they can imagine,' Safavi said. On June 13, Israeli airstrikes hit targets in Iran, prompting Tehran to fire missiles at Tel Aviv, and the United States intervened on June 22 by striking Iranian nuclear sites. Iran retaliated with a missile barrage targeting Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, which hosts US forces.
Saba Yemen
4 days ago
- Politics
- Saba Yemen
Dr. Bin Habtoor condoles martyrdom of Mujahid Hajj Ramadan
Sana'a – Saba: Dr. Abdulaziz bin Habtoor, a member of the Supreme Political Council, expressed heartfelt condolences to the leaders of the Axis of Resistance and his solidarity on the martyrdom of the Iranian Mujahid, Brigadier General Mohammad Izadi (Hajj Ramadan), the head of the Palestinian Unit in the Quds Force, along with other leaders whose souls ascended to their Creator due to the criminal and unjust Zionist aggression on sisterly Iran. In a condolence message sent to the families of the martyred leaders, and through them to the Iranian people and the leaders of the Axis of Resistance, Dr. Bin Habtoor emphasized that the loss of these leaders is a profound tragedy for the Iranian people and the entire Ummah. He noted that the Palestinian cause has suffered a great loss with the martyrdom of Mujahid Hajj Ramadan, just as the Islamic Republic of Iran has lost a dedicated mujahid and prominent leader who played a vital and direct role in supporting the Palestinian cause and its brave resistance and heroic mujahideen. He stressed that the blood of these martyrs forged the great victory achieved by Iran against the Israeli enemy. Bin Habtoor affirmed that this Islamic victory will remain etched in the memory of the Ummah for generations to come. He prayed to Almighty Allah to grant mercy and eternal peace to all the martyrs of the Zionist aggression on sisterly Iran and a speedy recovery to all the wounded and injured. Whatsapp Telegram Email Print
Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
‘Deception and then a fatal blow': How Israel chose the ‘perfect' time to strike Iran; new details on Operation Rising Lion
Israel didn't just strike Iran - it lulled it into a false sense of security first. In one of the most precise military manoeuvres in its history, Israel launched a surprise assault on Iran's nuclear infrastructure after months of deception, misinformation, and meticulously coordinated planning. By the time the first Israeli jets were tearing through the skies over Tehran, Iran's leadership still believed negotiations were underway, and a wedding at the Prime Minister's residence was days away. 'The stars aligned,' one IDF general remarked. But what truly made the operation devastating wasn't just the firepower it was the timing. 'The IDF launched Operation Rising Lion to confront an existential threat to the state of Israel. In 12 days, we operated with accuracy and met our goals,' he said in a statement on X. 'The stars aligned' The timing, according to Israeli officials, was critical. Lt. Gen. Zamir had determined as early as April that June would provide the final 'window of opportunity' to launch a successful strike. Any further delay, the IDF warned, would mean Iran's nuclear and missile programmes might pass the 'point of no return'. Also read | 'Operation Narnia' and 'Red Wedding': How Israel pulled off 'Game of Thrones' on Iran By mid-year, a perfect storm had emerged: Israeli intelligence had fully mapped out Iran's air defences, the country's Axis of Resistance including Hezbollah, Hamas, and Syria's Assad regime had weakened significantly, and operational readiness within the IDF had peaked. 'The stars aligned,' one IDF general reportedly said during internal discussions, as reported by the Times of Israel. In October 2024, following Iran's second missile barrage on Israeli territory, the IDF accelerated plans for an assault. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Women over 35 are going crazy about this free slot machine game Lounge 777 Sign Up Undo The Intelligence Directorate and Israeli Air Force (IAF) began compiling a list of Iranian 'centres of gravity' from firepower and air superiority to economic infrastructure and military command hubs. By March, the IDF had decrypted Iran's air defence systems and finalised its target bank. To ensure operational secrecy, the plan was compartmentalised. Even senior regional commanders within the IDF were left in the dark until the final hours. 'Operation Rising Lion will be remembered in history as one of Israel's most daring and successful operations,' Zamir said. A web of misdirection In the days leading up to the strike, Israel and the United States launched a sophisticated misinformation campaign to mislead Tehran. According to The Times of Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump coordinated a 'multi-faceted ruse' to convince Iran that a military strike was not imminent. The two leaders spoke for 40 minutes on the Monday before the strike, during which Trump, according to official leaks, urged Netanyahu not to proceed. Israeli and US officials claimed the focus remained on hostage talks with Hamas. 'Trump played the game together with Israel,' an Israeli official told the Times. 'It was a whole coordination.' Cabinet meetings were staged around supposed progress in hostage negotiations. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar gave the impression that diplomacy was gaining ground, and Israeli media was briefed accordingly. Netanyahu even allowed reports to circulate that he would not cancel his weekend vacation and that his son's wedding was still scheduled further fuelling Iranian assumptions that a strike was off the table. Meanwhile, Israel announced that Mossad chief David Barnea and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer were travelling for talks with US envoys ahead of a new round of Iran-US nuclear negotiations. The meeting was never on the schedule. This smokescreen worked. Iranian leaders were convinced Israel remained hesitant and bound by diplomatic constraints. In truth, the IDF and its American allies were ready to act. A devastating blow, a disputed outcome As Operation Rising Lion was unleashed, the United States joined the conflict under its own codename Operation Midnight Hammer. American B-2 bombers dropped massive GBU-57 'bunker-buster' bombs on underground facilities such as Fordo, while Tomahawk missiles targeted secondary sites. 'Operation Midnight Hammer was accurate, powerful and had great achievements,' said Zamir. Trump later declared a ceasefire on Truth Social, announcing: 'It has been fully agreed by and between Israel and Iran that there will be a Complete and Total CEASEFIRE… THE 12 DAY WAR will be saluted by the World.' Iran, however, dismissed US claims of crippling damage. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared that 'the Islamic republic won' and had delivered 'a severe slap to the face of America'. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi added, 'No agreement, arrangement or conversation has been made to start new negotiations.' Nonetheless, both sides have claimed victory. Netanyahu said Israel had 'thwarted Iran's nuclear project' and warned that any effort to rebuild it would 'be met with the same determination and intensity'. The war left at least 627 Iranian civilians dead, according to Tehran, and 28 Israeli fatalities. But Israel insists it has regained strategic balance. 'We struck deep into Iran, setting back its military nuclear program, its ballistic missile capabilities, and eliminating those who led the effort to destroy Israel,' said Lt. Gen. Zamir. 'This is a defining moment for Israel, the Jewish people and the world.'
Shafaq News
4 days ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Fragile Truce: Unpacking the uneasy ceasefire between Israel and Iran
Shafaq News The recent ceasefire, announced by US President Donald Trump, momentarily silenced the 12-day exchange of fire between Israel and Iran. Yet, for seasoned observers, this halt in direct military confrontation marks not an end to hostilities but rather a complex, transitional phase. Analysts widely anticipate a pattern of continued low-intensity conflict, drawing stark parallels to the fragile ceasefire in Lebanon that Israel frequently breaches. The prevailing sentiment among experts is that neither Tehran nor Tel Aviv has fully achieved its strategic objectives, with Israel's perceived unmet goals particularly fueling this pervasive skepticism. This unresolved tension sets the stage for a period characterized by recurrent violations, escalating accusations, and a persistent, multi-faceted struggle encompassing intelligence, political, and economic warfare, all of which hold the potential to reignite full-scale military conflict. A Decades-Long Shadow War Escalates The recent escalation is rooted in a decades-long, undeclared conflict between Iran and Israel. What began as a "cold peace" in the aftermath of the 1979 Iranian Revolution, which saw the ousting of the pro-Western Shah, gradually transformed into open hostility. Iran's rejection of Israel's legitimacy and its support for regional proxy groups, notably Hezbollah in Lebanon and various factions in Syria, Gaza, and Yemen, solidified its "Axis of Resistance." In response, Israel, viewing Iran's nuclear program and regional influence as an existential threat, adopted a more aggressive posture. This strategic rivalry has manifested through covert operations, assassinations of nuclear scientists and military figures, cyberattacks, and targeted airstrikes. The immediate trigger for this recent 12-day confrontation, which began on June 13th, 2025, remains a subject of intense debate, but it undeniably marked a significant escalation beyond the typical "shadow war" into direct, overt military action. This period saw Israel launching extensive strikes targeting what it claimed were Iranian nuclear facilities and missile production sites, while Iran retaliated with its own ballistic missile and drone attacks. The US, a key ally of Israel, also engaged in strikes against Iranian nuclear infrastructure, raising the stakes and highlighting the global dimensions of this regional rivalry. Unfulfilled Ambitions and Strategic Divergence The announced ceasefire has been met with a mix of cautious acceptance and profound skepticism across various stakeholder groups, each driven by their own perceived gains and losses, and their long-term strategic objectives. From Lebanon, Qassem Qasir, a seasoned political writer, emphasized that the ceasefire "cannot be considered the end of the war." He articulated that Israel's publicly stated goals focused on dismantling Iran's nuclear infrastructure and missile capabilities. However, Qasir pointed to a more ambitious, unstated objective, "the overthrow of the regime in Iran," citing the unprecedented scale of apprehended spy networks as compelling evidence of this deeper agenda, suggesting that these networks played a crucial role in enabling the targeting of missile and drone launches. 'This reflects a pervasive belief that Israel views the very existence of the current Iranian regime as an impediment to regional stability and its own long-term security.' Dr. Munqith Dagher, the head of the Independent Institute of Administration and Civil Society Studies (IIACSS), asserted that the "conflict has not ended; it is still ongoing because neither party (Iran or Israel) feels they have achieved their goals yet, especially Israel." Dagher posited that Israel perceives the current situation as a "golden opportunity" – a fleeting window not just for neutralizing Iran's nuclear program, but for pursuing the far more ambitious goal of "attempting to topple the regime." Consequently, Dagher anticipates that even if the ceasefire holds militarily, the broader "war" will persist through non-conventional means, including intensified "intelligence, political, and economic" warfare, with the looming threat of renewed military escalation. He also offered a shrewd interpretation of US President Trump's role, suggesting that his intervention was driven by a desire for a "propaganda victory to reduce pressure from the Zionist lobby for his non-participation in the war, thereby trying to present himself as a war hero who entered and quickly ended it." Dr. Issam Al-Faili, a professor of political science, acknowledged the international perception Trump sought to cultivate – that of a global peacemaker capable of halting major conflicts. He conceded that a sustained ceasefire could indeed be hailed as a "major political achievement." However, Al-Faili grounded his analysis in the immediate realities, cautioning that "current data indicates this truce will be fragile." Furthermore, Al-Faili underlined the deep-seated grievances driving the two sides, "both parties to the conflict seek revenge; Iran will not forget the assassination of its leaders, and Israel does not want to maintain any nuclear or missile program, but rather to eliminate the Iranian regime to prevent any obstacles to the Abraham Project, which represents Israel's continuity in the region." A Strategic Crossroads for Iran The consensus among analysts is that the ceasefire, rather than concluding the conflict, has merely ushered in a new, more complex phase of strategic maneuvering. For Iran, this period presents a critical crossroads, forcing a re-evaluation of its long-term strategy in the face of unprecedented pressure. George Al-Aqouri, a Lebanese writer and political researcher, asserted a significant shift in the regional power balance, contending that regardless of the ceasefire's durability, it "reflects the reality that nuclear and ballistic Iran has ended after decades of efforts to acquire nuclear capability, as it was eliminated within minutes by American strikes, and ballistic missiles were melted down." This is a bold claim, suggesting a profound setback to Iran's strategic deterrence capabilities. Al-Aqouri further observed a notable lack of response from Iran's regional proxies, "Iran's proxies in the region did not move, and indeed, lack the ability to move, from Hezbollah in Lebanon to the new reality in Syria, down to Yemen; any movement by them would have been a suicidal act." He also drew a historical parallel, suggesting that "Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei might once again drink the bitter cup of 1988 when an agreement was reached to end the war with Iraq," indicating that Khamenei might be forced to accept a difficult reality to preserve his regime. Salim Al-Jumaili, a former Iraqi intelligence officer, offered Iran two stark strategic models: the "Japanese model" and the "Iraqi model." The Japanese model, he explained, references post-World War II Japan's decision to abandon militarism, embrace industrial development, and forge a strategic alliance with the United States for national survival and prosperity. 'This path emphasizes economic pragmatism over ideological confrontation.' In contrast, the Iraqi model, following the 1991 Gulf War, describes Iraq's choice of 'continued defiance and diplomatic maneuvering, which ultimately led to the regime's overthrow 12 years later.' Al-Jumaili warned that "Iran today realizes that the Russia, China, and North Korea axis protects no one, and that it is merely a fragile balance that cannot stand against America." Dr. Asif Melhem, Director of JSM-Center for Scientific Research & Studies in Moscow, provided a geopolitical lens, arguing that a core objective of the conflict was to render "the front in Iran almost vulnerable, similar to the situation in Lebanon, which Israel constantly violates." Melhem articulated the US strategic perspective: "America views Israel as a spearhead, an advanced base, and an executive tool in the Arab region, and therefore it must remain in a state of continuous conflict." What distinguishes this recent conflict, he noted, is its geographical scope, extending "far from Israel's security perimeter" into Iran itself. He posited that the conflict's deeper aim was not merely Iran's nuclear program, but rather "to ignite Iran and its surroundings," encompassing Central Asia, the Caucasus, Pakistan, and Afghanistan – regions that "directly affect Russia, China, and India." Melhem further linked this to the formation of a new anti-American bloc, comprising "China, Iran, Russia, and North Korea" within frameworks like BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. "The war has not ended but has moved into a new phase where blackmail and pressure increase, and thus America got what it wanted, which uses wars as a tool to achieve economic gains." This implies a long-term strategy of attrition and economic leverage. A Protracted Struggle and Redefined Regional Dynamics The ceasefire, rather than ushering in peace, signals a new, more complex phase of confrontation. This period will likely be characterized by: -Sustained Non-Military Warfare: Expect intensified intelligence operations, cyber warfare, political pressure campaigns, and economic sanctions. These will be the primary tools of engagement, aiming to achieve objectives that direct military force could not, or could not sustain. -Persistent Violations and Accusations: The inherent fragility of the truce, coupled with the unresolved objectives of both sides, guarantees a cycle of accusations and counter-accusations regarding violations, potentially leading to limited, retaliatory strikes. The "Lebanese scenario" of an unstable border and frequent breaches may well become the norm for the Israeli-Iranian dynamic. -Heightened Regional Instability: The conflict has demonstrated the willingness of major powers to engage directly in the region. This increases the risk of broader regional conflagration, particularly if Iran's proxies are further weakened or if it feels compelled to take more aggressive retaliatory action. -Re-evaluation of Deterrence: For Iran, the impact on its nuclear and missile programs, as perceived by some analysts, will necessitate a re-evaluation of its deterrence strategy and its reliance on regional proxies. -Economic Consequences: Beyond the immediate military and human costs (about 650 Iranian deaths and 5332 injured, alongside 28 Israeli deaths reported as of June 24th), the protracted uncertainty and potential for renewed conflict will continue to deter investment, disrupt trade routes, and impact energy markets, with significant economic ramifications for the entire Middle East. In brief, the deep-seated animosities, unfulfilled strategic objectives, and the involvement of global powers suggest a protracted period of instability rather than a genuine resolution. The Abraham Project, implicitly aimed at reordering regional alliances against Iran, and Iran's unwavering commitment to its Axis of Resistance philosophy, ensures that the fundamental drivers of conflict remain intact.
