Latest news with #IranianEmbassy
The Citizen
2 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Claims of leasing City Hall to the Iranian Embassy clarified
The Tshwane metro has clarified its affairs surrounding the alleged plans to lease the Pretoria CBD's City Hall to the Iranian Embassy. This after DA's Cilliers Brink raised concerns over the metro not being transparent regarding the rescue of the dilapidated City Hall. 'The DA will ask Tshwane mayor Nasiphi Moya to disclose the details of interactions between the City of Tshwane and the Embassy of Iran,' said Brink in a statement. He said this followed reports about the possible Iranian Embassy's involvement in the repair and leasing of the Pretoria City Hall. 'This is a matter which has never been discussed by the City Council,' he said. In response to the allegations, the metro confirmed that the representatives of the Iranian Embassy did visit the City Hall. However, it said, there were no discussions of any potential arrangement, such as lease terms. 'On May 9, the metro received a formal letter from the Cultural Consulate of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran proposing the establishment of a permanent Iranian Cultural Complex in Tshwane,' said Sthembiso Skosana, spokesperson for the office of the MMC for Corporate and Shared Services. In the letter supplied by the metro, the Iranian Embassy proposed that the metro consider contributing a parcel of municipal building or land to the Iranian Embassy. This would be for the establishment of a permanent Iranian Cultural Complex in the metro. The letter also outlined the Embassy's vision for the proposed facility, which would include a museum, library, restaurant, cinema, and handcraft shops. Skosana said in response to this and similar requests, the Bad Buildings Sub-Mayoral Committee has been actively exploring opportunities to repurpose assets that have long been dormant. The committee was established earlier this year to identify underutilised municipal properties. 'This work is guided by the urgent need to stimulate economic activity, attract investment for infrastructure upgrades, and address the metro's well-known budgetary constraints,' he said. He said as part of the process, officials from the Group Property Department developed a proposal of potential sites for the Embassy's consideration. 'This included, but was not limited to, Tshwane City Hall, which was clearly identified as a protected public asset that is unequivocally not for sale,' he said. He affirmed that the intention was to open exploratory discussions and assess possible alignments with the metro's revitalisation plans. He further acknowledged that the City Hall, a landmark of historic and civic significance, has not been operational for over a decade. 'City Hall is one of several heritage properties under consideration for appropriate reuse as part of the city's broader inner-city regeneration efforts,' he stated. He said its preservation and responsible revitalisation form part of the metro's broader strategy to restore key heritage assets for public benefit. He added that a site visit was conducted on May 28 with representatives of the Iranian Embassy, who were shown the City Hall building and its surrounding precinct. 'Following this inspection, a subsequent request was received from the Embassy to inspect additional potential sites, as only City Hall had been viewed during the initial engagement,' he said. Skosana emphasised that the interactions were entirely exploratory, and no commitments were made by either party. 'To be clear, no discussions have taken place regarding the mechanics of any potential arrangement, such as lease terms, funding models, or final site selection.' He said the metro has hosted similar engagements as part of its efforts to reclaim and revitalise neglected infrastructure through responsible public-private partnerships. 'Recent consultations have included Institutions of Higher Learning, the diplomatic community, property developers, and private sector stakeholders who share an interest in restoring Tshwane's civic assets for public benefit,' he said. Skosana emphasised the metro's commitment to transparent and responsible governance. 'We remain committed to transparency, responsible stewardship, and meaningful engagement with all stakeholders as we work to breathe new life into the Capital City while preserving its cultural heritage for generations to come,' he concluded. ALSO READ: City Hall scandal: officials face disciplinary enquiries Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to [email protected] or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok.
The Independent
21-07-2025
- The Independent
Trial date set for men charged over clash during protest outside Iranian embassy
A provisional trial date has been set for seven men charged with causing grievous bodily harm after a man suffered a suspected bleed on the brain following a protest outside the Iranian embassy. They were arrested after the Metropolitan Police responded to reports of a fight in Princes Gate, Knightsbridge, west London, shortly after 9.50am on June 20. The defendants, who police said were all Iranian nationals, appeared at Southwark Crown Court on Monday and spoke only to confirm their names. They are: Mohammad Nadiri, 31, of Islington, north London; Vahid Pourrezaei, 41, of Cricklewood, north London; Armin Hasanlov, 35, of Liverpool; Esmaeil Balouchy, 50, of Brentford, west London; Saeed Hosseingholipoor, 34, of Mitcham, south London; Farzin Suleimani, 31, of Birmingham; and Aref Yazdan Parast, 31, of Isleworth, west London. They were not asked to enter pleas to causing grievous bodily harm with intent after the court heard there were issues with legal representation. The court was also told there is an eighth defendant whose case could be joined to that of the seven men. Judge Gregory Perrins remanded the seven defendants in custody ahead of an adjourned plea hearing on August 1, with a provisional trial date set for January 5 next year. The defendants were taking part in a protest outside the Iranian embassy against the current regime in Tehran, Westminster Magistrates' Court heard previously. An Iranian flag was placed on the ground and one man 'knelt and kissed that flag before running off with it' and was attacked, the court heard. The victim was said to have suffered serious injuries including broken ribs, a broken ankle and a suspected bleed on the brain.
News18
12-07-2025
- Politics
- News18
Iran Embassy In India Flags ‘Fake Channels' Spreading Misinformation To Harm Ties
Last Updated: The Iranian Embassy in India warned of fake social media accounts impersonating Iranian entities to harm Iran-India relations, sharing images of a fake Ministry of Defence account. The Iranian Embassy in India has warned about several fake social media accounts impersonating official Iranian entities, aiming to damage India-Iran relations. It said that the accounts were 'fake channels" attempting to damage Iran-India relations. The list was released on the embassy's official Twitter page on Saturday. 'Some fake channels, under the name of Iran, are attempting to damage Iran-India relations. These accounts do not belong to Iran," the embassy wrote on X, while sharing screenshots of the names of these 'fake channels". The embassy shared images online exposing fake accounts and their false claims, including a post from a fake Ministry of Defence account claiming Iran was 'reconsidering" the Chabahar Port agreement with India. These fake accounts, some with verified ticks, were spreading misinformation to damage Iran-India relations. 'Fake News, Fake Account," the Iranian embassy wrote in red font over the image while sharing a picture. A picture shared by the embassy showed a post that was found to be from an account originating from Pakistan's Karachi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi last visited Iran in May 2016. Recently, he met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Russia, discussing ways to strengthen India-Iran bilateral relations. Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Sky News
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Sky News
'Physical threat' from Iran on people living in UK has 'increased significantly', watchdog says
The threat of physical attacks by Iran on people living in the UK has increased "significantly" since 2022, according to a new report by parliament's intelligence watchdog. Iran poses a "wide-ranging, persistent and unpredictable threat" to the UK, according to the Intelligence and Security Committee. It also said Iran's intelligence services were "willing and able - often through third party agents - to attempt assassination within the UK, and kidnap from the UK". The report said there have been 15 murder or kidnap attempts against British citizens or UK-based individuals since the beginning of 2022. Sky News has approached the Iranian embassy for a comment. Please refresh the page for the latest version.
Fox News
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Danish national wanted in Germany arrested after allegedly spying on Jewish targets for Iran
A Danish national was arrested in Denmark on allegations of gathering information on Jewish locations and people in Berlin for Iranian intelligence and will be extradited to Germany, German and Danish authorities announced Tuesday. The man, identified only as Ali S. under German privacy law, was arrested Thursday in the Danish city of Aarhus, according to German prosecutors. He was directed by an Iranian intelligence service earlier this year to gather information on "Jewish localities and specific Jewish individuals" in Berlin, prosecutors said. The suspect is accused of spying on three locations in June, presumably in preparation for further intelligence activities, including possible terrorist attacks on Jewish targets, prosecutors said. Iranian Ambassador to Germany Majid Nili Ahmadabadi was summoned to the German Foreign Ministry Tuesday. "If this suspicion were confirmed, it would be an outrageous incident that would once again demonstrate that Iran is a threat to Jews all over the world," German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said after visiting a Jewish synagogue in the Ukrainian city of Odesa during a visit to the country. The Iranian Embassy in Berlin denied the allegations as "unfounded and dangerous accusations" that it argued appeared to be an attempt to distract from recent Israeli attacks on Iran. "Previous discussions with relevant German authorities have already highlighted that certain third parties are attempting to divert public perceptions from the actual events through artificial staging," the embassy said in a statement. German security authorities stepped up protection for Jewish and Israeli sites in response to the 12-day war last month between Israel and Iran. During the conflict, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Germany was prepared for Iran to target Israeli or Jewish targets in the country. The suspect allegedly took photos of buildings, including the headquarters of the German-Israeli Society and a building where the President of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, Josef Schuster, was believed to sometimes stay, according to Der Spiegel magazine. "The extended arms of Iranian terror must have no place in Germany," a statement from the German-Israeli Society said, calling on the European Union to list Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps as a terrorist organization. Schuster added that "the German government should not only remain vigilant but also take active political action against the Iranian regime. There can be no other consequence for this allegedly planned terrorist attack." Ali S. will be moved from Denmark to Germany, where he will be brought before an investigating judge of Germany's Federal Court of Justice, prosecutors said. The suspect was remanded in custody until July 23, pending extradition to Germany, according to Denmark's national security and intelligence service.
