Latest news with #IranianRevolutionaryGuards
Gulf Today
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Gulf Today
Thousands mourn top Iranian military commanders, scientists killed in Israeli strikes
Thousands of mourners lined the streets of downtown Tehran on Saturday for the funeral of the head of the Revolutionary Guard and other top commanders and nuclear scientists killed during a 12-day war with Israel. The caskets of Guard's chief Gen. Hossein Salami, the head of the Guard's ballistic missile program, Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh and others were driven on trucks along the capital's Azadi Street as people in the crowds chanted: "Death to America' and "Death to Israel.' Salami and Hajizadeh were both killed on the first day of the war, June 13, as Israel launched a war it said meant to destroy Iran's nuclear program, specifically targeting military commanders, scientists and nuclear facilities. There was no immediate sign of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in the state broadcast of the funeral. Khamenei, who has not made a public appearance since before the outbreak of the war, has in past funerals held prayers for fallen commanders over their caskets before the open ceremonies, later aired on state television. Mourners stand next to the coffin of Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander Hossein Salami (front), and other military commanders killed during Israeli strikes on Friday. AFP Over 12 days before a ceasefire was declared on Tuesday, Israel claimed it killed around 30 Iranian commanders and 11 nuclear scientists, while hitting eight nuclear-related facilities and more than 720 military infrastructure sites. More than 1,000 people were killed, including at least 417 civilians, according to the Washington-based Human Rights Activists group. Iran fired more than 550 ballistic missiles at Israel, most of which were intercepted, but those that got through caused damage in many areas and killed 28 people. Saturday's ceremonies were the first public funerals for top commanders since the ceasefire, and Iranian state television reported that they were for 60 people in total, including four women and four children. Authorities closed government offices to allow public servants to attend the ceremonies. Mourners gather around the flag-draped coffins of the Iranian armed forces generals, nuclear scientists and their family members on the trucks in Tehran, Iran, on Saturday. AP Iran has always insisted its nuclear program is only for peaceful purposes. But Israel views it as an existential threat and said its military campaign was necessary to prevent Iran from building an atomic weapon. Khamenei's last public appearance was June 11, two days before hostilities with Israel broke out, when he met with Iranian parliamentarians. On Thursday, however, he released a pre-recorded video, in his first message since the end of the war, filled with warnings and threats directed toward the United States and Israel, the Islamic Republic's longtime adversaries. The 86-year-old downplayed U.S. strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites as having not achieved "anything significant' and claimed victory over Israel. The head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog agency, Rafael Grossi, has characterized the damage done by American bunker-buster bombs to Iran's Fordo nuclear site, which was built into a mountain, as "very, very, very considerable.' Associated Press
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Ramin Jahanbegloo writes: After Iran-Israel war, a different Middle East
It has now become customary for people around the globe to take sides easily in the war between Israel and Iran and respond to the strategic and political needs of this confrontation rather than to answer to their own conscience. Right now, the correct question to ask is why we got here and, of course, the right answer is that the ideological face-to-face between the state of Israel and the Iranian regime during the past 40 years has been all about hegemony in the Middle East. On the one hand, the Iranian Shiite clerics and the Islamic Revolutionary Guards in Iran lived, until very recently, with the illusion that Iran was so powerful that it could fight back Israel and the US at the same time. For nearly five decades, the Iranian regime made the mistake of being immensely loudmouthed about its rhetoric against the state of Israel and minimising the US power in the Levant. This was intensified after the end of the eight-year war with Saddam Hussein's Iraq, with the starring role played by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, especially the Quds Force. The unexpected killing of Qassem Soleimani by the American military in Iraq during Donald Trump's first presidency was a decisive step against the mastermind of Iran's proxy wars in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Yemen. Despite the assassination of Soleimani, the Iranian regime continued to push forward its hegemonic perception of international relations in the Middle East and beyond. In the past five years, the Iranian regime has tried to attack Israeli and American interests in the Middle East through its proxies, like the Lebanese Hezbollah, Hamas and the Houthis of Yemen. The Iranian people had to pay the price of the presence of this 'syndrome of hegemony' by being isolated economically and politically through Trump's maximum pressure campaign and the EU sanctions against Iran in response to its human rights abuses, nuclear proliferation activities and military support for Russia's war in Ukraine. However, despite this, Iran continued to play a diplomatic game with the Biden administration and the EU, leaving Israel out of the equation each time in talks on the nature of Iranian nuclear sites. It also did not get involved in direct clashes with these two countries. However, on October 1, 2024, Iran fired more than 180 ballistic missiles at Israel, and on October 26, Israel responded with three waves of strikes against Iranian military targets. Unlike the recent war between the two countries, though, Iran and Israel did not aim at each other's citizens, army officers or sensitive installations. Things have been different in the present war between Iran and Israel. First and foremost, Israel could count fully on Trump's political and military support in an attack against Iran's military and its nuclear installations. On the other hand, Ayatollah Khamenei is said to have been asked by advisers not to escalate the war after the bombing of Iran's main nuclear sites — Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan. Third, the Iranian regime kept open the option of firing missiles and drones at Israel, as it did hours after the US suggestion of an unconditional ceasefire, knowing perfectly well that the survival of the Islamic Republic of Iran was at stake — as in the case of the 1988 Iran-Iraq war, Iran might run out of missiles and ammunition. Last but not least, though some of the Iranian military commanders might have suggested a crushing response to the US by closing the Strait of Hormuz — through which more than a quarter of the world's seaborne crude oil passes — even Russia and China, the two key allies of Iran, have not supported such a folly. The Arab leaders of the Persian Gulf region, notably Saudi Arabia, UAE and Qatar, have tried to calm the tensions between Iran and the US, while not entertaining a Shiite Iran in search of regional hegemony. But they seem to be preoccupied by the sudden isolation of Iran from its weakened proxies and its two political allies, Russia and China, who are deeply embedded in the global economy and have much to lose from the turmoil in the Middle East. Regime change in Iran is not an easy task. Until now, Israel and the US have been able to set back Iran's nuclear capacities without permanently removing its nuclear and ballistic missile threats. Many questions remain after the United States joined Israel in the war against Iran. First, what are the immediate consequences of Trump's 'spectacular military success'? Second, would the Iranian authorities still go for a comprehensive nuclear deal with the US and Europe? Third, will the fragile US-brokered ceasefire between Iran and Israel hold? Last, will the Iranian regime turn its guns once again against its civilians who dare to ask about the moral legitimacy of the country's leadership? One way or another, Iran post-June 2025 will lay the groundwork for a new Middle Eastern roadmap. The writer is director, Mahatma Gandhi Centre for Nonviolence and Peace Studies, OP Jindal Global University
Yemen Online
4 days ago
- Politics
- Yemen Online
UAE Condemns in the Strongest Terms Targeting of Qatar
The United Arab Emirates has condemned in the strongest terms the targeting of Al Udeid Air Base in the State of Qatar by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, considering it a flagrant violation of the sovereignty of Qatar and its airspace, which constitutes a clear violation of international law and the UN Charter. The UAE underscored its categorical rejection of any attack that threatens the security and safety of the State of Qatar, stressing that such actions undermine regional security and stability. In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) expressed the UAE's full solidarity with the State of Qatar, and its unwavering support for all measures aimed at safeguarding the security and safety of its citizens and residents. The UAE reaffirmed the urgent need to halt military escalation, and warned against continued acts of provocation that threaten to destabilize regional security and risk dragging the region into dangerous paths with catastrophic repercussions for international peace and security. Furthermore, the Ministry called for implementing diplomatic solutions grounded in the principles of good neighborliness, emphasizing that serious dialogue remains the only viable path to resolving the current crises and preserving the security, stability, and peace of the region and its peoples.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
US enters Iran-Israel battle, hits nuclear facilities; Tehran retaliates; ceasefire brokered: 48-hour timeline
In the last two days, the Middle East saw a sudden and dangerous spike in conflict. What started as tension between Israel and Iran turned into a major crisis when US President Donald Trump stepped in. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now US strikes Iran The US carried out major airstrikes on three of Iran's most important nuclear sites -- Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan -- marking a major escalation in the region. The attack involved some of the most advanced weaponry in the American arsenal. B-2 Spirit bombers, commonly known as the Stealth, were used, six of them, to carry and drop massive "bunker buster" bombs on the underground Fordow nuclear site near Qom. Operation Midnight Hammer These bombs, officially called GBU-57s, are the most powerful bunker busters the US possesses. The same munitions were also used on the Natanz facility located in Isfahan province. In addition to the airstrikes, the US Navy launched 30 Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles at Natanz and Isfahan. These long-range cruise missiles were fired from both ships and submarines, increasing the scale and reach of the assault. The operation was named "Operation Midnight Hammer" by the United States, meant to send a clear message against the nuclear ambitions of Iran's Khamenei-led regime. 'Savage assault' Iran reacted strongly, calling the attacks a "savage assault" and vowing that it would "never" stop its nuclear program. The Iranian Revolutionary Guards responded in loaded-words, saying that they would not be moved by threats from Trump or "criminal gangs ruling the White House and Tel Aviv." 'US will change history': Netanyahu Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, however, praised the operation. In a public video message, he said, "Congratulations President Trump. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Your bold decision to target Iran's nuclear facilities with the awesome and righteous might of the United States will change history." The conflict did not stop there. Missiles continued to be exchanged between Iran and Israel, keeping the region on edge. Iran's response to US Then, Iran turned its attention to the United States. Late Monday, Iran launched a retaliatory strike on the US airbase at Al Udeid in Qatar, the largest American military base in the Middle East. Loud explosions were heard across Doha and Lusail, and missiles were seen streaking across the sky. In response, Qatar shut down its airspace as a precautionary measure. And just when a broader war seemed imminent, President Trump took to his social media platform to make a surprise announcement of peace. Ceasefire brokered by Trump "Israel & Iran came to me, almost simultaneously, and said, 'PEACE!' I knew the time was NOW. The World, and the Middle East, are the real WINNERS!" Trump posted. He added, "Both Nations will see tremendous LOVE, PEACE, AND PROSPERITY in their futures. They have so much to gain, and yet, so much to lose if they stray from the road of RIGHTEOUSNESS & TRUTH. The future for Israel & Iran is UNLIMITED, & filled with great PROMISE."
Arabian Business
4 days ago
- Arabian Business
UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman flight delays as airspace closures cause travel disruption at Gulf airports
Airlines, airports and aviation authorities in the UAE and across the GCC announced travel disruption amid temporary airspace closures and rescheduled flights. The UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain all saw temporary closures of airspace following a targeted rocket of Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards. As Governments closed airspace, some airlines announced suspended flights to and from the UAE, Oman, Qatar and Bahrain. UAE airport updates Airports across the UAE advised passengers to check with airlines to confirm flights after temporary pauses to travel. In a statement Dubai Airports said it had 'resumed full operations at its airports in the emirate following a temporary precautionary pause. The safety and wellbeing of all travellers and aviation staff remain the highest priority. Dubai Airports has resumed full operations at its airports in the emirate following a temporary precautionary pause. The safety and wellbeing of all travellers and aviation staff remain the highest priority. While Dubai Airports is working with airlines to ensure flights operate… — Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) June 23, 2025 'While Dubai Airports is working with airlines to ensure flights operate according to schedule, some flights may experience delays or cancellations. Travellers are advised to stay informed by checking regularly with their airlines for the latest updates'. Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi said: 'The safety of our travellers is our foremost priority. As of June 24, 2025, in light of current events and flight disruptions, Abu Dhabi Airports advises all passengers to check with their airlines before heading to the airport'. #تنويه #مطار_الشارقة #الشارقة #الإمارات #السفر #حول_العالم #SharjahAirport #Sharjah #UAE #travel #aroundtheglobe #Announcement — مطار الشارقة (@sharjahairport) June 23, 2025 Sharjah Airport took to social media to tell passangers: 'Sharjah Airport advises all passengers to stay up to date on the latest flight information, as a number of flights have been cancelled or delayed today due to airspace closures in certain areas. 'We strongly encourage passengers to contact airlines directly to verify the status of their flights before heading to the airport'. Dubai carrier Emirates said it had rerouted several flights enroute to the UAE. It said: 'Due to the recent regional situation, a number of Emirates flights were rerouted enroute to Dubai on June 23, but there were no diversions. 'After a thorough and careful risk assessment, Emirates will continue to operate flights as scheduled, using flight paths well distanced from conflict areas. 'Some flights may incur delays due to longer re‑routings or airspace congestion, but Emirates' teams are working hard to keep to schedule and minimise any disruption or inconvenience to our customers'. Earlier, Emirates shared an updated list of suspended flights on its website. In an official statement, it said: 'Due to the regional situation, Emirates has temporarily suspended all flights to: Iran (Tehran) and Iraq (Baghdad and Basra), until and including Monday 30 June 2025 'We apologise for any inconvenience caused to our customers. We continue to closely monitor developments. The safety of our passengers, employees and operations will always be our top priority'. Etihad has suspended flights to Tel Aviv, Israel until July 15 and cancelled selected flights in the region. In a statement, the Abu Dhabi-based carrier said: 'Etihad has suspended all flights between Abu Dhabi (AUH) and Tel Aviv (TLV) until and including 15 July. 'Guests transiting through Abu Dhabi to connect to cancelled flights will not be accepted for travel from their point of origin. Impacted guests are being assisted with alternative travel arrangements. 'This remains a highly dynamic situation, and further changes or disruption, including sudden airspace closures or operational impact, may occur at short notice. Etihad continues to monitor developments closely in coordination with the relevant authorities and is taking all necessary precautions'. The Abu Dhabi carrier also announced the following flights were cancelled: EY651 on June 24 from Abu Dhabi to Kuwait and EY652 from Kuwait to Abu Dhabi EY663 on June 24 from Abu Dhabi to Doha and EY664 from Doha to Abu Dhabi EY575 on June 24 from Abu Dhabi to Dammam and EY576 from Dammam to Abu Dhabi EY690 on June 24 from Abu Dhabi to Muscat and EY691 from Muscat Air Arabia has seen major disruption to flights to and from Sharjah. The airline's latest advisory said: 'Due to the escalating situation and airspace closures across the region, some flights may experience disruptions. 'Customers are advised to check their flight status for the latest updates prior to heading to the airport. Affected passengers will be notified directly via SMS and email. Air Arabia remains fully committed to the safety of our customers and crew, and we continue to closely monitor the situation'. Air Arabia has temporarily suspended all flights to and from the following countries, as follows: Iran: Until and including Monday, June 30 Iraq: Until and including Monday, June 30 Russia: Until and including Monday, June 30 Armenia: Until and including Monday, June 30 Georgia: Until and including Monday, June 30 Azerbaijan: Until and including Monday, June 30 Jordan: Until and including Thursday, June 26 UAE-carrier flydubai shared an updated list of suspended flights. As of July 23, flydubai said: 'Due to the current situation and the closure of certain airspace corridors, flydubai has temporarily suspended flights to and from the following countries and airports until June 30: Iran Iraq Israel Syria St. Petersburg 'Passengers connecting through Dubai with final destinations in any of the above countries or airports will not be accepted for travel at their point of origin until further notice. 'Passengers departing from or arriving at Dubai International Airport (DXB) are encouraged to check their flight status on for the latest updates. Please note that some other flights may be subject to delays or rerouting. 'We apologise for the inconvenience caused and appreciate your understanding. flydubai continues to monitor the situation closely, the safety of our passengers, crew, and operations remains our highest priority'. Qatar shuts then reopens airspace As part of Qatar's commitment to the safety of its citizens, residents, and visitors, the relevant authorities announced a temporary suspension of air traffic in the country's airspace. It came as part of a series of precautionary measures taken in response to recent developments in the region. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasised in a statement Monday that official authorities are closely and continuously monitoring the situation, assessing developments in coordination with regional and international partners, and will provide the public with updated information in a timely manner through official channels. The Qatar Civil Aviation Authority later announced the resumption of air traffic in the airspace of the State of Qatar and the return of the atmosphere to normal, after taking the necessary measures in coordination with the relevant authorities. Accordingly, Qatar Airways announced a short halt to flights in and out of the country. After resuming flights, the national carrier said: 'Qatar Airways confirms the re-opening of airspace in the State of Qatar. 'We are working closely with government stakeholders and the relevant authorities to support any passengers that have been impacted, and will resume operations as quickly as possible. 'As usual operations resume, we anticipate significant delays to our flight schedule. We would advise passengers to check or the Qatar Airways mobile application ahead of travel. 'The safety of our passengers and crew remains our highest priority'. Kuwait shuts then reopens airspace Kuwait's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) announced a temporary closure of Kuwaiti airspace as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety and security of the country. After the short closure, the DGCA then announced the re-opening of Kuwaiti airspace and resumption of air traffic to and from Kuwait International Airport. In a press release, the DGCA said the move came in collaboration with Kuwaiti relevant bodies and in continued cooperation with concerned regional and international agencies and following the stabilization of the surrounding situation. The DGCA added that the decision also reflects its keenness on ensuring the highest standards of safety and security in the Kuwaiti airspace and considering the precise assessments of specialised teams in cooperation with relevant local and international bodies. Kuwait Airways suspended all departing flights until further notice, citing passenger safety and compliance with national aviation directives. The airline also announced the diversion of incoming flights to alternate airports due to closed airspace. Rerouted flights included: KU162 from Geneva KU168 from Paris KU126 from Sarajevo KU114 from Manchester KU198 from Baku KU174 from Munich KU102 and KU108 from London KU164 from Milan The airline confirmed that all diverted aircraft landed safely. Meanwhile, Jazeera Airways confirmed that flights in and out of Kuwait are suspended until further notice. In a statement, it said: 'Due to the closure of Kuwait's airspace, all Jazeera Airways flights are suspended or delayed until further notice. The safety of our passengers and crew remains our top priority. 'Passengers booked to travel from or to Kuwait are requested not to report to the airport unless notified. Flight operations on several other routes will also be affected. 'We are closely monitoring the situation and will notify affected passengers of any schedule changes. We also recommend checking your flight status before heading to the airport'. Bahrain temporarily shuts airspace The Civil Aviation Affairs of the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications announced the complete reopening of airspace in the skies of the Kingdom of Bahrain. It came after a short closure of Bahraini airspace after the department of Civil Aviation Affairs of the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications announced the temporary suspension of air navigation in the skies of the Kingdom as a precautionary measure in light of recent regional developments. National carrier Gulf Air said: 'Gulf Air announces the resumption of its flights following the reopening of Bahrain airspace. We regret any inconvenience caused and thank our customers for their patience and understanding'. Oman Airlines suspend flights Oman's SalamAir and Oman Air announced temporary suspensions of flights to some Gulf countries. A statement from Oman Air said: 'In light of recent developments in the region, Oman Air flights to and from Manama, Dubai, Doha and Kuwait have been temporarily suspended. 'Flights across the rest of our network may be delayed as a result of longer paths. The airline asks its guests to check their flight status on our website at before leaving for the airport'. — Oman Air (@omanair) June 23, 2025 SalamAir also shared an official statement, saying: 'Due to the current situation in the region and the closure of the airspace, SalamAir flights to and from Iran, Iraq, Azerbaijan, and Qatar are temporarily suspended. 'Other SalamAir flights may experience delays due to these disruptions; passengers are requested to check the latest updates on prior to arriving at the airport. 'We are closely monitoring the developments of the situation, and we will resume flights when possible'.
