Latest news with #Khaybar
Memri
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Memri
Canadian Shiite Imam Shafiq Hudda: Despite the Supreme Leader's Rulings – Iran Needs a Deterrent; No One Took Pakistan Seriously Before It Went Nuclear – Our Missiles Are Not a Joke, We Can Reach Anyw
Canadian Shiite imam Shafiq Hudda, in a June 20, 2025 Friday sermon at the Islamic Shia Jama'at of Waterloo-Wellington, discussed the importance of Iran having a deterrent. He said that while Supreme Leader Khamenei has issued rulings and provided reasoning against possessing a nuclear weapon, the reality is that countries with strength are respected, while weak nations are subjugated. Hudda gave the example of India and Pakistan, saying that India historically looked down on Pakistan, but once both became nuclear powers, peace talks followed. He emphasized that he was not contradicting the Supreme Leader, but he reiterated that people listen to countries and take them seriously only when they are strong. He added that this is also why European countries have begun speaking with Iranian Foreign Ministry official Abbas Araghchi, following Iran's attacks on Israel. He said the West failed to grasp Iran's capabilities when merely watching military parades featuring Khaybar, Qasem, and Qods missiles. 'They didn't understand that this is not a joke,' he said, claiming that Iran can now reach anywhere in Israel. Hudda concluded by asking Allah for a speedy victory and protection for Supreme Leader Khamenei. For more information about Shafiq Hudda, see MEMRI TV clips no. 8586 and 6614.
LBCI
22-06-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
Aftershock in the Middle East: Will Iran hit back at the US or hold fire?
Report by Edmond Sassine, English adaptation by Yasmine Jaroudi Surrounded by American military bases in nine neighboring Arab countries—from Saudi Arabia to Qatar, Kuwait, the UAE, Bahrain, Oman, Jordan, Iraq, and Syria—Iran has no shortage of nearby targets. Strategically, striking U.S. positions in the Gulf may appear easier than attacking Israel. Many bases lie just hundreds of kilometers from Iranian territory, well within range of its missile arsenal. Yet, Iranian decision-making is not solely about missile capability. Experts told LBCI that Tehran is calculating the consequences. Directly targeting American military infrastructure, warships, or interests could shift the conflict from a single retaliatory blow into a prolonged war—one that Iran may struggle to sustain. For now, Iran appears to favor continuing its ballistic missile strikes on Israel following Sunday's U.S. operation. Notably, two waves of missiles have already hit Tel Aviv, including a Khaybar missile reportedly used for the first time, causing significant damage. More aggressive actions—such as targeting U.S. bases or mining the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil route—could isolate Iran diplomatically and economically, inviting an overwhelming American military response. According to experts, such moves would directly align with Israeli strategic interests and are unlikely to yield tactical gains beyond increasing maritime risk. Some analysts draw comparisons to Iran's calibrated retaliation in January 2020 following the assassination of Qassem Soleimani, when Iran fired missiles at Iraq's Ain El-Asad base housing U.S. troops. A similarly restrained approach is likely, despite the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warning that America's actions will provoke "responses beyond the aggressors' calculations." The broader U.S. military presence in the region—estimated at around 40,000 troops, supported by warships and state-of-the-art technology—further tilts the balance against Iran in any open confrontation. Still, Tehran holds other cards. It may rely on allied non-state actors, such as the Houthis in Yemen, who have already fired missiles at Israel, and potentially Hezbollah in Lebanon. Observers say Hezbollah remains cautious. The group has suffered losses in recent months, and Lebanon's internal consensus remains firmly opposed to being dragged into a new war. For now, the party appears unwilling to initiate or escalate a direct military engagement.
Saba Yemen
22-06-2025
- Politics
- Saba Yemen
Iranian media: For first time... Khaybar missile launched at occupied territories
Tehran - (Saba): Iranian media reported that the Khaybar missile was launched at the occupied Palestinian territories for the first time in the 20th wave of Iranian attacks. The Iranian Mehr News Agency reported that the 20th wave of the large-scale missile and drone operation launched by the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran against military targets of the Zionist entity was carried out. Facebook Whatsapp Telegram Email Print
Arab News
30-05-2025
- Science
- Arab News
What Saudi Arabia's ancient lava fields reveal about its volcanic past — and tourism potential
JEDDAH: Scattered across Saudi Arabia's vast deserts and mountains lie more than 2,500 volcanic craters — relics of a fiery geological past that continues to intrigue scientists and thrill adventurous travellers today. These ancient volcanoes have not erupted in centuries. Their silence, however, belies their significance. 'The Kingdom possesses one of the largest volcanic fields (locally known as Al-Harrat) in the world,' Turki Essam Al-Sehli, senior director of the Geohazard Center at the Saudi Geological Survey, told Arab News. 'These fields cover an area of approximately 90,000 square kilometers — around 4.6 percent of the Kingdom's total area.' The last known eruption was in 1256 AD, when lava from Al-Harrat Rahat flowed within 20 kilometers of Madinah. While dramatic in its time, such activity has long since ceased. 'The Kingdom has experienced relative volcanic stability for centuries,' Al-Sehli said. This dormancy, combined with the dramatic scenery of ancient lava fields, has opened the door to a growing trend: volcano tourism. From stark black cones to craters that plunge deep into the Earth, Saudi Arabia's volcanic landscape offers some of the most breathtaking geological sights in the region. Among the most striking is Al-Wahbah, a vast crater near Taif that is 250 meters deep and more than two kilometers across. In the Asir region, Jabal Farwa — the Kingdom's tallest volcanic peak — rises more than 3,000 m above sea level. Meanwhile, the Khaybar tract is home to Mount Al-Qadar, where lava once flowed for more than 50 km, and the otherworldly Mount Al-Abyad, known for its pale color and unusual formations. 'Fields like Rahat and Khaybar are characterized by hundreds of volcanic cones formed by mild explosive eruptions and vast lava flow areas reaching lava flow length over 50 km on some occasions, which grant them significant geological and scientific importance,' Al-Sehli said. 'Additionally, they are considered the largest in the Arab world and the Middle East.' • The last volcanic eruption in the Hijaz region occurred in 1256 AD, southeast of Madinah. • Its lava flow extended for 23 kilometers, stopping 8.2 km short of the Prophet's Mosque. • Saudi Arabia's volcanic landscape has the potential to become a global tourist destination. While some fields are still classified as 'potentially active,' experts agree there is no cause for alarm. 'Some volcanic fields are categorized as potentially active due to the geophysical indicators of eruptible magma in the mid-crust, which means there is a possibility — even if slight — of future volcanic activity,' Al-Sehli said. 'Currently, there are no signs of imminent danger.' Indeed, any future eruption, while highly unlikely in the short term, would be closely monitored. The Saudi Geological Survey operates a state-of-the-art seismic and volcanic surveillance network designed to detect even the slightest changes beneath the surface. Should a large eruption take place, however, the environmental impact and the effect on the local climate could be significant. 'In the event of a major volcanic eruption, the emission of fine volcanic ash and gases such as sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the upper layers of the atmosphere could lead to temporary cooling of the local or regional climate, as well as generating acid rainfall,' Al-Sehli said. With little risk posed by these sleeping giants and great natural beauty to explore and enjoy, Saudi Arabia is increasingly investing in geotourism — promoting its volcanic fields not as hazards, but as heritage. 'There is growing interest in developing geological tourism in the Kingdom,' Al-Sehli said. 'The ministry of tourism is collaborating with the Saudi Geological Survey to develop and preserve these geological sites.' The Saudi Geological Survey's role extends far beyond monitoring. It produces maps and reports, conducts scientific research, and works to raise public awareness through exhibitions and outreach programs. It also helps identify and conserve key geological sites, ensuring that Saudi Arabia's volcanic past is protected for future generations. From lava trails to towering cones, the Kingdom's volcanic fields offer a window into Earth's ancient forces — and a unique travel experience for those looking to explore a different side of Saudi Arabia. These volcanoes may be dormant, but their potential — for knowledge, for tourism, and for wonder — is anything but.
