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Straits Times
an hour ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Iran holds state funeral for top brass slain in war with Israel
People attend the funeral procession of Iranian military commanders, nuclear scientists and others killed in Israeli strikes, in Tehran, Iran, on June 28, 2025. PHOTO: WANA VIA REUTERS TEHRAN - Iran will hold a state funeral service on June 28 for around 60 people, including its military commanders, killed in its war with Israel, after Tehran's top diplomat condemned US President Donald Trump's comments on supreme leader Ali Khamenei as 'unacceptable'. The United States had carried out strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites last weekend, joining its ally Israel's bombardments of Iran's nuclear programme in the 12-day conflict launched on June 13. Both Israel and Iran claimed victory in the war that ended with a ceasefire, with Iranian leader Khamenei downplaying the US strikes as having done 'nothing significant'. In a tirade on his Truth Social platform, Mr Trump blasted Tehran on June 27 for claiming to have won the war. He also claimed to have known 'EXACTLY where he (Mr Khamenei) was sheltered, and would not let Israel, or the US Armed Forces... terminate his life'. 'I SAVED HIM FROM A VERY UGLY AND IGNOMINIOUS DEATH, and he does not have to say, 'THANK YOU, PRESIDENT TRUMP!'' the US leader said. Mr Trump added he had been working in recent days on the possible removal of sanctions against Iran, one of Tehran's main demands. 'But no, instead I get hit with a statement of anger, hatred, and disgust, and immediately dropped all work on sanction relief, and more,' Mr Trump said. Hitting back at Mr Trump on June 28 , Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the Republican president's comments on Mr Khamenei. 'If President Trump is genuine about wanting a deal, he should put aside the disrespectful and unacceptable tone towards Iran's Supreme Leader, Grand Ayatollah Khamenei,' Mr Araghchi posted on social media platform X. 'The Great and Powerful Iranian People, who showed the world that the Israeli regime had NO CHOICE but to RUN to 'Daddy' to avoid being flattened by our Missiles, do not take kindly to Threats and Insults.' The Israeli strikes on Iran killed at least 627 civilians, Tehran's health ministry said. Iran's attacks on Israel killed 28 people, according to Israeli figures. 'Historic' state funeral The state funeral proceedings in Tehran for 60 nuclear scientists and military commanders killed in Israeli strikes were set to begin at 8am (12.30pm, Singapore time) Iranian media broadcast the first images of the proceedings early on June 28 for the 'martyrs of the war imposed by the Zionist regime'. Footage showed coffins draped in Iranian flags and bearing portraits of the slain commanders in uniform near Enghelab Square where a ceremony is due to take place. It will be followed by a funeral procession to Azadi Square, about 11km across the sprawling metropolis. Mr Mohsen Mahmoudi, head of Tehran's Islamic Development Coordination Council, vowed it would be a 'historic day for Islamic Iran and the revolution'. Among the dead is Mohammad Bagheri, a major general in Iran's Revolutionary Guards and the second-in-command of the armed forces after the Iranian leader. He will be buried alongside his wife and daughter, a journalist for a local media outlet, all killed in an Israeli attack. Nuclear scientist Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi, also killed in the attacks, will be buried with his wife. Revolutionary Guards commander Hossein Salami, who was killed on the first day of the war, will also be laid to rest after the June 28 ceremony – which will also honour at least 30 other top commanders. Of the 60 people who are to be laid to rest after the ceremony, four are children. 'Imminent threat' During his first term in office, Mr Trump pulled out in 2018 of a landmark nuclear deal – negotiated by former US president Barack Obama. The deal that Mr Trump had abandoned aimed to make it practically impossible for Iran to build an atomic bomb, while at the same time allowing it to pursue a civil nuclear programme. Iran, which insists its nuclear programme is only for civilian purposes, stepped up its activities after Mr Trump withdrew from the agreement. After the US strikes, Mr Trump said negotiations for a new deal were set to begin next week. But Tehran denied a resumption, and leader Khamenei said Mr Trump had 'exaggerated events in unusual ways', rejecting US claims Iran's nuclear programme had been set back by decades. Israel had claimed it had 'thwarted Iran's nuclear project' during the 12-day war. But its foreign minister reiterated on June 27 that the world was obliged to stop Tehran from developing an atomic bomb. 'The international community now has an obligation to prevent, through any effective means, the world's most extreme regime from obtaining the most dangerous weapon,' Mr Gideon Saar wrote on X. AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Libyan Express
an hour ago
- Politics
- Libyan Express
Iran sends warning to Trump and Israel over threats and insults
BY Libyan Express Jun 28, 2025 - 05:11 Araghchi warns Trump and Israel: Iran will not tolerate threats Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has claimed that Israel has 'no refuge but the United States' in the face of Iranian military power, and warned that Tehran would not tolerate insults or threats directed at its leadership or sovereignty. In a statement posted on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Araghchi praised what he described as the resilience and national dignity of the Iranian people, drawing a comparison to the craftsmanship of Persian carpets. 'The complexity and resilience of the Iranian people are clearly reflected in our exquisite carpets—woven with infinite patience and countless hours of dedicated work,' he wrote. 'But in terms of national principles, we are a straightforward and rational people: we know what we possess, we value our independence, and we will not allow anyone to determine our fate.' Turning to former US President Donald Trump, Araghchi urged him to adopt a more respectful tone if any future agreement with Iran is to be taken seriously. 'If Mr Trump is genuinely seeking an agreement, he must abandon the disrespectful and unacceptable language he has used towards the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, and avoid offending the millions of his loyal followers.' He continued by asserting that Israel had sought protection from Washington in the face of Iranian missile capabilities. 'The great Iranian people have shown the world that the Zionist regime had no other means of survival than seeking shelter with its 'spoilt father'—the United States. Iran does not tolerate threats or insults. And if delusions escalate into greater mistakes, we will not hesitate to reveal our real capabilities. At that moment, all illusions about Iran's strength will vanish.' Araghchi concluded with a message emphasising reciprocal diplomacy: 'Goodwill is met with goodwill, and respect is met with respect.' His remarks come amid ongoing regional tensions and renewed scrutiny over Iran's relationship with both Israel and the United States. The views expressed in Op-Ed pieces are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of Libyan Express. How to submit an Op-Ed: Libyan Express accepts opinion articles on a wide range of topics. Submissions may be sent to oped@ Please include 'Op-Ed' in the subject line.
France 24
2 hours ago
- Politics
- France 24
Iran holds state funeral for top brass slain in war with Israel
The United States had carried out strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites last weekend, joining its ally Israel's bombardments of Iran's nuclear programme in the 12-day conflict launched on June 13. Both Israel and Iran claimed victory in the war that ended with a ceasefire, with Iranian leader Khamenei downplaying the US strikes as having done "nothing significant". In a tirade on his Truth Social platform, Trump blasted Tehran Friday for claiming to have won the war. He also claimed to have known "EXACTLY where he (Khamenei) was sheltered, and would not let Israel, or the U.S. Armed Forces... terminate his life". "I SAVED HIM FROM A VERY UGLY AND IGNOMINIOUS DEATH, and he does not have to say, 'THANK YOU, PRESIDENT TRUMP!'" the US leader said. Trump added he had been working in recent days on the possible removal of sanctions against Iran, one of Tehran's main demands. "But no, instead I get hit with a statement of anger, hatred, and disgust, and immediately dropped all work on sanction relief, and more," Trump said. Hitting back at Trump Saturday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the Republican president's comments on Khamenei. "If President Trump is genuine about wanting a deal, he should put aside the disrespectful and unacceptable tone towards Iran's Supreme Leader, Grand Ayatollah Khamenei," Araghchi posted on social media platform X. "The Great and Powerful Iranian People, who showed the world that the Israeli regime had NO CHOICE but to RUN to 'Daddy' to avoid being flattened by our Missiles, do not take kindly to Threats and Insults." The Israeli strikes on Iran killed at least 627 civilians, Tehran's health ministry said. Iran's attacks on Israel killed 28 people, according to Israeli figures. 'Historic' state funeral The state funeral proceedings in Tehran for 60 nuclear scientists and military commanders killed in Israeli strikes were set to begin at 8:00 am (0430 GMT). Iranian media broadcast the first images of the proceedings early Saturday for the "martyrs of the war imposed by the Zionist regime". Footage showed coffins draped in Iranian flags and bearing portraits of the slain commanders in uniform near Enghelab Square where a ceremony is due to take place. It will be followed by a funeral procession to Azadi Square, about 11 kilometres (seven miles) across the sprawling metropolis. Mohsen Mahmoudi, head of Tehran's Islamic Development Coordination Council, vowed it would be a "historic day for Islamic Iran and the revolution". Among the dead is Mohammad Bagheri, a major general in Iran's Revolutionary Guards and the second-in-command of the armed forces after the Iranian leader. He will be buried alongside his wife and daughter, a journalist for a local media outlet, all killed in an Israeli attack. Nuclear scientist Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi, also killed in the attacks, will be buried with his wife. Revolutionary Guards commander Hossein Salami, who was killed on the first day of the war, will also be laid to rest after Saturday's ceremony -- which will also honour at least 30 other top commanders. Of the 60 people who are to be laid to rest after the ceremony, four are children. 'Imminent threat' During his first term in office, Trump pulled out in 2018 of a landmark nuclear deal -- negotiated by former US president Barack Obama. The deal that Trump had abandoned aimed to make it practically impossible for Iran to build an atomic bomb, while at the same time allowing it to pursue a civil nuclear programme. Iran, which insists its nuclear programme is only for civilian purposes, stepped up its activities after Trump withdrew from the agreement. After the US strikes, Trump said negotiations for a new deal were set to begin next week. But Tehran denied a resumption, and leader Khamenei said Trump had "exaggerated events in unusual ways", rejecting US claims Iran's nuclear programme had been set back by decades. Israel had claimed it had "thwarted Iran's nuclear project" during the 12-day war. But its foreign minister reiterated Friday the world was obliged to stop Tehran from developing an atomic bomb. "The international community now has an obligation to prevent, through any effective means, the world's most extreme regime from obtaining the most dangerous weapon," Gideon Saar wrote on X. © 2025 AFP
Kuwait Times
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Kuwait Times
Turkey breathes easier as truce eases fallout risk
ISTANBUL: As the fragile Iran-Zionist truce took hold, there was no letup in Turkey's diplomatic efforts Wednesday to prevent any return to a conflict fraught with risk for Ankara's domestic and regional policies. Hours after US President Donald Trump announced the ceasefire, Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met him for talks on the sidelines of a NATO summit for their third conversation in 10 days. Erdogan's 'intensive diplomatic efforts' to curb the conflict also involved calls with Russia's Vladimir Putin, Iran's Masoud Pezeshkian and top Middle Eastern leaders. 'Turkey has been trying very hard to de-escalate the situation, but it's not seen as a credible mediator, neither by Iran nor by (Zionist entity),' Gonul Tol of the Washington-based Middle East Institute told AFP. Turkey's ties with Zionist entity have been shattered by the Gaza war and Iranians see Ankara as complicit 'because it hosts this strategic radar', she said of a NATO early-warning system at Kurecik base in eastern Turkey that can detect Iranian missile launches. Turkey has categorically denied radar data was used to help Zionist but its presence has rattled Iran—with several Iranian military officials warning it could be 'the first target' in case of a wider war, she said. Even so, Erdogan reportedly sought to set up US-Iran talks in Istanbul last week, which only failed because Iran's Ayatollah Ali Khamenei—in hiding due to assassination threats—couldn't be reached to approve it, the Axios news site said. Unsettled by the long arm of Zionist's reach, Erdogan upped Turkey's deterrence, ordering the defense industry to increase production of medium and long-range missiles warning Ankara was 'making preparations for every kind of scenario'. 'Concerns about a possible Turkish-Zionist confrontation in the short term seem exaggerated... (but) both would be wise to reduce tensions,' said Gallia Lindenstrauss, senior research fellow at the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS). Fears of Iran in chaos For Turkey, the big fear would be seeing neighboring Iran plunged into chaos as happened in Iraq and Syria, said Soner Cagaptay of the Washington Institute of Near East Policy. 'Ankara absolutely does not want to see Iran descending into chaos, decentralization or civil war which could create cross-border threats or fresh refugee flows,' he told AFP. In Iraq and Syria, destabilization had created a power vacuum that was used by the Islamic State (IS) group and Kurdish PKK militants 'to launch attacks into Turkey', fueling Ankara's efforts to support both nations' recentralization, he said. But 'the biggest risk' would be another flow of refugees: 'If Iran collapses, there's only one country the Iranians will flee to in large numbers: Turkey,' he said. On Friday, Erdogan warned Germany's Friedrich Merz the conflict 'could harm the region and Europe in terms of migration' although there was no sign of any influx at the Turkish border last week. Risk to Turkey's PKK move? Turmoil in Iran could also harm Ankara's efforts to draw a line under its decades-long conflict with the PKK, which last month said it would disarm, Tol said. Although most PKK-linked groups embraced the call to disarm, its Iranian affiliate, the Kurdistan Free Life Party (PJAK), did not, with Ankara concerned any unrest could embolden recalcitrant Kurdish separatists. 'The worry is that this chaos may strengthen the PJAK. There are PKK fractions who are not happy with (founder Abdullah) Ocalan's call who could think: why disarm now when there's so much chaos we can capitalize on,' she told AFP. A more immediate concern for Turkey was the economic implications of the conflict, she said, with its crisis-hit economy already 'struggling' with rising energy prices while fighting hard to bring down inflation. 'But if Iran closed down (the Strait of) Hormuz, that would mean a bigger jump in energy prices and that's something Turkey is deeply worried about,' she said. — AFP
News18
4 hours ago
- Politics
- News18
Iran Accuses US, Israel Of Terrorism For Threatening To Assassinate Khamenei, Urges UN Action
Last Updated: Iran cited the Israeli Defence Minister's remarks on assassinating Khamenei as well as Trump's comments calling him an "easy target" as examples of terror-inciting statements. Iran has accused the United States and Israel of state terrorism for openly threatening to assassinate Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and urged the UN Security Council to discharge legal responsibilities against such 'criminal and provocative rhetoric". 'The US and the Zionist regime of Israel have openly threatened to assassinate Iran's Supreme Leader. This criminal act constitutes a manifest instance of State terrorism; and, the very gravity of such a threat must not be permitted to be diminished or normalised in any manner whatsoever," said the Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations. Iran referenced Israel Defence Minister Israel Katz's remarks on Khamenei meeting a fate like Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, and US President Donald Trump's remarks about Khamenei being an 'easy target" as 'unlawful, provocative and terror-inciting statements". It also highlighted Trump's recent statement where he said the US saved Khamenei from an 'ugly and ignominious" death. The U.S. and the Zionist regime of Israel have openly threatened to assassinate Iran's Supreme Leader. This criminal act constitutes a manifest instance of State terrorism; and, the very gravity of such a threat must not be permitted to be diminished or normalized in any manner… — Mission to UN, NY (@Iran_UN) June 27, 2025 'Such reckless and deliberate threats by senior officials constitute a serious violation of the Charter of the United Nations, particularly Article 2(4), which unequivocally prohibits both the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State." The Iranian mission also accused Israel of launching an unprovoked and large-scale military aggression against the Islamic Republic on June 13 in flagrant violation of international law and possessing a well-documented record of state-sponsored assassinations, extraterritorial terror operations, and deliberate armed attacks, including the killing of Iranian officials, nuclear scientists and civilians. 'Such threats set a dangerous precedent by seeking to normalise assassination as a tool of foreign policy, in blatant contempt for the international legal order. The international community must not remain silent in the face of such clear and escalating violations of international law," it added. It also called on the Secretary-General, the President of the Security Council, and the President of the General Assembly, urging them to discharge their legal responsibilities against such criminal and provocative rhetoric. Israel Katz had earlier said there was no opportunity for Israel to assassinate the Supreme Leader as he went into hiding when the conflict broke out on July 13. 'If (Khamenei) had been in our sights, we would have taken him out," he told Israeli media. When the conflict was underway, Israel said assassinating Khamenei was not beyond its limits. First Published:
