Israeli forces burn homes in Houla,
demolish buildings in al-Mansouri
August 31, 1:17pm
(Al Mayadeen English)
Israeli forces - continue violating the ceasefire in southern
Lebanon, setting homes on fire and demolishing buildings
in occupied areas,.
Israeli military forces set fire to several homes in the southern
Lebanese town of Houla and targeted the town with artillery
on Monday, according to a correspondent for Al Mayadeen.
The correspondent reported that the Israeli military carried out an
explosion in the Byout al-Suyyad farm and conducted a sweeping
operation there using machine guns. The Israeli forces also
carried out excavation and demolition work in the town
of Mansouri.
According to the report, the aggression is part of an ongoing Israeli
violation of the ceasefire agreement. "The Israeli army - is shelling
southern villages and towns - with artillery, airstrikes, and drones,
in addition to deliberately burning agricultural fields, detonating
and demolishing homes and infrastructure, and targeting
civilians," the Al Mayadeen's correspondent said.
Continued Israeli artillery and airstrikes
reported in southern Lebanon
Israeli artillery shelling targeted the Zawtar River bed, while ongoing
artillery fire struck the Ali al-Taher hill, according to Al Mayadeen's
correspondent. Israeli warplanes conducted a series of airstrikes
targeting the Wadi al-Salouqi area and the Ali al-Taher hill in the
Nabatieh district.
An Israeli helicopter was also conducting surveillance sweeps over
the western Zawtar River bed, the correspondent reported, while
Israeli artillery shelled the outskirts of the towns of al-Mansouri
and Byout al-Seyyad. The Dawhet Kfar Roumman area came
under intermittent artillery fire.
The correspondent in southern Lebanon additionally reported that
the past few hours have seen an Israeli advance toward the
northern outskirts of Mais al-Jabal. Artillery shelling
targeted the Ali al-Taher hill in the morning, and
Israeli forces conducted a sweep in the town
of Haddatha.
"The ongoing Israeli attacks aim to displace southern residents
from their land," the correspondent emphasized.
Health Ministry: 4,352 martyrs, 12,318 wounded
Lebanon's Public Health Emergency Operations Centre -- affiliated
with the Ministry of Public Health, issued an updated cumulative
toll covering the Israeli aggression from March 2 --- through to
August 28.
According to the Ministry, the number of martyrs.. has reached
4,352, while 12,318 people have been wounded since the
escalation began. The latest attacks come amid
continued Israeli violations of the ceasefire
agreement in Lebanon.
Israeli occupation forces have repeatedly targeted southern towns
and villages with artillery fire, warplane strikes, and drone attacks,
while also setting agricultural fields ablaze and carrying out
demolitions and bulldozing operations targeting homes
and infrastructure.
The ongoing violations, have also resulted in the continued
killing and wounding of civilians across southern Lebanon.
Source: Al Mayadeen English
_________________________________
Arab states call US sanctions
on Iran ....unrealistic: Report
August 31, 11:35am
(PressTV)
Leaders of the Arab Persian Gulf states have reportedly
told Washington that sanctions imposed on Iran by the
US Treasury Secretary are “unrealistic” and difficult
for the countries to accommodate ---- citing their
geographic proximity and close ties with Iran.
Officials from the Persian Gulf states formally conveyed to the US
side that the directive issued by US Treasury Secretary Scott
Bessent, as part of an economic war against Iran, was “not
realistic” and couldn't be tolerated, given their geographic
circumstances, neighbouring status and proximity to Iran.
The regional newspaper Rai al-Youm reported that Western
diplomatic circles believe the United Arab Emirates, Oman
and Qatar are unlikely to show the same willingness as
European countries.... to comply with decisions and
memoranda from the US Treasury Department.
According to the report, some foreign governments, including
Qatar, may not adhere to US threats of economic sanctions,
viewing them as unrealistic and evidence of the continued
escalation of tensions in the region.
Such measures, the report said, could also undermine efforts
to pursue scenarios aimed at reducing regional tensions.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced the new
“economic terrorism” campaign, absurdly comparing it
to the D-Day Normandy landings of World War II.
Bessent claimed the measures target Iran’s financial
networks worldwide and warned that no partner is
beyond Washington’s reach.
He said the Trump administration has identified entities
dealing with Iran and will impose deadlines for them to
cut ties ..or face exclusion from the US dollar system.
China, Russia and Pakistan, have also opposed US
threats of sanctions ....against countries trading
with Iran.
The illusion of ‘maximum pressure’: New
US sanctions against Iran.... recycle a
failed strategy with same old results
The latest US sanctions on Iran ..repackage the failed “maximum
pressure” campaign, despite four decades of Iranian adaptation,
Washington’s irreparable credibility deficit, and mounting costs
to US consumers and global stability, all of which demonstrate
that sanctions have failed to achieve their objectives and are
unlikely ever to do so.
Abdolamir Rabihavi, director general of the West Asia Office of Iran’s
Trade Promotion Organization, said Iran’s trading partners had
largely disregarded the announcement of new US sanctions
and that trade with these countries was continuing.
Rabihavi said expanding trade with neighbouring countries as well
as major Eastern economies could provide an opportunity to
strengthen Iran’s foreign trade.
“One should not be overly influenced by unprofessional remarks
by US officials, as many countries need Iranian goods and the
country’s products are competitive in target markets, in
terms of quality and price,” he said.
The official said trade -- was a two-way, mutually beneficial
relationship, noting that just as Iran seeks markets for its
goods, its trading partners are also looking for suitable
suppliers to meet their needs, and Iran can supply
part of those requirements.
Rabihavi also stressed -- the need to diversify Iran’s export markets,
saying Africa, with around 50 countries, and a population of nearly
1.5 billion, represents an important and relatively underdeveloped
market for Iranian exports of goods and services.
Alongside African countries, Rabihavi said, the Central Asian
states could also provide suitable markets for Iranian goods,
particularly given their existing capacities and the
opportunities offered by free-trade agreements,
which Iran should seriously seek to utilize.
____________________________________________
Trump threatens -- to take action
against S Korea for refusing to
take part in war on Iran
August 31, 11:07am
(PressTV)
US President Donald Trump has threatened to downgrade
its ties with South Korea over Seoul’s refusal to
participate in the US-Israeli war on Iran.
In an interview with Fox News released on Sunday,
Trump threatened that Washington may decide to
reconsider the scope of te US military presence
in South Korea.
“We have very little help from other countries, and we help
other countries; we spend billions and billions of dollars
helping NATO and other countries, South Korea... as
an example.”
He added he would be a “fool” if he did not punish
Seoul for refusing to do as it was told by the US.
“When they are not willing to do anything
for you, you can’t be a fool and help them.”
Trump revisited the issue multiple times, even
ordering a significant reduction in joint
military drills with South Korea.
He told the Pentagon earlier this month to
scale back joint military exercises with
the South Korean military.
Trump had described the joint military
exercises with South Korea as costly.
He also said that the annual joint military
exercises were “hostile” towards North
Korea and had called for them to be
reduced, citing his relationship
with Kim Jong-un.
Trump’s latest remarks renewed concerns
among US allies, citing US foreign policy
shifts as proof of Washington’s
untrustworthiness.
Analysts say Trump is sending Washington’s allies
mixed signals, citing the scale-back of joint
military exercises with South Korea as
another example of the Trump
administration’s true lack
of leadership.
____________________________________
Araghchi calls Netanyahu a ‘serpent,’
says he ‘suckered’ US into war
on Iran
August 31, 10:38am
(PressTV)
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has called Israeli prime
minister Benjamin Netanyahu a “serpent” who “suckered”
the US into war on Iran, exposing his deception and
efforts ---- to manipulate US public opinion
and policymaking.
In a post on his X account on Monday, Araghchi highlighted
the discrepancies between Netanyahu’s Hebrew and
English claims about the war on Iran.
“In Hebrew, Netanyahu openly crows -- that he suckered the US
Administration into a war on Iran on behalf of Israel,” he wrote.
Araghchi stated that Netanyahu “explicitly laughs about how
he ‘influenced’ America through 1,000 hours of airtime on
US networks.”
“In English, he praises POTUS’ leadership. Serpent,” he added.
On Sunday, Netanyahu claimed on Channel 14 that he
has been “dealing with Iran for close to 40 years.”
“It took me a long time... to get our security establishment to deal
with Iran itself. It also took a long time to bring the United States
to this understanding. I was able to do that because I had close
to a thousand hours on American television,” he alleged.
The US-Israeli war of aggression against Iran began on February 28,
with joint strikes ------ that assassinated the Leader of the Islamic
Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and targeted
nuclear facilities, schools, and hospitals.
The aggression reflected Netanyahu’s long-standing push for direct
US military involvement against Iran. Israel had repeatedly sought
stronger US action against Tehran, while Washington ------ is now
locked in a war ...from which it is unable to extricate itself.