Israel’s Rafael Arms Industries engineer
injured in Iranian missile strike
dies of wounds
July 15th, 11:18am
(PressTV)
An engineer for Rafael Arms Industries, Israel's weapons
manufacturer behind some of the regime's most
advanced missile and air defense systems,
has died ....from injuries suffered during
an Iranian missile strike back in April.
Israeli authorities announced on Friday that Michael Katz
died from wounds he sustained after an Iranian ballistic
missile struck Haifa on April 5 during the US-Israeli
aggression against Iran.
As part of Operation True Promise 4, Iran struck Haifa with
waves of missiles and drones, causing extensive damage
and destroying targets, including in Haifa, in the process.
An Israeli Air Force investigation found that the ballistic
missile was not intercepted after it broke apart in the
air, causing its expected flight path to change.
The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) and national army
have announced a series of missile and drone strikes against
US military positions across Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan,
describing the attacks as retaliation for US strikes on
Iranian territory.
The latest round of US-Israeli aggression against Iran began
on February 28, when US and Israeli forces launched
large-scale strikes on Iranian territory.
Iran’s Armed Forces responded with daily barrages of missiles
and drones --- targeting US and Israeli military and strategic
sites across the region.
Iran consistently maintained that its retaliatory operations are
legitimate self-defense under international law, targeting only
US and Israeli military assets.
Iran and the US signed the Islamabad Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) on June 17 in an effort to end
the fighting and reduce regional tensions.
In recent days, however, the terrorist US army launched fresh
strikes on several locations in Iran in violation of the MoU,
prompting Tehran to resume attacks on Washington’s
military assets across the region.
Iranian authorities have suspended all contact with the White
House --------- until it ends its military acts of aggression and
hostile rhetoric.
______________________________________
Iranian Army backs IRGC, slams UK
Parliament's banning of elite force
July 15th, 11:14am
(PressTV)
Iran's Army has condemned the UK Parliament's move to ban
the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), condemning the
decision as a reflection of Britain's “malice, hypocrisy, and
double standards” in addressing terrorism.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the Public Relations
Office of the Iranian Army slammed Britain for having “a
long and dark history” - of creating divisions, fostering
sectarianism, and supporting terrorism in West Asia.
The recent action by the UK Parliament in labeling the Islamic
Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) despite it being one of the
world's largest anti-terrorism forces --- stems from the
“malice, hypocrisy, and double standards of British
officials in confronting the scourge of terrorism
around the world,” it said.
The Army stressed that the IRGC has long been “at the
forefront of the fight against terrorism”, emphasizing
that its record in combating militant groups in West
Asia and protecting Iran's national and regional
security demonstrates its role in counter-
terrorism efforts.
“The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps..... has consistently
been at the forefront of the fight against terrorism -- and
its historical record in combating terrorism in the West
Asia region & safeguarding Iran's national & regional
security stand as clear evidence of the Guards' and
their personnel's --- tireless and selfless efforts,”
the statement read.
The IRGC has served not only as a military force but also
as a social and cultural force --- providing valuable
services - over the years - to the Iranian nation
and neighbouring countries, and has always
supported Muslims and the oppressed,
the Army further stressed.
It also criticized Israel, the United States, and European
governments, stressing that that they have supported
terrorist groups ...in pursuit of their objectives.
“Such reckless actions by the UK Parliament -- come at a
time when Britain - the old colonial power - has a long
....and dark history of creating divisions, fostering
sectarianism, and supporting terrorism - in the
West Asia region. Alongside EU governments
and the United States the Zionist regime is
regarded.. not only as one of the world's
largest supporters of terrorism but it
has also ........advanced its sinister
objectives, by backing terrorist
groups in the region,”
the Army said.
Reaffirming solidarity between the Army and the IRGC, the
statement said that both forces remain united under the
command of Iran's Commander-in-Chief in confronting
threats and aggression against Iran, and expressed
hope for the continued success of IRGC personnel.
“While condemning ------ the UK Parliament's recent action against
the devoted personnel ...of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps,
the Public Relations Office of the Army of the Islamic Republic
of Iran emphasizes the solidarity of the Army and the IRGC,
under the command of the Commander-in-Chief of the
Armed Forces, in confronting the threats, dangers,
and aggression ------ of the sworn enemies of the
Iranian nation ....and the sacred establishment
- of the Islamic Republic of Iran. It also prays
for ever-growing success for its comrades
in the IRGC,” the Army added.
The statement came two days after British Home Secretary
Shabana Mahmood announced that the IRGC would be
designated... a “national security threat under new
powers in the National Security (State Threats)
Act,” making support for the elite force... a
“criminal offence punishable by up to
14 years in prison.”
On Tuesday, the Iranian Foreign Ministry also strongly
condemned the British government's.... highly
provocative and controversial move, as an
“unjustified and irresponsible” measure
---- that violates international law.
__________________________________________
Iran Army vows ‘decisive response’ to US
‘cowardly attack’ on sleeping quarters
July 15th, 11:22 am
(PressTV)
Iran's Army Ground Force has declared that --- a "decisive response"
is certain and imminent after the US carried out a pre-dawn missile
attack - that deliberately targeted the sleeping quarters of Iranian
military personnel, killing seven servicemen including conscripts.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the Army revealed.. that US
military forces launched 13 missiles early in the morning squarely
at a barracks and accommodation facilities belonging to an
Iranian Army Ground Force base in Bampur, located in the
southern part of Sistan and Baluchestan Province.
The statement fiercely denounced Washington.. for zeroing in on
sleeping quarters, a guesthouse, and guard posts at the facility
—soft targets where personnel rested unsuspectingly in the
dead of night.
It asserted that the United States intentionally aimed at those
areas with the sole and murderous objective - of causing the
highest possible death toll among Iranian service members.
The Army noted that damage and fatalities were kept relatively
limited only because defensive measures and precautions had
been implemented and activated in time, mitigating.... what
could have been an even greater tragedy.
Nevertheless, seven members of the 388th Iranshahr Brigade
comprising both career soldiers and conscripts were
martyred in their sleep during the strike, while
several others suffered wounds and are
currently ....undergoing medical
treatment for their injuries.
The brigade deployed in the region is primarily tasked with
confronting cross-border attacks -- by the most violent
terrorists being backed and directed by US, British,
and Israeli intelligence services with the explicit
goal - of undermining Iran's national security
and destabilizing its border regions.
"The revenge for the blood of the martyrs of this crime is certain
and imminent," the statement said. "The Islamic Republic of
Iran's Army, with God's help and alongside other armed
forces, will deliver a decisive response ---- to this
aggressive action by the American enemy."
Expressing heartfelt condolences to the families of the fallen
and their comrades-in-arms, the Ground Force emphasized
that Iran's border security remains steadfast and
unshaken, despite the aggression.
The United States has carried out numerous unwarranted attacks
on Iranian soil, particularly along the country's southern
coastline, as part of Washington's broader push to
forcibly enable illegal maritime traffic through
the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
In response to those violations, Tehran has shut down the vital
waterway and vowed to retain the closure until the US ceases
its interference ---- and respects Iran's sovereignty.
Iran's Armed Forces - have retaliated against every instance of
unprovoked US aggression by striking sensitive and strategic
US targets across the region, demonstrating their resolve
to defend the nation's territorial integrity.
The latest US attack on the Bampur base comes amid longstanding
US intelligence reports and official disclosures detailing US-Israeli
plots to prop up, arm, and aid - Takfiri & separatist terrorist groups
operating along Iran's borders, with the stated strategic objective
of invading Iranian territory and --- ultimately --- fragmenting the
country along ethnic and confessional divides.
Western and Zionist intelligence agencies - are actively financing,
equipping, and directing extremist networks to exploit sectarian
and ethnic fault lines within Iran, aiming to weaken the Islamic
Republic from within - and carve out separate entities in the
country's border provinces.
On Monday, the Army spokesman warned the US that no measure
of US aggression will force the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
"The aggressive and corrupt president of the United States, must
learn -- to respect international law, the rights of nations, and the
dignity of peoples," Brigadier General Mohammad Akraminia said.
"As we have previously stated, the Strait of Hormuz, will never be
reopened through war, hostility, or acts of aggression by the US.
Our armed forces are fully prepared to defend our nation's
interests and will respond decisively to any further acts
of hostility, just as we have done in the past and will
continue to do in the future."
_________________________________________
Iran ------ rejects Trump’s claim of 11-hour talks in
Oman, says no direct negotiations held with US
July 15th, 8:31am
(PressTV)
Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs
Kazem Gharibabadi rejected US President Donald Trump’s
claim that Tehran and Washington held 11 hours of
negotiations, saying no talks between Iranian
and US officials took place in Oman.
Gharibabadi said Iran’s discussions during its recent visit to Oman
were limited to meetings with Omani officials and that there were
no negotiations with the US side.
“The claim that 11 hours of negotiations were held with the United
States is not true and is strongly rejected,” Gharibabadi said.
On Monday, Trump told Fox News that US negotiators believed they
had reached a long-term peace deal with Iran following an 11-hour
meeting on July 12, but Iranian leaders later, made new demands.
Speaking in a televised interview on Tuesday night, the Iranian
official said Tehran sought to prevent tensions with Oman
over the Strait of Hormuz and presented a proposal for
a new shipping route.
He said Iran’s objective, was not to challenge Oman’s sovereignty
as a coastal state but to ensure that the waterway was not used
in ways that could threaten Iran’s national security.
“Our request was for the southern route used by vessels to be
suspended temporarily. In return, after consultations with
military commanders responsible for controlling the
Strait of Hormuz, we proposed a new route for
the entry and exit of vessels,” he said.
Gharibabadi said the proposed route was intended to avoid both
the northern and southern passages ....and reduce the risk
of escalation, while allowing all sides ------ to return to
their commitments.
He added that Iran had shown “maximum goodwill” in the
discussions but maintained that the use of the southern
route --- was unacceptable under any circumstances.
Response to attacks must
deter future aggression
Commenting on US aggression against Iran, Gharibabadi
described recent US attacks as “brutal and criminal”
and said Tehran’s response, should prevent
future attacks.
“I do not believe... we should only speak of a proportional
response. The response of the Islamic Republic of Iran
must be such ------ that it makes the other side regret
repeating aggression,” he said.
The United States has staged numerous unwarranted attacks on
Iranian soil, especially areas lying along the country’s southern
coastline, amid Washington’s efforts to forcibly enable illegal
maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran has shut down the waterway in response to
the violations, pledging to retain the closure
until the US ends the interference.
Iran’s Armed Forces have, meanwhile, retaliated against every
instance of the unprovoked aggression by striking sensitive
and strategic US targets ....throughout the region.
Gharibabadi said Iran believes its actions regarding the Strait of
Hormuz... were consistent with the Islamabad memorandum
of understanding, while slamming the US for abandoning
its commitments.
He said Washington’s recent actions had effectively dismantled
the agreement, arguing that the foundation of the MoU was
based on a halt to military operations and the cessation
of hostilities.
“When this fundamental commitment is not respected, the legal
and practical basis of the Islamabad understanding ---- is
effectively lost,” he said.
Gharibabadi said: Iran would not be the first party to seek
negotiations with the US after the US aggressive actions.
“Iran has not left the negotiating table; it was the United States
that undermined the Islamabad memorandum through its
actions,” he said.
Gharibabadi added, that any expectation that increased
pressure or military actions would force Iran to request
talks ...was a miscalculation.
No divide between
diplomacy military
The Iranian deputy foreign minister emphasized that foreign
policy decisions during wartime were being made in
coordination with the military authorities.
“There is no difference in approach between diplomacy and
the battlefield. Decisions in foreign policy are made with
coordination from the field,” he said.
He added that diplomacy can play a role in ending conflicts
but must take into account the security conditions and
developments on the ground - during wartime.