US-Israel War on Iran

TEHRAN/BISHKEK: Iran has issued a stern warning to countries that may support any future US military action against the Islamic Republic, saying states that assist or facilitate such operations could also face consequences and be held responsible under international law. The warning came as Iranian officials claimed that a US missile strike targeted a naval headquarters belonging to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in the country’s northern Gilan province, although the allegation has not been independently verified. Speaking at a regional meeting in Bishkek, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said any country participating in, assisting or enabling military aggression against Iran would bear legal and political responsibility under international law. “Those who cooperate with or facilitate any act of aggression against Iran will be held accountable,” Araghchi said, adding that Tehran reserves the right to take all necessary measures to defend its sovereignty and national security. His remarks underscore the increasingly confrontational rhetoric between Tehran and Washington amid heightened regional tensions and fears of further military escalation. Meanwhile, Iran’s state news agency IRNA quoted Gilan Deputy Governor Ali Bagheri as saying that US missiles struck an IRGC Navy headquarters located in the coastal area of Zibakenar early Friday morning. According to Iranian officials, the attack damaged equipment inside the military installation. However, authorities said there were no immediate reports of casualties and did not provide additional operational details about the extent of the damage. The United States has not officially responded to Iran’s allegations, and no independent sources have confirmed that such a strike took place. The competing claims come as tensions between the two longtime rivals continue to intensify following a series of military confrontations and accusations exchanged in recent weeks. Regional security analysts warn that increasingly aggressive statements from both Tehran and Washington could further complicate the security environment across the Middle East, particularly if neighboring countries become involved in the dispute. Experts say Iran’s latest warning appears aimed at discouraging regional allies from providing logistical, intelligence or military support to any potential US operation. Such statements also signal Tehran’s intention to broaden accountability beyond direct military participants should hostilities escalate. Diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions have so far produced little visible progress, while both sides continue to exchange sharp warnings and accusations. With neither Washington nor Tehran showing signs of softening their positions, concerns remain that the already fragile regional security landscape could deteriorate further, increasing the risk of a broader confrontation involving additional regional actors.

TEHRAN/MANAMA: Iran has claimed that it targeted an Amazon data center in Bahrain in what it described as part of its ongoing retaliatory campaign against the United States, marking a dramatic new allegation that could further heighten tensions across the Middle East. According to Iranian state media, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said the operation targeted an Amazon facility that it alleged was providing information and technological support to the US military. Iranian officials claimed the installation was successfully struck and destroyed during the operation. However, the statement was not accompanied by any evidence, satellite imagery, or operational details to substantiate the claim. As of Friday, no independent organization had verified that an attack had taken place or confirmed any damage to the reported facility. Neither Amazon, the Bahraini government, nor US officials had issued an official response by the time of publication. There has also been no confirmation from independent monitoring groups regarding the alleged strike or its potential impact. The claim comes amid rapidly escalating tensions between Iran and the United States, with both sides exchanging accusations over recent military operations in the region. Tehran has repeatedly warned that any military bases or strategic facilities used by Washington for operations against Iran would be considered legitimate targets for retaliation. Iranian officials reiterated that stance following the latest announcement, saying that infrastructure allegedly supporting US military activities could face further attacks if hostilities continue. Security analysts say the claim is particularly significant because it involves a major global technology company rather than a conventional military installation. If independently verified, it would represent one of the first publicly acknowledged cases in which Iran has declared a large international technology facility as the target of a military operation. Experts also cautioned that the absence of independent verification makes it impossible to determine whether the reported strike occurred or whether the alleged target sustained any damage. They noted that governments involved in conflicts often release competing narratives, making external confirmation essential before drawing conclusions. The latest claim underscores the growing overlap between military conflict and critical digital infrastructure, raising fresh concerns about the security of data centers and technology assets in regions experiencing geopolitical instability. For now, the reported attack remains an unverified Iranian claim, with the international community awaiting official responses and independent assessments to establish what, if anything, occurred on the ground.

TEHRAN/WASHINGTON: Iran has reportedly rejected a US-backed ceasefire proposal delivered through Iraq, insisting that any agreement must address the underlying causes of the conflict rather than offer only a temporary halt in fighting, according to a report published by The New York Times. The report said the proposal was conveyed during Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi’s visit to Tehran after meetings with US officials in Washington. Acting as an intermediary, the Iraqi leader is said to have relayed Washington’s message in an effort to ease rising military tensions between Iran and the United States. According to the report, Iranian officials made it clear that a short-term ceasefire would not be acceptable unless it included concrete solutions to the broader disputes driving the conflict, particularly issues surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategically important maritime routes. While the full details of the reported US proposal were not disclosed, Iranian officials were quoted as saying that a temporary pause in hostilities would do little to resolve the crisis without addressing Tehran’s core strategic concerns. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed that the Iraqi prime minister had briefed Tehran on his discussions in Washington and shared his observations from the visit. However, Araghchi emphasized that communication channels between Iran and the United States already exist through several regional mediators. “The issue is not the delivery of messages,” Araghchi said, according to Iranian media. “The real problem is Washington’s approach.” He accused the United States of pursuing what he described as an “unreasonable, greedy and controlling” policy that has fueled the current crisis. The report added that Tehran remains committed to its long-standing strategic demands and is unwilling to accept any agreement that it believes undermines Iran’s national interests or regional position. As of the time of publication, the US government had not issued an official response to the New York Times report or to the statements attributed to Iranian officials. The details of the alleged proposal have also not been independently verified. Diplomatic efforts involving Iraq, Qatar, Pakistan, and other regional countries are continuing behind the scenes in an attempt to reduce tensions and prevent a wider regional conflict. However, political analysts say deep disagreements between Tehran and Washington continue to limit the prospects for a breakthrough. The reported rejection underscores the significant obstacles facing mediation efforts, particularly as disputes over regional security, sanctions, and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz remain unresolved. With military tensions still high and both sides maintaining firm public positions, observers believe a comprehensive diplomatic solution remains difficult despite ongoing regional mediation initiatives.

GENEVA: The United Nations has called for the immediate evacuation and repatriation of nearly 6,000 sailors stranded in the Strait of Hormuz, warning that the escalating conflict in the Middle East is placing thousands of civilian seafarers in increasing danger. Speaking in Geneva, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, through his spokesperson Shabia Mantoo, urged all parties involved in the conflict to prioritize the safety of commercial shipping crews caught in the crisis. “Parties to the conflict should urgently work to facilitate safe passage for stranded seafarers to safely evacuate and disembark, as well as ensure the delivery of critical supplies,” Mantoo told reporters, highlighting the growing humanitarian concerns in one of the world’s most strategically important waterways. The Strait of Hormuz serves as a vital global shipping route, handling a significant portion of the world’s oil exports. However, escalating military tensions have disrupted maritime traffic, leaving thousands of sailors aboard commercial vessels unable to safely continue their journeys or return home. The UN warned that many crews have remained at sea for extended periods, facing uncertainty over security conditions while access to food, medical assistance, and other essential supplies becomes increasingly challenging. Human rights officials stressed that civilian seafarers should not become casualties of geopolitical conflicts and called on all sides to respect international humanitarian and maritime law by ensuring safe navigation and humanitarian access. Maritime experts say prolonged disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz could have far-reaching consequences beyond the humanitarian crisis, affecting global energy supplies, international trade, and shipping costs. The UN’s appeal comes as diplomatic efforts continue to prevent further escalation in the region. While governments work to ease tensions, the world body has urged immediate action to protect the thousands of sailors still stranded at sea, emphasizing that humanitarian needs must remain a priority regardless of the ongoing conflict.