Category: 2. Middle East

Israel targeted Iran’s air defence capabilities on Saturday, pressing on with a wave of massive attacks it began a day earlier that targeted Iranian nuclear and military facilities, prompting counterattacks by Iran.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz warned that “Tehran will burn” if Iran fires more missiles at Israel.

In a televised address Friday night, Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed to bring Israel “to ruin”.

International calls for restraint are multiplying, as fears…

The Trump administration announced in a court filing Friday that it will not release detained pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil despite a federal judge’s order, Anadolu reports.

On Wednesday, US District Judge Michael Farbiarz issued a preliminary injunction barring the government from deporting or continuing to detain Khalil, 30, based on the determination that his continued presence in the US would pose a risk to foreign policy.

According to Trump…

The Iranian army shot down two Israeli fighter jets involved in Friday’s airstrikes on Iranian territory and has taken an Israeli woman pilot into custody, according to the Iranian Tasnim news agency.

The Iranian army has not officially confirmed the downing of the jets, though Tasnim also reported that a separate Israeli unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) was brought down in the central city of Qom.

In response, Israeli army spokesperson Lt. Col. Avichay Adraee…

Israel targeted Iran’s air defences and missile launchers on Saturday as it pressed its bid to dismantle its arch-foe’s military capabilities, after a night of mutual attacks.

Israel’s massive strikes on Iran, which it calls an existential threat, have hit nuclear and military facilities, killed top commanders and dozens of civilians, and sought to destroy the country’s defence capabilities.

Iran has hit back with volleys of missiles that lit up the night sky over Jerusalem and Tel Aviv,…

Israel’s defence minister warned Saturday that “Tehran will burn” and its residents pay dearly if Iran continues its missile strikes against Israeli civilians.

“The Iranian dictator is turning the citizens of Iran into hostages and bringing about a reality in which they –- especially the residents of Tehran -– will pay a heavy price because of the criminal harm to Israeli civilians,” said Israel Katz.

“If (Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali) Khamenei continues to fire missiles toward the…

Israel on Saturday threatened to strike “every target of the ayatollah regime” in Iran, whose president warned of a severe response if the Israeli attacks continue, fuelling fears of an escalating conflict.

The threats came as the two longtime foes exchanged fire a day after Israel unleashed an unprecedented aerial bombing campaign, which scuppered plans for a new round of Iran-US nuclear talks Sunday.

The Israeli strikes since Friday hit military and nuclear sites in Iran, and according to…

Iranians and Israelis woke to smoke and rubble on Sunday after the arch-rivals expanded their attacks overnight, with Israel striking Tehran’s defence ministry, and Iran unleashing a deadly barrage of missiles.

Air raid sirens and explosions were heard by AFP journalists in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv early Sunday, as Israel’s military said millions of Israelis were “running for shelter” around the country.

Israel’s emergency services said at least eight people, including children, were killed in…

An Afghan man pleaded guilty on Friday to plotting to carry out an attack on US election day on behalf of the Islamic State (IS) group, the Justice Department said.

Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, 27, was arrested in the central US state of Oklahoma in October, several weeks before the November 5 presidential election.

He pleaded guilty in a federal court in Oklahoma City to charges of conspiring to provide material support to IS and attempting to receive firearms and ammunition to carry out an attack.

He…

Pro-Palestinian student protest leader Mahmoud Khalil remained in US detention Friday despite an expected release, his lawyer said, following reported accusations of inaccuracies in his permanent residency application.

US District Judge Michael Fabiarz had issued an order Wednesday that the government could not detain or deport Khalil, a legal permanent resident, based on Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s assertions that his presence on US soil posed a national security threat.

The order gave…

Israel’s firefighting service said its teams were responding to several “major” incidents resulting from an Iranian missile attack, including efforts to rescue people trapped in a high-rise building.

“Firefighting crews are handling several major incidents, mainly in the Dan region” around Tel Aviv, a statement said, adding that “firefighters are working in a high-rise building to rescue trapped individuals and extinguish a fire, as well as responding to two additional destruction sites.”

AFP…