Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's senior adviser, on Saturday (Oct 7), extended support for the attack launched by Hamas on Israel and termed it a "proud operation".

"We support the proud Operation Al-Aqsa Flood," Yahya Rahim Safavi said using the codename for the operation announced by Hamas's armed wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades.

"We support this operation, and we are sure that the resistance front also supports this issue," added Safavi, a Revolutionary Guards general, in comments reported by the ISNA news agency.&nbsp;

He then vowed support for the Palestinian militants "until the liberation of Palestine and Jerusalem".

<h2>Iran's foreign ministry also hails assault</h2>

Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani also congratulated Palestinian extremists and hailed the attack.

"Today's operation marked a new page in the field of resistance and armed operations against the occupiers," he said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/countries-condemn-hamas-surprise-attack-from-gaza-express-solidarity-with-israel-643706">Western countries condemn Hamas' attack, express solidarity with Israel</a>

"The resistance has so far achieved brilliant victories during this operation, and this is a bright spot in the history of the Palestinian people's struggle against the Zionists."

<h2>Pakistan, Afghanistan voice support for Palestine</h2>

Pakistan and Afghanistan also voiced support for Palestine and called for the "cessation of hostilities".

Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement saying, "We call on the international community to come together for cessation of hostilities, protection of civilians and for a lasting peace in the Middle East."

"Pakistan has consistently advocated for a two-state solution as the key to enduring peace in the Middle East, with a just, comprehensive and lasting solution to the Palestinian question anchored in international law and in line with relevant United Nations and OIC resolutions. A viable, sovereign and contiguous State of Palestine should be established on the basis of pre-1967 borders, with Al Quds Al-Sharif as its capital," the statement added.

On the other hand, the Taliban government also hailed the attack by Hamas calling it an "Israeli trampling" on the rights of Palestinians.

The statement from Afghanistan's MFA read, "Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has carefully monitored the recent events in the Gaza Strip and considers the occurrence of such events to be the result of Israeli Zionists trampling on the rights of the oppressed Palestinian people and repeated insults and disrespect to Muslim holy places, and any type of defence and The resistance of the Palestinian people for freedom."

<h2>Qatar holds Israel responsible for the attack</h2>

Qatar held Israel responsible for the violence and called for the international community to take action against Tel Aviv.

The statement read, "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs holds Israel solely responsible for the ongoing escalation due to its ongoing violations of the rights of the Palestinian people, the latest of which was the repeated incursions into Al-Aqsa Mosque under the protection of the Israeli police."

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Statement | Qatar Expresses Concern over the Developments in Gaza Strip and Calls for De-escalation<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MOFAQatar?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MOFAQatar</a> <a href="https://t.co/QtoyaFDnRw">pic.twitter.com/QtoyaFDnRw</a>
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Qatar (@MofaQatar_EN) <a href="https://twitter.com/MofaQatar_EN/status/1710629952830234729?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 7, 2023</a></blockquote>
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"The Ministry stresses the need for the international community to act urgently to compel Israel to stop its flagrant violations of international law, respect the resolutions of international legitimacy and the historical rights of the Palestinian people, and prevent these events from being used as a pretext to ignite a new asymmetric war against Palestinian civilians in Gaza," the statement further read.

(With inputs from agencies) 
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Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's senior adviser, on Saturday (Oct 7), extended support for the attack launched by Hamas on Israel and termed it a "proud operation".

Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's senior adviser, on Saturday (Oct 7), extended support for the attack launched by Hamas on Israel and termed it a "proud operation". "We support the proud Operation Al-Aqsa Flood," Yahya Rahim Safavi said using the codename for the operation announced by Hamas's armed wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades. "We support this operation, and we are sure that the resistance front also supports this issue," added Safavi, a Revolutionary Guards general, in comments reported by the ISNA news agency. He then vowed support for the Palestinian militants "until the liberation of Palestine and Jerusalem". Iran's foreign ministry also hails assault Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani also congratulated Palestinian extremists and hailed the attack. "Today's operation marked a new page in the field of resistance and armed operations against the occupiers," he said. Also read: Western countries condemn Hamas' attack, express solidarity with Israel "The resistance has so far achieved brilliant victories during this operation, and this is a bright spot in the history of the Palestinian people's struggle against the Zionists." Pakistan, Afghanistan voice support for Palestine Pakistan and Afghanistan also voiced support for Palestine and called for the "cessation of hostilities". Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement saying, "We call on the international community to come together for cessation of hostilities, protection of civilians and for a lasting peace in the Middle East." "Pakistan has consistently advocated for a two-state solution as the key to enduring peace in the Middle East, with a just, comprehensive and lasting solution to the Palestinian question anchored in international law and in line with relevant United Nations and OIC resolutions. A viable, sovereign and contiguous State of Palestine should be established on the basis of pre-1967 borders, with Al Quds Al-Sharif as its capital," the statement added. On the other hand, the Taliban government also hailed the attack by Hamas calling it an "Israeli trampling" on the rights of Palestinians. The statement from Afghanistan's MFA read, "Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has carefully monitored the recent events in the Gaza Strip and considers the occurrence of such events to be the result of Israeli Zionists trampling on the rights of the oppressed Palestinian people and repeated insults and disrespect to Muslim holy places, and any type of defence and The resistance of the Palestinian people for freedom." Qatar holds Israel responsible for the attack Qatar held Israel responsible for the violence and called for the international community to take action against Tel Aviv. The statement read, "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs holds Israel solely responsible for the ongoing escalation due to its ongoing violations of the rights of the Palestinian people, the latest of which was the repeated incursions into Al-Aqsa Mosque under the protection of the Israeli police." Statement | Qatar Expresses Concern over the Developments in Gaza Strip and Calls for De-escalation#MOFAQatar pic.twitter.com/QtoyaFDnRw — Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Qatar (@MofaQatar_EN) October 7, 2023 × "The Ministry stresses the need for the international community to act urgently to compel Israel to stop its flagrant violations of international law, respect the resolutions of international legitimacy and the historical rights of the Palestinian people, and prevent these events from being used as a pretext to ignite a new asymmetric war against Palestinian civilians in Gaza," the statement further read. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

'Proud operation': Iranian officials support deadly attack by Hamas on Israel

In pics | Nobel Peace Prize: Five Laureates who were in jail when they won

Iran, on Thursday (Oct 5), detained the mother of a teenager who after an alleged assault by morality police in the Tehran metro, slipped into a coma, said a rights group.

The Kurdish-focused rights group, Hengaw claimed that Armita Garawand's mother Shahin Ahmadi was arrested by the security forces near the hospital where her daughter had been rushed to after the incident.

Iranian authorities have denied the reports by Hengaw.

State news agency IRNA reported that the judiciary denied any arrest having taken place. It said that unidentified enemies were spreading rumours about Garawand's "loss of consciousness" for their own gain, without elaborating.

16-year-old Armita Garawand was injured on Sunday following an altercation with officers for not wearing the hijab.

<h2>Iran authorities urged to release CCTV footage</h2>

The opposition figures in Iran have been asked to release the complete footage of the incident that took place on Sunday (Oct 1).&nbsp;

The Tehran Metro Operating Company told state news agency IRNA that CCTV footage showed no sign of verbal or physical conflict between passengers or company employees.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-slams-western-hegemony-and-warns-over-nuclear-testing-says-mission-is-to-create-new-world-643050">Putin slams Western 'hegemony', warns of Russia resuming nuclear testing</a>

CCTV footage shared by IRNA, the veracity of which cannot be independently verified by WION, showed Garawand walking towards a train from a metro platform, not wearing a hijab. After entering the cabin, one of the girls is seen backing off immediately while another girl is dragged unconscious from the cabin by passengers.

Garawand's mother and father appeared in a video posted on IRNA on Wednesday saying that their daughter had suffered a drop in blood pressure, lost her balance, and hit her head inside the metro cabin.

<h2>Rights groups fear Garawand might face same fate as Mahsa Amini</h2>

The incident occurred just a year after the death of Mahsa Amini, who was arrested for allegedly violating the strict dress code designated for women in the Middle Eastern country.

Amini's death triggered months of protests that challenged Iran's clerical leadership but were eventually suppressed through a crackdown that resulted in numerous arrests and fatalities.

Hengaw (a Norway-based Kurdish human rights NGO) claims that Garawand sustained severe injuries after being apprehended and physically assaulted by agents of the so-called morality police at the Shohada metro station in Tehran.

The organisation has released an image purportedly of Garawand in her hospital bed, showing extensive bandages around her head and neck, with a feeding tube attached.

(With inputs from agencies) 
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Iran, on Thursday (Oct 5), detained the mother of a teenager who after an alleged assault by morality police in the Tehran metro, slipped into a coma, said a rights group.

Iran, on Thursday (Oct 5), detained the mother of a teenager who after an alleged assault by morality police in the Tehran metro, slipped into a coma, said a rights group. The Kurdish-focused rights group, Hengaw claimed that Armita Garawand's mother Shahin Ahmadi was arrested by the security forces near the hospital where her daughter had been rushed to after the incident. Iranian authorities have denied the reports by Hengaw. State news agency IRNA reported that the judiciary denied any arrest having taken place. It said that unidentified enemies were spreading rumours about Garawand's "loss of consciousness" for their own gain, without elaborating. 16-year-old Armita Garawand was injured on Sunday following an altercation with officers for not wearing the hijab. Iran authorities urged to release CCTV footage The opposition figures in Iran have been asked to release the complete footage of the incident that took place on Sunday (Oct 1). The Tehran Metro Operating Company told state news agency IRNA that CCTV footage showed no sign of verbal or physical conflict between passengers or company employees. Also read: Putin slams Western 'hegemony', warns of Russia resuming nuclear testing CCTV footage shared by IRNA, the veracity of which cannot be independently verified by WION, showed Garawand walking towards a train from a metro platform, not wearing a hijab. After entering the cabin, one of the girls is seen backing off immediately while another girl is dragged unconscious from the cabin by passengers. Garawand's mother and father appeared in a video posted on IRNA on Wednesday saying that their daughter had suffered a drop in blood pressure, lost her balance, and hit her head inside the metro cabin. Rights groups fear Garawand might face same fate as Mahsa Amini The incident occurred just a year after the death of Mahsa Amini, who was arrested for allegedly violating the strict dress code designated for women in the Middle Eastern country. Amini's death triggered months of protests that challenged Iran's clerical leadership but were eventually suppressed through a crackdown that resulted in numerous arrests and fatalities. Hengaw (a Norway-based Kurdish human rights NGO) claims that Garawand sustained severe injuries after being apprehended and physically assaulted by agents of the so-called morality police at the Shohada metro station in Tehran. The organisation has released an image purportedly of Garawand in her hospital bed, showing extensive bandages around her head and neck, with a feeding tube attached. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Iran detains mother of 16-year-old who fell into coma after alleged assault by morality police

It seems that Iran-Saudi ties have been put on the back burner. A highly speculated football match, which indicated geopolitical relations were on the mend, has been cancelled. What happened at the last minute? And is this a sign of things to come?

Iran's football match with Saudi Arabia sees last-minute cancellation

This week on The West Asia Post, +A graduation ceremony in Syria's military institute took a deadly turn. +Turkiye seeks retribution for a ghastly explosion in its capital. +A year after Mahsa Amini's death, Iran's morality police strikes again. This time a 16-year-old is battling for her life. +Saudi-Iran tensions spill-over to sports. +Education takes a hit amid Lebanon's economic crisis, forces children to work.

The West Asia Post: A graduation ceremony in Syria's military institute took a deadly turn

The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Iran's imprisoned women's rights activist Narges Mohammadi on Friday, which was a blow to Tehran's theocratic leaders and a plus for demonstrators against the government.

Jailed Iranian women's rights activist Narges Mohammadi wins Nobel Peace Prize

Iran has threatened to use their drone technology against Israel and has aided Russia’s war effort in Ukraine by providing drones to the Russian army.

Iran unveils newly-developed 'Kaman-19' drone

The United States military said on Wednesday (Oct 4) that more than one million rounds of Iranian ammunition, that had been seized last year, was sent to Ukraine. US Navy has seized the weapons suspected to come from Iran for years, intended for Iran-backed Houthi fighters in Yemen, generally via fishing vessels.&nbsp;

After this move, the nation could send more seized military gear to Ukraine at a time when Washington's ability to continue arming Kyiv has been questioned.&nbsp;

The military's Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on Wednesday that "the US government transferred approximately 1.1 million 7.62mm rounds to the Ukrainian armed forces" on Monday.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/attention-everyone-russia-tests-public-warning-system-amid-the-war-in-ukraine-642542">Attention everyone! Russia tests public warning system amid the war in Ukraine</a>&nbsp;

The statement said, "The government obtained ownership of these munitions on July 20, 2023, through the Department of Justice's civil forfeiture claims against Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)."&nbsp;

On Tuesday, the Pentagon said that the US can continue meeting Ukraine's military needs for a "little bit longer" with assistance that has already been authorised. However, it mentioned that congressional action is required for aid to continue in the longer term.&nbsp;

The bullets were originally seized by US naval forces in December 2022 and being transferred from Iran's Revolutionary Guards to Houthi forces in Yemen.&nbsp;

"The U.S. is committed to working with our allies and partners to counter the flow of Iranian lethal aid in the region by all lawful means including U.S. and U.N. sanctions and through interdictions," said the Central Command statement, which is responsible for military operations in the Middle East.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-may-order-test-of-burevestnik-flying-chernobyl-nuke-on-his-birthday-642326">Putin's birthday plans include the 'doomsday' 'flying Chernobyl' nuclear missile</a>&nbsp;

Watch: Ex-speaker Nancy Pelosi vacates Capitol office

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<h2>Russia-Ukraine war latest&nbsp;</h2>

A source in the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) told the news agency Reuters on Wednesday that Ukraine carried out a drone attack on the western Russian region of Belgorod overnight and hit an S-400 air defence complex and its radar.&nbsp;

Russia's defence ministry said earlier on Wednesday that it had downed 31 drones launched by Kyiv overnight over the regions of Belgorod, Bryansk and Kursk, but reported no casualties or damage. The two accounts could not be independently verified.&nbsp;

Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on Ukraine-Russia war on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos

(With inputs from agencies)

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The United States military said on Wednesday (Oct 4) that more than one million rounds of Iranian ammunition, that had been seized last year, was sent to Ukraine.

The United States military said on Wednesday (Oct 4) that more than one million rounds of Iranian ammunition, that had been seized last year, was sent to Ukraine. US Navy has seized the weapons suspected to come from Iran for years, intended for Iran-backed Houthi fighters in Yemen, generally via fishing vessels. After this move, the nation could send more seized military gear to Ukraine at a time when Washington's ability to continue arming Kyiv has been questioned. The military's Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on Wednesday that "the US government transferred approximately 1.1 million 7.62mm rounds to the Ukrainian armed forces" on Monday. Also read: Attention everyone! Russia tests public warning system amid the war in Ukraine The statement said, "The government obtained ownership of these munitions on July 20, 2023, through the Department of Justice's civil forfeiture claims against Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)." On Tuesday, the Pentagon said that the US can continue meeting Ukraine's military needs for a "little bit longer" with assistance that has already been authorised. However, it mentioned that congressional action is required for aid to continue in the longer term. The bullets were originally seized by US naval forces in December 2022 and being transferred from Iran's Revolutionary Guards to Houthi forces in Yemen. "The U.S. is committed to working with our allies and partners to counter the flow of Iranian lethal aid in the region by all lawful means including U.S. and U.N. sanctions and through interdictions," said the Central Command statement, which is responsible for military operations in the Middle East. Also read: Putin's birthday plans include the 'doomsday' 'flying Chernobyl' nuclear missile Watch: Ex-speaker Nancy Pelosi vacates Capitol office × Russia-Ukraine war latest A source in the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) told the news agency Reuters on Wednesday that Ukraine carried out a drone attack on the western Russian region of Belgorod overnight and hit an S-400 air defence complex and its radar. Russia's defence ministry said earlier on Wednesday that it had downed 31 drones launched by Kyiv overnight over the regions of Belgorod, Bryansk and Kursk, but reported no casualties or damage. The two accounts could not be independently verified. Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on Ukraine-Russia war on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Russia-Ukraine war: US sends over a million rounds of seized Iranian ammunition to Kyiv

A young woman, Armita Garawand, has been hospitalised in Iran after she collapsed. A rights group says she was beaten into a coma by Iran’s morality police. Priyanka Sharma tells you what happened.

Gravitas: Another Mahsa Amini?

An Iranian teenage girl has been left in a coma & is being treated in a hospital under heavy security after an assault on the Tehran subway. As per the Kurdish-focussed rights group Hengaw, Ermita Garawand, aged 16, was left with severe injuries after being apprehended & physically attacked by agents of the so-called morality police at Shohada metro station. The rights group stated the girl was being treated under tight security at Tehran's Fajr Hospital & there are currently no visits allowed for the victim, not even from her family. The rights group added her parents gave an interview to Iranian state media at the hospital but in the presence of high-ranking security officers & under considerable pressure. The claims have been denied by Iranian authorities, who say the girl fainted due to low blood pressure; and there was no involvement of security forces. Iranian authorities remain on high alert for any upsurge of social tension just over a year after the death in custody of Mahsa Amini.

Iran's notorious morality police: Teen girl in coma a year after Mahsa Amini's death | Details

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's supreme leader, said that countries that are seeking to normalise ties with Israel "are betting on a losing horse", state media reported on Tuesday. Though Khamenei did not name any specific country, his words have come just when it is expected that Israel might normalise ties with Saudi Arabia, the regional rival of Iran.

"The definite position of the Islamic Republic is that countries that make the gamble of normalisation with Israel will lose. They are betting on a losing horse," Khamenei said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shot back at Khamenei's remarks and said that Iranian efforts to stop countries in the region from establishing ties with Israel will fail. He cited agreements Israel signed with Arab nations in 2020.

"Just as Iran hasn't prevented us from achieving the Abraham Accords, Iran will also not prevent us from expanding the circle of peace for the benefit of the citizens of Israel, the people of the region and all of humanity."

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said in an interview recently that a deal on relations with Israel was getting closer by the day and that Netanyahu and US President Joe Biden held a long-awaited meeting on the matter.

Last month, the Israeli foreign minister said that a framework US-brokered deal for ties between Israel and Saudi Arabia may be in place by next year.

If ties between Israel and Saudi Arabia normalise, it will result in a dramatic change in West Asia as it will bring both countries together along with the US with which both have strong ties. This may put Iran in an interesting position.

Four Arab states have formalised ties with Israel in pacts known as the Abraham Accords -- the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's supreme leader, said that countries that are seeking to normalise ties with Israel "are betting on a losing horse", state media reported on Tuesday.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's supreme leader, said that countries that are seeking to normalise ties with Israel "are betting on a losing horse", state media reported on Tuesday. Though Khamenei did not name any specific country, his words have come just when it is expected that Israel might normalise ties with Saudi Arabia, the regional rival of Iran. "The definite position of the Islamic Republic is that countries that make the gamble of normalisation with Israel will lose. They are betting on a losing horse," Khamenei said. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shot back at Khamenei's remarks and said that Iranian efforts to stop countries in the region from establishing ties with Israel will fail. He cited agreements Israel signed with Arab nations in 2020. "Just as Iran hasn't prevented us from achieving the Abraham Accords, Iran will also not prevent us from expanding the circle of peace for the benefit of the citizens of Israel, the people of the region and all of humanity." Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said in an interview recently that a deal on relations with Israel was getting closer by the day and that Netanyahu and US President Joe Biden held a long-awaited meeting on the matter. Last month, the Israeli foreign minister said that a framework US-brokered deal for ties between Israel and Saudi Arabia may be in place by next year. If ties between Israel and Saudi Arabia normalise, it will result in a dramatic change in West Asia as it will bring both countries together along with the US with which both have strong ties. This may put Iran in an interesting position. Four Arab states have formalised ties with Israel in pacts known as the Abraham Accords -- the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Iran's Khamenei terms normalisation with Israel a 'losing' bet: State media

Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said in a US television interview that his country was moving steadily closer to normalizing relations with Israel and also warned that if Iran gets a nuclear weapon, “we have to get one.”

Iran's supreme leader issues warning to Saudi for normalising ties with Israel

A 16-year-old Iranian girl named Armita Garawand has fallen into a coma and is receiving medical treatment in a heavily secured hospital following an altercation in the Tehran metro&nbsp;on Sunday (Oct 1).&nbsp;This incident has stirred outrage and allegations against the notorious morality police in the Islamic Republic.

The Kurdish-focused rights group, Hengaw, has accused female police officers of causing severe injuries to Armita Garawand during an encounter on the Tehran metro.

However, Iranian authorities have denied these allegations, saying that the girl fainted due to low blood pressure and that there was no involvement of security forces.

<h2>Tensions and&nbsp;memory of Mahsa Amini</h2>

This incident occurred amidst heightened social tensions in Iran, just over a year after the death of Mahsa Amini, who was arrested for allegedly violating strict dress rules for women.

Amini's death triggered months of protests that challenged Iran's clerical leadership but were eventually suppressed through a crackdown that resulted in numerous arrests and fatalities.

Hengaw (a Norway-based Kurdish human rights NGO) claims that Garawand sustained severe injuries after being apprehended and physically assaulted by agents of the so-called morality police at the Shohada metro station in Tehran.

She is currently receiving treatment under strict security measures at Tehran's Fajr Hospital, with no visitation rights, even from her family.

The organisation has released an image purportedly of Garawand in her hospital bed, showing extensive bandages around her head and neck, with a feeding tube attached.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/why-karim-benzemas-al-ittihad-refused-to-play-against-iranian-team-in-asian-champions-league-642115">Why Karim Benzema's Al-Ittihad refused to play against Iranian team in Asian Champions League</a>

Garawand's parents gave&nbsp;an interview to Iranian state media at the hospital but did so under the watchful eye of high-ranking security officers and substantial pressure, according to Hengaw, reported AFP.

Maryam Lotfi, a journalist from the Shargh Daily newspaper, attempted to visit the hospital after the incident but was promptly detained, though she was eventually released.

Also watch |&nbsp;Iran-US prisoner swap: Prisoner from both sides to transit through Qatar

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Masood Dorosti, managing director of the Tehran subway system, refuted allegations of any verbal or physical conflict between the student and passengers or metro executives. He stated that rumours about a confrontation with metro agents were false, citing CCTV footage.

One year after Amini's death, Iranian authorities have intensified efforts to enforce strict dress rules for women, including the mandatory hijab. The Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI) has reported increased violence, arbitrary arrests, and heightened discrimination against women and girls as a result of the reactivation of forced-veiling police patrols.

(With inputs from agencies)

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A 16-year-old Iranian girl named Armita Garawand has fallen into a coma and is receiving medical treatment in a heavily secured hospital following an altercation in the Tehran metro on Sunday (Oct 1).

A 16-year-old Iranian girl named Armita Garawand has fallen into a coma and is receiving medical treatment in a heavily secured hospital following an altercation in the Tehran metro on Sunday (Oct 1). This incident has stirred outrage and allegations against the notorious morality police in the Islamic Republic. The Kurdish-focused rights group, Hengaw, has accused female police officers of causing severe injuries to Armita Garawand during an encounter on the Tehran metro. However, Iranian authorities have denied these allegations, saying that the girl fainted due to low blood pressure and that there was no involvement of security forces. Tensions and memory of Mahsa Amini This incident occurred amidst heightened social tensions in Iran, just over a year after the death of Mahsa Amini, who was arrested for allegedly violating strict dress rules for women. Amini's death triggered months of protests that challenged Iran's clerical leadership but were eventually suppressed through a crackdown that resulted in numerous arrests and fatalities. Hengaw (a Norway-based Kurdish human rights NGO) claims that Garawand sustained severe injuries after being apprehended and physically assaulted by agents of the so-called morality police at the Shohada metro station in Tehran. She is currently receiving treatment under strict security measures at Tehran's Fajr Hospital, with no visitation rights, even from her family. The organisation has released an image purportedly of Garawand in her hospital bed, showing extensive bandages around her head and neck, with a feeding tube attached. Also read | Why Karim Benzema's Al-Ittihad refused to play against Iranian team in Asian Champions League Garawand's parents gave an interview to Iranian state media at the hospital but did so under the watchful eye of high-ranking security officers and substantial pressure, according to Hengaw, reported AFP. Maryam Lotfi, a journalist from the Shargh Daily newspaper, attempted to visit the hospital after the incident but was promptly detained, though she was eventually released. Also watch | Iran-US prisoner swap: Prisoner from both sides to transit through Qatar Masood Dorosti, managing director of the Tehran subway system, refuted allegations of any verbal or physical conflict between the student and passengers or metro executives. He stated that rumours about a confrontation with metro agents were false, citing CCTV footage. One year after Amini's death, Iranian authorities have intensified efforts to enforce strict dress rules for women, including the mandatory hijab. The Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI) has reported increased violence, arbitrary arrests, and heightened discrimination against women and girls as a result of the reactivation of forced-veiling police patrols. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Iran hijab row again: 16-year-old slips into coma after alleged assault by morality police

Defying the Taliban’s restrictions, the Afghanistan women’s volleyball team on Wednesday went through their paces during a rigorous training session – dressed in lycra leggings and shirts sporting the traditional colors of red, black, and green, the colors of the former government’s flag.

Iran's sports infrastructure provides safe haven for Afghan women

Iran's Revolutionary Guards carried out a successful launch of a third military satellite on Wednesday (September 27), country's state media repoted citing Minister of Communications Issa Zarepour.

The state media report said that Noor 3 imaging satellite was orbiting at an altitude of 450 kilometres (280 miles) above Earth's surface. It was launched using three-stage Qased or messenger carrier. The satellite's predecessor Noor 2 was launched in 2022 in the same manner.

The US military has said that the long-range ballistic technology used by Iran to launch satellites may also enable it to launch long-range weapons, possibly even nuclear warheads.

Iran denies the US assertion that activities like satellite launch is a cover for development of ballistic missiles and maintains that it has never pursued development of nuclear weapons.

Iran has one of the biggest missile programmes in West Asia. The country has suffered several failed attempts to launch satellites due to technical issues.

US slapped fresh Iran-related sanctions on September 19. The sanctions targetted multiple people and also entities in Iran, Russia, China and Turkey over connections with Iran's drone and military aircraft development.

It had previously imposed sanctions on Iran's civilian space agency and two research organisations in 2019, saying they were being used to advance Tehran's ballistic missile program.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Iran's Revolutionary Guards carried out a successful launch of a third military satellite on Wednesday (September 27), country's state media repoted citing Minister of Communications Issa Zarepour.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards carried out a successful launch of a third military satellite on Wednesday (September 27), country's state media repoted citing Minister of Communications Issa Zarepour. The state media report said that Noor 3 imaging satellite was orbiting at an altitude of 450 kilometres (280 miles) above Earth's surface. It was launched using three-stage Qased or messenger carrier. The satellite's predecessor Noor 2 was launched in 2022 in the same manner. The US military has said that the long-range ballistic technology used by Iran to launch satellites may also enable it to launch long-range weapons, possibly even nuclear warheads. Iran denies the US assertion that activities like satellite launch is a cover for development of ballistic missiles and maintains that it has never pursued development of nuclear weapons. Iran has one of the biggest missile programmes in West Asia. The country has suffered several failed attempts to launch satellites due to technical issues. US slapped fresh Iran-related sanctions on September 19. The sanctions targetted multiple people and also entities in Iran, Russia, China and Turkey over connections with Iran's drone and military aircraft development. It had previously imposed sanctions on Iran's civilian space agency and two research organisations in 2019, saying they were being used to advance Tehran's ballistic missile program. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Iran successfully launches new military satellite into orbit, says state media

Israel arrested five Palestinians in a plot allegedly hatched in Iran to target and spy on senior Israeli politicians. Shin Bet the country's internal security agency stated the targets included Israel's far-right national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.

Shin Bet: Iranian officials in Jordan allegedly orchestrated the plot

Israel arrested five Palestinians in a plot allegedly hatched in Iran to target and spy on senior Israeli politicians. Shin Bet - the country’s internal security agency - stated the targets included Israel’s far-right national security minister, Ben-Gvir. As per officers, an Iranian security official living in neighbouring Jordan had recruited three Palestinian men in West Bank and another two Palestinian citizens of Israel. They were tasked to gather intelligence about several high-profile Israeli politicians.

Israel says Iranian plot to target and spy on senior politicians foiled | Details

An Iranian court has sentenced to death four people for their involvement in selling contaminated bootleg liquor that killed 17 and sent hundreds to hospitals in June, reported news agency AFP.&nbsp;

As many as 11 defendants had been put on trial over the&nbsp;distribution of toxic liquor in Alborz province, west of Tehran.&nbsp;

Judiciary spokesman Massoud Setayeshi said that&nbsp;four of them were given the death penalty while the remaining received prison sentences of between one to five years.&nbsp;

All of them can appeal&nbsp;to the Supreme Court, added Setayeshi.&nbsp;

While 17 were killed drinking the liquor, 191 were left blinded or hospitalised, leading to nationwide condemnation against the perpetrators.&nbsp;

Although&nbsp;most of those hospitalised had been discharged, many had to undergo dialysis and other critical lifesaving procedures, according to Hossein Fazli Harikandi, chief justice of Alborz province.

The authorities at the time raided a cosmetic factory where they seized more than&nbsp;6,000 litres (1,585 gallons) of bootleg alcohol.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/health-and-wellness/no-amount-of-alcohol-intake-safe-risk-of-cancer-even-at-low-consumption-warns-who-552275">Also read |&nbsp;No amount of alcohol intake ‘safe’, even low consumption has risk of cancer, warns WHO</a>

<h2>Sale of liquor is banned</h2>

The sale and consumption of alcohol is banned in Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Only Christians, Jews and Zoroastrians are exempt from the alcohol ban. Foreigners are required to respect it.

Alcohol is considered 'haram' in Islam and most Muslim nations have strict rules regarding it.

However, the prohibition in Iran has led to a huge illicit trade of bootleg alcohol with alcohol mafias controlling the underworld market.

Often such bootleg alcohol is adulterated with poisonous methanol.&nbsp;

Methanol cannot be smelled or tasted in drinks. It causes delayed organ and brain damage. Symptoms include chest pain, nausea, hyperventilation, blindness and even coma.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/iran-alcohol-wrongly-touted-as-covid-19-cure-killed-480-289052">Watch |&nbsp;Iran: Alcohol wrongly touted as COVID-19 cure, hundreds killed</a>

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Iran's forensics institute said in March that the country had witnessed a 30 per cent increase in the number of deaths due to drinking bootleg liquor over the last 12-month period.

As many as 644 people lost their lives in 2022 due to alcohol poisoning,&nbsp;

At the beginning of the Covid pandemic in 2020, more than 700 people lost their lives after&nbsp;ingesting&nbsp;toxic methanol, erroneously&nbsp;thinking it could cure them.

(With inputs from agencies)

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An Iranian court has sentenced to death four people for their involvement in selling contaminated bootleg liquor that killed 17 and sent hundreds to hospitals in June, reported news agency AFP.

An Iranian court has sentenced to death four people for their involvement in selling contaminated bootleg liquor that killed 17 and sent hundreds to hospitals in June, reported news agency AFP. As many as 11 defendants had been put on trial over the distribution of toxic liquor in Alborz province, west of Tehran. Judiciary spokesman Massoud Setayeshi said that four of them were given the death penalty while the remaining received prison sentences of between one to five years. All of them can appeal to the Supreme Court, added Setayeshi. While 17 were killed drinking the liquor, 191 were left blinded or hospitalised, leading to nationwide condemnation against the perpetrators. Although most of those hospitalised had been discharged, many had to undergo dialysis and other critical lifesaving procedures, according to Hossein Fazli Harikandi, chief justice of Alborz province. The authorities at the time raided a cosmetic factory where they seized more than 6,000 litres (1,585 gallons) of bootleg alcohol. Also read | No amount of alcohol intake ‘safe’, even low consumption has risk of cancer, warns WHO Sale of liquor is banned The sale and consumption of alcohol is banned in Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Only Christians, Jews and Zoroastrians are exempt from the alcohol ban. Foreigners are required to respect it. Alcohol is considered 'haram' in Islam and most Muslim nations have strict rules regarding it. However, the prohibition in Iran has led to a huge illicit trade of bootleg alcohol with alcohol mafias controlling the underworld market. Often such bootleg alcohol is adulterated with poisonous methanol. Methanol cannot be smelled or tasted in drinks. It causes delayed organ and brain damage. Symptoms include chest pain, nausea, hyperventilation, blindness and even coma. Watch | Iran: Alcohol wrongly touted as COVID-19 cure, hundreds killed × Iran's forensics institute said in March that the country had witnessed a 30 per cent increase in the number of deaths due to drinking bootleg liquor over the last 12-month period. As many as 644 people lost their lives in 2022 due to alcohol poisoning, At the beginning of the Covid pandemic in 2020, more than 700 people lost their lives after ingesting toxic methanol, erroneously thinking it could cure them. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Iran: 4 people handed death penalty over bootleg alcohol that killed 17

In Pics | Iran claims development of drone that can land on water

Authorities in Iran released a statement claiming that they had neutralised 30 explosives that were meant to go off simultaneously in Tehran and also detained 28 terrorists that had connections with the terror group Islamic State and were involved in the terror plot, Iran's Tasnim news agency reported on Sunday (September 24), citing the intelligence ministry.

"Some of the members are of Islamic State (IS) and the perpetrators have a history of being affiliated with Takfiri groups in Syria, Afghanistan, Pakistan and the Kurdistan region of Iraq," Iran's intelligence ministry added in a statement.

The militant group has claimed several attacks that have taken place in Iran in the past, including the deadly twin bombings, that targeted Iran's parliament and the tomb of the Islamic Republic's founder, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in the year 2017.

Last year, in October, the Islamic State took responsibility for a mass shooting incident that took place at a Shiite Muslim shrine in Iran’s central city of Shiraz, leaving 13 people dead and 30 wounded.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explained-mass-exodus-underway-karabakhs-120000-armenians-to-leave-amid-fears-of-ethnic-cleansing-639178">Explained: Karabakh’s 120,000 Armenians to leave amid fears</a>

According to the judiciary’s Mizan Online news website, the two men involved in the attack, identified as Mohammad Ramez Rashidi and Naeem Hashem Qatali, were hanged in public.&nbsp;

Mizan said that Rashidi had confessed to having collaborated with IS to carry out the shooting in October. While the nationalities of the two men were not revealed, officials had previously said the attack involved people from other countries including neighbouring Afghanistan.&nbsp;

The Mizan also reported they had been convicted of “corruption on earth, armed rebellion and acting against national security” as well as “conspiracy against the security of the country,” reported AFP.&nbsp;

The duo was hanged at dawn on July 8 on a street near the shrine in Shiraz, reported IRNA, at the time. Meanwhile, three other defendants in the case were sentenced to prison for five, 15 and 25 years for being members of the extremist group IS, said Fars Chief Justice Kazem Moussavi, as per AFP.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

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Authorities in Iran released a statement claiming that they had neutralised 30 explosives that were meant to go off simultaneously in Tehran and also detained 28 terrorists that had connections with the terror group Islamic State and were involved in the terror plot, Iran's Tasnim news agency reported on Sunday (September 24), citing the intelligence ministry.

Authorities in Iran released a statement claiming that they had neutralised 30 explosives that were meant to go off simultaneously in Tehran and also detained 28 terrorists that had connections with the terror group Islamic State and were involved in the terror plot, Iran's Tasnim news agency reported on Sunday (September 24), citing the intelligence ministry. "Some of the members are of Islamic State (IS) and the perpetrators have a history of being affiliated with Takfiri groups in Syria, Afghanistan, Pakistan and the Kurdistan region of Iraq," Iran's intelligence ministry added in a statement. The militant group has claimed several attacks that have taken place in Iran in the past, including the deadly twin bombings, that targeted Iran's parliament and the tomb of the Islamic Republic's founder, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in the year 2017. Last year, in October, the Islamic State took responsibility for a mass shooting incident that took place at a Shiite Muslim shrine in Iran’s central city of Shiraz, leaving 13 people dead and 30 wounded. Also read: Explained: Karabakh’s 120,000 Armenians to leave amid fears According to the judiciary’s Mizan Online news website, the two men involved in the attack, identified as Mohammad Ramez Rashidi and Naeem Hashem Qatali, were hanged in public. Mizan said that Rashidi had confessed to having collaborated with IS to carry out the shooting in October. While the nationalities of the two men were not revealed, officials had previously said the attack involved people from other countries including neighbouring Afghanistan. The Mizan also reported they had been convicted of “corruption on earth, armed rebellion and acting against national security” as well as “conspiracy against the security of the country,” reported AFP. The duo was hanged at dawn on July 8 on a street near the shrine in Shiraz, reported IRNA, at the time. Meanwhile, three other defendants in the case were sentenced to prison for five, 15 and 25 years for being members of the extremist group IS, said Fars Chief Justice Kazem Moussavi, as per AFP. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Iran foils terror plot, defuses 30 bombs in Tehran, arrests 28 terrorists

China has offered to help the war-torn nation of Syria with Chinese President Xi Jinping and the Syrian President announcing the formation of a strategic partnership.

Syria's efforts to boost commercial ties

Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said in a U.S. television interview that his country was moving steadily closer to normalizing relations with Israel and also warned that if Iran gets a nuclear weapon, “we have to get one.”

Saudi Crown Prince MBS says ties with Israel getting ‘closer’

Saudi-Israel deal brokered by US could push influence against Iran

Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) said the kingdom will obtain a nuclear weapon if its rival Iran does so first, in a wide-ranging interview with Fox News on Wednesday (September 20), wherein he touched upon the normalisation of ties with Israel as well.&nbsp;

"If they (Iran) get&nbsp;one (nuclear weapon), we have to get one," MBS could be heard saying in one of the video&nbsp;clips of the interview.&nbsp;

Speaking about the threats associated, MBS said the kingdom is&nbsp;“concerned” whenever any country acquires a nuclear weapon. However, he suggests that no one would use a nuclear weapon because this would mean starting a “war with the rest of the world”.

"Any country use a nuclear weapon that means they are having a war with the rest of the world. The world cannot see another Hiroshima. If the world sees 100,000 people dead that mean you are in a war with the rest of the world," said MBS.&nbsp;

Ever since former US president Donald Trump reneged on the 2015 Iran nuclear deal and the Joe Biden administration refused to get back to it, Tehran has sped up its nuclear advances - threatening the stability of the region.&nbsp;

Notably, it was in 2016 that Saudi Arabia, the world's biggest oil exporter, announced its plan to build 16 nuclear reactors over the next two decades with a budget of $80 billion.&nbsp;

Two years later, the kingdom approved its national atomic energy policy which limits the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.&nbsp;

However, some experts believe that Riyadh is trying to hedge its bets as arch-rival Iran continues to make waves with its nuclear weapons programme.&nbsp;

Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud last year made statements, echoing the crown prince's version,&nbsp;saying the kingdom will take steps to shore up its security if Tehran gets an 'operational nuclear weapon'.

"If Iran gets an operational nuclear weapon, all bets are off. We are in a very dangerous space in the region...you can expect that regional states will certainly look towards how they can ensure their own security."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/if-iran-gets-an-operational-nuclear-weapon-all-bets-are-off-says-saudi-foreign-minister-542163">Watch |&nbsp;'If Iran gets an operational nuclear weapon, all bets are off', says Saudi foreign minister</a>

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<h2>Every day we get closer: MBS on normalisation of ties with Israel</h2>

In another part of the interview, MBS touched upon the peace deal with Israel and said progress was being made to realise normalisation in the ties.&nbsp;

“Every day we get closer, it seems it's for the first time real one serious. We get to see how it goes," said MBS, adding that the Palestinian issue in the context of normalisation with Israel remained significant.&nbsp;

“For us, the Palestinian issue is very important. We need to solve that part. We got to see where we go. We hope that will reach a place, that it will ease the life of the Palestinians, get Israel as a player in the Middle East,” he added.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-and-netanyahu-hold-talks-pledge-to-normalize-israeli-saudi-ties-638024">Also read |&nbsp;Biden and Netanyahu hold talks, pledge to normalise Israeli-Saudi ties</a>

The statement by the crown prince came hours after&nbsp;United States President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met on the sidelines of the UNGA and vowed to forge a historic peace deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) said the kingdom will obtain a nuclear weapon if its rival Iran does so first, in a wide-ranging interview with Fox News on Wednesday (September 20), wherein he touched upon the normalisation of ties with Israel as well.

Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) said the kingdom will obtain a nuclear weapon if its rival Iran does so first, in a wide-ranging interview with Fox News on Wednesday (September 20), wherein he touched upon the normalisation of ties with Israel as well. "If they (Iran) get one (nuclear weapon), we have to get one," MBS could be heard saying in one of the video clips of the interview. Speaking about the threats associated, MBS said the kingdom is “concerned” whenever any country acquires a nuclear weapon. However, he suggests that no one would use a nuclear weapon because this would mean starting a “war with the rest of the world”. "Any country use a nuclear weapon that means they are having a war with the rest of the world. The world cannot see another Hiroshima. If the world sees 100,000 people dead that mean you are in a war with the rest of the world," said MBS. Ever since former US president Donald Trump reneged on the 2015 Iran nuclear deal and the Joe Biden administration refused to get back to it, Tehran has sped up its nuclear advances - threatening the stability of the region. Notably, it was in 2016 that Saudi Arabia, the world's biggest oil exporter, announced its plan to build 16 nuclear reactors over the next two decades with a budget of $80 billion. Two years later, the kingdom approved its national atomic energy policy which limits the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. However, some experts believe that Riyadh is trying to hedge its bets as arch-rival Iran continues to make waves with its nuclear weapons programme. Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud last year made statements, echoing the crown prince's version, saying the kingdom will take steps to shore up its security if Tehran gets an 'operational nuclear weapon'. "If Iran gets an operational nuclear weapon, all bets are off. We are in a very dangerous space in the region...you can expect that regional states will certainly look towards how they can ensure their own security." Watch | 'If Iran gets an operational nuclear weapon, all bets are off', says Saudi foreign minister × Every day we get closer: MBS on normalisation of ties with Israel In another part of the interview, MBS touched upon the peace deal with Israel and said progress was being made to realise normalisation in the ties. “Every day we get closer, it seems it's for the first time real one serious. We get to see how it goes," said MBS, adding that the Palestinian issue in the context of normalisation with Israel remained significant. “For us, the Palestinian issue is very important. We need to solve that part. We got to see where we go. We hope that will reach a place, that it will ease the life of the Palestinians, get Israel as a player in the Middle East,” he added. Also read | Biden and Netanyahu hold talks, pledge to normalise Israeli-Saudi ties The statement by the crown prince came hours after United States President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met on the sidelines of the UNGA and vowed to forge a historic peace deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Saudi crown prince says kingdom will obtain nuclear weapon if Iran does so

Saudi Crown Prince MBS says Israel normalisation getting ‘closer’

Five American prisoners freed by Iran as part of a $6 billion exchange, arrived in the United States on Tuesday (September 20). While the former prisoners landed at&nbsp;Fort Belvoir in Virginia and were tearfully united with family and friends,&nbsp;Iranian President&nbsp;Ebrahim Raisi, addressing the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York once again drummed up talks surrounding the 2015 nuclear deal

Raisi said the US should prove its&nbsp;"goodwill&nbsp;and determination", referencing the prisoners' swap, to revive the nuclear pact signed eight years ago.&nbsp;

"These sanctions have not yielded the desired results. It is time now for the United States to bring a cessation to its wrong path and choose the right side," he told the UNGA.

"By exiting the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the United States violated the agreement and the principle of good faith. America should demonstrate its&nbsp;goodwill&nbsp;and determination," added Raisi.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-iran-prisoner-swap-us-and-iran-to-complete-6-billion-prisoner-swap-deal-637233">Watch | US-Iran Prisoner Swap: US and Iran to complete $6 billion prisoner swap deal</a>

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<h2>Prisoner issue separate from nuclear deal: Washington</h2>

The US has maintained that the prisoner issue was a separate matter from the halted talks on reviving the 2015 nuclear deal, trashed by Biden's predecessor Donald Trump.

In 2018, the former Republican president reneged on the deal and restored harsh US sanctions on Iran, prompting Tehran to gradually violate the agreement's nuclear limits.&nbsp;

It was one of the reasons why&nbsp;Germany, France and Britain recently refused to&nbsp;remove ballistic missile and nuclear proliferation-related sanctions on Iran that were set to expire in October.&nbsp;

The original deal stated that some UN sanctions were supposed to be lifted on October 18, 2023, as part of the sunset clause which would have allowed Iran to import and export ballistic missiles and drones.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/germany-france-and-uk-refuse-to-lift-sanctions-on-iran-under-jcpoa-636069">Also read |&nbsp;Germany, France and UK refuse to lift sanctions on Iran under JCPOA</a>

However, the three European nations, known as E3, wrote a letter to&nbsp;European Union External Affairs Chief, Josep Borell and said Tehran was in serious breach of the deal - meaning the sanctions could not be lifted.

Justifying the decision, the E3 said the agreement signed eight years ago contained mechanisms in case of any&nbsp;dispute about whether one side was in breach of the deal.

Iran has been&nbsp;selling&nbsp;killer drones to Moscow in the ongoing war against Ukraine. The US, aware of Tehran's stance, has imposed new sanctions on it as well. On Tuesday,&nbsp;Raisi channelled the aggression of the new sanctions and accused the US of worsening the Ukraine war.&nbsp;

"The United States of America has fanned the flames of violence in Ukraine in order to weaken the European countries. This is a long-term plan, unfortunately," he said.&nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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Five American prisoners freed by Iran as part of a $6 billion exchange, arrived in the United States on Tuesday (September 20). While the former prisoners landed at Fort Belvoir in Virginia and were tearfully united with family and friends, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, addressing the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York once again drummed up talks surrounding the 2015 nuclear deal Raisi said the US should prove its "goodwill and determination", referencing the prisoners' swap, to revive the nuclear pact signed eight years ago.

Five American prisoners freed by Iran as part of a $6 billion exchange, arrived in the United States on Tuesday (September 20). While the former prisoners landed at Fort Belvoir in Virginia and were tearfully united with family and friends, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, addressing the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York once again drummed up talks surrounding the 2015 nuclear deal Raisi said the US should prove its "goodwill and determination", referencing the prisoners' swap, to revive the nuclear pact signed eight years ago. "These sanctions have not yielded the desired results. It is time now for the United States to bring a cessation to its wrong path and choose the right side," he told the UNGA. "By exiting the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the United States violated the agreement and the principle of good faith. America should demonstrate its goodwill and determination," added Raisi. Watch | US-Iran Prisoner Swap: US and Iran to complete $6 billion prisoner swap deal × Prisoner issue separate from nuclear deal: Washington The US has maintained that the prisoner issue was a separate matter from the halted talks on reviving the 2015 nuclear deal, trashed by Biden's predecessor Donald Trump. In 2018, the former Republican president reneged on the deal and restored harsh US sanctions on Iran, prompting Tehran to gradually violate the agreement's nuclear limits. It was one of the reasons why Germany, France and Britain recently refused to remove ballistic missile and nuclear proliferation-related sanctions on Iran that were set to expire in October. The original deal stated that some UN sanctions were supposed to be lifted on October 18, 2023, as part of the sunset clause which would have allowed Iran to import and export ballistic missiles and drones. Also read | Germany, France and UK refuse to lift sanctions on Iran under JCPOA However, the three European nations, known as E3, wrote a letter to European Union External Affairs Chief, Josep Borell and said Tehran was in serious breach of the deal - meaning the sanctions could not be lifted. Justifying the decision, the E3 said the agreement signed eight years ago contained mechanisms in case of any dispute about whether one side was in breach of the deal. Iran has been selling killer drones to Moscow in the ongoing war against Ukraine. The US, aware of Tehran's stance, has imposed new sanctions on it as well. On Tuesday, Raisi channelled the aggression of the new sanctions and accused the US of worsening the Ukraine war. "The United States of America has fanned the flames of violence in Ukraine in order to weaken the European countries. This is a long-term plan, unfortunately," he said. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

As American prisoners arrive in US, Iran demands end to sanctions at UNGA

After years of captivity in Iran, five Americans are finally en route to their homeland, the United States. This comes after a contentious swap agreement brokered by Qatar resulted in the transfer of approximately $6 billion in Iranian money from South Korea to banks in Doha. Four American men and one woman, who also hold Iranian citizenship, departed from Tehran on a chartered flight bound for the capital of Qatar. Upon their arrival in Doha, they received a warm reception from senior US officials and are scheduled to be transported to Washington, DC.

These Americans include individuals who have endured prolonged incarceration in Iran and whose release has garnered much international attention.

<h2>Here are profiles of the returning Americans</h2>

<h2>Siamak Namazi (Age: 51)</h2>

Siamak Namazi, a 51-year-old businessman, has spent nearly eight years confined within Tehran's notorious Evin prison. He was working in Dubai for Crescent Petroleum Co. when he was apprehended during a visit to his family in Tehran back in 2015.

Tragically, his elderly father, Baquer Namazi, was also detained the following year after Iranian officials permitted him to visit his imprisoned son.

His father Baquer Namazi was arrested at the Tehran airport. He served two years of his sentence. The 86-year-old Iranian-American was previously prevented from departing Iran.&nbsp;

<img alt="Iranian-Americans Baquer (left) and Siamak Namazi (undated photo)" src="https://gdb.rferl.org/D62EC927-A3DA-48E3-851C-FAD391CAD587_w1023_r1_s.jpg" />

Baquer (left) and Siamak Namazi&nbsp;

Both Namazi and his father were sentenced to ten years in prison on charges of "cooperating with a foreign enemy," charges that they fervently denied. Iran allowed Baquer Namazi to leave for medical treatment in 2022.

<h2>Emad Shargi (Age: 59)</h2>

Shargi, an Iranian-American entrepreneur, relocated to Iran from the United States in 2017 along with his spouse.

The 58-year-old businessman initially was taken into custody by the Revolutionary Guards in April 2018 when he was working for the Iranian venture capital fund Sarava.

<img alt="Image" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F6UQmY0WAAAqkRl?format=jpg&amp;name=large" />

(Emad Shargi)

He was granted bail in December of that year after officials informed him that a court had acquitted him of espionage charges. He had consistently denied these charges.&nbsp;

However, in November 2020, Shargi received a summons from a Revolutionary Court, informing him that he had been convicted of espionage in absentia and sentenced to 10 years in prison.

In April 2021, his daughters shared with the Washington Post that he was enduring harsh conditions in prison and had only been allowed a couple of brief, monitored phone calls.

Then, in August 2023, Shargi was placed under house arrest.&nbsp;

<h2>Morad Tahbaz (Age: 67)</h2>

Morad Tahbaz, a 67-year-old environmentalist, was arrested in 2018 along with eight other Iranian conservationists. The group were members of the Persian Wildlife Heritage Foundation. They were reportedly tracking critically endangered wild Asiatic cheetahs using cameras. Iran accused them of espionage.&nbsp;

<img alt="Image" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F6UQmZAX0AAdSL2?format=jpg&amp;name=small" />

(Morad Tahbaz)

He vehemently denied the charges against him. Tahbaz received a ten-year prison sentence.

He was imprisoned in Iran's infamous Evin prison.

In March 2022, the then-UK Foreign Secretary, Liz Truss, announced that Tahbaz had been granted furlough but he was sent back just two days.&nbsp;In August 2023, Tahbaz was relocated from Evin prison to house arrest.

The two others reportedly want to keep their profiles undisclosed. While the release of these Americans was marked with celebration, numerous dual nationals remain imprisoned in Tehran.&nbsp;

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After years of captivity in Iran, five Americans are finally en route to their homeland, the United States. This comes after a contentious swap agreement brokered by Qatar resulted in the transfer of approximately $6 billion in Iranian money from South Korea to banks in Doha.

After years of captivity in Iran, five Americans are finally en route to their homeland, the United States. This comes after a contentious swap agreement brokered by Qatar resulted in the transfer of approximately $6 billion in Iranian money from South Korea to banks in Doha. Four American men and one woman, who also hold Iranian citizenship, departed from Tehran on a chartered flight bound for the capital of Qatar. Upon their arrival in Doha, they received a warm reception from senior US officials and are scheduled to be transported to Washington, DC. These Americans include individuals who have endured prolonged incarceration in Iran and whose release has garnered much international attention. Here are profiles of the returning Americans Siamak Namazi (Age: 51) Siamak Namazi, a 51-year-old businessman, has spent nearly eight years confined within Tehran's notorious Evin prison. He was working in Dubai for Crescent Petroleum Co. when he was apprehended during a visit to his family in Tehran back in 2015. Tragically, his elderly father, Baquer Namazi, was also detained the following year after Iranian officials permitted him to visit his imprisoned son. His father Baquer Namazi was arrested at the Tehran airport. He served two years of his sentence. The 86-year-old Iranian-American was previously prevented from departing Iran. Baquer (left) and Siamak Namazi Both Namazi and his father were sentenced to ten years in prison on charges of "cooperating with a foreign enemy," charges that they fervently denied. Iran allowed Baquer Namazi to leave for medical treatment in 2022. Emad Shargi (Age: 59) Shargi, an Iranian-American entrepreneur, relocated to Iran from the United States in 2017 along with his spouse. The 58-year-old businessman initially was taken into custody by the Revolutionary Guards in April 2018 when he was working for the Iranian venture capital fund Sarava. (Emad Shargi) He was granted bail in December of that year after officials informed him that a court had acquitted him of espionage charges. He had consistently denied these charges. However, in November 2020, Shargi received a summons from a Revolutionary Court, informing him that he had been convicted of espionage in absentia and sentenced to 10 years in prison. In April 2021, his daughters shared with the Washington Post that he was enduring harsh conditions in prison and had only been allowed a couple of brief, monitored phone calls. Then, in August 2023, Shargi was placed under house arrest. Morad Tahbaz (Age: 67) Morad Tahbaz, a 67-year-old environmentalist, was arrested in 2018 along with eight other Iranian conservationists. The group were members of the Persian Wildlife Heritage Foundation. They were reportedly tracking critically endangered wild Asiatic cheetahs using cameras. Iran accused them of espionage. (Morad Tahbaz) He vehemently denied the charges against him. Tahbaz received a ten-year prison sentence. He was imprisoned in Iran's infamous Evin prison. In March 2022, the then-UK Foreign Secretary, Liz Truss, announced that Tahbaz had been granted furlough but he was sent back just two days. In August 2023, Tahbaz was relocated from Evin prison to house arrest. The two others reportedly want to keep their profiles undisclosed. While the release of these Americans was marked with celebration, numerous dual nationals remain imprisoned in Tehran. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

Who are the Americans freed from Iranian detention? A look at their profiles

Five Americans detained in Iran arrive in Qatar, released in deal for frozen Iranian assets. US Secretary-General Antony Blinken holds an 'emotional conversation' with the freed hostages.

Iran prisoner swap: Americans freed from Iran land in Qatar

A plane carrying five Americans freed by Iran landed in the US on Tuesday (September 19) while&nbsp;two of the five Iranians exchanged in the prisoner swap deal have landed in the Islamic Republic, reports said.

This comes a day after a controversial prisoner swap involving the unfreezing of at least $6 billion of Iranian money by US President Joe Biden’s administration.&nbsp;

The&nbsp;five detainees&nbsp;Emad Shargi, Morad Tahbaz and Siamak Namazi, along with two Americans who have not been publicly named arrived near&nbsp;Washington DC a day after being&nbsp;flown out of Tehran on a Qatari government jet to Doha, according to American media reports.&nbsp;

“The nightmare is finally over,” said Babak Namazi, speaking with his arm around his returning brother Siamak at Fort Belvoir in the US state of Virginia, as per Reuters.&nbsp;

<h2>Prisoners swapped</h2>

Tehran and Washington had agreed to swap five prisoners each. The swap comes after months of&nbsp;Qatar-mediated talks and took place&nbsp;after the US and Iran received confirmation that the funds, blocked in South Korea, had been transferred to accounts in Doha.

The deal brokered by Qatar was agreed upon after at least a reported eight rounds of talks over several months between Iran and the US as they continue to remain at odds over a number of issues.&nbsp;&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/five-american-detainees-fly-out-of-iran-in-swap-deal-after-6-billion-unfrozen-637211">US and Iran swap prisoners after Qatar-brokered deal unfreezes $6 billion of Iranian oil money</a>

After the transfer of funds was confirmed,&nbsp;the five American prisoners&nbsp;plus two relatives took off on a Qatari plane from Tehran.&nbsp;

Iran's Press TV reported that&nbsp;two out of the&nbsp;five Iranians to be released in the exchange landed in Doha on Monday (Sep 18) and are on their way to Tehran.&nbsp;

Two other Iranians released would stay in the US at their request and one detainee would join his family in a third country, according to Iranian officials.&nbsp;

<h2>What was the deal about?</h2>

The $6 billion frozen in South Korea had been generated by Iran through oil sales to Seoul. It was stuck after the US under former president Donald Trump reimposed sanctions as he withdrew from a landmark nuclear accord of 2015.&nbsp;

On Monday, US President Joe Biden&nbsp;welcomed the return of the American&nbsp;prisoners back home&nbsp;“after enduring years of agony, uncertainty, and suffering,”&nbsp;and also announced&nbsp;a fresh round of sanctions against Iran.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/freed-american-calls-on-biden-to-end-irans-vile-path-of-keeping-foreigners-imprisoned-637533">Freed American calls on Biden to end Iran’s ‘vile path’ of keeping foreigners imprisoned</a>

"We will continue to impose costs on Iran for their provocative actions in the region," said the US president.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, who was in New York for the annual United Nations General&nbsp;Assembly, called the swap a humanitarian action.

He added, "It can certainly be a step based upon which in the future other humanitarian actions can be taken."

(With inputs from agencies)

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A plane carrying five Americans freed by Iran landed in the US on Tuesday (September 19) while two of the five Iranians exchanged in the prisoner swap deal have landed in the Islamic Republic, reports said.

A plane carrying five Americans freed by Iran landed in the US on Tuesday (September 19) while two of the five Iranians exchanged in the prisoner swap deal have landed in the Islamic Republic, reports said. This comes a day after a controversial prisoner swap involving the unfreezing of at least $6 billion of Iranian money by US President Joe Biden’s administration. The five detainees Emad Shargi, Morad Tahbaz and Siamak Namazi, along with two Americans who have not been publicly named arrived near Washington DC a day after being flown out of Tehran on a Qatari government jet to Doha, according to American media reports. “The nightmare is finally over,” said Babak Namazi, speaking with his arm around his returning brother Siamak at Fort Belvoir in the US state of Virginia, as per Reuters. Prisoners swapped Tehran and Washington had agreed to swap five prisoners each. The swap comes after months of Qatar-mediated talks and took place after the US and Iran received confirmation that the funds, blocked in South Korea, had been transferred to accounts in Doha. The deal brokered by Qatar was agreed upon after at least a reported eight rounds of talks over several months between Iran and the US as they continue to remain at odds over a number of issues. ALSO READ | US and Iran swap prisoners after Qatar-brokered deal unfreezes $6 billion of Iranian oil money After the transfer of funds was confirmed, the five American prisoners plus two relatives took off on a Qatari plane from Tehran. Iran's Press TV reported that two out of the five Iranians to be released in the exchange landed in Doha on Monday (Sep 18) and are on their way to Tehran. Two other Iranians released would stay in the US at their request and one detainee would join his family in a third country, according to Iranian officials. What was the deal about? The $6 billion frozen in South Korea had been generated by Iran through oil sales to Seoul. It was stuck after the US under former president Donald Trump reimposed sanctions as he withdrew from a landmark nuclear accord of 2015. On Monday, US President Joe Biden welcomed the return of the American prisoners back home “after enduring years of agony, uncertainty, and suffering,” and also announced a fresh round of sanctions against Iran. ALSO READ | Freed American calls on Biden to end Iran’s ‘vile path’ of keeping foreigners imprisoned "We will continue to impose costs on Iran for their provocative actions in the region," said the US president. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, who was in New York for the annual United Nations General Assembly, called the swap a humanitarian action. He added, "It can certainly be a step based upon which in the future other humanitarian actions can be taken." (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Five Americans, two Iranians freed in prisoner swap deal land in home countries: Reports

According to officials, an important component of the planned swap, $6 billion that had been blocked in South Korea, reached Qatar on Monday and will be used to exchange prisoners between Iran and the United States. The planned discussion will take place immediately before Ebrahim Raisi, the hardline president of Iran, speaks at the UN General Assembly in New York. The transfer won't, however, mean that tensions between the United States and Iran have decreased because Iran is now enriching uranium more closely than ever to levels suitable for use in weapons.

US and Iran to complete $6 billion prisoner swap deal

A Qatari jet carrying five American citizens who were detained in Iran has arrived in&nbsp;Doha as part of a prisoner exchange with same number of Iranians&nbsp; on Monday (September 18).&nbsp;

The American citizens who had been detained in Iran, some for nearly a decade, were freed after a controversial prisoner swap involving the unfreezing of at least $6 billion of Iranian money by US President Joe Biden’s administration.&nbsp;

As a part of the deal, Tehran and Washington had agreed to swap five prisoners each.&nbsp;

<h2>American citizens leave Tehran</h2>

A report by Reuters citing a source said that a Qatari plane took off from Tehran carrying the five American detainees and two of their relatives shortly after the US and Iran received confirmation that the funds, blocked in South Korea, had been transferred to accounts in Doha.

The rare deal brokered by Qatar between the two arch-enemies triggered an exchange sequence which was agreed upon after at least a reported eight rounds of talks over several months between Iran and the US as they&nbsp;continue&nbsp;to remain at odds over a number of issues. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The five Americans with dual nationality are in “good health,” and will fly to Doha and then to the US, said an Iranian official briefed on the process, as per Reuters.&nbsp;

<h2>About the detainees</h2>

The five American detainees include well-known conservationist Morad Tahbaz (67), an Iranian-American environmentalist who also holds British citizenship; Siamak Namazi (51), a businessman with dual US-Iranian citizenship; and an Iranian-American businessman, named Emad Sharghi (59).&nbsp;

However, The fourth and fifth prisoners were not identified as they wished to remain anonymous.

Ahead of their arrival, Biden had granted clemency to five Iranians jailed or awaiting trial for non-violent crimes, a US official told AFP.&nbsp;

<h2>Iranian detainees in US</h2>

The five Iranians held in the US are Mehrdad Moin-Ansari, Kambiz Attar-Kashani, Reza Sarhangpour-Kafrani, Amin Hassanzadeh and Kaveh Afrasiabi, according to officials in Tehran. Two of the five Iranians to be released in the exchange had landed in Doha, as per Iranian media reports.&nbsp;

“Mehrdad Moein Ansari and Reza Sarhangpour, who were released in the US-Iran prisoner exchange and were planning to travel to Iran, entered Doha,” reported Tasnim news agency.&nbsp;

Two Iranians released would stay in the US at their request and one detainee would join his family in a third country, said Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani.&nbsp;

The $6 billion frozen in South Korea &nbsp;had been generated by Iran&nbsp;through oil sales to Seoul. It was stuck&nbsp;after the US under former president Donald Trump reimposed sanctions as he withdrew from a landmark nuclear accord of 2015.&nbsp;

<h2>Biden sanctions former Iranian president: Report</h2>

A report by AFP citing a senior US official who spoke on condition of anonymity said Biden is also imposing new sanctions on Iran’s intelligence ministry and former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad over alleged deceit over the disappearance of Bob Levinson, a former FBI agent.&nbsp;

“The United States will never give up on Bob Levinson’s case. We call on the Iranian regime to give a full account of what happened to Bob Levinson,” the US official told AFP.&nbsp;

The former FBI agent disappeared in Iran under mysterious circumstances and is presumed dead. According to the report, Levinson had travelled to the Iranian island of Kish on a CIA mission and has not been heard from while Iran has not acknowledged his arrest.

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
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A Qatari jet carrying five American citizens who were detained in Iran has arrived in Doha as part of a prisoner exchange with same number of Iranians on Monday (September 18).

A Qatari jet carrying five American citizens who were detained in Iran has arrived in Doha as part of a prisoner exchange with same number of Iranians on Monday (September 18). The American citizens who had been detained in Iran, some for nearly a decade, were freed after a controversial prisoner swap involving the unfreezing of at least $6 billion of Iranian money by US President Joe Biden’s administration. As a part of the deal, Tehran and Washington had agreed to swap five prisoners each. American citizens leave Tehran A report by Reuters citing a source said that a Qatari plane took off from Tehran carrying the five American detainees and two of their relatives shortly after the US and Iran received confirmation that the funds, blocked in South Korea, had been transferred to accounts in Doha. The rare deal brokered by Qatar between the two arch-enemies triggered an exchange sequence which was agreed upon after at least a reported eight rounds of talks over several months between Iran and the US as they continue to remain at odds over a number of issues. The five Americans with dual nationality are in “good health,” and will fly to Doha and then to the US, said an Iranian official briefed on the process, as per Reuters. About the detainees The five American detainees include well-known conservationist Morad Tahbaz (67), an Iranian-American environmentalist who also holds British citizenship; Siamak Namazi (51), a businessman with dual US-Iranian citizenship; and an Iranian-American businessman, named Emad Sharghi (59). However, The fourth and fifth prisoners were not identified as they wished to remain anonymous. Ahead of their arrival, Biden had granted clemency to five Iranians jailed or awaiting trial for non-violent crimes, a US official told AFP. Iranian detainees in US The five Iranians held in the US are Mehrdad Moin-Ansari, Kambiz Attar-Kashani, Reza Sarhangpour-Kafrani, Amin Hassanzadeh and Kaveh Afrasiabi, according to officials in Tehran. Two of the five Iranians to be released in the exchange had landed in Doha, as per Iranian media reports. “Mehrdad Moein Ansari and Reza Sarhangpour, who were released in the US-Iran prisoner exchange and were planning to travel to Iran, entered Doha,” reported Tasnim news agency. Two Iranians released would stay in the US at their request and one detainee would join his family in a third country, said Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani. The $6 billion frozen in South Korea had been generated by Iran through oil sales to Seoul. It was stuck after the US under former president Donald Trump reimposed sanctions as he withdrew from a landmark nuclear accord of 2015. Biden sanctions former Iranian president: Report A report by AFP citing a senior US official who spoke on condition of anonymity said Biden is also imposing new sanctions on Iran’s intelligence ministry and former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad over alleged deceit over the disappearance of Bob Levinson, a former FBI agent. “The United States will never give up on Bob Levinson’s case. We call on the Iranian regime to give a full account of what happened to Bob Levinson,” the US official told AFP. The former FBI agent disappeared in Iran under mysterious circumstances and is presumed dead. According to the report, Levinson had travelled to the Iranian island of Kish on a CIA mission and has not been heard from while Iran has not acknowledged his arrest. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

US and Iran swap prisoners after Qatar-brokered deal unfreezes $6 billion of Iranian oil money

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