Iran

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The European Union has dismissed Iran’s decision to classify European armies as terrorist organizations, insisting that diplomatic engagement with Tehran must remain part of its foreign policy, Anadolu reports.

Responding to the announcement, EU spokesperson Anouar El Anouni told the European Commission’s midday press briefing on Monday, “We reject the announcement of listing of EU armies as such and the accusation of terrorism altogether.”

El Anouni added that the EU expects diplomatic channels to continue functioning despite rising tensions following the bloc’s decision to list Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist entity. He cited remarks by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, saying, “We expect diplomatic channels to remain open after the decision of listing IRGC as part of the EU terror list,” and stressed that “maintaining open channels with Iran must also be part and remain part of our toolbox, as part of our engagement when it is required with our counterparts.”

On the matter of Iran summoning EU ambassadors to Tehran, El Anouni described the action as “a diplomatic practice that is part of the Vienna Convention,” adding, “I will not here go into details in terms of what member states, when and how.”

Iran announced the designation of European armies as terrorist groups in retaliation after the EU applied the same label to the IRGC over its crackdown on recent protests prompted by worsening economic conditions. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on Sunday that the decision was taken under “Article 7 of the Law on Countermeasures Against the Declaration of the IRGC as a Terrorist Organisation.”

The EU has maintained that engagement with Iran is necessary, even amid disputes, to ensure continued dialogue and diplomatic relations.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Iran has summoned all ambassadors of the European Union in Tehran to protest the bloc’s decision to designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation, a move that has further strained relations and heightened fears of a wider conflict in the Middle East.

According to the Associated Press, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Esmail Baghaei, confirmed on Monday that the summons started on Sunday and continued into the new week. He described the EU decision as “illegal, unreasonable and very wrong.”

“A series of actions were reviewed, various options are being prepared and sent to relevant decision-making bodies,” Baghaei said. He added that Tehran would soon decide on “reciprocal measures.”

The diplomatic confrontation comes at a time when Iran is under growing international scrutiny following its violent response to nationwide protests in January. Reports indicate that thousands were killed and tens of thousands arrested during the unrest. Human rights organisations have also warned about the risk of mass executions of detainees.

Last week, the European Union agreed to blacklist the IRGC over its role in the crackdown. Although the decision is largely symbolic, it adds to economic and political pressure on Tehran because of the Guard’s deep involvement in Iran’s economy. The United States and Canada had earlier taken similar actions.

In response, Iran’s parliament speaker spoke on Sunday and said the Islamic Republic now regards all EU militaries as “terrorist groups,” referring to a 2019 Iranian law.

At the same time, military tensions in the region continue to rise. The United States has deployed the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln alongside several guided-missile destroyers to the Middle East.

While it remains uncertain whether President Donald Trump will approve military action, Washington says the deployments aim to deter further violence and safeguard international shipping routes.

“Trump is trying to calibrate a response to Iran’s mass killing of protesters that punishes Iranian leaders without dragging the United States into a new, open-ended conflict,” the New York-based Soufan Center said in a statement on Monday.

The group added that some U.S. officials want to take advantage of Tehran’s weakened position. It also noted that American conditions for diplomacy are “unacceptable” to Iran.

Regional anxiety has also increased after Iran confirmed that the Revolutionary Guard has begun a military drill in the Strait of Hormuz. The narrow waterway carries about one-fifth of the world’s oil shipments. Iran had warned shipping operators last week about planned exercises, although it initially avoided confirming their commencement.

Satellite images analysed by the Associated Press showed small, fast-moving vessels believed to belong to the Guard operating between Iran’s Qeshm and Hengam islands, away from major commercial routes.

The U.S. Central Command has cautioned Tehran against harassing naval vessels or interfering with commercial traffic.

Despite the sharp rhetoric and military movements, Baghaei sought to calm public fears. He urged Iranians not to worry about the prospect of war, although he declined to confirm whether Washington had given Tehran any deadline to meet U.S. demands.

The IRGC was formed after Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution to protect the clerical system. Over the years, it has grown into a powerful military, political and economic force. Its Basij militia faces widespread accusations of leading the violent suppression of recent protests. Leaked videos have shown armed men beating and shooting demonstrators after authorities shut down internet and phone services across the country.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

China, Iran, and Russia have formalized a wide-ranging strategic agreement, a development experts say could shift global power balances and heighten tensions with the United States.

The pact was announced simultaneously in Tehran, Beijing, and Moscow. Officials from the three countries described it as “a cornerstone for a new multipolar order.”

While the full text is being gradually released, authorities confirmed that the agreement covers collaboration in energy, trade, military coordination, and diplomatic strategy.

Iranian state media cited officials saying the pact reflects a joint commitment to “mutual respect, sovereign independence and a rules-based international system that rejects unilateral coercion.” Beijing and Moscow issued similar statements, highlighting their shared opposition to Western dominance.

This trilateral agreement builds on years of close bilateral ties. In January 2025, Iran and Russia signed a 20-year Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty to strengthen economic and defense cooperation and counter Western sanctions. That treaty became effective last year.

Iran and China had also signed a 25-year cooperation deal in 2021, aimed at expanding trade, infrastructure, and energy cooperation.

What sets this new pact apart is that it explicitly unites all three countries under a coordinated framework. Unlike previous bilateral agreements, the pact aligns them on issues such as nuclear sovereignty, economic resilience, and military coordination.

No Formal Defence Commitment

Officials emphasized that the agreement is not a mutual defense treaty like NATO’s Article 5, which obligates members to defend one another militarily.

Past agreements between Iran and Russia did not include such guarantees, and this pact follows the same cautious approach. Analysts say it signals a political and strategic alignment intended to counterbalance US influence, resist sanctions, reduce dependence on Western financial systems, and expand regional influence.

The signing comes as tensions rise between Iran and the United States. Washington has accused Tehran of enriching uranium beyond the limits of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). The Trump administration withdrew from the JCPOA in 2018 and reimposed sanctions that have severely impacted Iran’s economy.

Attempts to revive the deal have repeatedly stalled. Talks in Oman and Rome in 2025 ended without an agreement, deepening mistrust. US military deployments in the Gulf, including the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, have also raised fears of escalation.

Inside Iran, protests that began in December 2025 over economic hardship have added domestic pressure. Iranian authorities accused foreign actors of fueling unrest, citing statements by US President Donald Trump in support of demonstrators as interference in domestic affairs.

Strategic Implications

For Tehran, the pact offers economic relief and strengthens deterrence against military threats by deepening ties with Russia and China.

For Moscow and Beijing, the agreement provides access to Iran’s energy resources and strengthens their capacity to challenge US alliances in the Middle East and Indo-Pacific. Both countries have expanded military cooperation with Iran, including joint naval exercises in the Gulf.

For the United States and its allies, the pact complicates efforts to isolate Iran. Gulf states, wary of Tehran’s ambitions, fear the agreement could embolden Iran and destabilize the region further.

Experts caution, however, that the pact has limits. Russia and China remain cautious about overcommitting, mindful of possible US retaliation. Iran’s ongoing economic challenges and domestic unrest could also hinder its ability to meet obligations. Without a formal defense guarantee, Tehran remains vulnerable to confrontation with the US or Israel.

Much will depend on whether Moscow and Beijing risk deeper involvement in Iran’s disputes with the West. For now, the agreement strengthens Tehran’s diplomatic position, even as tensions with Washington persist.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has warned that any military attack by the United States would lead to a “regional war” in the Middle East, as tensions continue to rise between Tehran and Washington.

Khamenei issued the warning on Sunday amid the presence of the US aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and other American warships in the Arabian Sea. The deployment followed President Donald Trump’s decision to send the vessels after Iran’s violent crackdown on nationwide protests.

Iranian state television reported Khamenei’s remarks online before broadcasting any video of his speech.

“The Americans should know that if they start a war, this time it will be a regional war,” Khamenei was quoted as saying.

He also insisted that Iran had no intention of attacking other countries but would respond forcefully to any provocation. “We are not the instigators and we do not seek to attack any country. But the Iranian nation will deliver a firm blow to anyone who attacks or harasses it,” he said.

Khamenei further described the ongoing protests across Iran as an attempted coup, adopting a tougher stance after earlier acknowledging that economic hardship had contributed to public anger. The protests began on December 28 after the collapse of Iran’s currency and later turned into a direct challenge to his leadership.

“The recent sedition was similar to a coup. Of course, the coup was suppressed,” he said. “Their goal was to destroy sensitive and effective centers involved in running the country, and for this reason they attacked the police, government centers, (Revolutionary Guard) facilities, banks and mosques — and burned copies of the Quran. They targeted centers that run the country.”

Reports indicate that tens of thousands of people have been detained since the demonstrations began. In Iran, charges related to sedition can carry the death penalty, a development that has drawn concern from the United States. Trump has previously described the killing of peaceful protesters or mass executions as red lines for possible military action.

Meanwhile, Iran also scheduled live-fire military drills for Sunday and Monday in the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil shipping route through which about one-fifth of the world’s traded oil passes. The US military’s Central Command warned against any threat to American forces or disruption of commercial shipping during the exercise.

In a related development, the Speaker of Iran’s Parliament, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, announced that Tehran now considers all European Union militaries to be terrorist groups. The statement followed the EU’s decision to designate Iran’s Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organization over its role in the crackdown on protests.

Qalibaf, a former Revolutionary Guard commander, made the declaration as lawmakers appeared in Guard uniforms in parliament.

“By seeking to strike at the (Guard), which itself has been the greatest barrier to the spread of terrorism to Europe, Europeans have in fact shot themselves in the foot and, once again, through blind obedience to the Americans, decided against the interests of their own people,” Qalibaf said.

Lawmakers later chanted “Death to America!” and “Death to Israel!” during the session.

Trump, for his part, has said Iran is engaged in talks with the United States, even as he declined to confirm whether he had decided on military action.

“I don’t know that they will. But they are talking to us. Seriously talking to us,” Trump said, while stressing the need for a “satisfactory” deal to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

However, Iran’s Supreme Leader has repeatedly ruled out direct negotiations with Washington. Despite that, Ali Larijani, a senior Iranian security official, wrote on social media that “structural arrangements for negotiations are progressing,” although no public evidence of direct talks has emerged.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

In a significant military mobilization, Iran has deployed over 2,500 military aircraft to operate alongside its naval forces in the strategic Strait of Hormuz. The move, reported tonight, centers on the area of Hormuz Zaldmoon.

Regional analysts view the large-scale deployment as a major security preparation and strategic exercise. It is widely interpreted as a show of force and a direct response to escalating regional tensions and recent threats of conflict.

A senior Iranian military official stated the operations have a “special focus on marine security,” underscoring Tehran’s declaration of readiness to defend vital waterways. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global chokepoint for oil shipments.

The rapid military buildup has drawn intense international scrutiny, with world leaders and defense observers closely monitoring the speedy activities. The deployment raises concerns over potential miscalculations or confrontations in an already volatile region.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Islamic Republic of Iran has dismissed claims that it sought negotiations with the United States amid rising tensions between the two countries. Tehran said it has not made any request for dialogue with Washington and has had no recent direct contact with U.S. officials.

Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araqchi, said he had not communicated with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff in recent days. He stressed that Iran did not initiate any move toward talks with the United States.

“There was no contact between me and Witkoff in recent days and no request for negotiations was made from us,” Araqchi told state media. He explained that while some intermediaries remain in touch with Tehran, they are only “holding consultations” with various parties.

Araqchi further outlined Iran’s position on any potential engagement with Washington. “Our stance is clear, negotiations don’t go along with threats and talks can only take place when there are no longer menaces and excessive demands,” he said. His remarks underlined Iran’s refusal to enter discussions under pressure.

On the U.S. side, President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that another “armada” was moving toward Iran. He also said he hoped Tehran would agree to a deal with Washington. The United States has recently increased its military deployments in the Gulf, following nationwide protests in Iran. Those protests triggered what observers have described as the bloodiest crackdown since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Iran’s President, Masoud Pezeshkian, also commented on the situation. He told Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman that Iran supports any effort that can prevent war, provided it aligns with international law. According to him, Tehran remains open to peaceful initiatives aimed at avoiding conflict.

The latest statements from both sides point to continued strain in relations. Iran insists that meaningful dialogue cannot happen under threats or excessive demands, while the United States continues to strengthen its military presence in the region.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Islamic Republic of Iran has executed a man named Hamidreza Sabet Esmaeilipour after a court found him guilty of espionage on behalf of Israel, according to Mizan, the media outlet of the Iranian judiciary.

Mizan reported on Wednesday that Esmaeilipour was hanged following his conviction for spying and intelligence cooperation with Israel’s intelligence agency, the Mossad.

Judicial authorities said Esmaeilipour was arrested on April 29, 2025. They accused him of transferring classified documents and sensitive materials to a “hostile intelligence service.”

The report stated that the execution took place after Iran’s Supreme Court upheld the death sentence. Authorities also said all legal processes had been completed before the sentence was carried out.

Iran and Israel have remained engaged in a prolonged shadow conflict that has involved covert activities, assassinations, cyber operations and intelligence missions across the Middle East.

Tehran has repeatedly alleged that Israel has penetrated its security and military institutions, with particular focus on matters linked to Iran’s nuclear programme.

In recent years, Iranian authorities have executed several people accused of having ties to Israeli intelligence. These actions have attracted criticism from international human rights organisations, which have raised concerns about due process and Iran’s use of capital punishment.

Reports indicate that executions connected to alleged espionage for Israel have risen since last year. This followed a direct military confrontation in June, when Israeli and U.S. forces launched strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, a development that sharply intensified hostilities between the two rivals.

Iranian officials insist that such executions are essential for protecting national security. Critics, however, argue that espionage allegations often lack clarity and that court proceedings remain largely opaque.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

United States President Donald Trump has said Washington has deployed what he described as “a big armada next to Iran” amid rising tensions, while insisting that Tehran’s leadership is still interested in reaching an agreement with the US.

Trump made the remarks during an interview with Axios late on Monday, shortly after the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln entered the US Central Command’s area of responsibility in the Middle East. The move marked a major escalation in the US military posture close to Iran.

Speaking on the deployment, Trump said: “We have a big armada next to Iran. Bigger than Venezuela.”
He also emphasised that diplomacy remained possible. “They want to make a deal. I know so. They called on numerous occasions. They want to talk.”

According to White House officials quoted by Axios, a military strike against Iran remains an option, although Trump has not taken a final decision. The officials added that the president is expected to hold further consultations this week and assess additional military choices.

Iranian authorities, on their part, have continued to warn of serious consequences if the US launches any attack. The warnings come amid ongoing arrests linked to deadly nationwide protests and a prolonged internet blackout across parts of the country, Aaljazeera reports.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has also issued strong signals. In a report carried by Press TV, an unnamed IRGC official said the force is “closely monitoring” US and Israeli actions in the region. The official added that any belief that a strike on Iran would be quick and clean is based on an “incomplete understanding” of Iran’s capabilities. Last week, IRGC commander General Mohammad Pakpour said his forces were “more ready than ever, finger on the trigger,” and urged the US and Israel to “avoid any miscalculation.”

Meanwhile, Lebanon’s Hezbollah has declared it would not remain neutral if Iran is attacked. Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem made the position clear during a televised address delivered via video link at a solidarity event.

Qassem said Hezbollah fully supports Iran and its leadership. He added that any threat against Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, would be treated as a threat against Hezbollah itself, according to Hezbollah-affiliated Al-Manar TV. Qassem also accused Washington of long-standing hostility towards Iran, saying the US had plotted against the country since the 1979 Islamic Revolution and later pursued conflict through Iraq in the 1980s.

Regional reactions have also emerged. The United Arab Emirates announced that it would not allow its land, airspace or territorial waters to be used for any military operation against Iran. In a statement, the UAE Foreign Ministry said it would also refuse to provide logistical support for such an attack. The Gulf state maintains strong trade ties with Iran, despite regional rivalries and its 2020 normalisation agreement with Israel, which was brokered by the US.

In Tehran, tensions have spilled into public symbolism. Authorities unveiled a massive mural in Enghelab Square that shows a damaged US aircraft carrier with destroyed fighter jets and streams of blood. The caption on the artwork, written in both Farsi and English, reads: “If you sow the wind, you will reap the whirlwind.” Enghelab Square often hosts state-organised gatherings, and officials regularly change its murals to reflect national events.

The developments underline the growing strain between Washington and Tehran, as diplomatic signals continue alongside military deployments and stark warnings from Iran and its allies.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

United States President Donald Trump has announced that any country maintaining commercial ties with Iran will face a 25 percent tariff on all business conducted with the United States.

The declaration came on Monday through a post on Trump’s social media platform, Truth Social, where he described the decision as “final and conclusive”, without providing further clarification on how the measure would be implemented.

“Effective immediately, any Country doing business with the Islamic Republic of Iran will pay a Tariff of 25% on any and all business being done with the United States of America,” Trump said in the post.

The statement did not specify the nations that would be affected. However, several major economies maintain active trade relations with Iran. These include Russia, China, Brazil and Turkiye. Iraq and the United Arab Emirates also rank among Iran’s key trading partners, according to data from Trading Economics.

The announcement comes at a time when Iran is experiencing widespread antigovernment protests and violent unrest across the country.

Reports from rights groups suggest that hundreds of people may have been killed, although an internet shutdown has limited independent verification of events on the ground.

In recent weeks, Trump has increased pressure on Tehran while issuing warnings of possible military action if Iran does not reduce its nuclear and military programmes.

“Now, I hear that Iran is trying to build up again, and if they are, we’re going to have to knock them down,” Trump told reporters in December.

“We’ll knock them down. We’ll knock the hell out of them. But, hopefully, that’s not happening.”

Earlier in June, the United States carried out air attacks on three Iranian nuclear facilities during a 12-day conflict that followed military action by Israel.

Legal experts have argued that the US strikes may have breached international law.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Iranian military has pledged to defend the country’s strategic assets and public property as authorities intensify efforts to contain widespread antigovernment protests triggered by rising living costs.

In a statement released on Saturday by semi-official media outlets, the armed forces accused Israel and what they described as “hostile terrorist groups” of attempting to “undermine the country’s public security.”

The declaration came after United States President Donald Trump issued fresh warnings to Iran’s leadership over the growing demonstrations, which have resulted in dozens of deaths.

“The Army, under the command of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, together with other armed forces, in addition to monitoring enemy movements in the region, will resolutely protect and safeguard national interests, the country’s strategic infrastructure, and public property,” the military said.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) delivered a similar message on Saturday. State television reported that the elite force described the protection of the 1979 revolution’s legacy and national security as a “red line.”

Earlier in the day, United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirmed Washington’s backing for Iranian protesters following an internet shutdown introduced by Iranian authorities.

“The United States supports the brave people of Iran,” Rubio wrote on X.

His message followed new remarks from Trump, who warned Iran’s leadership, saying, “You better not start shooting because we’ll start shooting too.” Trump stated that Iran’s leaders appeared to be “in big trouble” and repeated his warning that military action could follow if protesters were killed.

He added, “It looks to me that the people are taking over certain cities that nobody thought were really possible just a few weeks ago.”

Demonstrations have spread across the country since January 3, driven by frustration over economic hardship and increasing calls for the removal of the clerical establishment that has governed Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Reports from Reuters indicated that unrest continued overnight on Saturday. State media blamed “rioters” for setting a municipal building ablaze in Karaj, west of Tehran. Press TV aired funeral footage of security personnel it said died during clashes in Shiraz, Qom and Hamedan.