Iran will never remain silent in the face of aggression, president says
Iran will never remain silent in the face of aggression against its interests and security, President Masoud Pezeshkian told his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron, state media reported.
The comments come amid an increase in regional tensions following the killing in Tehran last week of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh.
Iran’s response to Hamas leader’s killing will happen at ‘right time’
Iran’s response to the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran will take place “at the right time and in the appropriate shape”, Acting Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani said in a statement.
Iran and Palestinian Islamist group Hamas accuse Israel of carrying out Haniyeh’s assassination on July 31. Israel has not claimed or denied responsibility.
Lebanon will pay heavy price in war, Israeli defence minister says
Israel’s Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has warned that Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah may drag Lebanon into a full-blown war, for which the country would pay a heavy price.
“As things stand, Nasrallah may drag Lebanon into paying extremely heavy prices. They can’t even imagine what might happen,” Gallant was quoted as saying to troops of the 646th Reserve Paratroopers Brigade by The Times of Israel.
“This may also deteriorate into a war. It’s not theoretical, it’s real,” he added, according to the Israeli newspaper.
Egypt asks its airlines to avoid Iran airspace for three hours on Thursday
Egypt has instructed all its airlines to avoid Iranian air space for a three-hour period on Thursday morning.
Notices to Air Missions (NOTAMs), safety notices provided to pilots on Wednesday, said the instruction would be in effect from 01:00GMT to 04:00GMT. It provided no further details as to why the notice was issued.
“All Egyptian carriers shall avoid overflying Tehran (Flight information Region) FIR. No flight plan will be accepted overflying such territory,” the notice said, referring to the three-hour period provided.
An Egyptian official was quoted by the state-affiliated Al Qahera News TV as saying that Iranian authorities gave “military exercises” as the reason behind the request.
Many airlines are revising their schedules to avoid Iranian and Lebanese airspace while also calling off flights to Israel and Lebanon, as many fear a possible broader conflict after the killing of senior members of militant groups Hamas and Hezbollah.
On Sunday, Jordan’s authorities asked all airlines landing at its airports to carry 45 minutes worth of extra fuel.
