The World Opinion

Tag: Iran

  • Israel On High Alert, Announces 48-Hour Nationwide Emergency Amid Hezbollah Airstrikes | world news

    Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has announced a 48-hour nationwide state of emergency starting at 6:00 am local time on Sunday, following preemptive strikes by the Israeli military on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon. This emergency declaration is designed to enable the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) to carry out essential measures, such as imposing restrictions on public gatherings and shutting down sites considered at risk.

    This move is a reaction to the sharp increase in aggression, with Hezbollah taking responsibility for launching over 320 rockets and multiple drones packed with explosives toward northern Israel. Hezbollah has stated that their attacks were aimed at 11 Israeli military bases, significantly escalating the conflict.

    The state of emergency allows the IDF to provide safety guidelines to civilians, particularly in high-risk areas, as stated by Defense Minister Gallant. He expressed a strong belief in the likelihood of attacks on civilians in regions previously not under special alert and emphasized the importance of the emergency status across the nation.

    The actions of Hezbollah are said to be a direct retaliation for the death of a senior commander, which led Israel to initiate a series of preemptive strikes. IDF Spokesperson Daniel Hagari had earlier alerted the public to Hezbollah’s intentions to target Israeli civilians.

    “We have identified Hezbollah’s preparations to fire missiles and rockets into Israel, and we are taking proactive measures to neutralize this threat,” he explained.

    The IDF is targeting terrorist sites in Lebanon, which were reportedly being used as launch pads for attacks on Israeli civilians, according to the IDF Spokesperson in a subsequent video release.

  • Air India Suspends Flights To And From Tel Aviv As Iran-Israel Tension Rises; Passengers To Get Full Refund | Aviation News

    NEW DELHI: Air India announced on Friday the suspension of its flights to and from Tel Aviv, effective immediately, until further notice amid the escalating tensions between Israel and Iran. The decision was made in response to the current situation in the region. Further, Air India said that they are continuously monitoring the situation and prioritising the safety of their guests and crew.

    “In view of the current situation in parts of the Middle East, scheduled operations of our flights to and from Tel Aviv are suspended with immediate effect until further notice,” Air India said in a post on X. We are continuously monitoring the situation and are offering a full refund to our passengers with confirmed bookings for travel to and from Tel Aviv. The safety of our guests and crew remains our topmost priority,” the airline added.

    Earlier, Air India had announced on August 2 that it would suspend its services to Tel Aviv until August 8 in response to the heightening tensions in the Middle East.

    In a post on X, Air India said, “In view of the ongoing situation in parts of the Middle East, we have suspended scheduled operations of our flights to and from Tel Aviv with immediate effect up to and including August 8.”

    “We are continuously monitoring the situation and are extending support to our passengers with confirmed bookings for travel to and from Tel Aviv during this period, with a one-time waiver on rescheduling and cancellation charges. The safety of our guests and crew remains our foremost priority,” the airline added.

    Tensions have been heightened in the Middle East since the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh on July 31 in Iran, allegedly by Israeli forces.

  • Hamas Chief Ismail Haniyeh Assassinated In Tehran Attack, Confirms IRGC | world news

    Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh and one of his bodyguards were killed when his residence was attacked in Tehran, confirmed Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in a statement. Haniyeh was in Tehran to meet with the Supreme Leader and attend the new president’s inauguration.

    The IRGC’s Public Relations Department announced that the attack took place early Wednesday and that an investigation is underway to determine the cause. The statement expressed condolences to the people of Palestine, the Muslim community, and the fighters of the Resistance Front for the loss of the Hamas leader.

    The day before the incident, Haniyeh had attended the inauguration of Iran’s new president and met with Iran’s Supreme Leader.

    No one immediately claimed responsibility for the assassination, but suspicion quickly fell on Israel, which has vowed to kill Haniyeh and other Hamas leaders following the group’s October 7 attack on Israel that killed 1,200 people and resulted in around 250 hostages being taken.

    On April 10, an Israeli attack in northern Gaza killed three sons of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh. Haniyeh confirmed the deaths of his children, Hazem, Amir, and Mohammad, along with several of his grandchildren, in an interview.

    Following the October 7 terror attack, Israel has been fighting against the Hamas in Gaza. The whole Gaza has turned into the battlefield with thousands of people killed and lakhs of Palestinians displaced from the region.

  • Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi Dead: What Happens Next If President Dies In Office? ,

    The rescues in Iran managed to locate the debris of the helicopter that crashed yesterday. The helicopter was carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian. As per the latest update, there were no signs of lives at the crash site and thus, both the leaders have been assumed dead. Now, the question is, what happens next if the Iranian President dies in office?

    Iranian TV confirmed that President Raisi, along with Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, East Azarbaijan Governor Malek Rahmati, East Azarbaijan Imam of Friday Prayer Mohammad Ali Ale-Hashem, and several other passengers martyred in a helicopter crash in northwest of the country.

    Here are brief details about what Iran’s constitution says if a president is incapacitated or dies in office:

    * According to Article 131 of the Islamic Republic’s constitution, the first vice president takes over if a president dies in office. However, the vice president will have to take confirmation of the supreme leader of Iran.

    * The Vice President will be an interim President until a new president is elected.

    * A council consisting of the first vice president, the speaker of parliament and the head of the judiciary must arrange an election for a new president within a maximum period of 50 days.

    Iran’s Vice President Muhammad Mukhbar is next in line to take charge in place of Raisi. Ebrahim Raisi was elected president in 2021. He was elected President of Iran in his second election as he lost the first one he contested in 2017. Now, under the current timetable, presidential elections are due to take place in 2025. However, due to Raisi’s demise, the Presidential polls will have to be Pre-poned and held before July 10, 2024. (With Reuters inputs)

  • Iran President Helicopter Crash LIVE Updates: Raisi Declared Dead In Chopper Crash |

    Iran President Helicopter Crash Live Updates: A chopper carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi experienced a ‘hard landing’ on Sunday following which president Raisi has been declared dead. The chopper was reported missing for over 12 hours ago. Along with Raisi, the country’s foreign minister and other officials were also on board. A massive rescue operation was underway in a foggy forest area. The incident occurred while returning from a visit to the border with Azerbaijan in northwest Iran, about 600 kilometres from its capital Tehran. 

    08.31 AM: Raisi Declared Dead In Chopper Crash

    As per Iranian media, minutes after the debris of the helicopter was located, Iranian President Raisi was declared dead. The Iran foreign minister who was also onboard has been declared dead.

    #BigBreaking : सबसे बड़ी खबर: ईरान के राष्ट्रपति इब्राहिम रईसी की हेलीकॉप्टर क्रैश में मौत की खबर, हादसे वाली झगह मिला हेलीकॉप्टर का मलबा, दुनिया के लिए दुखद खबर #Iran #EbrahimRaisí #Tehran #HelicopterCrash | #ZeeNews@anuraagmuskaan@ShobhnaYadava@JournoPranay pic.twitter.com/pgOOOeo1Hq


    — Zee News (@ZeeNews) May 20, 2024

    08.25 AM: Crashed Helicopter of Iranian President Found

    The rescue team has found the debris of the Helicopter after it crashed in the mountains yesterday. While the search team has yet to reach the crash site, the debris has been located using another helicopter being used for search and rescue operations. However, there is no update on the whereabouts of the President. If reports are to be believed, the survival chances are very low given the crash conditions and the rough terrain.

    08.14 AM: People in Hamadan locatred in western Iran prayed for the health of the President and other officials, who were on board.

    A group of people from Hamadan, western #Iran prayed for the health of the President and his accompanying delegation. pic.twitter.com/vfQ9axGZ4k
    — IRNA News Agency (@IrnaEnglish) May 20, 2024

    08.03 AM: Location Of Crash Site Of Prez Raisi Determined: Reports

    Location of crash site of Pres. Raisi’s chopper determined: Sourcehttps://t.co/6mWrIRVVJj pic.twitter.com/sAkjeXgTeH
    — IRNA News Agency (@IrnaEnglish) May 20, 2024

    According to a Reuters report citing an Iranian official, the search team is struggling to reach the crash site. The official stated that the lives of Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian are “at risk following the helicopter crash.” 

    Iran’s Ambassador, Kazem Jalali informed that the Russian President Vladimir Putin held a meeting with him in the presence of senior officials of Russian defense and security apparatus, reported IRNA. Putin’s assistant also showcased solidarity with the nation and said that Russia is standing by Iran with all its power. 

    Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed concern on the incident, PM Modi in ‘X’ post, wrote, “Deeply concerned by reports regarding President Raisi’s helicopter flight today. We stand in solidarity with the Iranian people in this hour of distress, and pray for well being of the President and his entourage.” 

  • Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi Arrives In Pakistan On A Three Day Visit | world news

    New Delhi: Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi arrived in Pakistan on a three-day visit on Monday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan said.

    Upon arrival, Raisi was received by Federal Minister for Housing and Works, Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada and Pakistan’s Ambassador to Iran, Ambassador Mudassir Tipu.

    Pakistan Foreign Ministry said that the Iranian President is accompanied by his spouse and a high-level delegation comprising the Foreign Minister and other members of the cabinet and senior officials.

    “President Raisi has an extensive program in Pakistan reflecting depth and breadth of Pakistan-Iran ties. He will meet the President and the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Chairman Senate and Speaker, National Assembly,” the Foreign Ministry of Pakistan wrote on X.

    During the visit, Raisi is also slated to visit Lahore and Karachi and meet with the provincial leadership there.

    The Foreign Ministry revealed that following delegation-level negotiations between PM Shehbaz and Raisi at the PM Office, many memorandums of understanding (MoUs) will be inked by the two countries.

    Additionally, President Zardari will hold a banquet in honor of his Iranian counterpart at Aiwan-e-Sadr.

    Raisi is scheduled to visit Lahore as part of his high-profile tour of Pakistan, where he is expected to meet with Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and Governor Balighur Rehman. The Iranian leader is also due to meet with Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and Governor Kamran Tessori in Karachi later, reported The News International.

    The Iranian President’s visit to Pakistan, however, comes at a time when there is escalation of tensions in the Middle East. The United States will be closely monitoring his visit, which coincides with the tension between Iran and Israel.

    Raisi, according to The News International, would stay in Karachi and return to Tehran on Wednesday.

    The provincial authorities are on high alert due to the high-profile visit and public holiday has been declared in Karachi on April 23.

    It should be noted that the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline remains a major reason for Pakistan’s tolerance of some key security issues with Iran.

    The pipeline was an old idea, but implementation began much later when Asif Ali Zardari was nearing the completion of his first term as president. Iran has built its part, but Pakistan is hesitant to proceed at its end, due to pressure from Saudi Arabia and the risk of debilitating US sanctions.

    Moreover, the combination of Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is working together and can keep Saudi Arabia and Iran in balance, writer Muhammad Amir Rana writes in his article for Dawn.

    However, the writer says that Tehran could possibly remain a challenge for Islamabad.

  • Air India Suspends Flights To Tel Aviv Till April 30 Amid Iran-Israel Clash

    Air India’s flight suspension comes after Israel launched missiles on Iran.

  • Israel Launches Retaliatory Missile Strike Against Iran, Tehran Activates Air Defence System

    Iran conducted a retaliatory strike and launched hundreds of drones and missiles in a retaliatory strike after a suspected Israeli strike on its embassy compound in Syria. 

  • Lufthansa Suspends Tehran Flights Amid Potential Iran Attacks

    Lufthansa stated that the suspension of flights to and from Tehran began on April 6 and is expected to last until April 11.

  • Iran: 27 Die In Militant Attacks On Security Forces In Sistan-Baluchestan, Say Media

    The overnight clashes between the Jaish al-Adl group and security forces took place in the towns of Chabahar and Rask, state TV said.