UPDATE: 500 MISSILES FIRED AT ISRAEL | They also say ballistic missiles in Iran are fueled and on their launchers in Iran. They believe those missiles will be fired in a few short hours, as the attack drones arrive in Israel. Worse, with the launch of so many attack drones, the United States and Israel are now discussing a PRE-EMPTIVE ATTACK UPON IRAN to thwart the perceived ballistic missile launches.

DRONES (Reportedly already launched) from Iran will take 9 Hours to strike Israel.
CRUISE MISSILES (if Launched) Would take 2 Hours to strike Israel.
BALLISTIC MISSILES (if launched) Would take 12 MINUTES to strike Israel.

On April 14 of this year, Russian President Vladimir Putin made public that "Russia will support Iran if the United States attacks Iran soil in support of Israel." This could LITERALLY be the beginning of World War 3. 12:18 PM EDT --Russia to Israel: Withdraw your forces from southern Lebanon immediately.
[...]
4:26 PM EDT ---- Word out of Israel from multiple sources in multiple government offices saying "Israel will launch crippling attacks upon Iran, tonight." IDF announces it will respond to Iranian missile attack tonight, and the result will be “seen by the entire Middle East.” Senior official: Israel will attack Iran extensively tonight. UNCONFIRMED - UNCONFIRMED -- Single report CLAIMING Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, killed. UNCONFIRMED.

■ Iran fires hundreds of missiles at Israeli regime (+VIDEOS) (Mehr News)
■ Iran launches massive missile attack on Israel (VIDEOS) (RT.com)
■ Op. True Promise II: Iran launches hundreds of missiles at Zionist entity, 90% hit targets (PressTV)
■ Resistance groups hail Iran’s missile attack against Israeli regime (PressTV)
■ Ирана назвал целью ракетного удара по Израилю военные объекты (TACC)
■ СБ ООН проведет экстренное заседание по ситуации на Ближнем Востоке 2 октября (Известия)

The Iranian Parliament is set to present Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) with its proposals on ways to respond to the Israeli regime, in order to make the final decision. | The Iranian Parliament held a closed session to discuss the Israeli assassination of Hezbollah chief in Beirut. During the session, the Iranian lawmakers discussed the latest developments in the region. The closed meeting of the parliament was held today to investigate the dimensions of the assassination of martyr Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and several other Resistance commanders, Ahmad Naderi, a senior Iranian lawmaker told Mehr News Agency. He added that during the meeting, lawmakers offered suggestions on how to take revenge and respond to the Zionist regime. The Iranian Parliament would present the proposals to Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), he said, adding that the SNSC would discuss the ways to choose the best action against Israel's crimes.

A proposal forwarded by Russia’s foreign ministry for signing of a strategic partnership agreement with Iran was approved by the president of the Russian Federation. | Vladimir Putin expressed his approval through a decree that was issued on Wednesday. The decree stated that signing of such an agreement would be “expedient,” without specifying the timing of its expected conclusion. The development came a day after Russia’s Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu visited the Iranian capital Tehran, meeting with senior Iranian officials, including President Masoud Pezeshkian. Meeting with the chief executive, Shoigu emphasized that Putin had asked him to convey the message to the Iranian officials that Russia’s position on cooperation with Iran on regional issues had not changed.

■ Russian-Pakistani Relations Are Surprisingly Taking On Strategic Dimensions (Andrew Korybko's Newsletter)

Harold Turner | The issue of long-range weapons for use in attacking interior, pre-war Russia, is developing into a very big - and dangerous - situation. Threats are being hurled back and forth, very publicly. | It all began when word came out early last week, that the U.S. was "considering" allowing Ukraine to use US-supplied weapons, to attack deep interior, pre-war, Russia. The Russians sent explicit, written warnings to the US which said "If Ukraine uses long-range weapons to attack interior Russia, it will affect both sides of the Atlantic." ■ A few days later, at a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group at Ramstein Air Force Base in Germany, word leaked that the question of Ukraine using NATO (West) Supplied weapons to strike deep inside Russia was being discussed! Russia's Ambassador to The United States, Anatoly Antonov, then repeated publicly, his government's written warning: "If Ukraine uses long-range weapons to attack inside Russia, it will affect both sides of the Atlantic." ■ Late this past week, word leaked from US and UK Intelligence Agencies claiming Russia had taken delivery of "hundreds" of IRANIAN-MADE FATH-360, short-range ballistic missiles, for Russia to use against Ukraine. This revelation set off a firestorm of threats. ■ Saturday, The Defense Ministry of Ukraine (which can't even adequately defend their own land) said that "If Russia uses Iranian Missiles to target Ukrainian Civilians, then their Response against Iran will be Severe." Yes, you read that correctly, Ukraine just threatened Iran! ■ But the really big development took place today, from Israel. Israel announced that If Iran supplies missiles for Russia to use in attacking Ukraine, then Israel will supply "long range precision missiles to Ukraine, to strike Russia." Yes, you read that correctly; Israel just threatened the Russians.

The Iranian foreign minister has warned that the continuation of Israel’s crimes against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank is causing a “dangerous crisis” in West Asia. | In an X post on Monday, Abbas Araqchi said Israel’s Western supporters bear responsibility for their failure to end “criminal provocations” by the occupying regime in the region.

💬 “By persisting in Gaza genocide and now dispatching its killing machine to West Bank, Israel's pushing region to brink of dangerous crisis,” he said. “If Bibi's Western enablers fail to curb these criminal provocations, they'll share responsibility for consequences—and be held accountable,” he added, referring to Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Israel launched a genocidal war on the besieged Gaza on October 7, 2023 after the Hamas resistance group carried out a surprise operation against the usurping entity in retaliation for its intensified atrocities against the Palestinian people. So far, however, the Tel Aviv regime has failed to achieve any of its declared objectives in the Gaza Strip despite killing at least 40,786 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injuring 94,224 others.

■ Iran urges ‘swift, effective’ measures to end Israeli atrocities in Gaza (PressTV)

The USS Abraham Lincoln and several destroyers are now in the region amid fears of a broader conflict between Israel and Iran | The USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group has arrived in the Middle East, joining the USS Theodore Roosevelt carrier, which is already deployed in the region. The presence of the American warships reflects fears of a larger escalation between Israel and Iran. The USS Abraham Lincoln is carrying F-35 and F-18 fighters and is being escorted by a squadron of destroyers, US Central Command announced on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday. The Pentagon dispatched the carrier group to the region earlier this month following the assassination of Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and high-ranking Hezbollah operative Fuad Shukr in Beirut.

■ USS Abraham Lincoln arrives to ME as US tries to defend 'Israel' (Al Mayadeen)

The Israeli FM has urged British and French counterparts to “publicly clarify” their commitment | Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz has said his country expects not only the United States but also its allies, including Britain and France, to assist in offensive operations against Iran in the event of a direct conflict. Katz made the comments during a meeting with British Foreign Secretary David Lammy and French Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourne in Jerusalem on Friday, according to a Hebrew-language statement from his office.

Ivan Kesic | More than two weeks after the assassination of senior Axis of Resistance leaders in two separate attacks in Tehran and Beirut, preparations are underway to avenge their blood with a retaliatory military operation. | The exact nature and timing of the military operation is shrouded in mystery, but it is clear that it is imminent, as confirmed by sources to the Press TV website. ■ While Tel Aviv has been identified as one of the possible targets of the planned retaliatory operation, other potential targets are located in Haifa, a strategic city in the north of the occupied Palestinian territories. ■ Press TV website in a previous analysis reported about political, military, and intelligence installations in Tel Aviv as potential targets due to their direct involvement in the terrorist attacks in Tehran and Beirut. ■ Beyond Tel Aviv, Haifa is home to several important military bases, regime headquarters, and strategic military industries, making it a significant target of the imminent retaliation. ■ The credibility of Haifa sites as potential targets has been supported by recent reports in Israeli media outlets such as Haaretz and Yedioth Ahronoth, and more notably, in a speech by Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah.

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Nasser Kan'ani says that the US's all-out support for Israel is an absolute disgrace and makes Washington liable for prosecution, which can be pursued through legal channels. |

💬 “The Zionist regime is a racist terrorist regime that has been engaged in gross and systematic violations of the basic rights of the Palestinian people and perpetrating crimes against humanity for several decades with the full support from the West, especially the United States, the senior Iranian diplomat wrote in a post on his X social media platform, formerly known as Twitter, on Thursday.

The Israeli regime has killed 40,000 innocent Palestinian people, including some 15,000 children, and injured more than 100,000 people in the Gaza Strip during its genocidal war since October last year, according to Kan'ani. [...] He said the US's all-out support for Israel is an absolute disgrace and makes Washington liable for prosecution, which can be pursued through legal channels.

Calls from France, Germany and Britain that Iran should exercise restraint with regard to Israel “lack political logic and contradict principles of international law,” Iran’s foreign ministry said on Aug 13. | The three European countries issued a statement on Aug 12, calling on Iran and its allies to refrain from attacks against Israel following the killing of Ismail Haniyeh, political chief of the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in Tehran in July. Tehran and its allies, Hamas and the Lebanese Shi’ite group Hezbollah, have accused Israel of carrying out the assassination. The Israeli government has made no claim of responsibility.

■ Middle East war looms as Iran waits, keen to avoid past mistakes (The Straits Times)
■ US to Iran: Only Israel May Escalate (Caitlin Johnstone)
■ Israel Suddenly Has A Problem With Attacks On Population Centers (Caitlin Johnstone)

The United Kingdom, France, and Germany issue a joint statement calling on Iran to refrain from attacking the Israeli occupation after the latter violated its sovereignty. | The leaders of France, Germany, and the United Kingdom issued a joint statement in which they expressed their support for ongoing diplomatic efforts led by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States to secure a ceasefire and release the captives in Gaza, in light of the ongoing genocide. [...] Moreover, they went on to call on Iran and its allies, likely the Ansar Allah movement in Yemen and the Hezbollah Resistance movement in Lebanon, to refrain from taking any actions that would "further escalate regional tensions and jeopardize the opportunity to agree a ceasefire and the release of hostages." The statement held them responsible "for actions that jeopardize this opportunity for peace and stability" while completely disregarding the actions of the Israeli occupation that forced the hand of Iran and its allies to respond to it, to begin with.

■ US president’s terse warning to Iran about possible Israel attack: ‘Don’t’ (Dawn)

Zionists have admitted that the Iron Dome was incapable of destroying even a single Iranian missile during Tehran's retaliatory attack on the Israeli regime in April, dubbed "Operation True Promise." | Moti Shefer, an Israeli space engineering expert has stressed that the Iron Dome is the biggest deception that the world has witnessed. Israeli regime's air defense did not shoot down a single Iranian missile during Operation True Promise, despite it firing 500 missiles from the Iron Dome, according to him. The Israeli military spokesman is either lying or is ignorant, Shefer added.

👉 IRGC Navy takes delivery of new cruise missiles with highly explosive warheads (PressTV)
👉 Waiting Game on Iran's Response to Israeli Aggression Hints 'Big Strike' May Be Imminent (Sputnik News)
■ Russia blocks flights to night flights over Israel for a week amid tensions (Ynet News)
■ Ban on night flights from Russia to Israel effective until October 16 — aviation agency (TASS)
■ Preparations made for severe punishment of Israeli regime (Mehr News)
■ IRGC releases footage of surveilling US warships at Strait of Hormuz (PressTV)
■ UK fighter jets loaded with supersonic missiles spotted in Middle East ahead of potential Iranian attacks (Yahoo)

The New York Times, as cited by The Times of Israel on August 5, reported that Iranian officials claim Russia has started delivering advanced air defense and radar systems to Iran following Tehran’s request to the Kremlin. | Local Iranian media have corroborated Tehran’s request, and two officials, including a member of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps, have confirmed to The Times that these deliveries are underway. According to these Iranian sources, the equipment in question is likely the Russian S-400 anti-aircraft missile system, crafted by the Almaz-Antey concern. However, it should be noted that BulgarianMilitary.com has not independently verified that it is indeed the S-400 being supplied to Tehran by Moscow. ● The Times article did not specify the exact equipment requested by Iran or what has been delivered so far. Iran does already possess Russian S-300 air defense systems, although Russia has since developed the more advanced S-400 system.

The Israeli Defense Force has decided they will engage in PRE-EMPTIVE STRIKES against Hezbollah in Lebanon, BEFORE Hezbollah and/or Iran can strike Israel back for the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh! | [Hal Turner:] Earlier today, I reported COVERT INTEL to my subscribers from the White House Situation Room wherein Biden and Senior Administration Officials were told "The war will begin tomorrow . . . ." meaning Wednesday. In that story, I wondered aloud how they could be so certain, since it is Iran that decides when they attack Israel for the assassination that Israel perpetrated in Tehran. ● One of the options which I outlined in that COVERT INTEL story was the possibility that the US KNEW the start date because Israel would attack pre-emptively. Now, it appears that assessment was right on the money. I can confirm now (11:24 PM Tuesday night) that Israel IS going to pre-emptively attack Hezbollah in Lebanon. As such, there is now no doubt in my mind whatsoever, that "the war" will begin Wednesday.

■ Organization of Islamic Cooperation Meeting URGENTLY in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Over Iran-Israel Issues (Hal Turner)
■ Iran will attempt a spectacular strike at the "heart" of Israel (WarNews24/7)(in Greek)
■ Israel considers preemptive strike on Iran - but only on one condition (08/06/24)

Israeli officials are considering a preemptive strike after Iran vowed to avenge last week's killing of Hamas' political leader, Ismail Haniyeh. | Israeli officials are reportedly considering launching a preemptive strike to deter Iran - amid fears that Tehran will attack within the next 24 to 48 hours. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a meeting with security chiefs on Sunday to discuss how to respond to a potential strike by Iran, with a “host of options” considered, Israeli news site Ynet reported. Israel's decision to carry out a preemptive strike on Iran would depend on “whether the intelligence would support it,” the report said.

■ Extreme measures unable to ensure Israel's security — Chinese expert (TASS)
■ Report: Israel could preemptively strike Iran if intelligence shows attack is imminent (Times of Israel)

Measures target tankers said to be involved in the secret fund-raising operation for proxy militant groups | Israel opened a new front against Tehran on Tuesday with the country’s first-ever shipping sanctions by ordering the seizure of 18 tankers allegedly involved in selling Iranian oil to finance militant operations. ● The measures are aimed at vessels involved in ‘dark’ ship-to-ship oil transfers with a US-sanctioned tanker off the coast of Syria, according to Israeli officials. ● The operation, said to have been overseen by senior Hezbollah official Muhammad Qasir, involved the export of Iranian crude for refining in Syria. ● The refined oils from Syria were then loaded onto the Iranian-flagged 46,267-dwt Jasmine (built 1996) before the oil was transferred for final delivery to smaller tankers over several months from December 2022. ● The STS operations were necessary after the US sanctioned Jasmine in 2019 as part of its own crackdown on the network, said officials. ● The measures come amid a background of high tensions in the region, with Israel braced for possible attack from Iran and its regional militias following the killings of senior Hezbollah and Hamas officials in Beirut and Tehran within the last week. ● Eight of the tankers targeted by Israel were blacklisted after October 2023 but never publicly announced by its sanctions body, the National Bureau for Counter Terror Financing.

■ Israel signals readiness for pre-emptive strikes against Iran, Hezbollah (MEMO)

Tehran has reportedly warned pilots and aviation authorities to avoid its airspace as it threatens to retaliate against Israel | Iran has issued a notice to pilots and aviation authorities to avoid its airspace as the government threatens to strike Israel, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday, citing sources. ● The notification follows US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s warning on Sunday to the Group of Seven foreign ministers that Tehran could attack Israel within 24 to 48 hours, according to two diplomats briefed on the call. Blinken didn’t say what form an attack could take. ● According to the report, the notification from Tehran about its airspace, which happened at 7:45 a.m. CET, is typically used by aviation authorities to provide essential real-time information to pilots that wasn’t known in advance. It is essentially a stay-away message to commercial and civilian aviation without any indication of what may follow, the WSJ wrote.

Russia will NOT allow Iran to be defeated and destroyed | Russia will NOT allow its main ally in the Middle East and fellow BRICS+ member, Iran, to be defeated and destroyed! Russia has told the US and Israel, quietly, that it will step in if the West goes too far in the coming regional war. UPDATE 2:22 PM EDT --Beirut Airport is utterly MOBBED with people desperate to flee Lebanon. Numerous countries have urgently told their citizens to leave Lebanon immediately due to coming war. Both foreigners and Lebanese are heeding those calls and attempting to flee.

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) says the assassination of the head of the political bureau of the Hamas resistance movement, Ismail Haniyeh, in the Iranian capital Tehran, was designed and executed by Israel, with support from the US administration. | In a statement released on Saturday, the IRGC reported that the attack involved the use of a short-range projectile armed with a warhead weighing approximately seven kilograms, which subsequently caused a massive explosion. It further noted that the projectile was launched from an area outside the late Hamas leader’s residence. The IRGC also vowed that it would avenge the blood of Haniyeh, noting that the terrorist Zionist regime would face severe punishment at "the appropriate time, place and manner."

■ Iran seriously determined to make Israel accountable: Acting FM (IRNA)
■ Iran: Hezbollah will hit ‘broader, deeper’ Israeli targets (PressTV)

The Pentagon will send additional military resources amid the escalation between West Jerusalem and Tehran | Washington has ordered more destroyers, cruisers, and an additional fighter squadron to the Middle East to defend Israel amid rising tensions with Iran, the US Defense Department said on Friday. ● In addition, the US has ordered the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group to relieve the USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier currently deployed in the Middle East. ● The announcement comes amid rising tensions after this week’s killing of Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. Both Hamas and Iran have blamed Israel for the attack and have promised revenge. Iran also stated that the US bears partial responsibility for the attack as a “supporter and accomplice” of Israel. ● While West Jerusalem has neither confirmed nor denied any involvement, it has repeatedly threatened to take out the Hamas leadership over the group’s October 7 attack on Israel, which took the lives of around 1,200 Israelis and led to more than 250 being taken hostage.

■ Israel, US preparing for Iranian retaliation: Report (Anadolu)
■ US to deploy additional military resources to the Middle East (Al Jazeera)
■ US Sends Warships to Middle East as Embassy in Israel Issues Security Alert (Sputnik News)

The Iranian caretaker foreign minister notified the UN secretary-general that Iran will by no means renounce its right to take retaliatory action against the Israeli regime for its recent move to assassinate Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. | In a telephone conversation on Thursday, Caretaker Foreign Minister of Iran Ali Baqeri and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres discussed the terrorist act of the Zionist regime in assassinating the head of the political bureau of Hamas movement.

💬 "The terrorist act of the Zionist regime in martyring Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, in addition to violating the territorial integrity and national sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran, has endangered regional and international peace and stability. Iran will not forgo its inherent right to self-defense and to take reciprocal action to punish the criminal Zionists," Baqeri warned, the Foreign Ministry’s website reported.

He also condemned the actions of the US and the European countries in preventing the condemnation of the assassination of Haniyeh in Tehran, adding, "This aggressive act of the Zionist regime will endanger regional peace and stability, and the international community must stand against this criminal regime to preserve international peace and stability."

👉 "The Window is Now Open" - Breakout of Kinetic War Expected "Any moment TODAY" (Hal Turner)

The Palestinian militant group has blamed the strike on Israel and vowed retaliation | The leader of the Hamas political wing, Ismail Haniyeh, has been assassinated along with one of his bodyguards in Tehran, the Palestinian group and Iranian authorities have confirmed. Hamas was quick to blame the killing on Israel, which has so far declined to comment. The group said Haniyeh was killed on Tuesday morning in a “treacherous attack of the Zionists on his residence” in Tehran. The Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) has said an investigation is ongoing. Haniyeh, usually based in Qatar, was in the Iranian capital for the inauguration of the new president, Masoud Pezeshkian.

💬 The assassination of Haniyeh is a “cowardly act that will not go unpunished”, the Hamas-run channel Al-Aqsa TV quoted senior Hamas official Moussa Abu Marzouk as saying. “This assassination by the Israeli occupation of Brother Haniyeh is a grave escalation that aims to break the will of Hamas,” senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri told Reuters. He went on to say that Hamas will continue the path it is following, and is “confident of victory.”

■ UN Security Council set for emergency session on July 31 after Haniyeh’s assassination (TASS)
■ Ismail Haniyeh's journey of Resistance: From exile to martyrdom (Al Mayadeen)
■ First details on Ismail Haniyeh martyrdom released (MEHR News)
■ Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh reportedly to be buried in Qatar (MEHR News)
■ Hamas top leader Ismail Haniyeh assassinated in Iran, region's tensions escalate (The New Arab)
■ Hamas Politburo chief Ismail Haniyeh killed in Tehran (TASS)
■ Austin Pledges the US Will Defend Israel If It Faces Attack After Latest Escalations (Antiwar.com)
■ China condemns assassination of Hamas chief Haniyeh (Anadolu)
■ Russia Strongly Condemns Assassination of Hamas Politburo Chief Haniyeh (Sputnik News)
■ Erdoğan reacts to assassination of Hamas leader (MEHR News)
■ Syria condemns Israel violation of Iran sovereignty (MEHR News)
■ ‘Blatant' Assassination of Haniyeh ‘May Have Been Crossing a Red Line’ – Ex-CIA Officer (Sputnik News)
■ Конфликт на Ближнем Востоке рискует перейти в острую фазу после убийства лидера ХАМАС. И вот почему
+ THIS: Updated 8:27 Pm EDT -- Israel Air-strikes Beirut - Goes After #2 Guy in Hezbollah (MEDIA)

Heart surgeon-turned-politician Masoud Pezeshkian will succeed the late Ebrahim Raisi | Reformist candidate Masoud Pezeshkian has won Iran's presidential election, securing 53.3% of the vote and defeating his conservative rival Saeed Jalili, the national election authority announced on Saturday. ● With all ballots counted, Pezeshkian secured 16.4 million votes, while Jalili received 13.5 million votes, Press TV reports. Turnout was 30.5 million, or 49.8% of the 61 million eligible voters, according to a final update at 6:45 am local time (3:15 GMT). ● The snap election was called after the death of President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash in Iran’s East Azerbaijan Province on May 19. According to Iranian law, a candidate needs to garner at least 50% plus one vote; thus, after no candidate achieved this in the first round on June 28, the election headed into a runoff between the top two candidates.

■ Reformist Masoud Pezeshkian Wins Iran Presidential Election (South Front)

"Iran deems as psychological warfare the Zionist regime’s propaganda about intending to attack Lebanon", the Iranian mission to the UN said | The Iranian mission to the UN issued a stern warning to Israel that a full-on attack on Lebanon would kick off a war of annihilation. ● "Albeit Iran deems as psychological warfare the Zionist regime’s propaganda about intending to attack Lebanon, should it embark on full-scale military aggression, an obliterating war will ensue. All options, including the full involvement of all Resistance Fronts, are on the table," the mission said on X. ● In mid-June, the Israeli military approved an operational plan for an offensive in Lebanon. Following the ongoing operation against Hamas in Gaza, the military plans to the forces of Hezbollah, which, like Hamas, is acting against Israel, occasionally shelling the Jewish state from the north.

■ UK has sent 74 warplanes from Cyprus to Lebanon since March (MATT KENNARD)
■ Israeli Defense Minister Vows to Return Lebanon to ‘Stone Age’ (06/28/24)

Farah Hajj Hassan | Al Mayadeen English spoke to women in Iran to investigate where they stand on women's issues in the country as well as whether they are truly "celebrating" their president's demise. What they told us may shock you if you only follow Western media outlets. | As Iranians flooded the streets to mourn the loss of their late President Ebrahim Raisi, mainstream Western governments, and media sources attempted to massively downplay the great sadness that gripped Iran following the unfortunate event. ■ Raisi, alongside Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and others, tragically died in a helicopter crash on May 19 while en route to Tabriz. Following the accident, millions gathered for funeral processions all over Iran from Tabriz to Qom and Tehran. ■ The leader of the Islamic Revolution and the Islamic Republic of Iran, Sayyed Ali Khamenei, announced that the large turnout of Iranian people at funeral processions for the late President Ebrahim Raisi demonstrates the nation's unwavering loyalty to the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

■ Iran Mourns, Western Media Distorts: The Martyrdom of President Raisi (Marwa Osman)

Maintenance, repair records examined, no problems found, says Iranian General Staff | According to the examinations made on the remains and parts of the helicopter, no evidence of sabotage or electronic warfare intervention was detected, the report said. ● It added that no emergency occurred in communication with the crew until 69 seconds before the accident. ● The weather conditions were suitable when the helicopter took off but in line with the documents obtained and the statements of the pilots and passengers of the other two helicopters, the effect of the weather conditions on the return route should be investigated in more detail.

The funeral procession of late Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian has kicked off in Tehran. | Besides the staff of the ministry, people from all walks of life have attended the event. Amirabdollahian’s body will be laid to rest at Shah Abdul Az in Shayr-e-Rey in southern Tehran later in the day. He passed away in an air crash on Sunday in northwestern Iran while accompanying President Ebrahim Raisi and his entourage who all died in the tragic incident.

Abbas Juma | Disbelief enveloped the nation when the news broke | Throughout the night of May 19-20, Iranian rescue teams searched through dense fog for the wreckage of the helicopter carrying the president and the foreign minister. The search was hindered by the weather conditions and terrain, with the rain-soaked ground impeding both personnel and equipment. Meanwhile, Iranians across the country prayed, wept, and anxiously awaited news. ■ During the night, prominent and reputable regional and global media outlets, in a frenzy for sensational updates, disseminated inaccurate information about the search efforts. Some later hurriedly removed these reports. Social media was flooded with hastily fabricated falsehoods, fueled by opponents of the Iranian government. According to one widely spread rumor, mass celebrations erupted in Tehran, with claims that people were rejoicing over the president’s death and launching fireworks. ■ Refuting these blatant lies was not difficult, as I spent the night on Valiasr Street, one of Tehran’s main thoroughfares. Loudspeakers broadcasting prayers were promptly set up in the square, and journalists actively gathered the views of residents who had come out to support the president. ■ There is no panic in Iran, only pain. On the morning of May 20, the Islamic Republic donned black for five days of mourning. People, especially women, went to work with faces swollen from the night’s tears. The religious Iranians in the holy city of Qom, whom I spoke with, believe that everything is in the hands of the Almighty. They prepare themselves for death daily, thus experiencing neither panic nor surprise.

■ Pictures speak louder: Raisi funeral turnout debunks Western claims (Al Mayadeen)
■ Ebrahim Raisi: The president's death leaves Iran at a crossroads (Seyed Hossein Mousavian)

■ They have moved to the last stage | Tsargrad: The assassination was “organized at the highest level.” An “excruciating death” is a signal to Russia and China. “They are killing everyone who supports Russia and China.” [...] The US and UK have opened a new chapter of terror in their history. All pro-Russian and pro-China politicians in the West should double their caution and security, - writes Kolyasnikov. ● Chinese scholar Nikolai Vavilov holds a similar opinion: They have moved to the last stage - they are killing everyone who supports Russia and China, apparently, things are not good at all and the failure of the West’s strategy after Putin’s visit to China has become as obvious as possible.

■ Kremlin in disbelief at US ‘insult’ of late Iranian president (RT.com) + HERE
■ Tehran bid farewell to Raisi, companions; Sayyed Khamenei led prayer (Al Mayadeen)
■ US civil defense: Iranian intelligence chief in Lorestan was killed (AVA Today)
■ Member Of Iran's Revolutionary Guards Shot Dead Outside His Home (CIA/VOA)

تصاویری از انتقال پیکر شهدا توسط امدادگران هلال احمر و تکاوران نیروی زمینی ارتش به مناطق پایین دست pic.twitter.com/4frTVrqe9H

— خبرگزاری ایرنا (@IRNA_1313) May 20, 2024

Iran President Helicopter Crash News LIVE Updates: Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his foreign minister Hossein Amirabdollahian have died in a helicopter crash in mountainous terrain and icy weather, Iranian officials confirmed on Monday after search teams located the wreckage. “President Raisi’s helicopter was completely burned in the crash … unfortunately, all passengers are feared dead,” the official told news agency Reuters. Several world leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressed grief over his sudden death. “Deeply saddened and shocked by the tragic demise of Dr. Seyed Ebrahim Raisi, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran. His contribution to strengthening India-Iran bilateral relationship will always be remembered. My heartfelt condolences to his family and the people of Iran. India stands with Iran in this time of sorrow,” he said.

■ They have moved to the last stage | Tsargrad: The assassination was “organized at the highest level.” An “excruciating death” is a signal to Russia and China. “They are killing everyone who supports Russia and China.” [...] The US and UK have opened a new chapter of terror in their history. All pro-Russian and pro-China politicians in the West should double their caution and security, - writes Kolyasnikov. ● Chinese scholar Nikolai Vavilov holds a similar opinion: They have moved to the last stage - they are killing everyone who supports Russia and China, apparently, things are not good at all and the failure of the West’s strategy after Putin’s visit to China has become as obvious as possible.

■ Iran President’s death: I won’t rule anything out – Fani-Kayode (Daily Post, Nigeria)
■ Iran president, FM killed in tragic helicopter crash (Tehran Times)
■ All passengers of crashed helicopter martyred (Mehr News)
■ ‘No Sign of Life’ Found at Helicopter Crash Site Carrying Iran’s President and Officials (Jakarta Globe)
■ 'No sign of life' as helicopter carrying Iran's president burned completely (The Star, Kenya)
■ Türkiye’s Akinci UAV identifies source of heat suspected to be crash site of Iranian president’s helicopter (Anadolu)
■ Who is departed Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi's potential successor? (Al Mayadeen)
■ Iran constitution says Vice President will take over in case of President’s death (Tehran Times)
■ Many world leaders died, few survived in aviation accidents since 1936 (Anadolu)
■ Helicopter carrying pres. Raisi involved in accident (05/19/24)