Iran Announces Suspension of Operations After ‘Painful Response’ to Zionist Regime

Monday, 08 June 2026 2:39 PM

The insignia of Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters is seen in this handout image.

Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters has announced the cessation of military operations against Israel, stating that a "painful response" has been delivered to the Zionist regime in support of the oppressed people of Lebanon.

The headquarters said in a statement on Monday that the halt comes after Iran's powerful armed forces delivered a response to the "atrocities and mischief" of the "savage Zionist regime" in southern Lebanon and the Dahiyeh district, which were carried out with the support of "criminal America".

"The fake Zionist regime and its supporters must learn a lesson from this response," the statement said.

The announcement follows a series of missile strikes by the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) on Sunday targeting Israel's Ramat David Air Base in northern occupied territories.

The IRGC said the operation was in response to Israel's "widespread crimes" in southern Lebanon, including the killing and displacement of civilians, and that the air base had served as the origin of aggressions against Lebanon.

On Monday, the IRGC struck Israel's strategic Nevatim and Tel Nof airbases in northern occupied territories after Israeli aggression on several Iranian cities.

Iranian officials have repeatedly insisted that the ceasefire between Iran, the United States and Israel that took effect on April 8 was conditional on a truce on all fronts.

However, Israel, with a US greenlight and the silence of international organizations, has continued its "malicious actions" against the Lebanese people on a daily basis, committing war crimes by using banned weapons, including phosphorus bombs, Iranian officials say.

The headquarters emphasized that while operations have been halted, "much more intense and crushing measures than before" will be taken if aggression and mischief, including in southern Lebanon, continue.

Israeli forces suffered “heavy, targeted, and costly blows” in a new wave of operations against “important and sensitive targets” inside occupied territories, the central command’s spokesman said.

“We acted as we had promised,” Brigadier General Ebrahim Zolfaghari, a senior commander in the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) and the spokesman of the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, said Monday.

"The powerful armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran, including the IRGC and the regular army, have proven that they are at the peak of defensive and offensive readiness, acting swiftly and precisely on what they say, and will make the American and Zionist enemies regret their actions," he added.

Zolfaghari said, “In the new wave of operations against important and sensitive targets in the occupied territories, the enemy experienced a successful offensive operation, having received heavy, targeted, intelligent, and costly blows from the powerful forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran."

He also issued a stark warning to the United States and Israel, saying “criminal America and the brutal Zionist regime must know that a strong and proud Iran and the honorable resistance forces in the region will stand firm under any circumstances and against any threat, and will never bow their heads in surrender to the losing enemies of war”.

“If aggression and mischief continue, they will be dealt with even greater intensity,” he added.

Report: CAR to Accept Third-country Deportees from US

Central African Republic is the latest African nation to agree to accept third-country deportees from the United States, according to Reuters news agency.

The deal was reportedly reached during a US delegation visit to Bangui last month. No details of numbers, nationalities, or timing of flights were available.

The Trump Administration had deported thousands of people to third countries under a series of often-secret agreements as part of a broader crackdown on immigration.

Lawyers say the use of third countries offers a legal loophole to indirectly force asylum seekers to return home.

At least eight African nations, including Eswatini, the DRC, Ghana and Sierra Leone have taken in US deportees, usually in exchange for financial or logistical support.

Last week, rights groups filed a case against Equatorial Guinea before Africa’s Human Rights Commission, accusing the government of forcing deportees back to their home countries in violation of their rights.

Health Workers at the Epicenter of DR Congo’s Ebola Outbreak Labor with Little Pay or Rest

By JUSTIN KABUMBA and OPE ADETAYO

12:59 AM EDT, June 8, 2026

MONGBWALU, Congo (AP) — Dr. Richard Lokudu, the medical director of Mongbwalu General Referral Hospital, has received barely any compensation for his work on the front line of one of Congo’s deadliest Ebola virus outbreaks.

Lokudu and several of his colleagues work all day at the hospital treating an influx of patients. Notifications of suspected cases come even late at night.

“I have not received my allowance (and) what happened to others could happen to me as well,” Lokudu told The Associated Press. “Despite all the infection prevention and control measures we are implementing, we do not know what may happen.”

Health authorities believe the outbreak, which took the eastern region of Congo by surprise after spreading silently for weeks without detection, started in the bustling mining area of Mongbwalu in Ituri province.

Mining conditions conducive to virus spread

Mongbwalu has emerged as the epicenter of the rare Bundibugyo type. The town attracts large numbers of laborers who work in large gold mines with muddy pools of gold deposits, narrow pits and caves. They live in low-income areas including crowded camps and have little access to proper health protocols.

The conditions increase the possibility of transmitting the disease, which spreads through close contact with bodily fluids of the sick and deceased such as sweat, blood, feces and vomit.

There also has been widespread skepticism regarding the disease, making the job of medical treatment more difficult for Lokudu and his colleagues, while some of the health workers and first responders have died from the disease.

“It is one thing to be far away and hear statistics being reported, but what is happening on the ground is enormous,” Lokudu said. “People are sacrificing their rest and comfort for this cause. There should be recognition that they deserve compensation. These workers should receive their salaries regularly.”

The Congolese government didn’t respond to a request for comment from the AP.

Minimal resources available

Congolese authorities released new statistics on Sunday, saying there have been 488 confirmed cases, including 86 deaths, as of Friday. On Thursday, the Central African nation recorded 71 new cases in a day, which authorities said is a sign of “active community transmission.”

In neighboring Uganda, there have been 19 confirmed cases and two deaths.

Bundibugyo has no approved vaccines or treatment, so Congolese health workers have been targeting symptoms of the species. The government said at least five people have recovered from Ebola since the outbreak was officially confirmed by Congo’s health ministry on May 15.

The disease “had a big head start,” according to World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Hospitals in the region couldn’t test for the right type of Ebola that had begun spreading several weeks before confirmation.

Health workers are handling the disease with minimal resources, because agencies have been scrambling to bring aid into the region. Masks, gloves, boots and medications were initially all in short supply.

“There has been an erosion of the health system,” said Heather Kerr, country director for the International Rescue Committee in Congo. “There has not been investment in the health system, and this has been going on for years.”

Tough conditions for health workers

“During the first week, we did not even have time to go home and eat. The second week was the same. We only eat once a day, what amounts to breakfast in the evening,” said Alice Bamuhinga, a nurse at the Mongbwalu hospital.

Even with widespread skepticism and disregard for health protocols, many in the town are becoming aware of the outbreak’s grave reality.

Asero Jeanne, 52, had five children. Two died from the disease within two weeks. When her daughter became ill, the family thought it was malaria and neighbors advised them to avoid the hospital, saying “anyone who went there would die immediately,” Jeanne said.

The daughter died after three weeks of moving between hospitals and home, followed by a son who died days after. Then Jeanne became sick.

“I saw about 20 people die,” Jeanne said. “I watched them being taken to the morgue, yet God is allowing me to leave here alive. I thank the doctors.”

UN health agency offers a plan

Tedros on Friday launched a $518 million plan to combat the outbreak, saying “containing Ebola depends on political commitment, sustained financing, and the trust and engagement of communities.”

Efforts to contain the disease also have been hindered by the conflict between the government and Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group, in addition to attacks by Islamist militants.

For health workers on the front line of Congo’s Ebola outbreak, the work has become harder as the disease spreads faster than their current treatment capacity.

“Despite the alerts we receive and the teams we have on site, we lack the means to travel into the field,” Lokudu said. “As a result, there are alerts we are unable to investigate.”

___

Ope Adetayo reported from Lagos, Nigeria.

Africa's Next Economic Revolution Must Begin at Home - Mozambique's Bold Move Signals a New Era for African Resource Sovereignty

7 June 2026

allAfrica.com

guest column

By Daniel T. Makokera

For generations, Africa has exported its wealth and imported its future.

From copper and cobalt to crude oil and natural gas, the continent has supplied the raw materials that power global industries while receiving only a fraction of the value generated from them. The result has been a paradox that has defined Africa's economic story for decades: a continent rich in resources but poor in industrial development.

This reality is now being challenged.

Mozambique's recent decision to strengthen state participation in its mining sector and promote local processing of minerals before export is not an isolated policy shift. Rather, it is part of a growing continental movement toward beneficiation, value addition, and economic sovereignty.

Across Africa, governments are increasingly asking a simple but powerful question: Why should the continent continue exporting raw materials only to buy back finished products at many times their original value?

The answer is becoming increasingly clear. It should not.

Beneficiation—the process of transforming raw materials into higher-value products before export—represents one of the most important economic opportunities available to Africa today. Whether it is refining crude oil, processing lithium into battery-grade materials, smelting copper, cutting diamonds, or manufacturing fertilizer from natural gas, value addition allows countries to capture a far greater share of the wealth generated from their natural resources.

The benefits extend far beyond increased revenue.

Local processing creates industries. Industries create jobs. Jobs create skills. Skills create innovation. Innovation drives economic diversification. This virtuous cycle is how nations build sustainable prosperity.

The example of Aliko Dangote's Dangote Refinery illustrates what is possible when Africa moves up the value chain.

For decades, Nigeria was one of the world's largest crude oil producers, yet it remained heavily dependent on imported refined petroleum products. Billions of dollars left the country annually to pay for fuel that could have been refined domestically.

The Dangote Refinery has begun changing that equation. As Africa's largest refinery, it has the potential to reduce fuel imports, improve energy security, conserve foreign exchange, create thousands of jobs, and position Nigeria as a regional supplier of refined petroleum products.

Most importantly, it demonstrates a fundamental principle: the greatest value lies not in extracting resources but in processing them.

The same lesson applies across the continent.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo possesses some of the world's largest reserves of cobalt and copper, minerals essential to the global energy transition. Yet much of this wealth continues to leave the country in raw or semi-processed form.

Zimbabwe and Namibia are seeking greater domestic processing of lithium before export.

Botswana has spent years expanding local diamond cutting and polishing.

South Africa continues to develop downstream mineral industries.

Mozambique is now moving to ensure that more value from its graphite, natural gas, and critical minerals remains within its borders.

These efforts should be applauded.

Critics argue that beneficiation requirements may discourage investment or increase costs. While such concerns deserve consideration, they should not obscure the larger reality. No nation has achieved sustained prosperity by exporting raw materials indefinitely. The world's industrial powers built their economies through manufacturing, processing, and value addition.

Africa deserves the same opportunity.

The continent possesses approximately 30 percent of the world's known mineral reserves, vast energy resources, and one of the youngest populations on Earth. As demand for critical minerals, energy products, and industrial commodities continues to rise, Africa finds itself at the center of the global economy.

The question is no longer whether the world needs Africa's resources.

The question is whether Africa will continue exporting them in their raw form or transform them into engines of industrialization and economic growth.

The answer will determine the continent's future for generations.

Beneficiation is not merely an economic policy. It is a development strategy. It is a jobs strategy. It is a skills strategy. It is a sovereignty strategy.

Most importantly, it is a strategy that allows Africa to capture more of the value created by its own resources.

Mozambique's recent actions should therefore be viewed not as a national policy decision but as part of a broader continental awakening. Africa is increasingly recognizing that true resource wealth is not measured by what leaves its ports, but by what remains within its economies.

The era of exporting opportunity and importing dependency must come to an end.

Africa's next economic revolution will not be dug from the ground alone.

It will be built in its refineries, smelters, factories, industrial parks, and processing plants.

And that revolution has already begun!

-----------------------

Daniel Makokera is a renowed media personality  who has worked as journalist, television anchor, producer and conference presenter for over 20 years. Throughout his career as presenter and anchor, he has travelled widely across the continent and held exclusive interviews with some of Africa's most illustrious leaders. These include former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, former South African presidents Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki, former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, Zimbabwean Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and presidents Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe and Joseph Kabila of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He currently is the CEO of Pamuzinda Productions based in South Africa.

Uganda Contains Ebola Cases as WHO Chief Visits, Urges DRC Cooperation

By Al Mayadeen English

Source: News websites

8 Jun 2026 20:24

3 Min Read

WHO chief Tedros praises Uganda's Ebola response while urging authorities to reopen the DRC border to sustain regional containment efforts.

World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus arrived in Uganda on Monday, visiting an Ebola isolation unit in Kampala and urging Ugandan authorities to reconsider their decision to close the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), warning that shutting crossings could hamper the coordinated regional response needed to contain the outbreak, Daily Monitor reported.

While praising Uganda's "prompt and capable" handling of the crisis, Tedros stressed that cross-border collaboration, not closure, was the key to ending the threat.

"The country's surveillance, testing, and case management systems are doing steady work," he said, adding that the WHO and the Africa CDC are actively supporting the government-led response.

His remarks came fresh from a high-stakes assessment tour of the DRC, where the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus first emerged and continues to drive the regional outbreak.

Ebola in Uganda

Uganda has registered a cumulative total of 19 confirmed cases as of June 6, according to a weekend situation report from the Ministry of Health, which also reported zero new cases in its latest specific update, a signal that containment measures may be gaining traction.

Of the 19 cases, 14 involve individuals who contracted the virus in the DRC and crossed into Uganda, while five are locally confirmed Ugandan nationals. Thirteen patients are currently receiving medical care, four have been successfully discharged, and two deaths have been recorded, both among imported cases.

The figures, while comparatively modest, sit against a far more alarming backdrop in the DRC, where the outbreak has reached 381 confirmed cases and 64 confirmed deaths, with transmission concentrated in Ituri province and spreading into North Kivu and South Kivu.

The Bundibugyo strain, one of the rarer species of Ebola virus, has no approved vaccine or treatment.

$518mln regional plan unveiled

The institutional response has also scaled up significantly.

On June 5, WHO and the Africa CDC jointly unveiled a $518 million, six-month continental response plan running through November, consolidating emergency coordination, surveillance, clinical care, and community engagement under a unified framework. "The only way to beat this outbreak is through close partnership," Tedros said at the plan's launch.

Uganda's Ministry of Health has sought to reassure the public that the outbreak remains tightly managed and the country is safe, an assessment Tedros echoed.

Mauritius Denies Receiving US Acquisition Proposal of Chagos Islands

By Al Mayadeen English

8 Jun 2026 20:18

Mauritius insists that its sovereignty over the archipelago is non-negotiable despite claims that Washington is exploring alternatives to Britain's planned transfer of the territory

Mauritius on Monday said it has not received any proposal from the United States regarding the future of the Chagos Islands, after media reports suggested that the administration of US President Donald Trump was considering options that could involve purchasing the archipelago, The Straits Times reported.

In a statement, the Mauritian government said it had seen reports published by The Telegraph but stressed that no communication had been made by Washington on the matter.

"The Mauritian government has taken note of the information reported by the Telegraph. As of today, it has not received any official proposal and has not been approached, either directly or indirectly, by the US administration regarding a separate agreement concerning Diego Garcia or the Chagos Archipelago," it said.

Port Louis reiterated that its position on the territory remains unchanged.

"Mauritius's position remains unchanged: its sovereignty over the Chagos (Archipelago) is non-negotiable."

Chagos purchase proposal

The comments followed a report by The Telegraph claiming that officials in Washington were examining a number of alternatives to a planned British agreement that would transfer sovereignty over the islands to Mauritius while preserving Western military access to Diego Garcia.

According to the newspaper, one proposal being discussed within the White House would involve the United States seeking to acquire the archipelago directly from Mauritius after sovereignty is transferred from Britain. The report said the idea was included among several contingency options being developed as alternatives to the British-backed arrangement.

The discussions are reportedly being driven by concerns over the long-term status of Diego Garcia, a major US-British military installation regarded by Washington as one of its most important overseas bases. Reports indicate that some US officials fear Mauritian control of the territory could eventually complicate military operations or create strategic uncertainty in the Indian Ocean amid growing competition with China.

Trump questions handover deal

The reported discussions come amid continuing uncertainty over a deal negotiated by London to resolve the long-running dispute over the archipelago. The agreement would see Britain recognize Mauritian sovereignty while securing continued access to the strategically important Diego Garcia military facility through a long-term lease arrangement.

Earlier this year, the British government paused progress on the agreement following criticism from Trump and concerns raised by some US officials about the implications for the future of the base.

Trump publicly criticized the arrangement in February, calling it a "big mistake".

Colonial legacy persists

The Chagos Islands have remained the subject of an international sovereignty dispute for decades. Britain separated the territory from Mauritius prior to Mauritian independence and later forced thousands of Chagossians out of the islands to facilitate the construction of the joint US-British military base on Diego Garcia.

International legal bodies, including the International Court of Justice, have previously concluded that Britain's administration of the islands should come to an end and that the decolonization of Mauritius should be completed.

Under the framework previously outlined by London, Britain would transfer sovereignty to Mauritius while paying approximately £101 million annually to maintain operations at the installation, which remains a key hub for US and British military activities across the Indian Ocean, the Middle East, and beyond.

Over 400 Abductees Freed from Boko Haram Captivity in Nigeria

By Al Mayadeen English

Source: Agencies

7 Jun 2026 14:20

Hundreds of women and children abducted by Boko Haram in northeastern Nigeria have been freed, according to local officials and the military, after months in captivity.

More than 400 women and children abducted by Boko Haram militants earlier this year in Nigeria’s northeastern Borno State have been released after months in captivity, according to local officials and military authorities.

The release marks one of the largest reported recoveries of abducted civilians in recent months in a region long affected by armed violence and displacement.

The captives were taken from Ngoshe, a community near the border with Cameroon, an area repeatedly targeted in attacks linked to the Boko Haram insurgency.

Local representatives said the freed civilians returned on Saturday after enduring harsh conditions during their captivity, bringing relief to families across communities in Borno State.

Hundreds of women and children return home

Samaila Kaigama, president of the Borno South Youth Alliance (BOSYA), said all 416 women and children abducted from Ngoshe had been released.

“Our group has secured the release of all the 416 women and children abducted from Ngoshe,” Kaigama told journalists.

Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume also confirmed the release, though authorities did not immediately clarify the circumstances under which the captives were freed.

The return of the abductees comes after months of uncertainty for families in a region where abductions have become a recurring feature of the long-running Boko Haram conflict.

Competing accounts of the release operation

The Nigerian military stated that it conducted an “intelligence-led rescue operation” that resulted in the release of 360 people held by Boko Haram terrorists.

According to the military, the captives were kept under harsh conditions after being taken from multiple communities, particularly around the Ngoshe axis in Borno State.

Officials said the operation involved extended intelligence gathering and psychological operations aimed at weakening cohesion within armed ranks before a final phase of intervention.

Authorities did not specify whether negotiations or other forms of pressure contributed to the outcome.

Human toll of captivity in northeastern Nigeria

Daniel Bwala, a spokesperson for Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu, said two infants died during captivity due to exhaustion and harsh conditions during movement through difficult terrain.

“Sadly, two infants died due to exhaustion from prolonged captivity and harsh terrain,” he said.

The deaths underscore the severe humanitarian impact of prolonged abductions, particularly on women and children caught in cycles of violence and displacement.

Communities in Borno State continue to face insecurity, disrupted livelihoods, and repeated exposure to armed attacks despite years of military operations.

Abductions amid long-running conflict in the Lake Chad region

Ngoshe lies in the Gwoza hills near the Cameroon border, a long-standing area of Boko Haram activity and cross-border instability in the Lake Chad Basin.

Abductions of civilians have remained a recurring tactic throughout the conflict, which has displaced millions across Nigeria and neighboring states.

Rural communities remain particularly vulnerable due to limited infrastructure, sparse security presence, and repeated incursions by armed groups operating across remote terrain.

Untapped Resources: Tax Reforms Could Unlock $469bn Annually in Africa

By Al Mayadeen English

Source: News websites

5 Jun 2026 09:25

The African Development Bank says Africa could generate over $469 billion annually through better tax systems and efficiency, without increasing tax rates.

The African Development Bank (AfDB) said African countries could unlock more than $469 billion in additional annual revenue without raising tax rates, a figure that would exceed the continent’s estimated financing gap and reduce reliance on external borrowing and aid, Business Insider Africa reported.

The estimate comes at a time when African governments are facing increasing fiscal pressure from rising debt repayments, weaker aid inflows, and a tightening global financial environment.

According to S&P Global Ratings, Africa’s external debt repayments are projected to exceed $90 billion this year, while development institutions estimate the continent’s annual financing gap at around $400 billion.

These pressures have intensified the search for domestic sources of funding as governments attempt to balance budgets and sustain development spending.

AfDB estimates $469 billion in untapped revenue

AfDB Chief Economist Kevin Urama said the potential revenue can be unlocked through improved tax administration, digitization, and institutional reforms rather than higher tax rates.

“We see that by improving tax administration through digitisation and other reforms, just adopting best practices, the continent can mobilise more than $469 billion extra without increasing tax rates,” he said. “It is simply about improving efficiency and strengthening compliance.”

Tax inefficiency and governance gaps across the continent

The AfDB also estimated that Africa could mobilize up to $1.43 trillion annually through broader reforms, including improved public spending efficiency, stronger institutions, and deeper financial systems.

It argued that weak tax administration and fragmented financial structures continue to drain significant resources that could otherwise support development priorities.

According to Urama, tax compliance is also closely tied to public trust in government institutions. In many countries, households and businesses often rely on private solutions for services such as electricity, water, and security, which reduces incentives to contribute more to public revenue systems.

He added that improving transparency and service delivery would help strengthen compliance and increase willingness to pay taxes.

Digitization and reform key solutions

The AfDB has repeatedly called for digitized tax systems, integrated taxpayer databases, broader tax bases, and simplified compliance procedures as key reforms to improve revenue mobilization. These measures, it argued, would help governments capture revenue that is currently lost through inefficiencies.

The bank also said Africa’s long-term development strategy must increasingly rely on internal resources rather than external financing, especially as global uncertainty affects investment flows and development assistance.

It concluded that the continent’s biggest untapped financial resource is not external aid or commodity wealth, but improved collection of revenue that is already due.

Iran Retaliates Against IOF Aggression on Beirut with Missile Salvos

By Al Mayadeen English

7 Jun 2026 23:03

Air raid sirens sounded across northern areas, explosions were reported near multiple locations, and flights at Ben Gurion Airport were temporarily halted.

Iran launched missiles today toward the occupied Palestinian territories in response to the Israeli attack on Beirut’s Southern Suburb.

Earlier on Sunday, Israeli warplanes bombed a residential building in the Mrjayeh–Tahwitat al-Ghadir area of Beirut's Southern Suburb, killing two citizens and injuring 20 others, including 8 women and children, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Security Minister Israel Katz announced the strikes as they were underway.

Air raid sirens sounded across Haifa, al-Jalil, and the occupied Golan Heights, as well as dozens of other areas in the occupied north, following the detection of missile launches from Iran.

Iranian state television announced the launch of several waves of Iranian missiles toward targets in the occupied territories.

Israeli media reports said loud explosions were heard in the north as the missiles or their shrapnel made impact.

Meanwhile, Israeli Kan broadcaster reported damage in northern areas, coinciding with missile launches from Iran and the opening of shelters.

Preliminary reports by Israeli outlets also indicated that a missile struck near Kfar Yehoshua, southeast of Haifa, although details regarding damage or casualties were not immediately available.

Air traffic at Ben Gurion Airport was suspended and bomb shelters across "Israel" were opened after the missile launches from Iran were detected.

IRGC says Ramat David Airbase attacked

Shortly after the launches, the IRGC announced that the Ramat David Airbase was targeted by its ballistic missiles. According to the IRGC, the strike was carried out in response to the extensive Israeli attacks in southern Lebanon, as well as the killing and displacement of civilians in the regions of Tyre, Nabatieh, and other areas, including Beirut's Southern Suburb.

"Our acceptance of a ceasefire had been contingent on a complete cessation of hostilities across all fronts," the IRGC stressed.

In a statement, the IRGC's Public Relations Department announced that the Aerospace Force had launched ballistic missiles targeting the Ramat David airbase, which it described as the origin of attacks against Lebanon.

'We have fulfilled our promise'

Majid Mousavi, commander of the IRGC Aerospace Force, said the operation fulfilled a previously stated commitment, declaring, "We have fulfilled our promise."

The IRGC stated that the operation was intended solely as a warning, adding that any repetition of such actions would be met with a broader response that would encompass all American and Israeli targets across the region.

The statement further said that Iran's acceptance of a ceasefire on April 8 was conditional upon a halt to hostilities on all fronts. However, it said that the United States and "Israel" failed to uphold their commitments, arguing that attacks and military operations in Lebanon continued and that repeated actions against Iranian coasts and vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, the Gulf of Oman, and the Indian Ocean constituted violations of the ceasefire.

'Israel crossed all red lines in Lebanon': Khatam HQ

The spokesperson for the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters stated that the Israeli regime, through its repeated violations of the ceasefire, continues to escalate its actions against the Lebanese people on a daily basis, with the backing and support of the United States and amid the silence of international institutions.

He stated that "Israel" is committing war crimes through the use of prohibited weapons, including phosphorus bombs, adding that despite previous warnings from the Islamic Republic of Iran, "the Israeli regime crossed all red lines by intensifying its attacks in southern Lebanon and targeting Beirut's Southern Suburb."

The spokesperson for the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters stated that the Israeli regime, through its repeated violations of the ceasefire, continues to escalate its actions against the Lebanese people on a daily basis, with the backing and support of the United States and

The spokesperson said Iran had previously warned that it would strike targets in the occupied territories following attacks on Beirut's Southern Suburb.

He further warned that the Israeli military must halt its attacks on southern Lebanon and the Southern Suburb of Beirut, stating that any further escalation or retaliation against Iranian actions would be met with more severe and devastating strikes.

According to the Iranian spokesperson, such a scenario would trigger destructive attacks against "Israel" and its protectors.

'Tonight, the aggressors received their response.'

On his part, Major General Mohsen Rezaei, a member of Iran’s Expediency Discernment Council, said the Islamic Republic had repeatedly warned that it would not tolerate violations of the ceasefire or acts of aggression against Lebanon.

Speaking after the latest developments, Rezaei stressed that those responsible had already faced consequences, declaring, “Tonight, the aggressors received their response.”

He described the response as a warning intended to deter further action, adding that any additional attacks would be met by a stronger reaction and greater costs.

Rezaei said Iran remains committed to its stated position that continued violations of ceasefire arrangements and military actions against Lebanon would provoke an escalating response.

Iranian lawmaker says Axis of Resistance will respond with full force

A senior Iranian lawmaker on Sunday accused the United States and "Israel" of violating regional stability and committing crimes against Palestinians and Lebanese people, warning that the Axis of Resistance would respond in kind.

Ebrahim Azizi, chairman of the National Security and Foreign Policy Committee of the Iranian Parliament, said Washington's violation of a ceasefire in the Gulf and "Israel's" actions in Palestine and Lebanon demonstrated that the two sides “understand only the language of force.”

“The United States’ violation of the ceasefire in the Persian Gulf and the crimes committed by the Zionist regime against Palestine and beloved Lebanon show that you understand only the language of force,” Azizi stressed.

“Therefore, the Resistance Front will address you in the same language,” he declared.

Ceasefire framework

The Israeli strike on Beirut's Southern Suburb follows a June 2–3 trilateral meeting in Washington between US, Lebanese, and Israeli representatives.

The US State Department published a joint statement on June 4 outlining a framework aimed at a ceasefire and border security arrangements, under which the Lebanese government and the Israeli occupation agreed in principle to a ceasefire arrangement.

The agreement has faced widespread rejection across Lebanese sects, political parties, and officials. The Islamic Resistance in Lebanon has continued its operations against Israeli occupation forces in retaliation for ongoing Israeli attacks.

Iran's response warning

Meanwhile, the Islamic Republic of Iran has repeatedly linked developments in Lebanon to the ceasefire agreement in Iran, insisting that the ceasefire deal includes all fronts, specifically Lebanon, with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemning violations of the ceasefire in Beirut as acts of aggression.

Araghchi said Iran had informed all parties that "if they attack Beirut, we will not tolerate it," adding that the course of the conflict would ultimately be determined by the Resistance's ability to respond.

He also reiterated Tehran's position that Iran had been fully prepared to strike "Israel" if Beirut and its Southern Suburb had come under attack, referring to recent Israeli threats against the area issued on June 1.

Following the June 1 threats against Dahieh, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said US President Donald Trump's claim that he had prevented Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from launching an attack on Beirut amounted to an acknowledgment of Washington's direct role in the ongoing aggression.

For his part, Mohsen Rezaei, military advisor to Iran's Leader, warned "Israel" against taking any action targeting Beirut's Southern Suburb, asserting that missile forces were prepared to carry out a broader deterrent response if necessary.

Following the latest threats against Dahieh, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said US President Donald Trump's claim that he had prevented Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from launching an attack on Beirut amounted to an acknowledgment of Washington's direct role in the ongoing aggression.

Israeli Regime Launches Renewed Attacks on Iran

By Al Mayadeen English

Israeli military aircraft launched an aggression on western and central Iran early Monday, with explosions reported in Tehran, Tabriz, Isfahan, and Karaj.

The Israeli military command said its military aircraft launched attacks on western and central Iran early on Monday morning. Hours later, sirens sounded across occupied Palestinian territories, amid a missile attack.

Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps confirmed that Iranian soil was targeted by Israeli aggression, saying that the Israeli regime utilized air-launched ballistic missiles to attack Iran from outside its airspace. 

This comes as sounds of several explosions were heard in Tehran, Tabriz, Isfahan, and Karaj. According to Israeli Channel 12, the Tehran Mehrabad International Airport was also bombed in the wave of strikes.

Meanwhile, Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Baghdad reported that an explosion of unknown origin was heard across the Iraqi capital.

After the wave of Israeli attacks concluded, Israeli media outlets reported that alert levels had been raised in Tel Aviv and southern areas in anticipation of a possible counterattack.

This followed an Iranian response to Israeli aggression in Lebanon and piracy near the Strait of Hormuz.

Missile fired back at Israeli targets

At 5:56 am (local time), sirens sounded in central Israeli occupied territories, amid what the Israeli military command said was a missile attack from Yemen.

Netanyahu breaks his promise to Trump?

Following the Iranian strikes that targeted the Ramat David Airbase in northern occupied Palestine, United States President Donald Trump held a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, ordering him not to respond to Iranian retaliation. This was widely reported in both Western and Israeli media outlets.

"I am going to call Bibi right now and tell him not to retaliate. Each of them had their fun. Israel had its strike, and Iran had its strike. We don't need another one," Trump told Axios.

While Trump publicly called for de-escalation, statements from the Israeli occupation's military leadership pointed in a different direction. According to Israeli media, Chief of the General Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir said the military is prepared to launch a forceful attack "as soon as the order is given."

The statements suggest that while Washington is seeking to avoid confrontation with Iran, the Israeli military establishment is actively preparing for aggressive actions.

Iran Pounds Occupied Territories with Missiles, Warns of 'More Crushing Blows' if Lebanon Attacks Persist

Sunday, 07 June 2026 11:13 PM

A streak of light illuminates the sky during a missile attack from Iran towards the Israeli-occupied territories as seen from Asqalan, June 7, 2026. 

Iranian armed forces launched a missile barrage at Israeli-occupied territories on Sunday, responding to persistent Israeli attacks on Lebanon in breach of the ceasefire.

Sirens blared in wide areas, including the occupied Golan Heights, Tiberias, Safed, Nazareth, Haifa, and several other cities, according to Israeli media.

The Israeli military said air defense systems remain on high alert, while the regime’s education ministry announced the closure of all schools and educational centers for the coming day due to security conditions.

The Iranian operation came as a direct response to the Zionist regime’s continued aggression against Lebanon, including the use of banned phosphorus bombs and the targeting of Beirut’s southern suburbs (Dahiyeh).

Immediately after the retaliatory operation, Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters, the central command of the Iranian armed forces, warned of more "crushing and remorseful blows" should Israeli attacks on Lebanon continue.

In a statement, the central military command slammed the Zionist regime for systematically violating the ceasefire and escalating its aggression against the Lebanese people with direct American support and international silence.

Missiles launched from Iran are seen in the sky over occupied Palestine.

The statement further noted that the regime has been using banned weapons, including phosphorus bombs, to commit war crimes against civilians in southern Lebanon.

"With the green light and support of criminal America and the silence of international bodies, the aggressive Zionist regime has increasingly escalated its atrocities against the oppressed people of Lebanon through repeated ceasefire violations," it read.

The commander of the Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters said, despite repeated warnings from the Islamic Republic of Iran, the “child-killing Zionist regime" has now “crossed all red lines” by expanding its attacks from southern Lebanon to Beirut's southern suburb of Dahiyeh.

Iranian armed forces had previously warned that expansion of Zionist crimes into Dahiyeh would trigger Iranian retaliatory strikes inside the occupied territories.

"We had previously warned that if crimes expand in Beirut's Dahiyeh, we will strike targets within the occupied territories," the statement noted.

The top military command further issued an ultimatum, demanding that the Zionist army immediately halt all attacks on southern Lebanon and Dahiyeh.

Any further expansion of attacks into the area, or any military response to Iranian retaliatory strikes, would be met with devastating force, it warned.

“If it expands its attacks into that area or responds to Iran's action, it will face even more crushing and remorseful blows, and devastating attacks against the regime and its supporters will commence,” the statement added.

Iraqi Resistance Warns US: Any Intervention on Behalf of Israel Will Set Your Bases Ablaze

Sunday, 07 June 2026 10:17 PM

Kata'ib Hezbollah is one of the factions within the Iraqi Islamic Resistance. (File)

Kata'ib Hezbollah, one of the prominent factions within the Iraqi Islamic Resistance, issued a warning to the United States on Sunday, declaring that any American intervention on behalf of the Israeli regime will have catastrophic consequences for it.

The statement warned that US bases across Iraq and the region would be set ablaze.

The resistance group explicitly stated that in the event of direct American military intervention at the behest of the Israeli regime, all US bases and interests on Iraqi soil – as well as those throughout the region – would be considered legitimate targets.

The warning comes following Iran's missile barrage on Israeli-occupied territories in response to continued Israeli attacks on Lebanon in breach of ceasefire agreements.

Earlier, Iranian armed forces launched a barrage of missiles at Israeli-occupied territories in response to persistent Israeli attacks on Lebanon in breach of the ceasefire.

Immediately after the retaliatory operation, Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters, the central command of the Iranian armed forces, warned of more “crushing and remorseful blows” if the Israeli attacks on Lebanon continue.

In a statement, the central military command slammed the Zionist regime for systematically violating the ceasefire and escalating its aggression against the Lebanese people with direct American support and international silence.

The statement further noted that the regime has been using banned weapons, including phosphorus bombs, to commit war crimes against civilians in southern Lebanon.

"With the green light and support of criminal America and the silence of international bodies, the aggressive Zionist regime has increasingly escalated its atrocities against the oppressed people of Lebanon through repeated ceasefire violations," it read.

Kata'ib Hezbollah's statement aligns with the broader position of the Axis of Resistance, which insists on the unity of all fronts, from Lebanon and Iraq to Yemen and Iran.

Yemeni Resistance Missile Attack Paralyzes Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport

Monday, 08 June 2026 3:29 AM

Yemeni armed forces on Monday morning launched a ballistic missile strike targeting the occupied Palestinian territories.

Yemeni armed forces on Monday morning launched a ballistic missile strike targeting the occupied Palestinian territories, forcing the Israeli regime to completely halt all flights at Ben Gurion International Airport while activating air raid sirens across Tel Aviv and central and southern occupied Palestine.

According to the Israeli occupation army, a missile was fired from Yemen toward central parts of the occupied territories.

The regime’s air defense systems claimed to have intercepted the projectile, but the attack triggered widespread panic, with sirens blaring in the Tel Aviv metropolis and surrounding regions.

The Israeli Home Front Command issued urgent warnings for residents in central and southern areas to seek shelter.

Israeli aviation authorities were forced to suspend all arrivals and departures at Ben Gurion as a direct result of the Yemeni missile launch and ensuing security alert, causing major disruptions to air traffic and effectively isolating the occupying regime from the skies.

Yemen’s Ansarullah resistance movement has repeatedly demonstrated its advanced capabilities, with military spokesman Yahya Saree affirming in similar operations that such strikes are part of the ongoing “holy jihad” in support of the oppressed people of Palestine, Lebanon, and Iran against US-Israeli aggression.

Ali Akbar Velayati has issued an ultimatum to the Israeli regime and its backers, stating that any continued aggression will unleash a calculated chain of responses from the Axis of Resistance.

The Yemeni attack came following Iran's missile barrage on Israeli-occupied territories in response to continued Israeli attacks on Lebanon in breach of ceasefire agreements.

Iranian armed forces launched a barrage of missiles on Sunday night at Israeli-occupied territories in response to persistent Israeli attacks on Lebanon in breach of the ceasefire.

‘New Equation Takes Shape’: Yemen, Palestinian Factions Hail Iran Strikes on Israeli Targets

Sunday, 07 June 2026 11:08 PM

People chant during an anti-U.S. and Israeli rally after Iran's missile attack on Israel, in Tehran, Iran, June 7, 2026. (Photo: Reuters)

Yemen and Palestinian resistance groups have praised Iran’s missile strikes on Israeli-occupied territories, describing them as a confirmation that the era of Zionist arrogance has ended.

The Iranian armed forces launched missile attacks on military targets in the northern occupied territories on Sunday night, acting in what Tehran called legitimate self‑defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter.

The strikes came after repeated Israeli ceasefire violations, including the bombing of Beirut’s southern suburbs (Dahiyeh) and collaboration with the US military in attacks on Iranian ships.

Yemen’s Foreign Ministry hailed the “heroic military operation” carried out by Iranian forces against the Zionist enemy in response to the targeting of Beirut.

“The era of the Zionist enemy’s rampage is over,” the ministry said in a statement. “This criminal entity understands only the language of force.”

The ministry added that the operation reinforces the “unity of arenas” doctrine and demolishes the “equation of permissible violation” that the Zionist enemy sought to establish, stressing that the axis of jihad, resistance and Al‑Quds is in constant coordination to confront any developments.

‘Iranian response embodies genuine solidarity’

Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem hailed the Iranian strike as “a manifestation of genuine solidarity that should exist among the components of the Ummah.”

He described it as a response to Israeli transgressions against the brotherly Lebanese people.

The Palestinian Resistance Committees also blessed the Iranian retaliation, stating that it came in response to the targeting of Dahiyeh by “pounding the criminal Zionists’ strongholds.”

“The blessed Iranian response to the Zionist aggression on Dahiyeh confirms that the Islamic Republic is establishing new equations. The era of Zionist arrogance and tyranny has ended forever. The Zionist enemy understands only the language of power, resistance and confrontation,” the statement read.

“The Iranian missiles that struck the Zionist entity once again impose the equation of the unity of arenas and shatter Netanyahu’s illusions and the arrogance of the Zionist criminals.”

The ministry warned that any malicious adventure by the Zionist regime against Lebanon or Iran will be met with a crushing and comprehensive response from Iran’s brave armed forces.

The Iranian strikes followed heightened tensions after Israel bombed the Dahiyeh district of Beirut on Sunday, killing and wounding dozens.

Israel had last week threatened a major assault but scaled back after Iran issued a direct warning.

A Pakistan‑brokered ceasefire between Iran and the US has been in place since early April, but Israel has continued its brutal attacks on Gaza and southern Lebanon.

Tehran has consistently insisted that any final agreement must include a comprehensive halt to hostilities on all fronts, including Lebanon.

Ramat David Airbase, Origin of Israeli Attacks on Lebanon, Hit by Ballistic Missiles: IRGC

Sunday, 07 June 2026 11:11 PM

An Iranian missile flies in the sky over Israel, as seen from al-Khalil, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, June 7, 2026. (Photo: Reuters)

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) says that its Aerospace Force struck the Ramat David airbase with ballistic missiles, identifying the facility as the launchpad for Israeli aggression against southern Lebanon, including the bombing of Tyre, Nabatieh and Beirut’s southern suburbs.

In a statement released late Sunday, the IRGC said the operation was a direct response to the Zionist regime’s widespread crimes in Lebanon, which have resulted in the killing and mass displacement of civilians.

“In response to the extensive crime of the usurping Zionist regime in southern Lebanon, the killing and mass displacement of the oppressed people of Tyre, Nabatieh and other areas, including Dahiyeh Beirut, the Ramat David airbase, the origin of these aggressions, was targeted by ballistic missiles of the IRGC Aerospace Force,” the statement read.

The IRGC stressed that Iran’s acceptance of the April 8 ceasefire was conditional on a halt to hostilities on all fronts.

“But as always, the US and the Zionist regime failed to honour their commitments. They continued aggression and crimes in Lebanon and repeatedly violated the ceasefire by attacking Iranian shores and vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, the Sea of Oman and the Indian Ocean.”

Iranian armed forces launched a missile barrage at Israeli-occupied territories on Sunday, responding to persistent Israeli attacks on Lebanon in breach of the ceasefire.

The IRGC described the overnight missile strike as a “warning”.

“If the aggressions are repeated, the response will be broader and will encompass all American‑Zionist targets in the region.”

Despite a fragile Pakistan‑brokered ceasefire between Iran and the US since early April, Israel has continued its violations by attacking Lebanon, prompting Tehran to take action.

On Sunday, Israeli warplanes bombed residential areas in the southern suburbs of Beirut, killing at least two people and wounding 20 others.

The regime has also used internationally banned phosphorus munitions in southern Lebanon, causing severe burns and environmental damage.

According to Lebanese health authorities, more than 3,610 people have been martyred and over 11,070 wounded since early March, with over 1.6 million displaced.

Iran has repeatedly stated that any ceasefire must be comprehensive and include an immediate halt to Israeli attacks on Lebanon.

IRGC Says Zionist Enemy Attacked Targets Inside Iran Using Air-launched Ballistic Missiles

Monday, 08 June 2026 2:51 AM

File photo shows US-Israeli airstrikes on an Iranian city.

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) announced early Monday that the Zionist enemy carried out attacks on targets inside Iranian territory using air-launched ballistic missiles, in a flagrant violation of the fragile ceasefire.

The IRGC statement gave no further details, but Iranian media reported that several sites were targeted, triggering explosions in Tehran, Isfahan and Tabriz.

Iranian news agency IRNA reported that at least two powerful explosions were heard in the capital, Tehran, with additional blasts in Isfahan and Tabriz.

Israeli media claimed that the strikes hit Mehrabad Airport in Tehran and a storage depot for attack drones.

They reported that fighter jets launched their missiles from above Iraqi airspace, while other reports suggested some attacks originated from warships in the Mediterranean Sea.

Isfahan's deputy governor for security affairs said that a location in the city of Najafabad was targeted by the Zionist regime's aggression early Tuesday but with no human casualties.

The Zionist regime is preparing for an immediate retaliatory response from Iran, according to Israeli media reports.

The ministry warned that any malicious adventure by the Zionist regime against Lebanon or Iran will be met with a crushing and comprehensive response from Iran’s brave armed forces.

The airstrikes followed Iran’s legitimate missile strikes on the occupied territories, which were carried out in retaliation for the regime’s Sunday attacks on the Lebanese capital, Beirut.

Prior to this latest round of aggression, a Pakistan‑brokered ceasefire had been in place since early April, following a full‑scale US‑Israeli war of aggression against Iran that began on February 28.

That war included the assassination of Iran’s late Leader, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, and strikes on nuclear facilities, schools and hospitals.

Tehran has repeatedly warned that any new aggression will be met with a crushing and comprehensive response.

Iranian officials have also insisted that any ceasefire must include a halt to Israeli attacks on Lebanon and Gaza.

Leader’s Adviser to Israel: Halt Your Folly or Face Resistance’s Chain of Responses

Sunday, 07 June 2026 11:36 PM

Ali Akbar Velayati, a senior advisor to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution

Ali Akbar Velayati, a senior adviser to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution on international affairs, has issued an ultimatum to the Israeli regime and its backers, stating that any continued aggression will unleash a calculated chain of responses from the Axis of Resistance.

In a statement on Sunday night following the occupying regime’s latest blatant ceasefire violations in Lebanon, Velayati said, “The prediction made a few days ago has materialized: a missile response of the ‘Dhāt al-Salāsil’ (chain/sequential) type.”

“Today’s stupidity by the regime in Beirut and its blatant violation of the ceasefire has activated the first link in our chain response,” he stated.

“The current security situation in Bab al-Mandab should not lead the enemy into miscalculation. The rings of the Resistance Axis have the full capability to lock both waterways. The choice is yours: stop this foolishness or enter a balanced equation for disciplining the two straits!” he noted.

Velayati’s remarks came following Iran's missile barrage on Israeli-occupied territories in response to continued Israeli attacks on Lebanon in breach of ceasefire agreements.

Iranian armed forces launched a barrage of missiles on Sunday night at Israeli-occupied territories in response to persistent Israeli attacks on Lebanon in breach of the ceasefire.

The remarks underscore the Islamic Republic’s resolute commitment to defending the resistance front and imposing a real balance of power in the region through strength and deterrence.

Any further provocations by the Zionist entity will be met with escalating, proportionate action, as successive links in the prepared chain response are activated by the Axis of Resistance.

The two strategic maritime chokepoints, the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, are vital arteries for global energy supplies and trade. The Resistance Axis possesses the proven capability to secure or disrupt these waterways if the aggressors persist in their reckless crimes, a reality that has already begun reshaping the equations of power across West Asia.

The ministry warned that any malicious adventure by the Zionist regime against Lebanon or Iran will be met with a crushing and comprehensive response from Iran’s brave armed forces.

Velayati’s warning comes amid repeated ceasefire breaches by the Zionist regime, which has continued its aggressive posture in Lebanon despite international calls for restraint.

Such violations expose the occupying entity’s utter disregard for agreements and its desperate reliance on escalation to conceal internal weaknesses.

Iranian officials have repeatedly affirmed that the Islamic Republic and its allies across the Axis of Resistance will not tolerate aggression against Lebanon or any part of the resistance front. Every new crime by the aggressors will elicit a crushing and precise reply, as Sunday night operations have already demonstrated on the ground.

Iran Says Defensive Strikes on Israeli Targets Were Legitimate Self-defense Under UN Charter

Sunday, 07 June 2026 10:16 PM

Iranian foreign ministry building in Tehran. (File)

Iran’s Foreign Ministry has declared that the Islamic Republic’s defensive strikes against military targets in the northern occupied territories were carried out within the framework of inherent self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter, following repeated ceasefire violations by the Zionist regime.

In a statement released on Monday, the ministry said the strikes came in response to Israel’s persistent breaches of the April 8 ceasefire, including its collaboration with the US military in attacks on Iranian ships and targets in southern Iran over the past two weeks, as well as US‑backed maritime piracy against the Iranian nation.

Iran emphasized that the ceasefire in Lebanon is an inseparable part of the April 8 truce agreement, and that the United States bears direct responsibility for Israeli violations and any resulting escalation in the region.

The ministry warned that any malicious adventure by the Zionist regime against Lebanon or Iran will be met with a crushing and comprehensive response from Iran’s brave armed forces.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran reiterates its nation’s serious determination to decisively defend its security and national interests wherever it deems necessary,” the statement read.

Esmaeil Baghaei has reacted to remarks made by Lebanese President Joseph Aoun against Iran, saying “He sells out those who stand beside him and buys those who stand against him.”

The April 8 ceasefire was brokered by Pakistan after 40 days of intense US‑Israeli war on Iran.

Despite the truce, Israel has continued its aggression against Lebanon and Gaza, while the US has maintained a naval blockade of Iranian ports.

Iran has consistently insisted that any final agreement must include a comprehensive halt to hostilities on all fronts, including Lebanon.

The latest Iranian strikes came after the Israeli regime committed a gross violation of the ceasefire by launching deadly attacks on the southern suburbs of Beirut on Sunday.

Iran had warned last week that it will target the occupied territories in case of an attack on Beirut and its sorroundings.

Iran Delivers Crushing Warning to Aggressors: ‘Every New Crime Will Meet a Crushing Response'

Sunday, 07 June 2026 8:32 PM

Mohsen Rezaei, advisor to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution

Senior Iranian officials have warned that any violation of ceasefires or acts of aggression against the Axis of Resistance will be met with decisive and crushing responses, underscoring the Islamic Republic’s commitment to defending Lebanon, Palestine, and regional stability.

Mohsen Rezaei, advisor to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, a member of the Expediency Council, stated on Sunday that the Islamic Republic of Iran had issued repeated warnings against breaches of the ceasefire or aggression targeting Lebanon.

“Tonight, the aggressors received their response,” Rezaei said. “This response is a warning for them to cease their villainy; every new action will be met with a more crushing response and heavier costs.”

The remarks came following Iran's missile barrage on Israeli-occupied territories in response to continued Israeli attacks on Lebanon in breach of ceasefire agreements.

Iranian armed forces launched a barrage of missiles on Sunday night at Israeli-occupied territories in response to persistent Israeli attacks on Lebanon in breach of the ceasefire.

Echoing this firm stance, Ebrahim Azizi, a senior member of Iran’s Parliament and Chairman of the National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, highlighted the pattern of violations by Washington and the Zionist entity.

“The violation of the ceasefire by the U.S. in the Persian Gulf and the crimes of the Zionist regime against Palestine and Lebanon show that you only understand the language of power and force,” Azizi said.

“Therefore, the Resistance Front will also speak to you in the same language,” he stated.

The violation of the ceasefire by the U.S. in the Persian Gulf and the crimes of the Zionist regime against Palestine and Lebanon show that you only understand the language of power and force. Therefore, the Resistance Front will also speak to you in the same language.

Immediately after the retaliatory operation, Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters, the central command of the Iranian armed forces, warned of more “crushing and remorseful blows” if the Israeli attacks on Lebanon continue.

In a statement, the central military command slammed the Zionist regime for systematically violating the ceasefire and escalating its aggression against the Lebanese people with direct American support and international silence.

Abayomi Azikiwe, PANW Editor, Interviewed on 1+1 with Youri Smouter, Discussing Current Affairs

Watch this interview with Abayomi Azikiwe, editor of the Pan-African News Wire, hosted by Youri Smouter of 1+1. 

To watch this episode in its entirety, just click on the following URL: 1+1 E392 Youri & Abayomi Azikiwe on current affairs in the UK, US, West Asia, Palestine, & CBS media

The program looks at current events from the recent developments in West Asia to Southern Africa. 

Also, the impact of the collapse of socialism in Eastern Europe and Yugoslavia are examined. 

In addition, the historic role of the People's Republic of China and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) are reviewed, among other issues. 

This discussion took place on Friday June 5, 2026.

Africa CDC, WHO Launch Continental Ebola Preparedness, Response Plan

Source: Xinhua| 2026-06-07 00:25:15|Editor: huaxia

Addressing a joint virtual press conference, heads of the Africa CDC and WHO said that the newly launched plan will serve as a coordinated framework to support affected states, strengthen preparedness and protect Africa's health security.

ADDIS ABABA/GENEVA, June 6 (Xinhua) -- The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) on Friday launched a continental Ebola outbreak preparedness and response plan, aiming to coordinate efforts to contain the outbreak.

Addressing a joint virtual press conference, heads of the Africa CDC and WHO said that the newly launched plan will serve as a coordinated framework to support affected states, strengthen preparedness and protect Africa's health security.

The plan aims to raise 518 million U.S. dollars to support African countries to prepare for, rapidly detect and respond to the outbreak for the period between June and November 2026.

Africa CDC Director-General Jean Kaseya said that the joint plan "gives the continent a clear path to act with speed and unity to save lives, support the affected countries, and protect neighboring communities."

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, for his part, underscored the urgent need for enhanced collaboration among the affected and at-risk countries as well as continental and international partners.

"Containing Ebola depends on political commitment, sustained financing and the trust and engagement of communities," Tedros said. "This plan places communities at the center, because without their participation, contact tracing falters, safe care is delayed, and transmission continues."

The six-month plan brings together governments, partners and communities under a unified "One Response" approach to strengthen outbreak response measures, including emergency coordination, disease surveillance, laboratory testing, infection prevention and control, clinical care, community engagement, research, logistics and support for essential health services. 

WHO Hands Over Medical Supplies to Zambia for Ebola Prevention

Source: Xinhua| 2026-06-07 00:22:30|Editor: huaxia

LUSAKA, June 6 (Xinhua) -- The World Health Organization (WHO) on Friday handed over medical supplies to Zambia to help strengthen the country's preparedness and response to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda.

The donated medical supplies, valued at 22,000 U.S. dollars, included personal protective equipment, specimen transportation materials, and laboratory reagents.

Clement Peter Lasuba, the WHO Representative in Zambia, said during a donation ceremony held in Lusaka, the country's capital, that the move demonstrates the organization's commitment to supporting Zambia in strengthening its preparedness and response capacity.

He expressed hope that the donation would significantly enhance Zambia's ability to diagnose and test suspected Ebola cases, following the provision of a mobile laboratory.

"This handover is not simply a donation; it is a contribution toward a stronger, safer, and more resilient health system, one that is capable of detecting threats, responding rapidly, and protecting communities before outbreaks become emergencies," he said.

Lasuba thanked Zambian authorities for the measures taken so far to prepare the country, including the development of a national preparedness and response plan and the implementation of other preventive measures.

According to Lasuba, the WHO, in collaboration with the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has launched a continental preparedness and response plan to contain the outbreak as quickly as possible, support affected countries, and prevent its spread to countries bordering the DRC.

George Sinyangwe, permanent secretary for donor coordination at the Ministry of Health, thanked the WHO for the donation, saying it is a testament to the enduring partnership between the WHO and Zambia.

He pledged that the donated supplies would be used transparently and efficiently to ensure that frontline health workers are protected and that communities remain safe.

DR Congo's Confirmed Ebola Cases Rise to 452, with 82 Deaths: Report

Source: Xinhua| 2026-06-06 04:48:45|Editor: huaxia

KINSHASA, June 5 (Xinhua) -- The number of confirmed Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has risen to 452, including 82 deaths, according to the latest situation report released by the country's health ministry.

According to the report, health authorities reported 71 new confirmed cases on June 4, including 21 deaths, in Ituri and North Kivu provinces, a sign of rapid and continuing community transmission amid the outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the virus.

A total of 258 patients are in isolation or hospital care, while eight people have recovered.

Contact tracing remains a major gap, the report said, noting that of 4,766 contacts under follow-up across the three provinces, only 2,755 have been seen, representing an overall follow-up rate of 57.8 percent.

The DRC health authorities listed the main challenges facing the response, including resistance to post-mortem swabbing, insufficient standardized Ebola treatment capacity, weak contact tracing, shortages of essential medicines, inadequate infection-prevention supplies in North Kivu, poor alert reporting and a 21.5-million-U.S.-dollar funding gap.

Uganda has also confirmed three new Ebola cases, bringing the cumulative number of infections to 19, the Ugandan Ministry of Health said on Friday.

The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization on Friday launched a continental Ebola outbreak preparedness and response plan, aiming to raise 518 million U.S. dollars to support African countries to prepare for, rapidly detect and respond to the outbreak for the period between June and November.

South Africa Welcomes Fitch's First Credit Rating Upgrade in Nearly 21 Years

Source: Xinhua| 2026-06-06 20:56:45|Editor: huaxia

JOHANNESBURG, June 6 (Xinhua) -- The South African National Treasury has welcomed Fitch Ratings' decision to upgrade the country's long-term foreign and local currency debt ratings.

On Friday, Fitch upgraded South Africa's Long-Term Issuer Default Ratings from 'BB-' to 'BB' and maintained a stable outlook.

The agency noted that despite weak economic growth and persistent domestic and external shocks, South Africa has implemented prudent fiscal management and made visible progress on fiscal consolidation.

According to the National Treasury, gross domestic product (GDP) adjustments have left the government's debt-to-GDP ratio well below the levels anticipated when the country was downgraded to 'BB-' in 2020.

The Treasury highlighted that this marks Fitch's first sovereign rating upgrade for South Africa in nearly 21 years, making it only the second G20 nation to be upgraded by the agency this year.

"Improved sovereign credit ratings help to lower borrowing costs for government, businesses, and households, yielding tangible benefits for ordinary people," said Duncan Pieterse, the Director-General of the National Treasury.

"South Africa still has some way to go to regain its investment-grade credit rating, but for the first time in more than a decade, we are seeing a clear turnaround in the downward ratings trend. This turnaround is especially notable because it comes at a time when the global sovereign credit trend is overwhelmingly negative," Pieterse added.

The Treasury emphasized that the upgrade is particularly impressive given the challenging global environment.

Since geopolitical conflicts escalated, Fitch has taken negative rating actions against five separate investment-grade sovereigns, contrasting sharply with South Africa's upward trajectory.

In its assessment, Fitch observed that South Africa has transitioned from primary fiscal deficits to consistent and widening primary surpluses.

The agency pointed out that government debt is stabilizing due to improved revenue collection and disciplined expenditure management. Furthermore, ongoing structural reforms in the energy and logistics sectors are projected to bolster economic growth in the coming years.

In recent years, South Africa has actively driven structural changes to eliminate energy deficiencies, clear logistics bottlenecks, and resolve operational challenges plaguing the domestic transport sector. 

Xinhua Commentary: Carrying Forward Time-honored China-DPRK Friendship

Source: Xinhua

Editor: huaxia2026-06-06 21:47:15

The train No. 95 from Dandong of China to Pyongyang of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) passes a border bridge in Dandong, northeast China's Liaoning Province, March 12, 2026. (Xinhua/Pan Yulong)

As this year marks the 65th anniversary of the China-DPRK Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance, China and the DPRK will surely carry forward their traditional friendship and deepen cooperation for the benefit of their peoples and the cause of peace, stability and prosperity in the region and beyond.

BEIJING, June 6 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chinese president, will pay a state visit to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) from June 8 to 9 at the invitation of Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the DPRK.

The visit marks Xi's first overseas trip this year and his first state visit to the DPRK in seven years. It is of great significance for advancing China-DPRK relations and will surely inject new impetus into the traditional friendship between the two countries, enabling it to stand the test of time and weather all challenges.

The establishment of diplomatic ties of the two countries in 1949 opened a new chapter in bilateral relations. In 1961, the two countries signed the China-DPRK Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance, laying an important political and legal foundation for lasting friendly cooperation.

From jointly resisting foreign aggression and striving for national independence and liberation, to advancing socialist revolution and construction side by side, China and the DPRK have trusted and lent a helping hand to each other. They are good neighbors, good friends and good comrades who have shared weal and woe and helped each other in time of need.

In recent years, Xi and Kim have met on multiple occasions and maintained close communication. Xi has stressed that maintaining, consolidating and developing China-DPRK relations has always been an unwavering policy of the CPC and the Chinese government. Kim has also expressed his willingness to work together with Xi to inherit and develop the traditional friendship between the two countries.

In early September last year, the two leaders held a historic meeting in Beijing and reached an important consensus on overall, strategic and directional issues concerning bilateral relations, opening a new chapter in the friendly exchanges between the two countries.

Under the strategic guidance of the top leaders of the two sides, China-DPRK relations have been advancing with a clear direction and strong momentum.

China-DPRK cooperation is also thriving, fueled by growing exchanges and collaboration at all levels and across various sectors. China is the DPRK's largest trading partner and the two countries maintain exchanges and cooperation in culture, education, science and technology, sports and other fields.

The two sides have also concluded a range of agreements and treaties, including those on trade and navigation, air transport and consular affairs. Multiple provinces and cities in both countries have also established sister-city relationships, helping build bridges of friendship between their peoples.

Over the past year, bilateral exchanges have delivered many highlights. For example, the international passenger train services between Beijing and Pyongyang and between China's Dandong and Pyongyang have further facilitated people-to-people exchanges.

From the DPRK's active support for the vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity and the four major global initiatives, to the two sides' close coordination within multilateral frameworks such as the United Nations and on regional and international issues, the two countries have worked together to safeguard their common interests, uphold international fairness and justice, and contribute to peace, stability and development in the region and beyond.

As this year marks the 65th anniversary of the China-DPRK Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance, China and the DPRK will surely carry forward their traditional friendship and deepen cooperation for the benefit of their peoples and the cause of peace, stability and prosperity in the region and beyond.