Latest news with #Sa'ar
New York Post
9 hours ago
- Politics
- New York Post
Israeli foreign minister slams ‘shameful' request by nine EU nations amid Iran war
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar slammed as 'shameful' a request by nine E.U. member states on Thursday that Brussels take action against goods and services originating from Jewish towns in Judea and Samaria. 'It is regrettable that even when Israel fighting an existential threat which is in Europe vital interest—there are those who can't resist their anti-Israeli obsession,' Sa'ar tweeted. 'Shameful!' Sa'ar was responding to Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot, who led the initiative together with his counterparts in Finland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden. 4 'It is regrettable that even when Israel fighting an existential threat which is in Europe vital interest—there are those who can't resist their anti-Israeli obsession,' Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar tweeted. 'Shameful!' AFP via Getty Images Prévot said they asked the European Commission to investigate 'how trade in goods and services linked to illegal settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory can be brought into line with international law.' The move came in response to the July 2024 non-binding advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice, which Prévot claimed 'clearly states that third countries must refrain from any trade or investment that helps sustain an illegal situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.' 'We have not seen a proposal to initiate discussions on how to effectively discontinue trade of goods and services with the illegal settlements,' the nine ministers reportedly wrote in a missive to the E.U.'s foreign affairs chief, Kaja Kallas, that was seen by Reuters. 'We need the European Commission to develop proposals for concrete measures to ensure compliance by the Union with the obligations identified by the Court,' they wrote, according to the press agency. 4 Sa'ar was responding to Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot, who led the initiative together with his counterparts in various countries. AP The request comes ahead of a meeting in Brussels on June 23, where E.U. foreign ministers are expected to discuss Israel's compliance with the human rights provisions of the bloc's trade deal with Jerusalem. The probe was proposed by Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp, who wrote to Kallas in May requesting a review of the Hamas war. Read the latest on the conflict between Israel and Iran Among those who did not back a review was Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský, who suggested the E.U. meet with Jerusalem to raise concerns. Kallas has said that E.U. sanctions against Jewish residents of Judea and Samaria were ready, but that the measures have been blocked by one of its member states. 4 'We have not seen a proposal to initiate discussions on how to effectively discontinue trade of goods and services with the illegal settlements,' the nine ministers reportedly wrote in a missive to the E.U.'s foreign affairs chief, Kaja Kallas. AFP via Getty Images That country is Hungary, according to Reuters. Early on June 13, more than 200 Israeli fighter jets attacked dozens of enemy targets, including military and nuclear sites, in a 'preemptive, precise, combined' opening strike against Tehran's nuclear program. Since the start of the war on June 13, Iranian attacks on Israel's civilian population centers have killed 24 people in the Jewish state. 4 Among those who did not back a review was Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský, who suggested the E.U. meet with Jerusalem to raise concerns. REUTERS Three were killed on Friday, 13 overnight on Saturday, and eight early on Monday. Kallas, a former prime minister of Estonia, is a fierce critic of Russia's war on Ukraine and has repeatedly criticized Tehran for its military support to Moscow, as well as its missile attacks on the Jewish state. Last month, Kallas urged the Islamic Republic to 'stop military support to Russia and raise concerns over detained E.U. citizens and human rights,' speaking during a call with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Nuclear weapons, ballistic missiles: Israel's spy files reveal why Tel Aviv had to attack Iran; 'faced existential threat'
Israel's operation was launched on June 13, and targeted military facilities, key individuals, and infrastructure linked to Iran's nuclear and missile programs. (Representative image/AI generated) Israel's foreign minister Gideon Sa'ar has sent a detailed letter to the United Nations Security Council outlining why the country launched a major military operation, named Operation Rising Lion, against Iran. In the letter, Sa'ar said the strikes were aimed at halting Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programs, which he described as an "existential and imminent threat" to Israel. A report by The Economist also reveals that Israel struck Iran based on intelligence that it claimed showed Iran had reached a "point of no return" in its quest for a nuclear weapon. "In the early hours of Friday, 13 June 2025, the State of Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, aimed to neutralize the existential and imminent threat from Iran's nuclear weapon and ballistic missile programs," Sa'ar wrote in his letter. In the letter, dated June 17, Sa'ar accused Iran of actively pursuing nuclear weapons, rapidly enriching uranium, and planning to manufacture thousands of ballistic missiles aimed at Israel. "Operation Rising Lion was launched following a critical development in Iran's nuclear weapons program and aimed also at thwarting the imminent threat of additional Iranian missile and proxy attacks. While Iran rapidly produces highly enriched uranium, reliable intelligence confirmed in recent months that the Iranian regime had significantly accelerated its clandestine efforts to develop nuclear weapons," the Israeli foreign minister wrote in his letter. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Israel's operation was launched on June 13, and targeted military facilities, key individuals, and infrastructure linked to Iran's nuclear and missile programs. Sa'ar pointed out in his letter that as recently as last month, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called Israel a "cancerous tumor". "Less than a month ago, Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, declared that Israel is 'a cancerous tumor that must be eradicated and it will be'. Israel, as the Jewish homeland, cannot and will not accept the threat of extermination." "Iran's nuclear strategy is clear: achieve nuclear weapons which will be aimed against the State of Israel," the letter stated. The foreign minister also cited Iran's plans to produce 10,000 ballistic missiles in the next three years, calling it an intolerable threat. "Iran had already launched hundreds of ballistic missiles against Israel, in April 2024 and October 2024, targeting Israeli population centers and also in the last few days. Recently, Iran has accelerated its efforts in this regard and planned to produce 10,000 such missiles within the next three years." The letter also accused Iran of supporting a wide network of armed proxies, including Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis. " Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) - which has been designated by several states as a terrorist organization - leads these efforts, inter-alia, by directly attacking Israel and by wielding Iran's proxy network of terrorist armed groups such as Hezbollah, the Houthis, Hamas, and others. This is all part of the Iranian war plan to encircle Israel with 'a ring of fire', in pursuit of Israel's annihilation, including through ground invasions into Israel's territory," the letter read. Sa'ar said the strikes were carried out as a last resort after diplomatic efforts failed. "Operation Rising Lion was launched as a measure of last resort. It was prompted by a critical development in lran's covert nuclear weapons program and in response to, and in order to thwart, the threat of imminent Iranian attacks. This was the last window of opportunity to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, and takes place after diplomacy proved ineffective. Israel is acting to defend its security and very existence." The Bomb files Apart from the Iranian foreign minister's claim of having intelligence inputs of Iran accelerating effort to develop nuclear weapon, a recent report by The Economist also pointed out that Israel carried out its strikes on Iran based on intelligence suggesting that Iran had reached a "point of no return" in its efforts to develop a nuclear weapon. According to the report, Israel also shared this intelligence with the United States and other allies. The report adds that the information presented by Israel includes a detailed description of a renewed and urgent effort by Iranian scientists to move towards "weaponisation", the process of developing an explosive nuclear device. The dossier reportedly contains two main pieces of evidence to support this claim. Some of Israel's intelligence assessments echo some of the details available earlier, too. They claim that a group of Iranian scientists has been engaged in both open and secret research related to nuclear weapons for several years. This activity reportedly traces back to Iran's earlier nuclear weapons program, known as AMAD, which was shut down in 2003, likely due to concerns about a possible US attack. According to Israeli assessments, the Economist report says, the Iranian scientists continued their work under the Organisation of Defensive Innovation and Research, or SPND, using civilian research areas such as Covid-19 vaccine development and laser technology as a cover. One of the few high-ranking officials said to be aware of this ongoing work was Major-General Mohammad Bagheri, the chief of staff of Iran's military, who oversaw both the regular armed forces and the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC). However, as per the Economist report, there is also information that appears to be new in the Israeli intelligence dossiers. The documents claim that about six years ago, a group of Iranian scientists created a covert unit called the "Special Progress Group." This group reportedly operated under the direction of Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, the former head of Iran's AMAD nuclear weapons program. Its purpose was to lay the groundwork for a faster move toward building a nuclear weapon, in case Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, decided to pursue that path. Fakhrizadeh was assassinated by Israel in November 2020. On June 13, at the start of the current conflict, the Israeli government made public some slides that outlined this background. However, officials also shared additional intelligence with allies, suggesting that the Special Progress Group increased its activity at the end of 2024. The assessments claim that Iran had new motivation to push ahead with nuclear weapon development at that time. It was frustrated by the limited impact of its missile attacks on Israel, its air defences had been weakened by Israeli strikes in October 2024, and its proxy forces—Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon—were reportedly facing collapse.
News18
2 days ago
- Politics
- News18
‘Don't Want An Open-Ended War': Israeli Minister Cites ‘Double Existential Threat' From Iran
Last Updated: Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs Gideon Sa'ar asserted that there are no negotiations with the Iranian regime and Israel is focussed on dismantling Tehran's elimination plan. Israel said that it has launched aerial strikes on Iran targeting nuclear and military infrastructure to eliminate a double existential threat. While speaking exclusively to CNN-News18, Israel Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar said that Tehran's nuclear and ballistic missile programmes are posing a significant threat to Israel. He said that Iran has a strategic plan to eliminate Israel, and Israel cannot and will not accept the threat of extermination. 'We came very close to Iran acquiring a nuclear weapon — we cannot allow that to happen. This is a country that has publicly declared its intent to eliminate Israel," Sa'ar said. The Israeli minister further said that the Netanyahu government took a last-minute decision to pound missiles at Iran as Tehran was aiming to mass-produce ballistic missiles which was an unbearable threat for Tel Aviv. Since the beginning of the fighting between the two countries since June 13, Israel's prime goal has been to foil Iran's nuclear ambitions. Apart from that, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said, they also want to neutralise Iran's missile production and attack capabilities. Sa'ar further asserted that there are no negotiations with the Iranian regime and Israel is focussed on dismantling Tehran's elimination plan, nuclear ambitions, and missile programme. 'We know what targets we want to hit. The mission will be completed when those are achieved. We have a clear plan. We do not intend to fight an open-ended war," he said. 'We have suffered casualties. This criminal regime is targeting civilian centres, killing children and innocent people. They are deliberately attacking civilians. The will of the Israeli people is strong. The Opposition also supports this operation," he said. He further vowed that the Israeli people are strong and stand united behind the operation. Israel-Iran Conflict The Middle-East is bracing for a protracted conflict following Israel's surprise bombardment of Iranian nuclear and military sites on Friday, which resulted in the deaths of several top generals and nuclear scientists. The conflict entered its sixth day today with both sides intensifying attacks and pounding strikes at each other. Earlier today, the conflict intensified further after the hostilities continued. Explosions were heard in Tehran today as intense Israeli airstrikes again targeted Iran's capital, including Tehran's District 18 area, near the Mehrabad airport. Loud blasts were heard and at least five columns of smoke were visible in the east and southeast regions of the Iranian capital, news agency AFP reported. Meanwhile, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned Israel of 'dire consequences" and said that Tehran will harshly retaliate against Israel's attacks. In a first television address to the nation after the latest conflict, the supreme leader asserted that Tehran will not surrender or accept an imposed peace or war. 'The Zionist regime made a big mistake and will be punished for its actions. Our people will not spare the blood of their martyrs and will not stop violating their country's airspace," he said. He further gave a message to the United States saying that Iran will not surrender and further warned that any US strike will have serious irreparable consequences. Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the air force has hit more than 1,100 Iranian assets in hundreds of strikes when it launched Operation Rising Lion on June 13.
Vancouver Sun
2 days ago
- Politics
- Vancouver Sun
Strikes in Iran to continue, Israeli foreign minister tells diplomats
Israel's military operation in Iran will continue until its objectives are met, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar said on Wednesday. During a meeting with more than 30 foreign ambassadors at the scene of an Iranian rocket impact in Bat Yam, near Tel Aviv, Sa'ar said that the Iranian regime was 'making a mistake.' 'The Iranian regime deliberately targets population centres and murders civilians,' he said. 'They do not understand that the Israeli people are strong and massively support Operation Rising Lion,' he added. The operation, which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said is aimed at ending the threat to Israel posed by Iran's nuclear program and ballistic missiles, will continue until those objectives are met, said Sa'ar. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. 'We are determined to continue until we reach our objectives. There are no negotiations,' he added. Eight people were killed on Sunday when an Iranian ballistic missile fell in a residential area of Bat Yam. A ninth person is still missing. It was the deadliest single hit since Operation Rising Lion began on June 13. So far, 24 Israelis have been killed and some 1,500 wounded by Iran's ballistic missile assault, according to Tel Aviv University's Institute for National Security Studies (INSS.) Nearly 4,000 Israelis have had to leave their homes as a result of Iranian attacks. From June 13 to noon local time on June 18, Iran had launched 19 barrages of over 400 projectiles at the Jewish state. Between 80 per cent and 90 per cent of the projectiles were intercepted, but more than 40 penetrated Israel's air defences. The largest share of the projectiles, or 45 per cent, were aimed at the centre of the country. Another 38 per cent targeted northern Israel and the rest its south, according to the INSS. In Iran, Israeli strikes have reportedly killed some 600 people, including more than 25 high-ranking military officers and 14 nuclear scientists, INSS wrote. Israeli aircraft and other forces have engaged more than 1,100 targets, including five sites connected with the Islamic Republic's nuclear program. Israel has reportedly destroyed about 120 rocket launchers, or a third of the Iranian arsenal. The Israeli offensive is widely regarded as effective and successful, having focused initially on personnel, nuclear sites and air defence systems. Israel on Sunday announced it had achieved total air superiority over Iran, meaning unrestricted movement in Iranian airspace.
Edmonton Journal
2 days ago
- Politics
- Edmonton Journal
Strikes in Iran to continue, Israeli foreign minister tells diplomats
Article content Israel's military operation in Iran will continue until its objectives are met, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar said on Wednesday. During a meeting with more than 30 foreign ambassadors at the scene of an Iranian rocket impact in Bat Yam, near Tel Aviv, Sa'ar said that the Iranian regime was 'making a mistake.' 'The Iranian regime deliberately targets population centres and murders civilians,' he said. 'They do not understand that the Israeli people are strong and massively support Operation Rising Lion,' he added.
