PTA issues security advisory for WhatsApp users to prevent hacking

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has issued a security advisory urging WhatsApp users to adopt essential safety measures to protect their accounts from hacking and cyber fraud.

In a statement on Saturday, the authority warned that cybercriminals continue to target WhatsApp accounts through unauthorised access attempts and advised users to strengthen their account security.

PTA recommended enabling Security Notifications by going to “Settings > Account > Security Notifications” and turning on the “Show Security Notifications” option. The feature alerts users whenever there is a change to their account’s security settings.

The regulator also advised users to link a secure and active email address to their WhatsApp account, saying it can help with account recovery in case of hacking or other emergencies.

In addition, PTA urged users to activate Two-Step Verification, describing it as an important layer of protection that helps prevent unauthorised access by hackers and cybercriminals.

The authority stressed that taking these simple precautions can help safeguard personal data, contacts, and digital information, while failure to do so could leave users vulnerable to cyber fraud and financial losses.

 

Iran halts strikes on Gulf states, US interests in region after two nights without American attacks

Mediators Pakistan and Qatar have intensified the exchange of messages between the US and Iran after the two warring sides communicated their responses to a joint formula to end their months-long war, Pakistani government sources told Anadolu on Sunday.

The development came after US President Donald Trump ordered a "pause" in the latest bombing campaign on Iran after two weeks of consecutive nights of strikes, the sources added.

Earlier this week, Islamabad and Doha proposed a joint de-escalation formula, urging the US and Iran to return to their pre-July 9 positions "as a first step" to resume stalled talks to permanently end the conflict, according to an official familiar with the matter.

Although the sources did not elaborate on details of the responses, they said both sides have communicated their consent for dialogue and diplomacy to end the latest hostilities and return to negotiations.

The sources said the pause in strikes from both sides has raised hopes for resumption of the stalled talks.

A source, however, cautioned that the pause was fragile with a "strong" possibility of violations or another flare-up of hostilities in the near-closed Strait of Hormuz. "Mediators are in constant contact with the two warring sides to consolidate the 'pause, which is their first priority to clear the way for next rounds of their de-escalation formula."

A diplomatic source separately told Anadolu that mediators are particularly concerned about "hawks" from both sides, who could reignite the hostilities.

The New York Times reported on Saturday that Trump has paused plans to escalate military operations against Iran for now amid concerns over dwindling American air defence missile stocks.

The decision followed a meeting on Friday with senior advisers and Cabinet officials.

De-escalation' proposal

The de-escalation proposal, jointly drafted by Islamabad and Doha after consulting regional partners, called on both sides to return to the positions they held before the beginning of fresh hostilities.

Iran confirmed it received proposals from mediators aimed at de-escalating tensions and is reviewing them, while reaffirming its commitment to diplomacy amid an exchange of fire.

Pakistan, which mediated a ceasefire in April, also helped the US and Iran reach a memorandum of understanding last month to end their conflict and reach a lasting peace agreement.

Tensions, however, escalated earlier this month again over navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

According to the proposal, the sources added, Iran will immediately reopen the Strait of Hormuz, whereas the US will end the resumed blockade of Iranian ports and lift sanctions on the sale of Iranian oil.

The sources added that the formula also proposes a two-week ceasefire.

The sources said Washington and Tehran, if they agree, will resume the talks right away, and implementation of the ceasefire in southern Lebanon will also be at the top of the agenda.

No US attacks on Iran for first time in two weeks but war spreads to Red Sea

The Iran war broadened over the weekend despite a pause in US strikes, as Yemen's Houthis attacked Saudi oil installations along the Red Sea coast and Iran accused Ukraine of targeting one of its vessels in the Caspian Sea.

The US military said on Saturday its naval blockade against Iran "remains in full effect" but did not explain why it halted a streak of 13 nights of escalating strikes.

There were also no weekend reports of attacks by Iran on neighbours, similar to its daily rejoinders to the US attacks.

Asked about the pause, a senior official in President Donald Trump's administration said Trump "has always been clear that his preference is diplomacy, but he has shown Iran what will happen if they fail to come to the table in a serious way."

Trump has decided, for now, to back away from plans to ramp up attacks on Iran, the New York Times said on Saturday, citing two people briefed on the discussion.

The president and his advisers, the newspaper said, have concerns about expanding the conflict, depleting defence stockpiles, alienating Middle East Gulf allies and affecting energy supplies and the global economy.

Vice President JD Vance and Gen Dan Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, both raised concerns about the US munitions stockpile with Trump during a White House meeting on Friday, a US official told CNN.

Operations are "on a hold," a Department of Defence source told the broadcaster on Saturday.

Despite the Gulf lull, Saturday's fighting between Houthis and Saudi Arabia showed that the war, which has already disrupted energy supplies through the Strait of Hormuz, could affect a second major shipping route and reignite Yemen's civil war.

Separately, Iran's Foreign Ministry accused Ukraine of attacking an Iranian commercial vessel in the Caspian Sea, saying one sailor was killed and another injured.

The ministry summoned Ukraine's charge d'affaires in Tehran to protest over an attack it described as "hostile and criminal", state news agency IRNA said.

The Iranian denunciation coincided with comments by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy that Kyiv had noted Russia was passing on to Iran its satellite observations in the Middle East, to enable it to direct ‌strikes in the region.

War threatens to spread to Yemen

Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said the group struck sites belonging to Saudi state oil company Aramco in the cities of Jizan and Yanbu on Saturday.

A large column of smoke rose from the direction of the Aramco refinery in Jizan, near the Yemeni border, video on social media verified by Reuters showed. The refinery can process up to 400,000 barrels of crude oil daily.

Two Asia-based trading sources said they had been informed of potential damage to fuel and oil storage sites at Jizan. Aramco did not respond to requests for comment.

In Yanbu, two missiles aimed at oil installations were intercepted. Yanbu, Saudi Arabia's main Red Sea oil port, has become a key route for Saudi oil skirting the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has blockaded.

Saudi-led coalition strikes Hodeidah

In Yemen, officials said the air force of the Saudi-backed, internationally recognised government, which has opposed the Houthis for more than a decade, struck Houthi sites in the Marib and al-Jawf provinces.

The officials said both sides in Yemen's civil war were mobilising forces along the front.

Saudi Arabia has led an Arab coalition battling the Houthis since the Iran-aligned fighters captured Yemen's capital, Sanaa.

The civil war, in which famine and fighting killed hundreds of thousands, has been paused by a ceasefire since 2022.

But that truce broke down this month, with the Houthis effectively joining the wider war their Iranian allies have waged since being attacked by the United States and Israel five months ago.

The Houthis have declared a naval blockade of Saudi Arabia over the past week, and Houthi leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi said all Saudi oil facilities could be targets.

Trump to impose 'forced labour' duties on 60 nations, including Pakistan, as temporary 10% US tariffs expire

The Trump administration on Friday imposed new tariffs of 10% and 12.5% on goods from 60 trading partners, including Europe and China, over allegations of lax enforcement of forced labour bans, just as a temporary 10% global tariff expired.

The move is the White House's latest effort to restore President Donald Trump's vision of a near-global tariff after the US Supreme Court in February struck down his "reciprocal" duties of 10% to 50% imposed under a national emergencies law to try to shrink the US trade deficit.

New tariffs had been expected, but trade partners around the world joined in strongly disputing the justification for them. Some, however, noted they would make little difference to current levies. There was little early reaction on financial markets more focused on the Middle East conflict.

The new tariffs, announced in a Federal Register notice, cover 99.4% of US imports, but include numerous product exemptions, such as oil and gas, fertiliser and certain food items.

"The United States has had a forced labour import ban for nearly a century, and rigorously enforces it. It’s well past time for our trading partners to do the same," US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said in a statement.

"Today’s action will begin to correct what is both a human rights abuse and distortive trade practice to improve the welfare of workers everywhere."

Imposed under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, the new duties allow the administration to maintain a tariff floor on virtually all US imports despite the Supreme Court setback. The tariffs are also likely to face less legal risk as Section 301 has survived prior court challenges.

Trump's temporary 10% global tariff expired at 12:01 am EDT on Friday (0401 GMT) after 150 days. The new duties took effect at that exact same moment, with goods in transit exempted until 12:01 am EDT on July 28.

The US imposed a 10% duty on goods of Argentina, Bangladesh, Britain, Cambodia, Canada, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Malaysia, Mexico, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Trinidad and Tobago.

The European Union, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea and Switzerland were assigned rates that, combined with pre-existing most-favoured-nation tariff rates, totalled 10% or 12.5%.

The other 38 countries were assigned a 12.5% rate. These include Vietnam, which issued a new decree this week that sets out more detailed rules banning imports of goods made with forced labour, and China.

Greer previously pledged that for countries with trade deals with Washington capping US tariff rates, the new forced labour duties would not push them above those caps - a point which the EU noted in its response.

"The EU notes positively the fact that this outcome is in line with the US tariff commitments agreed under the EU-US Joint Statement," a European Commission spokesperson said, adding it provided "positive momentum" to continue the work on exploring further tariff exemptions and deepening cooperation.

While disputing the allegations underlying the forced labour investigation, the Swiss government also said the United States was adhering to past commitments on tariff ceilings, in its case of up to 12.5%.

Britain said the move would have no negative effects.

"There is no negative change to the tariff rate facing UK businesses as a result of this announcement. Our agreement with the US remains in place, and today we see an improvement to our trading terms with zero tariffs on whisky and medical technology," a government spokesperson said.

Trump administration officials have told Chinese counterparts they intend to rebuild Trump's second-term tariffs on Chinese goods back up to the 20% that was agreed upon in a trade truce with Chinese President Xi Jinping in November 2025 - but not exceed that level. Prior to Friday's action, China's tariff rate had fallen to 10%, excluding the 25% imposed during Trump's first term on industrial goods.

Widely telegraphed move with exemptions

The action drew stronger protests from some trade partners.

Beijing condemned fresh US tariffs imposed on China and 59 other countries over alleged forced labour concerns Friday, and warned Washington against waging a trade war.

The US levies range from 10 to 12.5%, with China slapped with the highest rate.

"We oppose all forms of unilateral tariff measures," Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told a news briefing on Friday.

"Tariff wars and trade wars are not in the interests of any party," he warned.

Norway's ⁠Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said "there is no basis for this tariff against Norway because we already have clear rules that are intended to prevent trade in goods produced using forced labour."

Australia and Brazil described the new tariffs as unjustified and said they would seek to have them removed, while Norway said there was "no basis" for them.

Canada - hit on Monday with new Trump tariffs on $20 billion worth of goods - issued a muted response.

"We will continue engaging constructively with the United States on this matter, as well as other outstanding issues, over the coming weeks to the mutual benefit of our citizens," said Dominic LeBlanc, Canada's minister in charge of US trade.

Kelly Ann Shaw, a former White House trade adviser in Trump's first term and a partner with the Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld law firm, said the new tariffs tracked what had been telegraphed, although some changes had been made, including the addition of some 471 products to an exclusion list.

"I think this is more status quo in terms of the economic impact," she said.

Many goods will be exempted from the duties, including oil and gas, fertiliser, certain foodstuffs and goods already subject to Section 232 national security tariffs, such as autos, steel, aluminium and copper, the official said. Aircraft and parts will also be exempted, along with critical minerals.

There were some winners.

The Antwerp World Diamond Centre said the restored exemption was significant news for the local diamond sector. Belgium exported $2.1 billion of polished diamonds to the United States in 2024. The exemption had lapsed after the US Supreme Court struck down Trump's global tariffs in February.

US-Saudi nuclear deal conditional on country joining Abraham Accords: Trump

President Donald Trump said on Thursday that a civil nuclear deal between the US and Saudi Arabia is conditional on Saudi Arabia joining the Abraham Accords, adding that there would be no enrichment of the material.

The US and Saudi Arabia reached an agreement on civil nuclear power, letting the kingdom enrich uranium and build nuclear reactors using US technology, without requiring the snap UN inspections that Washington has previously demanded from Iran.

"The Civil Nuclear Deal (There will be no enrichment of material!)... pertains only to non-military use such as the ones that Iran and UAE (and others) already have, will be approved, but is totally subject to Saudi Arabia joining the very respected and successful Abraham Accords," Trump said in a post on Truth Social, referring to normalising ties with Israel.

"The United States is not opposed to Civil (Non-Enriched) Nuclear Facilities," Trump said.

Saudi Arabia's longstanding position has been that it would not sign the Abraham Accords unless there is an agreement on a roadmap to Palestinian statehood.

The Saudi Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Trump's post. Saudi Arabia's longstanding position has been that it would not sign the Abraham Accords unless there was an agreement on a roadmap to Palestinian statehood.

The United Arab Emirates and Bahrain signed the Abraham Accords during Trump's first term in 2020, breaking a longstanding taboo to become the first Arab states to recognise Israel in a quarter century. Morocco and Sudan followed suit.

The Trump administration on Wednesday said the civil nuclear deal abides by nonproliferation agreements in the US Atomic Energy Act, which are among the world's strongest.

Saudi Arabia, the world's top oil exporter, said the agreement supports efforts to diversify energy sources, and includes the "highest international standards" of nuclear safety, security and nonproliferation.

The deal would let Saudi Arabia enrich uranium and reprocess nuclear waste.

IRGC declares ‘dark night for US radars’; Army strikes three bases in Kuwait

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) says it has destroyed multiple US military radar and communications facilities in the region, while the Army reports drone strikes on three US bases in Kuwait in ongoing retaliation for American violations.

The announcements were made in a series of statements issued early Tuesday, describing the latest phases of the IRGC’s Operation Nasr- (Victory) 2 and the Army’s Operation Sa'eqeh (Lightning) in response to the United States' renewed aggression against the Islamic Republic.

In its first statement, the IRGC said the second phase of wave 24 of Operation Nasr-2 targeted infrastructure supporting US military air defense operations in Kuwait. The Corps said the latest phase was staged “to clear the way by eliminating obstacles to large-scale air and missile operations” against American targets in the region.

According to the statement, missiles and drones struck and destroyed a long-range radar site, a communications center, satellite reception systems, and a missile defense radar belonging to the “child-killing US military” stationed in Kuwait. The IRGC also said an MQ-9 drone hangar at Ali al-Salem Airbase was hit in the country, adding that several drones were either destroyed or severely damaged as a result.

Addressing the Iranian nation, the Corps vowed, “The punitive operation carried out by your sons [in the IRGC] continues.”

In a second statement issued later, the IRGC said it had carried out another strike against US air defense assets at Ahmad al-Jaber Airbase in Kuwait. The statement said an early warning radar, a missile defense radar system, an FPS-117 radar, a Patriot air defense system, and a satellite communications system supporting air defense operations were struck and destroyed.

IRGC to US: ‘Prepare for more’

“The brave sons of a powerful Iran delivered crushing blows to the desperate enemy. As the dark night continued for US radar and air defense systems across the region,” the Corps stated.

“Following this radar suppression operation, the enemy should prepare for more decisive and heavier waves of drone and missile attacks.”

‘Region no place for US aggressors’: IRGC asserts as it announces destroying F-15 warplane

Later, the Corps announced the latest stage of its efforts to incapacitate the US regional radar capabilities, describing yet another strike that “destroyed a missile-defense radar system at a US base in Jordan and destroyed an F-15 fighter aircraft inside its shelter.”

“This region is no place for the American aggressors. The child-killing US military must leave our region to prevent further casualties.”

Separately, the Army's Public Relations Office said the 19th phase of its Operation Sa'eqeh targeted three US military bases in Kuwait, using loitering attack drones.

According to the statement, the operation targeted the administrative buildings and direction-finding antennas at Camp Arifjan, the helicopter parking area at al-Udairi Camp, and the troop accommodation building at Ahmad al-Jaber Airbase.

The Army said the operation was carried out “in response to repeated acts of aggression and repeated breaches of commitments by the ‘Great Satan (the United States).’”

Concluding the statement, the Army lamented that regional security had been compromised by the hostile actions of US forces, adding that Iran's Armed Forces were seeking, through their confrontation with the United States, to restore security and stability to the region.

The United States has perpetrated numerous violations against Iranian territory since April 7, when US President Donald Trump announced a unilateral ceasefire in the latest bout of wholesale American-Israeli aggression targeting the Islamic Republic.

The violations continued even after Washington and Tehran signed a Pakistan-mediated memorandum of understanding last month, whose first clause clearly mandates cessation of aggression on all fronts.

The US has also been trying to help vessels evade the maritime route designated by the Islamic Republic for safe and legal passage through the Strait of Hormuz by seeking to escort trespassing vessels through an illegal passageway.

Iran's Armed Forces have staged uncompromising retaliation in the face of each instance of violation, including those in support of illegal vessel movement in the Strait of Hormuz.

Andy Burnham becomes UK prime minister after meeting King Charles

Britain's King Charles III on Monday appointed Andy Burnham as prime minister after outgoing Keir Starmer officially tendered his resignation, the palace said.

"Andrew Burnham MP accepted The King's offer and kissed hands upon his appointment as Prime Minister," Buckingham Palace said in a statement, adding the king had asked him to form the next government.

Burnham vowed to put forward a 10-year plan for Britain, saying the country needed to make politics work.

"Britain needs to show the world that we can regain our stability once again," Burnham said just after being appointed by King Charles III to take over from Keir Starmer. He pledged to "issue my first instruction to end rough sleeping in our country" once he starts work.

Promising Britons "some breathing space now", he said the government would set out some measures to tackle the high cost-of-living, and how it plans to fund them.

Further out, he said: "We will help more young people into work by changing the education system and giving them more support, more mental health support, and we will build more council homes.

"That is the fair and sustainable way to bring the welfare bill down, to meet our fiscal rules, and to honour our commitments on defence to our international partners."

Labour party backs Burnham to push back surging reform UK

On Friday, Burnham described his election to become Labour leader as "the most significant change moment in our politics for 40 years".

He promised to radically change the political system to help a country hungry for change become one where "life is more affordable and all people and places are lifted from where they are now".

Labour lawmakers see him as one of the few politicians capable of tackling the threat from veteran Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage's populist Reform UK — something they doubted the unpopular Starmer could do.

Burnham's first challenge will be the choice of his cabinet team and especially his finance minister. Friction in this axis of government has brought down previous administrations.

An early frontrunner for the position, energy security and net zero minister Ed Miliband, has been the object of some hostile briefing and interior minister Shabana Mahmood now appears favourite for the job.

On Sunday, Burnham scrapped plans for all employees to be required to hold a digital identity document, a scheme designed to tackle illegal migration but deemed a "fiasco" by a cross-party committee of lawmakers.

More attention will be paid to decisions on taxation and spending, oil and gas, and underperforming utility companies, where Burnham wants stronger public control.

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Monday felicitated Andy Burnham on assuming office as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

In a message on his official X, the prime minister wished Prime Minister Burnham every success in his tenure and looked forward to working closely with him to further strengthen the historic and deep-rooted bonds of friendship and cooperation between Pakistan and the UK.

Yemen's Houthis declare naval blockade on Saudi Arabia, widening threat to global oil supplies

Yemen's Houthis said on Monday they were imposing a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia, a move that opens a new front against the United States in its war on Iran and widens the threat to global energy supplies and trade beyond the Gulf.

Iran had pressed the Houthis to close the Bab el-Mandeb gateway to the Red Sea if the US continued to attack Iranian power infrastructure.

There was no immediate response from Saudi Arabia.

The full closure of the Bab el-Mandeb strait would reduce global oil supply by 7% as it would leave most of Saudi oil exports unable to leave the region. The disruption would add to the massive cut to global oil flows from the war in the Gulf, which has already reduced shipments by 10% of global supply.

Diplomatic push to restore ceasefire

The Houthis' announcement followed signs from both Iran and the US that they wanted to resume diplomatic efforts to end an escalating cycle of attacks that has all but wrecked a fragile interim agreement signed last month.

A senior Iranian official told Reuters on Monday that Tehran had received a proposal from mediators for a 10-day ceasefire in an effort to salvage the interim deal, intended to pave the way to a lasting agreement to the war that began on February 28 with US-Israeli attacks on Iran.

Oil prices briefly jumped above $90 a barrel earlier on Monday after renewed disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. They later pared gains after Iran's Foreign Ministry said mediators had recently presented proposals to Tehran, signalling that diplomatic contacts remain active.

Neither the ministry nor the official who spoke to Reuters gave any further details on the putative ceasefire discussions.

Separately, two Pakistani government sources said Iran's Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni, making his second visit to Islamabad in less than a week, had asked Pakistan to resume its mediation role in Iran's conflict with the United States.

The diplomatic flurry came after Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they had struck US military assets across the region following another night of US bombardment of Iranian cities.

5G internet service installed at Islamabad International Airport

The installation of an indoor 5G solution at Islamabad International Airport has officially commenced, marking the first comprehensive indoor 5G facility at any airport in Pakistan.

A kick-off ceremony for the project was held under the supervision of the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA), which said the initiative would enhance digital connectivity and improve passenger experience at the airport.

The project involves Chinese investment of $5 million and, upon completion, is expected to generate a monthly revenue of Rs600,000 for the Pakistan Airports Authority.

The indoor 5G solution will provide passengers with high-speed internet services within the terminal, ensuring faster and more reliable connectivity during their time at the airport.

3rd U-19 Women T20: South Africa beat Pakistan by 52 runs

In the third T20 of the five-match series in Karachi, South Africa Under-19 women's team defeated Pakistan Under-19 women's team by 52 runs tonight.

Batting first, South Africa Under-19 women's team scored 158 runs for the loss of six wickets in allotted 20 overs.

In reply, Pakistan Under-19 women's team were all out for 106 runs in 18 overs.

South Africa lead the series 2-1.

IRGC Navy: Two vessels suffer ‘accidents’ after attempting to leave Hormuz through unsafe route

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy says two vessels were involved in incidents after attempting to leave the Strait of Hormuz through an unsafe route, while two other ships abandoned the passage following warnings from Iranian authorities.

In a statement, the IRGC Navy said four “violating vessels,” acting “with the mischief and support of American terrorists,” switched off their navigation systems and ignored warnings issued by the IRGC Navy’s Hormuz Strait control base.

According to the statement, the vessels attempted to disrupt traffic and exit the strategic waterway through “an unsafe route.”

“Two of them suffered accidents and stopped in place, and two others abandoned continuing on the route,” it said.

The IRGC Navy reiterated that control of the Strait of Hormuz is “fully” in its hands and that the only safe transit corridor is the route officially designated and announced by Iranian authorities.

It added that “not a single drop of oil, gas or chemical fertilizer” would pass through the strait without coordination and permission, repeating a position previously stated by Iranian officials.

The statement concluded by warning that vessels influenced by “the American enemy” and entering unsafe routes “will certainly suffer an incident.”

Over the last eight nights, the US military has conducted waves of airstrikes on Iran and reinstated a blockade of Iranian ports in flagrant violation of a war-termination deal. It has also committed war crimes by deliberately targeting civilian facilities and killing dozens of people.

The escalation came after the United States violated the Pakistan-brokered Memorandum of Understanding of June 17 by attempting unauthorized naval movements through the Strait of Hormuz, with the Iranian Navy intercepting the vessels to enforce the agreement.

Iran warns to target all infrastructure in region if its infrastructure attacked

Iran’s top military command unit has warned that it will strike every remaining infrastructure in the region if its infrastructure attacked.

The Khatam al-Anbiya Central Military Headquarters issued a strongly worded statement on Thursday, after US President Donald Trump threatened to expand terrorist American attacks against Iran next week to target civilian infrastructure, including power plants and bridges.

"If the recent empty threats by the US president to have the American military target the infrastructure of the Islamic Republic are carried out, then everything that, due to Iran's restraint, has so far remained intact—that is, all infrastructure throughout the region—will be smashed under the iron blows of the powerful armed forces of the Islamic Republic, to such an extent that no trace of it will remain, as though it had never existed,” the military command’s spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Ebrahim Zolfaqari said.

He also slammed the criminal US regime for continuing its lawless actions and efforts to destabilize West Asia.

Zolfaqari further stressed that Iran will never allow the United States—as a foreign, extra-regional country—to interfere in the Strait of Hormuz, which is the Islamic Republic’s “inviolable red line."

"Let the ignorant enemy know: for us, the moment of epic action is not a moment for restraint. What is being carried out by Iran’s armed forces is not an equivalent strike; it is a superior strike. The strikes will be more intense, extensive, and destructive than ever before. The fury of a nation that has never surrendered will burn the aggressor,” he added.

In another development on Thursday, the IRGC’s Public Relations Department said that the force’s Navy had conducted a “devastating strike against the US base in Sheikh Isa, Bahrain.”

The operation completely destroyed the air surveillance and control radar system and the fuel pumping station supplying the enemy’s fighter aircraft, it noted.

The attack came in response to crimes of the child-killing US military in its aerial assaults on coastal bases and several civilian locations, including a children’s cancer hospital and a water production facility serving pilgrims traveling to Iraq’s holy city of Karbala in the border region of Iran’s Ilam Province.

In the past few days, tensions have increased in the Strait of Hormuz, caused by deadly US strikes on Iran in gross violation of last month’s war-ending deal between the two sides.

Iran has declared the strategic waterway closed “until further notice” and at least until “the end of US interference in the region.”

Ayatollah Khamenei thanks Iranians, Iraqis for massive turnout at martyred Leader’s funeral

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei has thanked the Iranian and Iraqi people for their massive participation in the funeral and memorial ceremonies of the martyred Leader, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.

The message of gratitude was delivered by Hojjatoleslam Seyyed Mostafa Khamenei, the martyred Leader’s eldest son, during a memorial service in Tehran on Tuesday.

Speaking at the event, Hojjatoleslam Khamenei offered condolences to the Islamic Ummah, the Iranian nation, and Imam Mahdi (AJ), describing the loss as a great tragedy requiring patience.

Quoting the Quranic verse, “Give good news to the patient,” he said patience means enduring the tragedy while steadfastly continuing on the “clear path” until the final goal is achieved.

He stressed that patience “is in no way incompatible with revenge and confronting the world’s evildoers who were involved in these great crimes.”

People in the Iranian capital Tehran gathered at the city’s Mosalla Mosque to attend the commemoration ceremony for the martyred Leader.

The ceremony was hosted by his son and the current Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei.

Top government and military officials, including President Masoud Pezeshkian, as well as foreign ambassadors and diplomats, also participated in the ceremony.

Ayatollah Khamenei’s three other sons attended the ceremony in person.

The ceremony comes five days after the late Leader was laid to rest in the holy shrine of Imam Reza (AS) in his hometown of Mashhad in northeastern Iran.

The burial came after five days of public funerals in Tehran, the central city of Qom, and in Iraq, where millions paid their homage to Ayatollah Khamenei, a respected cleric who was a source of emulation for Muslims around the world.

Ayatollah Khamenei was assassinated along with four members of his family and senior military officials on February 28 in a joint US-Israeli airstrike targeting his office in downtown Tehran.

His martyrdom caused a huge domestic and international uproar and triggered an extensive Iranian military response to US and Israeli targets in the region.

The late Leader had taken office in June 1989 after the founder of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ruhollah Khomeini, passed away following a period of illness.