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Tehran Signals Defiance as Supreme Leader Vows Retaliation and Strait Closure

  A man holds a picture of Iran's new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, while people attend a funeral ceremony for the Iranian military commanders who were killed in strikes, in Tehran Iran’s Supreme Leader issued his first public remarks following the deaths of senior Iranian commanders, vowing that the country will “avenge the martyrs” and maintain the closure of the strategic Strait of Hormuz until what he described as “justice” is served. His comments, delivered during a nationally broadcast address, underscore a sharp escalation in rhetoric at a moment of heightened regional tension. The Supreme Leader framed the recent losses as sacrifices in the defense of Iran’s sovereignty, promising that those responsible “will face consequences.” He also reaffirmed Iran’s decision to keep the Strait closed, a move that has already disrupted global shipping routes and rattled energy markets. The strait, one of the world’s most critical chokepoints for oil transport, has long been a flas...

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Rubio Cautions Israel on West Bank Annexation Amid Fragile Gaza Truce

                                    Marco Rubio is travelling to Israel to try to shore up the fragile ceasefire

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has warned that Israel’s parliament’s preliminary move toward annexing parts of the occupied West Bank could jeopardize ongoing peace efforts in the region. Speaking before departing for Israel, Rubio stressed that Washington cannot support annexation at this time, noting that such a step risks undermining a fragile ceasefire deal in Gaza and complicating broader negotiations.

The Knesset’s symbolic vote, pushed forward by far-right lawmakers, granted initial approval to a bill that would extend Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank. The move was widely seen as an attempt to pressure Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has previously voiced support for annexation but has avoided advancing it due to concerns over U.S. relations and regional stability.

Palestinians, who claim the West Bank as part of a future independent state, condemned the measure. International bodies, including the International Court of Justice, have previously deemed Israel’s occupation of the territory illegal.

Rubio’s visit to Israel underscores Washington’s efforts to preserve the tenuous truce between Israel and Hamas while keeping alive the possibility of renewed peace talks.


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