Iran Expands Parchin Military Complex

The expansion of the Parchin facility, according to a photo published by Intel Lab.
The expansion of the Parchin facility, according to a photo published by Intel Lab.
TT

Iran Expands Parchin Military Complex

The expansion of the Parchin facility, according to a photo published by Intel Lab.
The expansion of the Parchin facility, according to a photo published by Intel Lab.

Satellite images show that four new buildings have gone up at Iran’s Parchin military complex, where explosives experiments related to nuclear weapons were conducted in the early 2000s.

The structures are surrounded by steep walls made of compacted earth to deflect explosions, intelligence consultancy group The Intel Lab said.

This comes after the completion of the nearby extension in November 2020, comprising a dozen new buildings surrounded by High and Thick concrete blast walls.

This extensive construction activity since 2018 is probably related to the Iran Ballistic Missile Program. However, it cannot be ruled out that part of it could contribute to other activities restricted or monitored by the nuclear deal, known formally as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

After signing the deal in July 2015, Iran allowed International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Yukiya Amano to visit Natanz nuclear facility.

Iranian experts also took samples from the facility and handed them to the IAEA.

Then, the Agency prepared a report aiming at providing a clear image on whether or not the nuclear deal has a military prospect.



Iran Designates Royal Canadian Navy a Terrorist Organization

Iranians drive past a huge banner of former Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani ahead of the sixth anniversary of his assassination at Valiasr Square in Tehran, Iran, 30 December 2025. (EPA)
Iranians drive past a huge banner of former Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani ahead of the sixth anniversary of his assassination at Valiasr Square in Tehran, Iran, 30 December 2025. (EPA)
TT

Iran Designates Royal Canadian Navy a Terrorist Organization

Iranians drive past a huge banner of former Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani ahead of the sixth anniversary of his assassination at Valiasr Square in Tehran, Iran, 30 December 2025. (EPA)
Iranians drive past a huge banner of former Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani ahead of the sixth anniversary of his assassination at Valiasr Square in Tehran, Iran, 30 December 2025. (EPA)

The Iranian foreign ministry designated the Royal Canadian Navy a terrorist organization on Tuesday in what it said was retaliation for Canada's 2024 blacklisting of Iran's Revolutionary Guards.

In a statement, the ministry said that the move was in reaction to Ottawa declaring the Guards, the ideological arm of Iran's military, a terror group "contrary to the fundamental principles of international law".

Iran "within the framework of reciprocity, identifies and declares the Royal Canadian Navy as a terrorist organization," the statement added, without specifying what ramifications if any the force will face.

On June 19, 2024, Canada declared the IRGC a terror group. This bars its members from entering the country and Canadians from having any dealings with individual members or the group.

Additionally, any assets the Guards or its members hold in Canada could also be seized.
Canada accused the Guards of "having consistently displayed disregard for human rights both inside and outside of Iran, as well as a willingness to destabilize the international rules-based order."

One of the reasons behind Ottawa's decision to designate the force as a terror group was the Flight PS752 incident.

The flight was show down shortly after takeoff from Tehran in January 2020, killing all 176 passengers and crew, including 85 Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

The IRGC admitted its forces downed the jet, but claimed their controllers had mistaken it for a hostile target.

Ottawa broke off diplomatic ties with Tehran in 2012, calling Iran "the most significant threat to global peace".

Iran's archenemy, the United States, listed the Guards as a foreign terrorist organization in April 2019 while Australia did the same last month, accusing the force of being behind attacks on Australian soil.


Kyiv: Russia Shows No Proof of Alleged Drone Attack on Putin Home

A satellite image of Vladimir Putin's residential complex in Roshchino, Novgorod region, Russia, on August 31, 2023. 2025 Planet Labs PBC, via Reuters (archive)
A satellite image of Vladimir Putin's residential complex in Roshchino, Novgorod region, Russia, on August 31, 2023. 2025 Planet Labs PBC, via Reuters (archive)
TT

Kyiv: Russia Shows No Proof of Alleged Drone Attack on Putin Home

A satellite image of Vladimir Putin's residential complex in Roshchino, Novgorod region, Russia, on August 31, 2023. 2025 Planet Labs PBC, via Reuters (archive)
A satellite image of Vladimir Putin's residential complex in Roshchino, Novgorod region, Russia, on August 31, 2023. 2025 Planet Labs PBC, via Reuters (archive)

Russia has given no "plausible evidence" for its claim that Ukraine launched a large-scale drone attack on one of President Vladimir Putin's homes, Ukraine said Tuesday.

"Almost a day passed and Russia still hasn't provided any plausible evidence to its accusations of Ukraine's alleged 'attack on Putin's residence. And they won't. Because there's none. No such attack happened," Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga said in a post on X.

On Tuesday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists in a call: "I don't think there should be any evidence if such a massive drone attack is being carried out, which, thanks to the well-coordinated work of the air defense system, was shot down”.

Peskov also said Russia would "toughen" its negotiating stance in talks on ending the Ukraine war following the alleged attack, which Kyiv denies.


Spain Seeks Removal of Ads for Rentals in Israeli Settlements

This picture shows the Israeli settlement of Pisgat Zeev, (foreground) in the northern area of East Jerusalem and Israel's controversial barrier separating the Palestinian neighborhood of al-Ram (background) in the occupied West Bank on December 27, 2025 (AFP)
This picture shows the Israeli settlement of Pisgat Zeev, (foreground) in the northern area of East Jerusalem and Israel's controversial barrier separating the Palestinian neighborhood of al-Ram (background) in the occupied West Bank on December 27, 2025 (AFP)
TT

Spain Seeks Removal of Ads for Rentals in Israeli Settlements

This picture shows the Israeli settlement of Pisgat Zeev, (foreground) in the northern area of East Jerusalem and Israel's controversial barrier separating the Palestinian neighborhood of al-Ram (background) in the occupied West Bank on December 27, 2025 (AFP)
This picture shows the Israeli settlement of Pisgat Zeev, (foreground) in the northern area of East Jerusalem and Israel's controversial barrier separating the Palestinian neighborhood of al-Ram (background) in the occupied West Bank on December 27, 2025 (AFP)

Spain's leftist government has ordered seven online platforms to remove more than 100 listings for vacation rentals in Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories.

The consumer affairs ministry said Tuesday it has identified 138 listings on platforms operating in Spain and notified the companies to "immediately remove or block" the content.

If they fail to comply, the platforms could face further government action, the statement said without specifying what the consequences would be.

The move is part of measures adopted by Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's government backing Palestinians and condemning Israel's military campaign in Gaza.

A decree approved by lawmakers in October includes an arms embargo on Israel and a ban on the advertising of products "coming from illegal colonies in Gaza and the West Bank".

Consumer Affairs Minister Pablo Bustinduy said the listings help "normalize and perpetuate a colonial regime considered illegal under international law".

In October, France's Human Rights League filed complaints against Airbnb and Booking.com accusing them of promoting "occupation tourism" by featuring properties in settlements.

Most of the international community considers Israeli settlements in the West Bank illegal under international law, while Israel views them as largely legal.

Spain recognized a Palestinian state in 2024 and has become one of the most outspoken European critics of Israel's actions in Gaza, launched after the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks in southern Israel.