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US, Israel Agree to Improve Air Defenses

The US and Israel signed a deal for updated air defense operational cooperation. (EPA)
The US and Israel signed a deal for updated air defense operational cooperation. (EPA)
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US, Israel Agree to Improve Air Defenses

The US and Israel signed a deal for updated air defense operational cooperation. (EPA)
The US and Israel signed a deal for updated air defense operational cooperation. (EPA)

Israeli Air Force (IAF) representatives met this week with US air defense officials to discuss improving air defense systems during emergency situations for both countries.

A statement from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Spokesperson’s Unit announced that the purpose of the meeting was to improve the “collaborative readiness of the forces for the joint defense of Israel.”

The two countries signed a deal for updated air defense operational cooperation.

Israel tested its air defense capabilities last May during the 11-day war on Gaza, during which it intercepted about 4,000 missiles.

The meetings were chaired on the Israeli side by the commander of the Israeli Air Force’s Air Defense System, Brig-Gen Gilad Biran, and Brig-Gen Greg Brady, commander of the 10th US Air and Missile Defense.

Meanwhile, the Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and US security and aerospace company Lockheed Martin signed an agreement for collaboration in integrated air and missile defense (IAMD) systems.

Under the collaboration, the companies will explore potential joint opportunities in areas such as R&D, production, marketing, and other activities.

Sources in Tel Aviv said that the Israeli company would present its outstanding military experience, as it is the most widely used anti-aircraft device in the world.

Israel’s expertise can also be used in US weapons such as Patriot missile launch batteries and advanced radars for use in Israel itself.

The US forces in Europe and Africa intend to build a headquarters for their executive command at the Hatzor Air Base in southern Israel, which boasts three army headquarters. It was built between 2014 and 2019.

Sources confirmed that part of the construction was completed in recent months, and a special wing of the Operations Command with an area of 700 square meters will be built soon.

The US Army is looking for an Israeli contractor to carry out the work, which, according to the plan, will include 152 officers and soldiers.

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World

IRGC Says it Prepared Scenarios to Avoid US Sanctions

The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) spokesman, Hossein Mohebi (center), speaks at a press conference in Kharg, west Tehran (IRNA)
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) spokesman, Hossein Mohebi (center), speaks at a press conference in Kharg, west Tehran (IRNA)
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IRGC Says it Prepared Scenarios to Avoid US Sanctions

The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) spokesman, Hossein Mohebi (center), speaks at a press conference in Kharg, west Tehran (IRNA)
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) spokesman, Hossein Mohebi (center), speaks at a press conference in Kharg, west Tehran (IRNA)

Tehran has prepared economic scenarios, including expanding trade networks with regional allies to bypass tightening US sanctions, Hossein Mohebi, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) spokesman said on Sunday, adding that the results of the new measures would become evident in the near future.

His comments came shortly before US Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent announced imposing new sanctions on Iran at dawn Monday, described as “the toughest in history.”

Speaking at a press conference on Sunday, Mohebi said: “We have scenarios to counter the adverse effects of the enemy’s war and can easily establish economic relations with countries.”

Cited by Tasnim, the IRGC spokesman said Iran is maintaining economic interactions “right under America’s nose” and bypassing US pressure, and that the results would become evident in the near future.

Mohebi, however, offered no specifics regarding nations, firms, or financial conduits used to bypass US restrictions, asserting only that Iran maintains broad alternative economic plans.

Last week, US President Donald Trump threatened “tremendous economic consequences” on any nation that does business with Iran, without offering details.

Mohebi said the economic warfare is nothing new, noting that the US has imposed sanctions on Iran’s economic sectors for 47 years.

The current US campaign, he added, is primarily aimed at shaping public perceptions and creating the belief that Washington is prevailing.

He described Trump’s announcement of a new economic campaign against Iran as an “implicit admission” that Washington had failed militarily.

Mohebi attributed a large part of his press conference to the nature of the ongoing war, saying the US-Iran war is multifaceted and not limited to military operations, but includes the economic and media sectors.

Touching on previous military confrontations with the US, Mohebi said that before the last war, Iranian forces had targeted “between 30 and 40 US warships” inside the Arabian Gulf.

He did not provide details of the names of the ships, the timing of the attacks or the extent of the damage. There is no independent evidence to prove his statements are correct.

The IRGC spokesperson said the US has no warships left in the Arabian Gulf, affirming a major retreat of American forces following the recent regional clashes. “US troops are now deployed 400 kilometers away from the Gulf waters,” he noted.

Addressing Washington, Mohebi said: “You mobilized all your military capabilities to close the Strait of Hormuz, but you couldn't.”

He warned that if Iran faces another threat, it could target energy pipelines, power plants and internet-connected systems.

Mohebi’s comments came as the Strait of Hormuz remains a focal point of the US-Iran conflict following the collapse of a sixty-day ceasefire negotiated in mid-June 2026.

World

New UK PM Andy Burnham to Make Visit to Kyiv on Monday

FILE PHOTO: LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 21: British Prime Minister Andy Burnham delivers closing remarks during the first National Day for Victims and Survivors of Terrorism memorial event at Lancaster House on August 21, 2026 in London, England. Carl Court/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 21: British Prime Minister Andy Burnham delivers closing remarks during the first National Day for Victims and Survivors of Terrorism memorial event at Lancaster House on August 21, 2026 in London, England. Carl Court/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo
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New UK PM Andy Burnham to Make Visit to Kyiv on Monday

FILE PHOTO: LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 21: British Prime Minister Andy Burnham delivers closing remarks during the first National Day for Victims and Survivors of Terrorism memorial event at Lancaster House on August 21, 2026 in London, England. Carl Court/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 21: British Prime Minister Andy Burnham delivers closing remarks during the first National Day for Victims and Survivors of Terrorism memorial event at Lancaster House on August 21, 2026 in London, England. Carl Court/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham will visit Kyiv on Monday on his first international visit since taking office last month, his office said, as Ukraine marks its 35th independence anniversary.

Burnham has vowed to give strong support to Ukraine as it battles Russia's invasion, AFP said.

The Labor Party leader's visit comes as he announced that Britain had "agreed that defense firm MBDA can release classified information on UK components for the long-range missile, SCALP, to establish local assembly lines in Ukraine", a statement said.

The missile is the French-produced version of the UK's Storm Shadow, with both using shared French and British technology.

The UK was first to gift Ukraine long-range strike weapons for defensive purposes in 2023, according to the premier's Downing Street office.

It said that the decision to release the classified information would "allow the French and Ukrainians to move forward with the Ukrainian assembly of the missile".

"It also complements the major UK effort to rapidly develop low-cost advanced long-range strike weapons for Ukraine through Project Brakestop," it added.

In Kyiv, Burnham will co-chair his first meeting of the Coalition of the Willing, which brings together countries supporting Kyiv.

The French presidency confirmed on Friday that the meeting would be held in a "hybrid" format -- meaning some participants would attend in person while others joined via video conference.

The office of Irish prime minister Micheal Martin indicated that he would participate remotely.

"On Ukraine's 35th anniversary of independence, the Ukrainian people should be in no doubt: the UK is behind you today and for as long as it takes," Burnham said in a statement.

Burnham's visit comes weeks after Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky visited London.

During that trip, London also announced it would share with Kyiv information on a new battle-tested electronic jamming capability dubbed "Stone Cloak".

When attached to drones, the tablet-sized, military-grade jammers can hinder Russian air defense systems from tracking and targeting such weapons in-flight, Downing Street said.

Britain has been one of Ukraine's strongest backers since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, committing around 25 billion pounds ($34 billion) in support, including 16 billion pounds in military aid.

World

North Korea Preparing Further Russia Troop Deployments, No Sign Move Imminent, Seoul Says

FILE - Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un examine a launch pad of Soyuz rockets during their meeting at the Vostochny cosmodrome outside the city of Tsiolkovsky, about 200 kilometers from the city of Blagoveshchensk in the far eastern Amur region, Russia, on Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023. (Mikhail Metzel, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP, File)
FILE - Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un examine a launch pad of Soyuz rockets during their meeting at the Vostochny cosmodrome outside the city of Tsiolkovsky, about 200 kilometers from the city of Blagoveshchensk in the far eastern Amur region, Russia, on Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023. (Mikhail Metzel, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP, File)
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North Korea Preparing Further Russia Troop Deployments, No Sign Move Imminent, Seoul Says

FILE - Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un examine a launch pad of Soyuz rockets during their meeting at the Vostochny cosmodrome outside the city of Tsiolkovsky, about 200 kilometers from the city of Blagoveshchensk in the far eastern Amur region, Russia, on Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023. (Mikhail Metzel, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP, File)
FILE - Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un examine a launch pad of Soyuz rockets during their meeting at the Vostochny cosmodrome outside the city of Tsiolkovsky, about 200 kilometers from the city of Blagoveshchensk in the far eastern Amur region, Russia, on Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023. (Mikhail Metzel, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP, File)

South Korea's Defense Ministry said North Korea was continuing preparations for an additional troop deployment to Russia, but had detected no signs that such a deployment was imminent, according to a South Korean lawmaker's office.

The assessment came ‌after North ‌Korea's Kim Yo Jong, sister of leader Kim ‌Jong ⁠Un, last week ⁠denied Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's claim that Pyongyang planned to send up to 50,000 more troops to Russia to fight for its ally, Reuters said.

South Korea's Defense Ministry said in a statement to lawmaker Yu Yong-weon that North Korea had continued to supply Russia with weapons systems, including short-range ballistic missiles, according to Yu's office.

North ⁠Korea is estimated to have supplied Russia with ‌more than 15 million rounds of ‌artillery ammunition, measured in 152-millimetre shell equivalents, it said.

The lawmaker's office, ‌citing a South Korean Defense Intelligence Agency assessment, said North ‌Korean missiles used in the war may have improved in accuracy through battlefield data, alongside Russian technical advice and component support.

The ministry also said the development of some North Korean ballistic missiles and multiple rocket ‌launchers assessed as being intended for use in a conflict with South Korea was nearing completion, the ⁠lawmaker's office ⁠said.

The ministry added that North Korea's Hwasong-12 intermediate-range ballistic missile, capable of reaching the US territory of Guam, was being prepared for operational deployment, according to Yu's office.

North Korea's intercontinental ballistic missiles have the flight capability to reach the US mainland, the ministry said, but key technologies, including warhead re-entry, have not been verified because all test launches have been conducted on lofted trajectories.

North Korea and Russia have deepened military cooperation since Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, with Pyongyang supplying artillery ammunition and missiles since 2023 and deploying troops from 2024, according to South Korean, Ukrainian and Western assessments.

Moscow and Pyongyang have previously denied arms transfers.