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Iran Backs Hamas, But Denies Involvement in ‘Al-Aqsa Storm’

A massive anti-Israel propaganda mural hangs on a wall in Vali-e Asr Square, Tehran (AP)
A massive anti-Israel propaganda mural hangs on a wall in Vali-e Asr Square, Tehran (AP)
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Iran Backs Hamas, But Denies Involvement in ‘Al-Aqsa Storm’

A massive anti-Israel propaganda mural hangs on a wall in Vali-e Asr Square, Tehran (AP)
A massive anti-Israel propaganda mural hangs on a wall in Vali-e Asr Square, Tehran (AP)

While Iran has denied involvement in the “Al-Aqsa Storm” operation, senior Iranian officials have reaffirmed their support for Hamas’ attack on Israel.

A high-ranking leader in Iran’s Revolutionary Guards stated that the special forces unit tasked with protecting Tehran is prepared for external operations.

However, a hardline deputy has emphasized that Iran cannot directly participate in the war and will instead utilize “resistance forces” against Israel.

Iranian denial of involvement in the Hamas-launched operation against Israel was voiced by Iran’s representative to the UN in New York, before it was reiterated by Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani.

Those who threaten Iran should know that any “foolish move” will face a “devastating response,” said Kanaani.

The spokesperson also denied accusations of involvement in Hamas’ attack on Israel, saying Iran has no role in decision-making by any regional party, including the Palestinian nation.

Kanaani made the statements during a news conference in Tehran on Monday in reaction to US Republican Senator Lindsey Graham’s recent anti-Iran rants.

Graham had called for Israel and the US going after Iranian oil refineries and oil infrastructure, which is the lifeblood of the Iranian economy.

Kanaani responded to allegations of Iranian involvement by saying that such claims follow Israel’s humiliating loss and are intended to excuse Washington’s and its Western allies’ backing for Tel Aviv’s escapades.

In other news, Iran has called for an emergency meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) as fighting between Hamas and Israeli forces raged following a weekend assault on Israel.

“Tehran has called for an emergency meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to discuss regional developments,” said Kanaani.

The Iranian mission at the UN had also issued a statement discussing Iran’s “firm support for Palestine.”

However, at the same time, they stated, “We did not participate in the Palestinian response, and this action is exclusively Palestinian.”

The mission emphasized that the “success” of Hamas’ operation was due to its element of surprise, which represented the “greatest failure” for Israeli security agencies.

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World

Trump Says ‘Very Negative Forces’ Raising Exaggerated Concerns Over AI

A message reading "AI artificial intelligence", a keyboard, and robot hands are seen in this illustration taken January 27, 2025. (Reuters)
A message reading "AI artificial intelligence", a keyboard, and robot hands are seen in this illustration taken January 27, 2025. (Reuters)
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Trump Says ‘Very Negative Forces’ Raising Exaggerated Concerns Over AI

A message reading "AI artificial intelligence", a keyboard, and robot hands are seen in this illustration taken January 27, 2025. (Reuters)
A message reading "AI artificial intelligence", a keyboard, and robot hands are seen in this illustration taken January 27, 2025. (Reuters)

US President Donald Trump said on Sunday a lot of "very negative forces" are bringing things up about AI that won't happen and said that he wanted to make sure that the United States remains the industry leader.

"We're leading China in AI. We're the most sophisticated country in the world, and frankly I want to keep it that way because whoever wins AI wins," Trump, at ‌his Ireland ‌golf course, told reporters when asked if ‌the ⁠AI industry should ⁠slow down or be more regulated.

"We could put guardrails. We can do this and that. But I think you have a lot of very negative forces that are bringing it up that shouldn't be bringing it up and they're bringing up things that won't happen."

Trump has resisted ⁠stirring concerns about AI.

His latest comments ‌come after a week of ‌concerns in the United States after two Anthropic researchers issued ‌warnings that rapidly progressing artificial intelligence could lead to the ‌extinction of the human race in the not-too-distant future.

In his second term, Trump's administration has largely embraced AI firms. These AI leaders and other technology companies have also supported Trump's initiatives.

Yet, ‌the Pentagon earlier this year warned of risks from Anthropic's model.

After the researcher warnings, ⁠some AI ⁠CEOs are pushing for slowing advancement of the models.

Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei on Saturday outlined a three-step framework intended to pace development and create more time to manage its risks.

Jacob Coxon, one of the Anthropic researchers who resigned and then issued the warnings, pushed for the US to work with other countries to ensure pace.

"I feel we need international coordination, or else we risk running the same race with China, which could be equally dangerous," Coxon said on NBC's Meet the Press.

World

Trump Says Zelensky ‘Has to Stop’ Attacking Russian Refineries

US President Donald Trump waves during a visit to Trump International Golf Links and Hotel in Doonbeg, Ireland, 13 September 2026. (EPA)
US President Donald Trump waves during a visit to Trump International Golf Links and Hotel in Doonbeg, Ireland, 13 September 2026. (EPA)
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Trump Says Zelensky ‘Has to Stop’ Attacking Russian Refineries

US President Donald Trump waves during a visit to Trump International Golf Links and Hotel in Doonbeg, Ireland, 13 September 2026. (EPA)
US President Donald Trump waves during a visit to Trump International Golf Links and Hotel in Doonbeg, Ireland, 13 September 2026. (EPA)

US President Donald Trump said Sunday he had warned Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to "stop knocking out diesel fuel" refineries in Russia because it was causing shortages and "hurting" other countries.

"Mr. Zelensky has to do one thing," Trump told reporters while on a visit to Ireland. "He has to stop knocking out diesel fuel in Russia.

"Let him go after targets, but not diesel fuel, because he's causing a shortage of diesel. This isn't done by the Middle East, this is done by what's happening with Russia and Ukraine."

Trump added he had spoken to Ukraine's leader about the country's stepped-up attacks on such sites over recent months.

"There are plenty of other targets. Don't hit diesel fuel because that's hurting. That's hurting the world. We don't want him to hit diesel fuel... He's hitting diesel refineries."

Ukraine has hit numerous Russian oil refineries hundreds of kilometers from its border with Russia, while Moscow has also intensified its long-range attacks in recent months, leading to a jump in civilian deaths.

Kyiv has been firing record numbers of drones at Russia, while Moscow has been launching all-time high missile attacks.

On Sunday, a Russian drone struck a Warsaw-bound passenger train from Kyiv but caused no casualties, both Warsaw and Kyiv said, as Zelensky said western regions had come under attack.

The strikes came days after US envoys visited both Moscow and Kyiv in an effort to revive talks led by Washington on ending Europe's worst conflict since World War II.

With conflict again intensifying in the Middle East, oil prices have spiked, in turn raising American fuel costs and inflation.

That has prompted speculation that the Federal Reserve will hike interest rates just as voters in the US prepare to vote in key midterm elections in November.

World

France Apologizes for UN Diplomatic Spat with Washington

11 September 2026, US, New York: France's Permanent Representative to the UN, Jerome Bonnafont, speaks during a UN Security Council meeting marking the 25th anniversary of the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks and examining the evolving global terrorist threat and international efforts to counter terrorism. Photo: Bianca Otero/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
11 September 2026, US, New York: France's Permanent Representative to the UN, Jerome Bonnafont, speaks during a UN Security Council meeting marking the 25th anniversary of the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks and examining the evolving global terrorist threat and international efforts to counter terrorism. Photo: Bianca Otero/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
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France Apologizes for UN Diplomatic Spat with Washington

11 September 2026, US, New York: France's Permanent Representative to the UN, Jerome Bonnafont, speaks during a UN Security Council meeting marking the 25th anniversary of the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks and examining the evolving global terrorist threat and international efforts to counter terrorism. Photo: Bianca Otero/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
11 September 2026, US, New York: France's Permanent Representative to the UN, Jerome Bonnafont, speaks during a UN Security Council meeting marking the 25th anniversary of the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks and examining the evolving global terrorist threat and international efforts to counter terrorism. Photo: Bianca Otero/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

The French UN mission said it regretted an online post criticizing how the United States voted during a UN General Assembly meeting, with US officials telling AFP on Saturday that Washington appreciated the statement.

France's permanent mission to the UN published the apology Friday, saying it regretted a post on X criticizing the United States' commitment to human rights.

"France and the United States recently took different positions on a vote at the United Nations General Assembly. This difference concerned one vote, and not the defense of human rights," the mission said in an English statement on its website.

"Public differences of opinion on one vote do not stand in the way of close dialogue with the United States, and do not call into question our historical alliance, nor our ability to work together to advance peace, stability and prosperity, including within multilateral forums," the statement continued.

The mea culpa was well-received by Washington, which has been holding up the appointment of France's next US ambassador as a result of the dispute.

"We note and appreciate France's statement and look forward to working together to further shared values and interests," a US State Department official told AFP on condition of anonymity.

The US State Department has held up the approval of Aurelien Lechevallier, French President Emmanuel Macron's choice as France's next envoy to Washington, replacing Laurent Bili.

Lechevallier is currently French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot's chief of staff.

US approval of a choice of French envoy is usually a formality but has remained in limbo since the dispute.

On July 24, the United States was one of 10 countries to vote in the UN General Assembly against extending Volker Turk's term as UN human rights chief, joining the ranks of North Korea, Russia and Nicaragua, among others.

"The US used to be a beacon of human rights. Not anymore," the French mission wrote in a post on X after the United States strongly opposed another term by Turk, who has repeatedly questioned US policies under President Donald Trump.

The criticism was met with immediate backlash from Washington, with the US representative walking out of a UN Security Council meeting days later when France's ambassador took the floor, in protest of the comments.