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Iranian President Criticizes Azerbaijan for Establishing Relations with Israel

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on Monday received Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov in Tehran (Iranian Presidency)
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on Monday received Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov in Tehran (Iranian Presidency)
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Iranian President Criticizes Azerbaijan for Establishing Relations with Israel

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on Monday received Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov in Tehran (Iranian Presidency)
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on Monday received Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov in Tehran (Iranian Presidency)

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on Monday criticized Azerbaijan for establishing relations with Israel, in an indirect hint at Baku’s appointment of its first ever ambassador to Israel last March.

The president made the remarks in a meeting in Tehran with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov who is on a visit to the Iranian capital for the Second round of the 3+3 Regional Platform Meeting dubbed Time for Peace, Cooperation, and Progress in the South Caucasus.

“The Zionist regime is neither your friend, nor the friend of any other Muslim country,” Raisi said, adding that the situation in Gaza is an image before all the regional countries to see that the Westerners, especially the US, are not friends of regional countries and rather seek their racist interests.

Tensions between Tehran and Baku escalated for a month after Azerbaijan improved its diplomatic relations with Iran’s arch-enemy Israel, and opened an embassy in Israel in late March, despite Iran’s objections.

Iran had also accused Azerbaijan and the Iraqi Kurdistan Region of being behind attacks on its military and nuclear facilities. It said the assaults carried Israeli prints.

In July, Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen accused Iran of planning an attempted attack on his country's embassy in Azerbaijan, where security apparatuses have arrested an Afghan citizen for plotting the attack against the embassy.

On Monday, the Iranian President said his country considers negotiation and dialogue between neighboring countries as a solution to regional issues.

Raisi said after meeting with Bayramov that problems of the region cannot be solved with the intervention of foreign forces.

Bayramov is on a visit to the Iranian capital for the Second round of the 3+3 Regional Platform Meeting, which was also attended by the foreign ministers of Russia, Türkiye and Armenia to discuss the South Caucasus region's issues. The Georgian minister did not attend.

IRNA said the meeting focused on the developments going on in the Caucasus region, as well as peace talks between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

Armenia and Azerbaijan have been at loggerheads over the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Recently, the two countries recently signaled willingness to sign a peace treaty formally ending their conflict following Azerbaijan's victory in Karabakh and the exodus of almost all the region's 120,000 ethnic Armenians.

On Monday, Azerbaijan said it had begun a series of joint military exercises with close ally Türkiye, the first since Baku retook the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh last month.

Azerbaijan's defense ministry said in a statement that the drills were being held across Azerbaijan, including in Baku, the Nakhichevan exclave which borders Türkiye, and in what the ministry called the “liberated territories” of Karabakh.

It added that up to 3,000 military personnel were participating in exercises named for the founder of modern Türkiye, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.

Türkiye, which supports Azerbaijan, and Russia, which is an ally of Armenia, play a major role in the region.

However, the latest attack on Karabakh has reshuffled the cards. Yerevan blamed Russia for failing to ensure Armenian security and to stop Azerbaijani forces, a claim that Moscow denies.

Yerevan fears that its wealthier, better-armed, and Turkish-backed neighbor may seek to bolster its influence by linking the Nakhchivan exclave to its territory after attacking southern Armenia.

Meanwhile, Armenia seems ready to resort to western countries to ensure its own protection.

“Iran, considering its powerful and influential position, is ready to help resolve the existing discords between Azerbaijan and Armenia,” Raisi told the Azerbaijani FM.

For his part, Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said, “The presence of outsiders in the region will not only fail to solve any problems but will also complicate the situation further.”

He added, “The war in South Caucasus has ended, and it is time for peace and cooperation.”

Meanwhile, Abdollahian referred to the recent developments in Gaza.

“What is happening in Gaza is a definite war crime committed by the Zionist entity against humanity,” he affirmed, calling on the international community to send a unified and strong message to the Israeli entity to stop war crimes against civilians immediately, lift the siege, send humanitarian aid, and oppose the forced displacement of the population of Gaza.

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World

Trump Reportedly Expected to Name Jay Clayton as AI Czar

FILE PHOTO: US President Donald Trump speaks at the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., US, September 28, 2026. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: US President Donald Trump speaks at the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., US, September 28, 2026. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo
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Trump Reportedly Expected to Name Jay Clayton as AI Czar

FILE PHOTO: US President Donald Trump speaks at the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., US, September 28, 2026. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: US President Donald Trump speaks at the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., US, September 28, 2026. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo

US President Donald Trump is expected to name Jay Clayton as his AI czar, CNN reported on Friday, citing two sources familiar with the discussion.

Clayton is the US director of national intelligence.

Last month, Trump said he plans to appoint an artificial intelligence adviser, known as an "AI czar," and create an "AI force," though he ⁠gave no details ⁠about either initiative or how they would be implemented.

This is the second time Trump has named an adviser to oversee AI-related decisions across the administration, a position he has ⁠dubbed "AI czar." Venture capitalist David Sacks held the role at the beginning of Trump's second term, before leaving his team. Sacks still advises Trump on AI.

Trump's move comes as top AI researchers have warned that people building AI believe it could kill humans within a decade, following cases of AI ⁠agents ⁠going rogue to hack external systems. Several Democratic and Republican lawmakers have responded with alarm and calls for more action.

Trump has repeatedly downplayed concerns about AI and argued that additional regulation is unnecessary even as fears grow among lawmakers in Washington and globally about risks posed by the technology.

World

Russian Strikes Snarl Traffic on 3 Kyiv Bridges in New Disruption Tactic

A construction worker looks at vehicles stuck in a traffic jam near the bridge caused by the overnight jet drone strikes on Kyiv's bridges, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine October 2, 2026. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko
A construction worker looks at vehicles stuck in a traffic jam near the bridge caused by the overnight jet drone strikes on Kyiv's bridges, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine October 2, 2026. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko
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Russian Strikes Snarl Traffic on 3 Kyiv Bridges in New Disruption Tactic

A construction worker looks at vehicles stuck in a traffic jam near the bridge caused by the overnight jet drone strikes on Kyiv's bridges, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine October 2, 2026. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko
A construction worker looks at vehicles stuck in a traffic jam near the bridge caused by the overnight jet drone strikes on Kyiv's bridges, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine October 2, 2026. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko

Russian aerial attacks forced the partial closure Friday of three bridges over the Dnipro River in Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital’s mayor said, in Moscow’s latest effort to disrupt life in the city.

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s top diplomat said officials have received separate proposals for a partial truce with Russia from the United States, India, Turkey and Egypt. The proposals envision halting attacks on energy infrastructure, which have caused fuel shortages in Russia and power outages in Ukraine, and on Black Sea shipping needed to get vital grain exports to world markets.

The Russian strikes forcing the full or partial closure of three of Kyiv’s six road bridges caused traffic logjams and appeared to be a new tactic in its campaign to torment the city’s residents. Previously, Russia has hit apartment blocks, supermarket warehouses, gas stations and data centers, among other targets, in an escalation of attacks.

The aerial war has intensified in recent months as fighting along the roughly 1,250-kilometer front line snaking through northern, eastern and southern Ukraine became virtually deadlocked. Russia invaded its neighbor more than 4 ½ years ago, and there are no concrete signs that a peace settlement might be possible.

However, Ukraine has this year made some progress against Russia’s bigger army, according to the Institute for the Study of War.

Russian forces lost control over almost 300 square kilometers (116 square miles) between March and September, the Washington-based think tank said in a report late Thursday. Also, it said that the Russian military suffered over 46,000 casualties in September, the highest monthly number this year. It did not say how many Ukrainian troops were killed or wounded.

Zelenskyy says sanctions can stop Russian drones and missiles Russia fired more than 100 drones at Ukraine overnight, striking Kyiv and eight other regions, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. Almost half of the drones were the jet-powered type that are especially hard to stop, he said.

A drone hit a high-rise apartment block in Kyiv, killing one person, he said. At least four people were reported wounded elsewhere.

Zelenskyy repeated his appeal for foreign countries to close loopholes in international sanctions on Russia and to add more restrictions on its trade. He said Russia's drones and missiles are “critically dependent” on foreign components.

“Every Russian drone can actually be stopped right at the production line,” Zelenskyy said in a post on X.

Ukraine has also bombarded Russia with the long-range drones and missiles it now produces, aiming at military manufacturing plants and oil refineries.

The Russian Defense Ministry said Friday that its air defenses overnight downed 646 Ukrainian drones over Russian regions, occupied Crimea, the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea.

One person was wounded in Russia’s southwestern Volgograd region, Gov. Andrei Bocharov said. The attack targeted “industrial infrastructure,” The Associated Press quoted him as saying.

Ukraine is ready for a truce on energy strikes and the Black Sea Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said the partial truce proposals presented to Kyiv by four countries were the first time India has offered to play a role.

India is trying to balance its ties with Russia against its growing partnerships with the United States and other Western powers. A new US sanctions package on Russia could impose up to 100% tariffs on New Delhi as a major importer of Russian oil.

Sybiha said Kyiv is ready to accept a ceasefire if it stops Russian attacks on Ukraine’s power grid — as well as Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries — and on cargo vessels exporting grain and other farm products through the Black Sea.

“We are ready for an energy and Black Sea ceasefire, but only in that combination. Energy and a ceasefire in the Black Sea,” Sybiha told reporters Thursday, in comments embargoed until Friday.

He repeated Ukraine’s offer of an unconditional ceasefire on the front line. But Moscow has rejected a ceasefire, saying a comprehensive peace deal must be agreed rather than a temporary truce.

Russia is stockpiling ballistic missiles, Ukraine says Sybiha said Ukraine is requesting some 300 Patriot missiles from partner countries because intelligence services estimate that Russia is holding 600 ballistic missiles in reserve and can produce up to 140 ballistic missiles per month.

The US-made Patriot air defense systems can effectively defend against ballistic missiles, which fly fast and drop steeply, but they are in short supply due to the Iran war.

Ukraine needs more funding and quickly, foreign minister says Ukraine urgently needs funding in order to contract future drone production, so there are no gaps in supply at the beginning of next year, Sybiha said.

Kyiv faces a projected budget deficit of roughly $27 billion this year, although the European Union has promised to help meet its financial requirements and strengthen its defense.
Russia is also facing economic and financial challenges due to high military spending and debt.

World

NKorean Leader's Sister Calls Seoul 'Despicable' after DMZ Apology Demand

A view shows North Korea's guard post in this picture taken from the top of the Aegibong Peak Observatory, south of the demilitarized zone (DMZ), separating the two Koreas in Gimpo, South Korea, November 29, 2024. REUTERS/Kim Soo-hyeon/File Photo
A view shows North Korea's guard post in this picture taken from the top of the Aegibong Peak Observatory, south of the demilitarized zone (DMZ), separating the two Koreas in Gimpo, South Korea, November 29, 2024. REUTERS/Kim Soo-hyeon/File Photo
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NKorean Leader's Sister Calls Seoul 'Despicable' after DMZ Apology Demand

A view shows North Korea's guard post in this picture taken from the top of the Aegibong Peak Observatory, south of the demilitarized zone (DMZ), separating the two Koreas in Gimpo, South Korea, November 29, 2024. REUTERS/Kim Soo-hyeon/File Photo
A view shows North Korea's guard post in this picture taken from the top of the Aegibong Peak Observatory, south of the demilitarized zone (DMZ), separating the two Koreas in Gimpo, South Korea, November 29, 2024. REUTERS/Kim Soo-hyeon/File Photo

Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister of North Korea's leader, called South Korea "despicable" Friday after Seoul demanded an apology over a demilitarized zone blast that wounded three of its soldiers.

Pyongyang this week denied being behind a landmine blast that caused severe injuries to three soldiers last month inside the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), the heavily mined buffer dividing the two Koreas since their 1953 armistice.

South Korea's military demanded an official apology this week, calling the incident "a clear violation of the Armistice Agreement".

In the first public response from Pyongyang, Kim Yo Jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said South Korea "even called for an apology" and added it is "really despicable".

The powerful North Korean figure's statement could dampen any hopes of smoother relations between the neighbors after South Korea's dovish President Lee Jae Myung had urged Pyongyang to return to dialogue despite his military's call for an apology.

Seoul and Pyongyang remain technically at war since the 1950-53 Korean War ended in a truce, not a peace treaty.

Since 2024, after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un designated South Korea as his country's "principal enemy," Pyongyang's military has laid mines and built anti-tank barriers along the frontier as part of efforts to permanently seal it off.

The North Korean mines were believed to have been laid as part of Pyongyang's border fortification work, according to South Korea's defense minister Kang Shin-chul.

The US-led United Nations Command, which oversees the Korean War armistice and the southern side of the DMZ, also said Wednesday it had found an active North Korean anti-personnel mine on the South Korean side of the border.

South Korea's Lee has reversed the stance of his hawkish predecessor Yoon Suk Yeol since taking power in June 2025, offering nuclear-armed Pyongyang talks without preconditions.

He said Thursday that he hoped the North would "join us now on the path of restoring trust and resuming dialogue, following a long interruption" -- a day after the military demanded an apology.

"My administration will consistently pursue practical measures to reduce military tensions between the two Koreas," Lee said.

However, Kim Yo Jong ridiculed Lee's latest overture, calling it "the climax of the farce that everyone should watch."

Resuming blaring K-pop music -- which the isolated North has long bristled at -- across the border has been floated by analysts as a possible response to last month's blast.

But others say Seoul has few realistic options for retaliation without further burdening border residents already exposed to disruption and danger.

The flare up comes as US President Donald Trump's recent overtures to Pyongyang raised concerns that Seoul, an ally of Washington, could be sidelined in potential nuclear talks involving the North, which is backed by Russia as well as China.

Lee said last month that Washington should seek a freeze, rather than the immediate elimination, of North Korea's nuclear program and offer sanctions relief in return.