Pezeshkian: No Country Dares to Attack Iranian Territory

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian visits the Ministry of Defense missile and defence achievements exhibition in Tehran, Iran, February 2, 2025. Iran's Presidential website/WANA (West Asia News Agency)/Handout via REUTERS
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian visits the Ministry of Defense missile and defence achievements exhibition in Tehran, Iran, February 2, 2025. Iran's Presidential website/WANA (West Asia News Agency)/Handout via REUTERS
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Pezeshkian: No Country Dares to Attack Iranian Territory

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian visits the Ministry of Defense missile and defence achievements exhibition in Tehran, Iran, February 2, 2025. Iran's Presidential website/WANA (West Asia News Agency)/Handout via REUTERS
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian visits the Ministry of Defense missile and defence achievements exhibition in Tehran, Iran, February 2, 2025. Iran's Presidential website/WANA (West Asia News Agency)/Handout via REUTERS

At the launch of a new ballistic missile with a range of 1,700 kilometers, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Sunday that no country dares to attack Iranian territory.

Speaking at the National Space Technology Day ceremony, Pezeshkian said: “At one point, enemies were able to attack our country easily, but today ... they can't even think about it.”

The Iranian President did not mention the two Israeli attacks on Iran last April and October in retaliation for a ballistic missile assault on Israel.

On Sunday, state television aired footage of the missile, describing it as “the most recent ballistic missile” produced by the Iranian defense ministry.

Iran’s news agency, Tasnim, said the missile has a range of 1,700 kilometers. It added that Etemad, measuring 15 meters in length and 1.25 meters in diameter, is equipped with a precision-guided warhead.

According to photos distributed by the Iranian presidency, Pezeshkian on Sunday inspected the 15th Khordad air defense missile systems, the Majid system and the Dezful medium range ballistic missile.

Iran also unveiled three domestically produced satellites, including Navak, a 34-kilogram communications satellite, and upgraded versions of the Pars-1 and Pars-2 imaging satellites.

These are designed for environmental monitoring, emergency response, and urban management, according to state news agency IRNA.

Western nations have long accused Iran of destabilizing the Middle East through its ballistic missile program.

On Sunday, the Iranian President emphasized that Iran’s military and space advancements are intended as a deterrent and not to wage wars or attacks.

“Our progress in defense and space technologies is designed to prevent any thoughts of aggression or invasion against Iran,” Pezeshkian said.

“In the past, invading Iran was an option for our adversaries, but today, thanks to the efforts of our experts, youth, and specialists, no one dares to consider such actions,” the President added.

During the same event, Iran’s Defense Minister Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh has praised the country’s accomplishments in the sphere of satellite carriers.

Satellite carriers “Simorgh” and “Qaem-100” have successfully carried out the planned missions, he said.

The minister said that Iranian experts are working on the Sarir satellite launch vehicle, which will be able to put super heavy cargo into orbits, potentially paving the way for a satellite constellation.



France Accuses Iran of ‘Repression’ in Sentence for Nobel Laureate

People cross an intersection in downtown Tehran, Iran, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. (AP)
People cross an intersection in downtown Tehran, Iran, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. (AP)
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France Accuses Iran of ‘Repression’ in Sentence for Nobel Laureate

People cross an intersection in downtown Tehran, Iran, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. (AP)
People cross an intersection in downtown Tehran, Iran, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. (AP)

France accused Iran on Monday of "repression and intimidation" after a court handed Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi a new six-year prison sentence on charges of harming national security.

Mohammadi, sentenced Saturday, was also handed a one-and-a-half-year prison sentence for "propaganda" against Iran's system, according to her foundation.

"With this sentence, the Iranian regime has, once again, chosen repression and intimidation," the French foreign ministry said in a statement, describing the 53-year-old as a "tireless defender" of human rights.

Paris is calling for the release of the activist, who was arrested before protests erupted nationwide in December after speaking out against the government at a funeral ceremony.

The movement peaked in January as authorities launched a crackdown that activists say has left thousands dead.

Over the past quarter-century, Mohammadi has been repeatedly tried and jailed for her vocal campaigning against Iran's use of capital punishment and the mandatory dress code for women.

Mohammadi has spent much of the past decade behind bars and has not seen her twin children, who live in Paris, since 2015.

Iranian authorities have arrested more than 50,000 people as part of their crackdown on protests, according to US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA).


Iran's Supreme Leader Urges Iranians to Show 'Resolve' against Foreign Pressure

Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei on (File Photo/Supreme Leader's website).
Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei on (File Photo/Supreme Leader's website).
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Iran's Supreme Leader Urges Iranians to Show 'Resolve' against Foreign Pressure

Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei on (File Photo/Supreme Leader's website).
Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei on (File Photo/Supreme Leader's website).

Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei on Monday called on his compatriots to show "resolve" ahead of the anniversary of the 1979 Islamic revolution this week.

Since the revolution, "foreign powers have always sought to restore the previous situation", Ali Khamenei said, referring to the period when Iran was under the rule of shah Reza Pahlavi and dependent on the United States, AFP reported.

"National power is less about missiles and aircraft and more about the will and steadfastness of the people," the leader said, adding: "Show it again and frustrate the enemy."


UK PM's Communications Director Quits

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer delivers a speech at Horntye Park Sports Complex in St Leonards, Britain, February 05, 2026. Peter Nicholls/Pool via REUTERS
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer delivers a speech at Horntye Park Sports Complex in St Leonards, Britain, February 05, 2026. Peter Nicholls/Pool via REUTERS
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UK PM's Communications Director Quits

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer delivers a speech at Horntye Park Sports Complex in St Leonards, Britain, February 05, 2026. Peter Nicholls/Pool via REUTERS
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer delivers a speech at Horntye Park Sports Complex in St Leonards, Britain, February 05, 2026. Peter Nicholls/Pool via REUTERS

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's director of communications Tim Allan resigned on Monday, a day after Starmer's top aide Morgan McSweeney quit over his role in backing Peter Mandelson over his known links to Jeffrey Epstein.

The loss of two senior aides ⁠in quick succession comes as Starmer tries to draw a line under the crisis in his government resulting from his appointment of Mandelson as ambassador to the ⁠US.

"I have decided to stand down to allow a new No10 team to be built. I wish the PM and his team every success," Allan said in a statement on Monday.

Allan served as an adviser to Tony Blair from ⁠1992 to 1998 and went on to found and lead one of the country’s foremost public affairs consultancies in 2001. In September 2025, he was appointed executive director of communications at Downing Street.