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Iran Investigates Launch of Israeli Drones from Azerbaijan

In this picture obtained from the Iranian judiciary's news agency Mizan Online on June 25, 2025, rescuers sift through the rubble inside the Evin prison complex in Tehran that was hit days ago by an Israeli strike. (Mostafa Roudaki/mizanonline/AFP via Getty Images) 
In this picture obtained from the Iranian judiciary's news agency Mizan Online on June 25, 2025, rescuers sift through the rubble inside the Evin prison complex in Tehran that was hit days ago by an Israeli strike. (Mostafa Roudaki/mizanonline/AFP via Getty Images) 
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Iran Investigates Launch of Israeli Drones from Azerbaijan

In this picture obtained from the Iranian judiciary's news agency Mizan Online on June 25, 2025, rescuers sift through the rubble inside the Evin prison complex in Tehran that was hit days ago by an Israeli strike. (Mostafa Roudaki/mizanonline/AFP via Getty Images) 
In this picture obtained from the Iranian judiciary's news agency Mizan Online on June 25, 2025, rescuers sift through the rubble inside the Evin prison complex in Tehran that was hit days ago by an Israeli strike. (Mostafa Roudaki/mizanonline/AFP via Getty Images) 

Iran has called on Azerbaijan to conduct a thorough investigation into whether Israeli drones entered Iranian airspace from Azerbaijan during the recent hostilities between both countries, Iran’s Ambassador to Armenia, Mehdi Sobhani said on Saturday.

During a press conference at the National Press Club in Yerevan, Sobhani said if it is confirmed that Israel used Azerbaijani soil to launch attacks against Iran during the recent war, then Tehran will consider this a serious violation and expects Baku to provide an official and transparent response.

“We do not confirm some of the information and reports published by certain sources in this regard... Once all aspects of the situation become clear, we will decide on our response,” the ambassador said according to Fars news agency, which is affiliated to the Revolutionary Guards.

“We have not permitted Iranian territory to be used for such purposes. If Azerbaijan has granted such permission, it must provide an explanation in accordance with international law,” the ambassador added.

Sobhani said Iranian intelligence has received information indicating that a small number of Israeli drones crossed into Iran from neighboring countries.

As a result, he said, Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian raised the issue in a phone call with his Azerbaijani counterparty, Ilham Aliyev, requesting a serious investigation.

Sobhani indicated that Azerbaijan has assured Iran that it would not allow its territory to be used against it. However, he emphasized that Tehran needs to receive accurate information before responding.

Two weeks ago, Israel launched a preemptive attack on Iran and the two sides have since exchanged strikes, with growing civilian casualties on both sides.

Early last Sunday, the United States bombed three Iranian nuclear sites after more than a week of Israeli strikes on Tehran's military and nuclear facilities.

In retaliation, Iran launched a missile attack on the Al-Udeid air base in Qatar.

Last April, Pezeshkian visited Azerbaijan and agreed with Aliyev on a road map to strategic and comprehensive cooperation.

Relations between the two countries have been tense for a long time because Azerbaijan in March 2023 opened an embassy in Israel. Azerbaijan also maintains close ties to Israel, which Tehran views as its top regional enemy. Iran has repeatedly opposed improving relations between Azerbaijan and Israel.

In February 2023, Azerbaijan arrested seven people in the capital Baku and other regions in an operation against an Iranian "spy network.”

As part of their campaign, Azerbaijani forces also raided the offices of pro-Iranian news outlets SalamNews and InterAz.

This came after a gunman with a Kalashnikov rifle barged inside the Azerbaijani Embassy premises in Tehran and opened fire, killing the embassy's security chief and injuring two guards.

 

 

 

 

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World

Iran Supreme Leader Calls for Unity Among Muslim Countries

Motorbikes drive past a billboard depicting Iran's late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, center, handing the country's flag to his son and successor, Mojtaba Khamenei, right, as the late revolutionary founder Khomeini stands at left, in a square in downtown Tehran, Iran, March 10, 2026. (AP)
Motorbikes drive past a billboard depicting Iran's late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, center, handing the country's flag to his son and successor, Mojtaba Khamenei, right, as the late revolutionary founder Khomeini stands at left, in a square in downtown Tehran, Iran, March 10, 2026. (AP)
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Iran Supreme Leader Calls for Unity Among Muslim Countries

Motorbikes drive past a billboard depicting Iran's late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, center, handing the country's flag to his son and successor, Mojtaba Khamenei, right, as the late revolutionary founder Khomeini stands at left, in a square in downtown Tehran, Iran, March 10, 2026. (AP)
Motorbikes drive past a billboard depicting Iran's late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, center, handing the country's flag to his son and successor, Mojtaba Khamenei, right, as the late revolutionary founder Khomeini stands at left, in a square in downtown Tehran, Iran, March 10, 2026. (AP)

Iran's supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei on Sunday called on Muslim countries in the region to unite against the United States and Israel, in a written message issued six months on from the start of the Middle East war.

Khamenei, in power since shortly after his father Ali Khamenei was killed at the start of the war on February 28, has yet to be seen in public since his appointment, and authorities have not released any video or audio of him.

"The solution to the problems of the Islamic nations is unity of words, friendship, and cooperation on the path of goodness," he said Sunday.

"Anyone, in any position, who does anything that leads to division among Muslims and creates conflict in the Muslim community, knowingly or unknowingly, intentionally or unintentionally, has served the purpose of the enemies of Islam," he added, according to his official website.

During the war, Iran struck countries across the Middle East, claiming it was targeting US military bases, while the attacks struck civilian and energy facilities.

Relations with those nations have since soured.

Khamenei, who has the final say on major state policies, also called on Iranian officials and citizens to put aside differences and come together against Israel and the United States.

"Again, this servant's advice to the Iranian people is to not allow any differences to arise among themselves in any way," he said, echoing remarks made in another statement on Friday.

"I firmly declare that doing anything detrimental to social cohesion is prohibited," he had said in Friday's message.

He also called Friday for the gradual de-dollarization of the Iranian economy and for boosting economic production to support growth following months of a US naval blockade and years of crippling sanctions that have hit livelihoods.

World

Pakistan Suspends Eight Officials After Deadly Infant Ward Fire

A woman walks out from the Mother and Child Health ward at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) Hospital in Islamabad on August 27, 2026. (AFP)
A woman walks out from the Mother and Child Health ward at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) Hospital in Islamabad on August 27, 2026. (AFP)
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Pakistan Suspends Eight Officials After Deadly Infant Ward Fire

A woman walks out from the Mother and Child Health ward at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) Hospital in Islamabad on August 27, 2026. (AFP)
A woman walks out from the Mother and Child Health ward at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) Hospital in Islamabad on August 27, 2026. (AFP)

Pakistan's prime minister said eight officials were suspended and called for criminal proceedings against them, after 14 infants were killed in a fire in the maternity ward of a hospital in the country's capital.

A preliminary report conducted by a four-person committee formed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif found the deadly blaze had engulfed the unit "within approximately two minutes" just after 6:30am (0130 GMT) on Wednesday, with a nurse only able to save one of the 15 infants in the hospital's care.

Among those suspended were hospital staff including its executive director and the head of the neonatal department, as well as the director-general of Islamabad's emergency services.

Sharif said late Saturday "those responsible for criminal negligence do not deserve any concession" and that they will be "brought to justice".

He also approved taking action against the company responsible for the hospital's security, without naming them.

Emergency services were called within six minutes of the fire breaking out, with the first rescue services arriving at the scene 15 minutes later, the report said.

Parents and other witnesses told AFP the response had been slow and guards had reportedly prevented people from leaving the building.

The hospital did not have detailed operating procedures or fire and emergency training, according to the preliminary report.

Two nurses, a woman security guard and another officer were in the ward when the fire started, but there were no supervising staff, the report stated.

Earlier Health Minister Mustafa Kamal said that a spark from an air conditioner is believed to have caused the fire. The report clarified an ignition source is yet to be determined as the investigation continues.

Health Secretary Aslam Ghori, the country's top civil servant for the department, was sacked on Wednesday following the devastating incident.

Fires in large buildings are frequent in Pakistan, often due to poor safety laws and building codes as well as lax enforcement.

In January, more than 65 people were killed in a shopping center fire in the port city of Karachi.

At least 11 people were killed in another shopping mall fire in Karachi in 2023.

In 2012, at least 250 laborers died at a garment factory in Karachi.

World

Russia Says Preparing ‘Massive Strikes’ on Ukraine’s Energy Sector

A view of the destruction after a Russian attack struck a warehouse, followed by an explosion, in the village of Myla, Kyiv region, Ukraine, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026. (AP)
A view of the destruction after a Russian attack struck a warehouse, followed by an explosion, in the village of Myla, Kyiv region, Ukraine, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026. (AP)
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Russia Says Preparing ‘Massive Strikes’ on Ukraine’s Energy Sector

A view of the destruction after a Russian attack struck a warehouse, followed by an explosion, in the village of Myla, Kyiv region, Ukraine, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026. (AP)
A view of the destruction after a Russian attack struck a warehouse, followed by an explosion, in the village of Myla, Kyiv region, Ukraine, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026. (AP)

Russia's defense ministry on Sunday said it was gearing up for large-scale attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure in a tit-for-tat response to strikes by Kyiv.

"Russian forces have begun preparations for massive strikes against facilities in Ukraine's energy sector in response to the ongoing attacks by the Kyiv regime on civilian infrastructure and on Russia's oil and energy complex," it said on Telegram.

Last winter, Moscow repeatedly hit Ukrainian power plants, devastating the country's energy sector and plunging millions of people into cold and darkness in sub-zero temperatures.

Both sides have for several months escalated long-range strikes, targeting infrastructure such as warehouses, businesses, oil and port facilities, as well as ships, increasing civilian casualties.

On Sunday, the Russian army claimed to have struck a plant in Kyiv producing asbestos and cement whose warehouses, it said, were used to store explosives, as well as a manufacturer of drones and munitions.

On Saturday, a Russian strike on an ammunition depot in the suburbs of the Ukrainian capital triggered a huge explosion and killed at least 37 people.

Ukraine for its part attacked an oil refinery with drones in northwestern Russia, causing a fire, according to the local authorities.