Iran Says Missile Program Defensive, Non-Negotiable 

Iranian ballistic missiles are on display during a military parade in Tehran. (Reuters file)
Iranian ballistic missiles are on display during a military parade in Tehran. (Reuters file)
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Iran Says Missile Program Defensive, Non-Negotiable 

Iranian ballistic missiles are on display during a military parade in Tehran. (Reuters file)
Iranian ballistic missiles are on display during a military parade in Tehran. (Reuters file)

Iran insisted on Monday that its missile program was defensive in nature and designed to dissuade attack, while adding the existence of its arsenal was not up for debate.

Israel had presented Iran's ballistic missiles, along with its nuclear program, as the two main threats it sought to neutralize during the 12-day war the foes fought in June.

"Iran's missile program was developed to defend Iran's territory, not for negotiation," foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said at a weekly press conference.

"Therefore, Iran's defense capabilities, designed to deter aggressors from any thought of attacking Iran, are not a matter that could be talked about."

Iran's ballistic capabilities put Israel within striking distance, and after Israel's unprecedented attacks that sparked the war in June, Tehran responded with waves of missiles and drones launched at Israeli cities.

According to US broadcaster NBC, Israel is growing increasingly concerned that Iran is seeking to rebuild and expand its missile production following the war and may seek to attack it again to curtail those efforts.

During a planned visit to the US later this month, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "is expected to present (President Donald) Trump with options for the US to join or assist in any new military operations", NBC reported, citing an unnamed source with direct knowledge of the plans and former US officials briefed on them.

Over the course of the recent war, Israel struck military sites, nuclear facilities and residential areas, killing more than 1,000 people.

Israel reported more than 50 Iranian missile strikes inside its territory that killed 28 people.

The US briefly joined its ally in striking Iran's nuclear facilities before declaring a ceasefire.

Iran once procured much of its weaponry from the United States, but following the break in diplomatic relations after its 1979 revolution, it had to develop its own domestic arms industry.



Israel Approves Closing of Military Radio

Israeli soldiers from Galei Tzahal, the Israeli army radio station, are seen through a window while producing a show at the station's studio in Jaffa, south of central Tel Aviv November 10, 2013. REUTERS/Nir Elias
Israeli soldiers from Galei Tzahal, the Israeli army radio station, are seen through a window while producing a show at the station's studio in Jaffa, south of central Tel Aviv November 10, 2013. REUTERS/Nir Elias
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Israel Approves Closing of Military Radio

Israeli soldiers from Galei Tzahal, the Israeli army radio station, are seen through a window while producing a show at the station's studio in Jaffa, south of central Tel Aviv November 10, 2013. REUTERS/Nir Elias
Israeli soldiers from Galei Tzahal, the Israeli army radio station, are seen through a window while producing a show at the station's studio in Jaffa, south of central Tel Aviv November 10, 2013. REUTERS/Nir Elias

Israel's government approved on Monday the closure of the country's military radio station, dismissing objections from the attorney general, who warned that the move threatened media freedom.

According to a government survey of audiences, it is Israel's third most listened-to station, with a market share of 17.7 percent.

"The government unanimously approved the proposal put forward by Defense Minister Israel Katz to shut down the military radio station Galei Tsahal," Katz's office said in a statement, adding that the closure would take effect before March 1, 2026, AFP reported.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had urged his ministers to back Katz's proposal, according to the statement.

"There have long been recurring proposals to remove Galei Tsahal from the military framework, abolish it, or privatize it," the statement quoted Netanyahu as saying.

Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, who also serves as the government's legal adviser is currently facing dismissal proceedings initiated by the premier, said the decision "raises concerns about possible political interference in public broadcasting".

She added that it "poses questions regarding an infringement on freedom of expression and of the press".

Her office stated that closing the station would require a vote in parliament.

The government's decision "does not meet the required legal criteria and cannot be advanced in its current form", according to a 34-page document prepared by her office and seen by AFP.

Some of the programs broadcast on the radio station have been critical of the government's policies.

Katz justified the decision by arguing that Galei Tsahal "broadcasts political and divisive content that does not align with the values" of the military.

"A situation in which a radio station intended for all citizens of the State of Israel is operated by the military is an anomaly that does not exist in democratic countries," Katz said.

Opposition leader Yair Lapid condemned the shutdown on X, saying it "is part of the government's effort to suppress freedom of expression in Israel during an election period."

"They cannot control reality, so they try to control minds," Lapid added.

Israel will hold a parliamentary election in 2026 and Netanyahu has announced that he would seek a new term in the office of prime minister.


Iran Holds Missile Drills in Various Cities, State Media Say

The Iranian flag waves in front of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) headquarters, before the beginning of a board of governors meeting, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Vienna, Austria, March 1, 2021. (Reuters)
The Iranian flag waves in front of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) headquarters, before the beginning of a board of governors meeting, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Vienna, Austria, March 1, 2021. (Reuters)
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Iran Holds Missile Drills in Various Cities, State Media Say

The Iranian flag waves in front of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) headquarters, before the beginning of a board of governors meeting, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Vienna, Austria, March 1, 2021. (Reuters)
The Iranian flag waves in front of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) headquarters, before the beginning of a board of governors meeting, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Vienna, Austria, March 1, 2021. (Reuters)

Iran held missile ​drills in various cities on Monday, state media reported, citing unnamed sources and witnesses, in what was the second such reported exercise in a month.

NBC News reported on Saturday that US President Donald Trump was to be briefed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ‌that any ‌expansion of Iran's ballistic ‌missile program ⁠poses ​a threat ‌that could necessitate swift action.

Western powers regard Iran's ballistic missile arsenal both as a conventional military threat to Middle East stability and a possible delivery mechanism for nuclear weapons should Tehran develop them. It denies any intent to build ⁠atomic bombs.

The Telegram channel of Iran's public broadcaster and semi-official ‌Nournews published videos of what ‍appeared to be missile launches, ‍without specifying the whereabouts, Reuters reported.

However, the outlets ‍said launches took place from the capital Tehran and the cities of Isfahan and Mashhad. Reuters could not independently verify the authenticity of the videos.

State media ​later on Monday cited "informed sources" as denying that missiles were tested and saying the ⁠circulated images were of "high-altitude aircraft". No clarification regarding the conflicting reports was provided.

NBC reported that Israeli officials are concerned that Iran is reconstituting nuclear enrichment sites the US bombed in June, and were preparing to brief Trump for options on attacking the missile program again.

Earlier this month, the navy of Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards held a two-day exercise aimed at countering foreign threats, firing ‌ballistic and cruise missiles at simulated targets in the Gulf.


Germany Charges Suspected Former Syrian Intelligence Agent with Murder

German Police - May 24, 2017. REUTERS/Fabian Bimmer
German Police - May 24, 2017. REUTERS/Fabian Bimmer
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Germany Charges Suspected Former Syrian Intelligence Agent with Murder

German Police - May 24, 2017. REUTERS/Fabian Bimmer
German Police - May 24, 2017. REUTERS/Fabian Bimmer

German prosecutors have charged a suspected former member of Syrian intelligence with crimes against humanity and the torture and murder of dozens of prisoners held in a Damascus prison under Bashar al-Assad, a statement said on Monday.

The accused, who was arrested in May and identified only as Fahad A. under German privacy rules, was suspected of working as a guard ⁠in a prison in the Syrian capital between the end of April 2011 and mid-April 2012, Reuters quoted it as saying.

"There, he participated in well over 100 interrogations during which prisoners were subjected to severe physical abuse, such ⁠as electric shocks or beatings with cables," it said.

"On the orders of his superiors, the accused also abused inmates at night, for example by hanging them from the ceiling, dousing them with cold water, or forcing them to remain in uncomfortable positions. As a result of such mistreatment and the catastrophic prison conditions, at ⁠least 70 prisoners died."

German prosecutors have used universal jurisdiction laws that allow them to seek trials for suspects in crimes against humanity committed anywhere in the world.

Based on these laws, several people suspected of war crimes during the Syrian conflict have been arrested in the last few years in Germany, which is home to around one million Syrians.