Araghchi Pledges Foreign Policy Aligned with Khamenei’s Guidance

Abbas Araghchi outlines his program to the Iranian parliament before confidence vote (Tasnim)
Abbas Araghchi outlines his program to the Iranian parliament before confidence vote (Tasnim)
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Araghchi Pledges Foreign Policy Aligned with Khamenei’s Guidance

Abbas Araghchi outlines his program to the Iranian parliament before confidence vote (Tasnim)
Abbas Araghchi outlines his program to the Iranian parliament before confidence vote (Tasnim)

Veteran diplomat Abbas Araghchi defended his record as Iran’s parliament debated his nomination for foreign minister, with lawmakers divided over his role in the 2015 nuclear deal.
Some criticized his involvement in the agreement, while others praised his loyalty to the directives of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and his efforts to align diplomacy with military strategy, particularly the Revolutionary Guards’ role in regional foreign policy.
The parliament continued its review of President Masoud Pezeshkian’s cabinet nominees, focusing on candidates for the intelligence, economy, health, and foreign ministries.
In his pitch to become the country’s top diplomat, Araghchi promised a “comprehensive and effective” foreign policy to tackle regional and global challenges, insisting on an approach free from political biases.
He outlined three key goals: protecting national interests, strengthening security, and upholding the country’s dignity.
Araghchi emphasized that the regime’s positions, parliamentary laws, and the Supreme Leader’s guidance would be his main directives.
“I will serve the Supreme Leader, be accountable to parliament, and protect the nation’s interests,” Araghchi said, reaffirming his commitment to countering sanctions while staying alert to changes in the global landscape.
Additionally, Araghchi outlined his top foreign policy priorities, placing China, Russia, and emerging powers in Africa, Latin America, and East Asia at the forefront.
“These nations supported us during sanctions, and they will be central to our foreign policy,” he said.
He also emphasized the importance of “good neighborliness,” vowing to strengthen ties with neighboring countries to capitalize on political and economic opportunities.
Regarding Europe, Araghchi took a cautious stance: “If Europe changes its hostile behavior, it will become a priority.”
Regarding the US, the foreign minister hopeful stated that Iran’s approach would focus on “managing conflict” rather than resolving it.
Discussing nuclear negotiations, Araghchi highlighted his consistent commitment to the regime’s positions.



Mid-air Collision of Philippines Military Planes Kills 4 Pilots

Philippines National Flag is pictured as the rainbow displays over it in Manila, Philippines, January 8, 2020. REUTERS/Willy Kurniawan/File Photo
Philippines National Flag is pictured as the rainbow displays over it in Manila, Philippines, January 8, 2020. REUTERS/Willy Kurniawan/File Photo
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Mid-air Collision of Philippines Military Planes Kills 4 Pilots

Philippines National Flag is pictured as the rainbow displays over it in Manila, Philippines, January 8, 2020. REUTERS/Willy Kurniawan/File Photo
Philippines National Flag is pictured as the rainbow displays over it in Manila, Philippines, January 8, 2020. REUTERS/Willy Kurniawan/File Photo

Two military planes crashed mid-air during training at an air base in the Philippines, killing four pilots, the air force said Saturday.

The SF-260 single propeller planes crashed at Fernando Air Base, south of Manila, on Friday afternoon.

"Both aircraft went down within the base perimeter, with no other casualties reported," Philippine Air Force spokesman Colonel Alvin Capinguian said in a statement.

An investigation was opened to determine the cause of the mishap, and Capinguian said the air force's fleet of SF-260s has been temporarily grounded as a precaution.

There have been a number of deadly crashes involving Philippine military aircraft in recent years.

In May, two military pilots were killed when another SF-260 plane crashed during a training flight in Benguet province in the northern Philippines.


NKorea's Kim Calls for 'Military Revolution' as he Urges Stronger Army Units

This picture taken between October 22 and 23, 2026 released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on October 24, 2026 shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un speaking during the third meeting of company leaders of the Korean People's Army at the Pyongyang Gymnasium in Pyongyang. (Photo by KCNA VIA KNS / AFP)
This picture taken between October 22 and 23, 2026 released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on October 24, 2026 shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un speaking during the third meeting of company leaders of the Korean People's Army at the Pyongyang Gymnasium in Pyongyang. (Photo by KCNA VIA KNS / AFP)
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NKorea's Kim Calls for 'Military Revolution' as he Urges Stronger Army Units

This picture taken between October 22 and 23, 2026 released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on October 24, 2026 shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un speaking during the third meeting of company leaders of the Korean People's Army at the Pyongyang Gymnasium in Pyongyang. (Photo by KCNA VIA KNS / AFP)
This picture taken between October 22 and 23, 2026 released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on October 24, 2026 shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un speaking during the third meeting of company leaders of the Korean People's Army at the Pyongyang Gymnasium in Pyongyang. (Photo by KCNA VIA KNS / AFP)

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un called for the country's army companies to be turned into elite, self-sufficient combat units during a two-day meeting of company commanders in Pyongyang, state media KCNA said on Saturday.

The event underscored Kim's consistent policy priority of strengthening the ⁠military.

In a speech ⁠at a conference of company commanders for North Korea's Army on October 22-23, which KCNA said was the first military-wide gathering ⁠since the Ninth Congress of North Korea's ruling party in February, Kim called for every company to fully prepare so that "the goal of the new-era military build-up" can be achieved.

"Let us build the strongest army and speed up a ⁠military revolution ⁠in our style,” Reuters quoted Kim as saying.

During the Ninth Congress of North Korea's ruling party in February, which sets the country's direction for the next five years, Kim called for stronger conventional armed forces as well as reaffirming efforts to develop nuclear weapons and missiles.


Rubio Urges Cubans to Work with CIA, but Warns: Be Discreet

FILE PHOTO: A man rides a bicycle taxi past parked vintage cars normally used for public transportation, in Havana, Cuba, July 21, 2026. REUTERS/Norlys Perez/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A man rides a bicycle taxi past parked vintage cars normally used for public transportation, in Havana, Cuba, July 21, 2026. REUTERS/Norlys Perez/File Photo
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Rubio Urges Cubans to Work with CIA, but Warns: Be Discreet

FILE PHOTO: A man rides a bicycle taxi past parked vintage cars normally used for public transportation, in Havana, Cuba, July 21, 2026. REUTERS/Norlys Perez/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A man rides a bicycle taxi past parked vintage cars normally used for public transportation, in Havana, Cuba, July 21, 2026. REUTERS/Norlys Perez/File Photo

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday called for Cubans to make "discreet" contact with the American intelligence services as Washington seeks to force an end to the island's communist government.

For months, President Donald Trump and other senior US officials have openly hinted at a military intervention or takeover of Cuba, ramping up economic, political and legal pressure on the country.

"To those who seek to create positive change in Cuba -- now is the time," Rubio said on social media.

"The disappointment of failed promises, corruption, and the privileged lives of only a few; seize this opportunity to create the change you desire through a discrete partnership with the CIA."

The unusual post appeared to confirm that the CIA is currently active in Cuba after a long history of covert operations including backing the disastrous Bay of Pigs invasion in 1961.

The CIA later uploaded a video to X offering instructions in Spanish for those who believe they have information of interest to the intelligence agency, encouraging them to first and foremost visit an official US installation in person if they can safely travel to one.

For those hoping to contact the CIA online via the cia.gov website, the agency instructed users to access the internet on a secure network like a VPN using a private browser and a burner email account unassociated with any personal details.

Those sharing information should be prepared to include their city, job, level of access and contact information with their message.

Trump, speaking at a rally in Florida earlier Friday, underlined his ambitions to impose regime change in Cuba.

"Those beautiful (US military) ships will pass Cuba. We'll have one of them stop about 50 yards off the coast," he said. "They'll raise up their hands. And then we're going to send Marco Rubio in to finish up the deal."

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez quickly dismissed Trump's threats.

"Our coastline is full of beautiful beaches, but there are also razor-sharp limestone spikes, an inhospitable environment for those who make it to our shores with hostile purposes and lust for domination," he posted, according to AFP.

In the latest US move against the Cuban leadership, Florida's top prosecutor this week announced an arrest warrant for former president Raul Castro on state murder charges that echo a federal indictment unveiled earlier this year.

Castro, 95, is wanted on murder charges connected to the 1996 shooting down of two civilian aircraft from "Brothers to the Rescue," an organization assisting Cubans fleeing to the US state by sea.

Castro, brother of the late revolutionary leader and US nemesis Fidel Castro, was indicted on federal charges related to the incident in May.

Trump previously seized on a US indictment to justify military action that toppled Venezuela's then-president Nicolas Maduro, a staunch ally of the Cuban authorities.

Current Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel has said the US federal indictment against Castro has "no legal basis" and was an attempt "to justify the folly of a military aggression against Cuba."

Washington also imposed a de facto energy blockade on Cuba in January, threatening to sanction any country that supplies fuel to the island of 9.4 million people.