Tehran arrests two girls for dancing at Iran-Iraq war memorial

The UKMTO, which oversees maritime security in the region, cautioned seafarers that vessels near Iranian waters could encounter similar VHF communications—radio messages sent on very high frequencies—during the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' (IRGC) drills.

A commander of the IRGC Navy, Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri, described the "Great Prophet 19" drills on Friday as "a message of peace and friendship for neighbouring countries" adding, "We are capable of ensuring the security of the sensitive Persian Gulf region together with neighbouring nations and standing firmly against any threats."

Tangsiri said the exercise carries a message for "non-regional countries," asserting that "their presence disrupts security in the region" and that "they cannot create lasting stability in this critical area." He explained that the drills aim to strengthen the security of international waterways, focusing on the safety of shipping and economic activities in the region.

Iranian media reported that the drill features new technologies, including vessels with speeds of 75 and 90 knots capable of launching missiles and deploying advanced mines.

Tangsiri said that adversaries of Iran "should know that we will stand against their bullying with strength and courage" and that any hostile plans "will be thwarted decisively."

Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, who announced on Tuesday his intention to step down on March 6, admitted responsibility for the security lapse during Hamas's cross-border attack on October 7, 2023, which marked the start of the conflict.

The Commander-in-Chief of the IRGC, Hossein Salami, described the resignation as "a clear sign of the Zionists' defeat in the Gaza war."

"When Gaza achieved victory, it means Islam achieved victory. This resistance is an inspiration for Muslims," Salami said on Thursday.

The Deputy Coordinator of the IRGC, Mohammadreza Naghdi, linked the resignation to what he described as broader challenges facing the Israeli government, asserting that resistance movements—Tehran's term for its proxy militias across the region—had significantly weakened its position.

“The Zionist regime, which considered itself the most powerful country in the region, is now collapsing in the face of the resistance of nations,” Naghdi said.

Over recent weeks, analysts and experts have contended that it is Tehran's “Axis of Resistance” that has been significantly weakened, pointing to the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's rule in Syria and the heavy losses sustained by Hezbollah and Hamas in recent military conflicts with Israel.

In his resignation letter to Israel’s defense minister, Lt. Gen. Halevi acknowledged that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had “failed in its mission to protect the citizens of Israel” during the deadly attack by Hamas.

“My responsibility for the terrible failure accompanies me every day, every hour, and will be so for the rest of my life,” he wrote.

The October 7 attack by Hamas, an Iran-backed militant group, involved gunmen breaching Israel's border from Gaza and led to one of the most devastating wars in the region in recent memory, with over 1,400 people killed and more than 200 taken hostage.

Azizi and Moradi were sentenced to death for “armed rebellion against the state” after what the resolution described as “unfair trials” involving “torture and solitary confinement.”

The European Parliament demanded their immediate and unconditional release, along with at least 56 other political prisoners on death row in Iran.

The resolution passed with overwhelming support, receiving 556 votes in favor, six against, and 42 abstentions.

The resolution also criticized Iran's use of so-called hostage diplomacy, highlighting the arbitrary detention of EU nationals, including Olivier Grondeau, Cecile Kohler, Jacques Paris and Ahmadreza Djalali. It called for their immediate release, saying that these detentions violate international norms and fair trial rights.

The European Parliament also condemned the death in custody of Iranian-German activist Jamshid Sharmahd, urging Iranian authorities to provide transparency regarding the circumstances of his death and to return his remains to his family.

Asked by a reporter in the Oval Office whether he would support Israel striking Iran's nuclear facilities, Trump said: "Obviously, I'm not going to answer that question."

"It would really be nice if that could be worked out without having to go that further step ... Iran hopefully will make a deal, and if they don't make a deal, I guess that's okay too."

Without elaborating, Trump said he would be meeting various "very high-level people" in the coming days to discuss the Iran dossier.

Trump has long opposed foreign wars but has adopted a hard line on Iran, beefing up sanctions on its oil exports in his first term and pulling out of an international deal on Tehran's disputed nuclear program.

Iran has denied seeking a nuclear weapon but Israel has long contended that a bomb in the hands of its arch-enemy poses an existential threat.

Trump has previously said that Iran cannot be allowed to have a nuclear weapon but has also maintained Washington should not pursue regime change.

A correspondent from Israel's Channel 12 quoted a Trump administration official as saying Trump is opposed to the idea of an Israeli strike and believes in a deal.

The President is alarmed at the idea of an attack on Iran, Yaron Avraham cited the official as saying. "He will want to reach a very restrictive deal that would stop Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, and he believes he can reach an understanding with Iran."

"Moreover, he believes the Iranians will run to the negotiating table under his leadership.”

“Anti-coup forces must arrest Zarif upon his return to the country and subject him to interrogation," the secretary of Tehran’s Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice Council, Momeni-Nasab, wrote on X Thursday. "Otherwise, the country will soon face more complex and highly dangerous crises.”

The criticism arose after Zarif signaled a softer line on hijab enforcement in a CNN interview on the sidelines of the Davos Forum in Switzerland.

“The Islamic Republic has decided not to pressure women regarding the hijab,” Zarif said. “If you walk on the streets of Tehran, you will see some women without hijab. Although this is illegal, the government has chosen not to put women under pressure.”

Tehran’s Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice Council is a governmental body tasked with enforcing Islamic behavioral codes, including mandatory hijab laws. It plays a significant role in shaping and implementing the Islamic Republic’s social policies.

In November 2024, the council announced plans to establish a "hijab clinic" aimed at providing "scientific and psychological treatment" for women who defy compulsory hijab regulations.

In addition to Momeni-Nasab, Zarif’s remarks on the hijab issue sparked backlash on social media, with critics accusing him of misrepresenting the Islamic Republic's stance.

Many argue that the enforcement of the new and more restrictive hijab law has merely been suspended temporarily and it could be revived at any time.

Ultra-hardliners have doubled down on their criticism of Zarif’s remarks. They emphasize Supreme Leader Khamenei’s clear stance on the hijab, citing an April 2023 speech in which he declared that flouting the hijab was both "religiously and politically haram (forbidden)."