IRGC Quds Force chief says forces made enemies regret actions

Iran’s nationwide internet blackout has entered its 41st day, with disruption exceeding 960 hours, according to internet monitoring group NetBlocks.

"The measure, unprecedented in scale and duration for a connected society, continues to violate Iranians' rights to communicate and stay informed," it said.

Costa Rica designated Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist organization, the foreign ministry said on Thursday, in a move that also blacklisted three other Iran-backed groups in the region.

Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza, and Houthis in Yemen were also designated.

The government made the decision on Monday, according to the ministry, which said the measure was taken in line with Costa Rica’s international commitments to combat terrorism and its financing.

The move will "allow intelligence authorities and judicial bodies to strengthen their prevention, investigation, and prosecution capabilities, acting more decisively against any logistical and financial support networks that may be operating within the country to sustain these organizations,” the foreign ministry said.

It added that the designation would help intelligence and judicial authorities strengthen their ability to prevent, investigate and prosecute logistical and financial support networks linked to the groups.

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The Israeli military said it killed Ali Yusuf Harshi, whom it identified as the personal secretary and nephew of Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem, in a strike in Beirut on Wednesday.

According to the IDF, Harshi was a close associate and adviser to Qassem and played a central role in managing and securing his office.

The military also said it struck two key crossings used by Hezbollah fighters and commanders moving from north to south of the Litani River to transfer weapons, rockets and launchers.

It added that about 10 weapons storage sites, launchers and command centers used by Hezbollah in southern Lebanon were also hit overnight.

Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza, and Houthis in Yemen were also designated.

The government made the decision on Monday, according to the ministry, which said the measure was taken in line with Costa Rica’s international commitments to combat terrorism and its financing.

The move will "allow intelligence authorities and judicial bodies to strengthen their prevention, investigation, and prosecution capabilities, acting more decisively against any logistical and financial support networks that may be operating within the country to sustain these organizations,” the foreign ministry said.

It added that the designation would help intelligence and judicial authorities strengthen their ability to prevent, investigate and prosecute logistical and financial support networks linked to the groups.

“The designation seeks to prevent any form of action or influence by these groups in Costa Rica, safeguarding the security of the population and integrity of our democratic institutions," according to the statement.

Several countries have moved in recent weeks to designate the IRGC as a terrorist organization, while the Trump administration has urged allies to take similar action against the IRGC and Hezbollah.

Iceland, Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Liechtenstein designated the terror group on March 20, followed by Argentina on March 31.

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  Argentina designates Iran's IRGC Quds Force as terrorist group

Western governments have increasingly targeted the IRGC over its regional activities, support for armed groups and role in Iran’s security apparatus.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guards have been designated as a terrorist organization by the United States, Canada, the European Union, and Australia.

Authorities in Pakistan’s capital Islamabad declared two days of local holiday at short notice from Thursday ahead of expected talks between the United States and Iran.

No reason was given in a notification issued late on Wednesday by the Islamabad district administration.

Pakistan has been preparing for talks involving US and Iranian representatives on the war in the Middle East.