International
Iran Appreciates Saudi Airspace Assurance, Rejects Embassy Strike Claims
Iran Appreciates Saudi Airspace Assurance, Rejects Embassy Strike Claims
RIYADH — Iran’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Alireza Enayati, has categorically denied that Tehran was behind a drone attack on the United States embassy in Riyadh, rejecting Saudi accusations and highlighting Tehran’s appreciation for Saudi Arabia’s commitment not to allow its airspace or territory to be used against Iran amid the ongoing Middle East conflict. Speaking to reporters and AFP at the Iranian embassy in Riyadh on Thursday, Enayati reiterated that Iran had no role in the strike on the US embassy, which Saudi officials said involved drones that caused a small fire at the diplomatic compound earlier this week. “We confirmed that Iran has no role in the attack on the US embassy in Riyadh,” the ambassador said. “If the operations command in Tehran attacks somewhere, it takes responsibility for it.”
The embassy incident came amidst a wave of cross‑border tensions following retaliatory strikes by Iran after a series of United States and Israeli airstrikes targeting Iranian military infrastructure. Allies of Riyadh, including the United States, have accused Iran of launching missile and drone attacks on Saudi territory, including critical facilities such as the Ras Tanura oil refinery — one of the largest in the region — which Tehran has repeatedly denied. Enayati stressed that Iran appreciates Saudi Arabia’s repeated assurance that its airspace, territorial waters, and soil will not be used against Tehran. “We appreciate what we have repeatedly heard from Saudi Arabia — that it does not allow its airspace, waters, or territory to be used against the Islamic Republic of Iran,” he said.
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Saudi authorities have repeatedly condemned missile and drone attacks targeting their territory, warning that Riyadh reserves the right to defend itself and respond to violations of its sovereignty. Prior to the outbreak of hostilities, Saudi Arabia had backed diplomatic efforts aimed at defusing tensions between Tehran and Washington, but recent developments have seen the Gulf kingdom caught up in the wider regional crisis. In response to the Riyadh embassy incident and earlier allegations involving the Ras Tanura oil facility, Saudi officials publicly condemned the attacks as violations of international norms and threats to regional security and economic stability. Tehran, for its part, has rejected all such claims.
The crisis has engulfed the previously stable Gulf region, with Iran stepping up strikes after joint US‑Israeli operations reportedly killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and damaged strategic sites inside Iran. Tehran’s retaliation has included missile and drone strikes against Israeli and US‑linked targets across the broader Middle East. At least 13 people have been killed in the Gulf region, including seven civilians, since Iran began its offensive, according to regional reports. The cross‑border strikes and counter-strikes have alarmed global markets and heightened fears of a broader conflict.
Despite the escalation, Enayati denied that Iran considers the situation a regional war borne of its own design. “This is not a regional war and it is not our war. It was imposed on the region,” he said, echoing Iran’s longstanding narrative that external pressures and actions have forced Tehran into a defensive posture. International leaders and organisations have expressed deep concern over the rapid escalation of hostilities in the Middle East, with calls for calm and restraint growing louder as civilian casualties mount and tensions rise. Observers warn that continued conflict could further destabilise key global energy arteries, particularly the Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant portion of the world’s oil supplies transit. As diplomatic efforts intensify alongside military developments, Riyadh, Tehran and Washington remain under global scrutiny to manage the crisis and avert a wider conflagration that could draw in multiple regional and international actors.
Iran Appreciates Saudi Airspace Assurance, Rejects Embassy Strike Claims
International
Trump Rules Out Ceasefire Extension With Iran
Trump Rules Out Ceasefire Extension With Iran
US President Donald Trump has ruled out extending the fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran beyond its current deadline, warning that failure in ongoing negotiations could lead to renewed military confrontation.
Speaking in an interview with CNBC’s Squawk Box, Trump said he was not in favour of prolonging the truce, stressing that both sides must move quickly to reach a binding agreement.
“I don’t want to do that. We don’t have that much time,” he said, indicating that the situation remains time-sensitive as diplomatic talks continue under pressure.
The ceasefire, which is expected to expire on Wednesday evening, has temporarily eased tensions between Washington and Tehran, allowing both sides to regroup following weeks of heightened conflict and military escalation concerns.
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Trump noted that both countries had used the pause to “restock,” describing the truce as fragile and warning that it could collapse if negotiations fail to produce results.
He further suggested that the breakdown of talks could trigger a return to military operations, stating that he “expects bombing” to resume if diplomacy fails. According to him, the U.S. military remains fully prepared for any required action.
“I expect to be bombing because I think that’s a better attitude to go in with,” he said, defending a strong negotiating posture.
The president also reiterated earlier warnings about targeting Iranian infrastructure, including strategic facilities such as transport routes and power installations, arguing that such measures would weaken Iran’s military logistics and operational capacity.
Despite his hardline position, Trump acknowledged that Iran’s population is “incredible,” while describing its leadership as resistant to compromise. He insisted that a negotiated deal could still allow Iran to “become a strong nation again” if it agrees to terms acceptable to Washington.
The comments come as senior U.S. officials prepare for further diplomatic engagements, with Vice President JD Vance expected to participate in upcoming discussions aimed at extending the ceasefire and reducing tensions in the region.
Trump also criticised Iran’s internal handling of unrest, referencing reports of violent crackdowns on protests, which he said further complicate efforts toward lasting peace.
The latest remarks highlight continued uncertainty surrounding the U.S.–Iran ceasefire negotiations, with global observers closely watching whether diplomacy or renewed conflict will define the next phase of relations between both countries.
Trump Rules Out Ceasefire Extension With Iran
International
Man Gets Three Life Sentences for Killing Couple, Drowning Their 1-Year-Old Son in US
Man Gets Three Life Sentences for Killing Couple, Drowning Their 1-Year-Old Son in US
A man in the United States has been sentenced to three consecutive life terms in prison after pleading guilty to the brutal killing of a couple and their 1-year-old son in Reading, Pennsylvania.
The convict, identified as Jose Luis Rodriguez, admitted to three counts of first-degree murder, according to the Berks County District Attorney’s Office.
Prosecutors said the case began on September 13, 2025, when 31-year-old Junior Cabrera-Colon was found shot dead. Days later, authorities discovered that his wife, Geraldina Peguero-Mancebo, and their infant son, Jeyden Peguero, were missing, triggering a wider investigation.
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A week after the discovery of Cabrera-Colon’s body, police located the bodies of the missing mother and child in a wooded area. Prosecutors revealed that the toddler was found “partially submerged in a marshy area,” a detail that shocked investigators and the local community.
During court proceedings, prosecutors said Rodriguez confessed to killing all three victims. He allegedly picked up Peguero-Mancebo and her son, shot the woman, drowned the child, and later killed Cabrera-Colon.
The prosecution described the killings as premeditated and deliberate, stating that each act was carried out with intent and malice.
According to court records and reports by local media, Rodriguez claimed he had a personal relationship with Peguero-Mancebo and referenced financial disputes as a possible motive behind the killings.
The sentencing judge handed down three consecutive life sentences without parole, effectively ensuring Rodriguez will spend the rest of his life in prison.
Family members of the victims described the outcome as painful but necessary for closure, with relatives expressing gratitude that the case has reached a conclusion after months of emotional distress.
The case has drawn widespread attention in Pennsylvania due to its violent nature and the involvement of a young child, with prosecutors calling it one of the most disturbing family-related homicide cases in the region in recent years.
Man Gets Three Life Sentences for Killing Couple, Drowning Their 1-Year-Old Son in US
International
US Singer D4vd Faces Murder Charges Over Teen’s Death in Los Angeles
US Singer D4vd Faces Murder Charges Over Teen’s Death in Los Angeles
American singer D4vd, born David Anthony Burke, has been charged in connection with the killing of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, in a case that prosecutors have described as one of the most serious and disturbing in recent years.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, led by District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman, confirmed that the 21-year-old faces multiple felony charges, including first-degree murder, continuous sexual abuse of a minor, and mutilation of human remains.
According to investigators, the teenager was last seen on April 23, 2025, after visiting Burke at his residence in the Hollywood Hills area of Los Angeles. She was reported missing shortly after she failed to return home.
Months later, on September 8, 2025, authorities made a gruesome discovery when her decomposed and dismembered remains were found inside the front trunk of a Tesla vehicle linked to the singer. Police reportedly traced the vehicle after receiving complaints about a strong odour, leading to the recovery of body parts stored in a cadaver bag.
Prosecutors say the case includes several special circumstance allegations, such as murder of a witness, murder for financial gain, and lying in wait. They also allege that Burke used a sharp instrument to carry out the killing.
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“This is a parent’s nightmare,” Hochman said during a press briefing, describing the case as “brutal and horrific.” He added that the charges represent the most severe offences his office can prosecute.
Jim McDonnell, chief of the Los Angeles Police Department, stated that authorities remain committed to ensuring justice for the victim and her family.
Burke was arrested on April 16, 2026, and is currently being held without bail. He is expected to be arraigned at the Foltz Criminal Justice Center.
If convicted, he faces either the death penalty or life imprisonment without parole, although prosecutors have yet to decide whether capital punishment will be pursued.
The singer’s legal team, led by Blair Berk, alongside Marilyn Bednarski and Regina Peter, has denied all allegations. In a statement, they said evidence will show that Burke “did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez and was not the cause of her death.”
The case has already had major consequences for Burke’s career. He cancelled his planned “D4VD Withered” world tour and was dropped from brand partnerships with Hollister Co. and Crocs.
D4vd rose to prominence in 2022 with his hit Here With Me and later released Romantic Homicide, a track whose title he previously described as metaphorical rather than literal.
The case remains ongoing, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
US Singer D4vd Faces Murder Charges Over Teen’s Death in Los Angeles
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