Tehran Threatens Military Retaliation Amid Mass Protests, U.S. Warnings - Newstrends
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Tehran Threatens Military Retaliation Amid Mass Protests, U.S. Warnings

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Iranian supporters gather in front of a large Iranian flag in St Peter’s Square. Protests have erupted globally after the news of people being killed by the Islamic Republic regime while taking part in protests across Iran. Sopa Images | Lightrocket | Getty Images
Iranian supporters gather in front of a large Iranian flag in St Peter’s Square. Protests have erupted globally after the news of people being killed by the Islamic Republic regime while taking part in protests across Iran. Sopa Images | Lightrocket | Getty Images

Tehran Threatens Military Retaliation Amid Mass Protests, U.S. Warnings

Tehran on Sunday warned that it would retaliate against Israel and U.S. military bases if Washington launches strikes on Iran, amid escalating internal unrest and heightened regional tensions. The warning came as Israeli sources said Israel was on high alert over the possibility of U.S. intervention in Iran.

The threat was issued against the backdrop of the largest anti-government protests in Iran since 2022, triggered initially by soaring inflation but now openly challenging Iran’s clerical leadership. U.S. President Donald Trump has in recent days repeatedly warned Iranian authorities against using force on demonstrators, saying on Saturday that the United States stands “ready to help.”

Speaking in parliament, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, a former commander of the Revolutionary Guards, cautioned against what he called “a miscalculation.”

“In the case of an attack on Iran, the occupied territories (Israel) as well as all U.S. bases and ships will be our legitimate target,” Qalibaf said.

Death toll rises amid crackdown

Authorities have intensified efforts to suppress the unrest, which began on December 28 and has spread nationwide. According to U.S.-based rights group HRANA, at least 116 people have been killed, most of them protesters, though the figure also includes 37 members of the security forces.

Iranian authorities accuse the United States and Israel of fomenting the protests, an allegation both countries deny.

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Meanwhile, three Israeli sources said security consultations over the weekend placed Israel on a heightened state of alert, though officials declined to provide details. An Israeli government spokesperson refused to comment, while the military did not respond to requests for clarification.

Background of regional confrontation

Tensions remain high following a 12-day war between Israel and Iran last June, during which the United States joined Israeli airstrikes. Iran retaliated at the time by firing missiles at a U.S. air base in Qatar.

Information from Iran has been limited due to a near-total internet blackout, with monitoring group Netblocks reporting national connectivity at about 1% of normal levels. Despite this, videos verified by Reuters showed large nighttime protests in Tehran’s Punak neighbourhood, with crowds beating metal railings in defiance.

State television aired funeral processions for fallen security personnel in cities including Gachsaran, Yasuj, Isfahan, and Kermanshah, blaming “rioters” and “terrorists” for the deaths. Authorities also reported the torching of a mosque in Mashhad.

Iran’s police chief, Ahmad-Reza Radan, said security forces had intensified operations against what he described as “rioters,” while the Revolutionary Guards accused “terrorists” of attacking security installations.

U.S., Israel weigh options

On Saturday, Trump wrote on social media: “Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before. The USA stands ready to help!!!

An Israeli source confirmed that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed the situation with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio during a phone call, including the possibility of U.S. involvement. A U.S. official confirmed the call but declined to disclose details.

A senior U.S. intelligence official described the crisis as an “endurance game,” with protesters attempting to sustain pressure until cracks appear within the regime, while Iranian authorities seek to restore order without provoking direct U.S. military intervention.

Israel has so far avoided signalling direct involvement, despite long-standing concerns over Iran’s nuclear programme and ballistic missile capabilities. In a recent interview, Netanyahu warned that any Iranian attack on Israel would have “horrible consequences,” adding that the situation inside Iran was still unfolding.

Tehran Threatens Military Retaliation Amid Mass Protests, U.S. Warnings

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US Government Accused of Cover-Up in Trump Epstein Sexual Abuse Files

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U.S President Donald Trump

US Government Accused of Cover-Up in Trump Epstein Sexual Abuse Files

Democratic lawmakers have accused the United States government of orchestrating the “largest government cover-up in modern history” over allegations that crucial documents relating to Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein were withheld from the public. The controversy centers on missing FBI interview summaries tied to a 2019 sexual abuse complaint against the former U.S. president.

The House Oversight Committee, led by Representative Robert Garcia, claims that the Department of Justice (DOJ) failed to release more than 50 pages of interview notes with a woman who alleges she was sexually abused by Trump in the mid-1980s, when she was 13 to 15 years old. While the DOJ released millions of pages under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, investigators and media outlets, including NPR, found that only one summary focusing on Epstein’s actions appears publicly, leaving key follow-up materials missing.

“This is the largest government cover-up in modern history. We are demanding answers,” said Democrats on the Oversight Committee in a statement. Garcia confirmed that his team reviewed unredacted DOJ logs and concluded that FBI interviews with the survivor were not properly disclosed. He announced a parallel congressional investigation to ensure all records are produced.

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The DOJ has denied any wrongdoing, explaining that some materials may fall under exempt categories, such as duplicates, privileged records, or documents linked to ongoing investigations. Officials added that any documents improperly tagged or temporarily removed for privacy reasons will be restored. The department stated it is reviewing flagged files to ensure compliance with the law.

The woman at the center of the allegations first contacted authorities in July 2019, shortly after Epstein’s arrest on sex trafficking charges. Internal DOJ references describe her claim that Epstein introduced her to Trump, who then allegedly assaulted her. However, the public FBI summary does not evaluate the credibility of these allegations, and follow-up interview notes remain unavailable.

Trump has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, insisting that the release of the Epstein Files exonerates him. White House statements dismissed cover-up claims as politically motivated, asserting that no law enforcement agency has accused Trump of criminal conduct related to Epstein.

Legal experts and transparency advocates warn that withholding such key materials undermines public trust in U.S. institutions, particularly in high-profile cases involving political figures. The unfolding investigation is expected to intensify scrutiny on the DOJ’s handling of sensitive documents and the broader accountability of government agencies in politically charged cases.

US Government Accused of Cover-Up in Trump Epstein Sexual Abuse Files

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Nigeria Joins 106 Nations in UN Vote Calling for Ceasefire, Peace in Ukraine

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United Nations General Assembly
United Nations General Assembly

Nigeria Joins 106 Nations in UN Vote Calling for Ceasefire, Peace in Ukraine

On the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Nigeria joined 106 other UN member states in voting for a resolution calling for peace, sovereignty, and humanitarian protection for Ukraine. The vote took place during an emergency special session of the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday.

The resolution, titled “Support for Lasting Peace in Ukraine”, was adopted with 107 votes in favour, 12 against, and 51 abstentions, including the United States. It calls for a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace, an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, the exchange of prisoners of war, and the return of civilians forcibly transferred, including children. The General Assembly reaffirmed its commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity within internationally recognised borders.

UN General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock described the war as shattering the peaceful aspirations of Europe and stressed that “war must never be the new normal.” She highlighted that generations in Europe have long lived in peace, but Russia’s invasion disrupted this reality.

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UN Secretary-General António Guterres called the conflict a “stain on our collective conscience” and a continuing threat to regional and international security. He warned that prolonged warfare increases civilian casualties, with 2025 witnessing the highest number of civilian deaths in Ukraine since the invasion began. Guterres urged the international community to “use every diplomatic tool” to secure a full and unconditional ceasefire as a first step toward lasting peace.

During the session, Ukraine’s Deputy Foreign Minister Mariana Betsa condemned the invasion as a “war against the rules-based international order,” citing attacks on civilians, nuclear threats, and the forced deportation of children as potential war crimes. She reiterated that Ukraine rejects territorial concessions, insists on sovereignty as a red line, and called for stronger sanctions, air defense, binding security guarantees, and accountability for war crimes.

Conversely, the Russian Federation’s delegate rejected the resolution’s narrative, accusing European states of escalating the war while ignoring negotiations. Moscow reaffirmed its preference for diplomacy and stated that any settlement must address “root causes” and reflect “new territorial realities.”

The resolution demonstrates the broad international support for Ukraine, highlights Nigeria’s commitment to multilateral diplomacy, and emphasizes the urgent need for peaceful conflict resolution and adherence to international law as Russia’s invasion enters its fifth year.

Nigeria Joins 106 Nations in UN Vote Calling for Ceasefire, Peace in Ukraine

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Israeli Settlers Torch, Deface West Bank Mosque During Ramadan

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Israeli settlers torch West Bank mosque

Israeli Settlers Torch, Deface West Bank Mosque During Ramadan

TELL, West Bank — Israeli settlers have vandalized and set fire to the Abu Bakr al-Siddiq Mosque in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, authorities confirmed, marking the latest in a series of attacks on Palestinian religious sites amid a surge in settler violence. The attack occurred early Monday during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Worshippers arriving for morning prayers discovered the mosque’s entrance smoldering, with black smoke staining the doorway and broken glass scattered across the area. According to the Palestinian Authority Ministry of Religious Affairs, settlers spray-painted offensive graffiti, including derogatory references to Islam and slogans linked to extremist “price tag” operations.

Local resident Munir Ramdan described the scene: “I was shocked when I opened the door. The fire had been burning here, the glass was broken, and the door was damaged.” Security footage reportedly shows two individuals carrying gasoline and spray paint approaching the mosque before fleeing the scene.

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The incident is part of a broader pattern of attacks on mosques in the West Bank, with the Palestinian Ministry of Religious Affairs reporting that 45 mosques were vandalized or attacked last year. Residents said the assault was a deliberate provocation during Ramadan, targeting both the religious sanctity of the mosque and the spiritual practice of fasting.

The Israeli military and police responded to reports of the incident and are actively searching for suspects. While the military condemned harm to religious institutions, Palestinian officials and rights groups say Israeli authorities often fail to hold settlers accountable for violence.

The attack comes amid a recent rise in settler violence, including last week’s killing of a 19-year-old Palestinian-American, Nasrallah Abu Siyam, highlighting ongoing tensions between settlers and Palestinian communities in the occupied territories.

Israeli Settlers Torch, Deface West Bank Mosque During Ramadan

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