Iran-Backed Militia Threaten US Forces After Sanctions On Iraqi Banks

Amid immense financial pressure faced by Iranians all over the country, Molavi Abdolhamid delivered a compelling Friday prayer sermon, emphasizing the need for support from the authorities and compassion for the situation of regular citizens.

Addressing the congregation, Abdolhamid criticized the common practice of attributing inefficiencies and problems to external "enemies." He was referring to the term "enemy," often used by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and his loyalists to refer to the United States, he deemed it incorrect to solely blame external factors for internal issues, particularly in relation to domestic economic challenges.

During the Friday prayer, which coincided with the 10th of Muharram and the Day of Ashura, Abdolhamid, the Imam of Zahedan said, "No government, whether Muslim or non-Muslim, should resort to violence against its own people merely to ensure its survival."

He further stressed that the regime, its rulers, and the entire system owe their existence to the people, adding that the right to govern and elect officials lies with the citizens, and therefore, it is essential to listen to their voices and their concerns.

As the sermon concluded on the 43rd Friday of protests in Zahedan, Abdolhamid urged demonstrators to leave the mosque without engaging in chanting or further protests. During the previous two Friday prayers, worshipper and protestors honored Abdolhamid’s request and observe silence as a sign of respect for the sacred days of Muharram.

The individual in question, Hossein-Ali Nayeri, reportedly received medical care at the International Neuroscience Institute (INI), a private neurosurgical clinic in Hanover headed by prominent Iranian-born neurosurgeon Prof. Madjid Samii.

Nayeri was involved in the summary trial and execution of thousands of Iranian prisoners during the 1980s, which led to widespread condemnation. His medical treatment in Germany was revealed by German media outlet Presseportal reported last week on Nayeri’s admission to the INI.

Reacting to the news, Norbert Röttgen, a member of the German Bundestag, or federal parliament, expressed his concerns in a tweet on Thursday, calling Nayeri a “mass murderer” and stating that, "if he is here and leaves again, it will be a first-class scandal."

Volker Beck, the president of the German-Israeli Society, took immediate action after being informed of Nayeri's presence in Germany. On July 7, he notified Germany’s Federal Public Prosecutor, the Foreign Office, and the Federal Interior Ministry, urging them to initiate criminal prosecution measures against Nayeri.

"This must come to an end," he asserted, referencing a previous case involving another Iranian judge, Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi, who received treatment at the same clinic in Hanover back in 2018.

The allegations also sparked outrage among Iranian opponents of the Islamic Republic, who accused the INI of deleting Nayeri’s medical records.

Bild, Germany’s highest circulating newspaper, reported that the expunging of Nayeri's medical records appeared to be an attempt to avoid a new scandal against the Iranian regime; however, Prof. Samii, INI’s director, denied this allegation.

Major-General Tomer Bar said his forces needed to remain "vigilant and prepared" after parliament Monday passed the first of Netanyahu's widely contested changes, removing the Supreme Court's authority to void what it deems "unreasonable" decisions by government and ministers.

"It is possible that at a time like this they (Israel's enemies) will try to test the frontiers, our cohesion and our alertness," Bar said in an address to his forces, according to a statement released on Friday. He did not elaborate.

Reuters reported this week that Iran’s IRGC and security officials held a three-hour meeting last week with the Lebanese Hezbollah and Palestinian Hamas to see how they can take advantage of Israel’s internal problems.

The overhaul pursued by Netanyahu and his right-wing government has sparked a seven-month crisis, spurring unprecedented protests, opening up a deep social divide and shaking the commitment to call-up duty of some army reservists.

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As the crisis escalated following Monday's vote, Israel's Ynet news said Netanyahu received at least four letters from Military Intelligence warning of serious security ramifications arising from the judicial overhaul.

According to the report, senior intelligence officials said Israel's enemies, particularly Iran and its heavily armed proxy in Lebanon, Hezbollah, view the crisis as a historic low point in the country's history.

A spokesperson for the prime minister declined comment.

Iranian government media and those of his proxies have been highlighting Israel’s political crisis, claiming that end of the Jewish state is near.

A poll conducted by Maariv, one of Israel's leading newspapers, found that 58 percent of Israelis feared civil war, and 36 percent thought the right thing to do is for government to stop the judiciary legislation immediately, compared to 22 percent who said it should be promoted unilaterally.

Protesters say growing numbers of military reservists have decided to stop serving to express their opposition to the overhaul. The military has acknowledged an increase in requests to abstain from service, and said that damage would be done, gradually, to war-readiness if the no-shows proved protracted.

Netanyahu has argued that the change made this week is “a minor” issue and it is “silly” to say Israel will no longer be a democracy.

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Political watchdog groups have appealed to the Supreme Court to strike down the new law, paving the way to a showdown among branches of government when it hears the arguments in September.

The legal tussle could begin next Thursday when the top court will hear an appeal against a coalition bill ratified in March that limited conditions for removing the prime minister from office.

Israel's democratic foundations are relatively fragile, and the Supreme Court is seen as crucial for protecting civil rights and the rule of law. The country has no constitution, the government holds a 64-56 majority in the one-chamber Knesset and the president's office is ceremonial.

Netanyahu says the changes will balance government branches. He casts the protests as a bid to thwart his democratic mandate.

His plans have hit the economy, triggering foreign investor flight. Deepening domestic political uncertainty will reduce economic growth this year, S&P Global Ratings said in a report.

The judicial reform drive, along with an expansion of Jewish settlements on occupied land where Palestinians seek to establish a state, have also weighed on relations with Israel's most important ally the United States.

(With reporting by Reuters)

A bomb planted in a motorcycle exploded outside the Sayyida Zaynab (Sayeda Zeinab) shrine south of the Syrian capital Damascus on Thursday immediately killing six people and wounding several others, one of whom later died.

The Syrian authorities have classified the incident, which took place a day before the holy Day of Ashura, as a "terrorist attack," saying an investigation is currently underway.

The shrine of Sayeda Zeinab, who was the granddaughter of the Prophet Muhammad holds immense significance for the Shiite community, drawing pilgrims from various parts of the world.

Hamidreza Mohammadi, Deputy Head of Iran’s Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization, reaffirmed on Friday that Iranian pilgrims remained unharmed during the incident. Nasser Kanaani, Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman, condemned the attack, referring to it as a "terrorist" act.

Sayyida Zaynab's shrine has been safeguarded throughout the Syrian war by Shia militias, most notably supported by Lebanon's Hezbollah and militia forces, in collaboration with the Syrian army. Iran has cited the protection of holy sites as a rationale for its involvement in the Syrian conflict, aiding in the defense of President Bashar Al-Assad's regime.

Historically, the area around the Sayyida Zaynab shrine has been targeted by the Islamic State group (ISIS), which has claimed responsibility for previous deadly attacks and explosions in the vicinity. No individual or group has claimed responsibility for this act.

Eid-Ali Karimi, Executive Secretary of Qazvin Labor House, made the comments amid the government's delay in holding the meeting of the Supreme Labor Council, which plays a crucial role in determining workers' salaries in the state-controlled economy.

Karimi criticized, "red meat is over 5,000,000 rials ($10) per kilogram, and chicken is over 1,000,000 rials ($2). The increase in these prices places an immense burden on workers." He emphasized that the rising costs of essential items have made it increasingly challenging for households to make ends meet.

"If a worker wants to buy three kilograms of red meat and five kilograms of chicken to feed his family of four per month, he has to spend more than a quarter of his salary. This leaves little room for covering basic expenses like rent, daily necessities, and education for his children," Karimi said.

Officials have stated that the monthly minimum wage, currently less than $150, only suffices for nine days of a family's livelihood. The resulting financial struggles for workers and their families are further exacerbated by soaring inflation rates.

Furthermore, house rents have surged by more than 100%, leaving many workers with a major portion of their earnings dedicated only to housing costs. Karimi noted that this situation forces workers to take on multiple jobs, often working long hours, just to cover basic living expenses.