Iran says 'no disagreement' among authorities on avenging Haniyeh's killing

"There is not only no disagreement at the strategic level of the Islamic Republic, but there is also a rare level of determination, unity, and consensus among the country's officials," the source told Tasnim.

"The way Iran will respond will be decided at the highest level, specifically at the Supreme National Security Council, which is chaired by the President," the source added.

On Wednesday, Iran International exclusively reported that Pezeshkian had urgently appealed with Khamenei to abstain from launching an attack on Israel, warning of the catastrophic consequences such an action could have on his presidency.

Pezeshkian cautioned that an Israeli decision to retaliate forcefully against Iran's national infrastructure and energy resources could devastate the Iranian economy, potentially precipitating the country's collapse.

In their third letter to Pezeshkian in less than a month, Farshad Momeni and Hossein Raghfar stated that their previous letters to President Pezeshkian have gone unanswered, despite being among the economists he initially consulted for ideas on addressing Iran's economic problems.

They expressed disappointment in the president's actions so far, but still offered criticism and guidance to the new administration. They urged Pezeshkian to distance himself from the economic policies of the past 35 years, which have caused significant hardships for the Iranian people.

Iran has a government-dominated economy, where almost 80 percent of enterprises are either directly or indirectly owned and controlled by state entities. This, coupled with a lack of democratic accountability and transparency has led to increasing corruption in the past three decades.

Meanwhile, the Islamic regime's confrontational foreign policy and its contentious nuclear program have triggered international sanctions, which have severely hindered foreign investment, the import of technology and expertise, and overall economic growth.

100%

The two economists emphasized that only a fundamental "change of course" in economic policy can create opportunities for growth and improvement in Iran. They criticized Pezeshkian’s selection of cabinet ministers and state officials, noting that many informed scholars, including some of his own supporters, have questioned the validity of these choices. They warned that collaborating with individuals responsible for previous policy failures, particularly in agriculture and industry, would undermine public trust in Pezeshkian and his promises.

Momeni and Raghfar also cautioned Pezeshkian that despite his promises and the public’s expectations, he has yet to take steps to involve the people in determining their political and economic future. They argued that the first step to reversing Iran's counterproductive policies is to implement technology-friendly development plans, productive employment policies, and social justice initiatives—areas where no progress has been made so far.

The economists offered several specific suggestions, calling for greater transparency in Pezeshkian’s selection of cabinet ministers and other officials. They advised against making decisions "behind closed doors" and warned Pezeshkian to avoid working with those responsible for the failed policies of the past 35 years.

They further emphasized that revenues from the country's natural resources should be used to invest in infrastructure, human resources, communications, energy, and improving livelihoods, rather than being diverted to benefit a select few. The economists also suggested reforming the tax system to prevent the undue influence of powerful and wealthy individuals, recommending that it be brought under the direct supervision of the President.

Additional recommendations included reforming the monetary system to channel funds toward productive sectors, removing military and security forces from economic activities, encouraging the private sector, promoting social justice, and prioritizing national interests over those of a minority.

Despite these suggestions, the economists noted that Pezeshkian has ignored similar advice in the past. They also warned that it may be too late for some of these recommendations, as rumors suggest that decisions about key government appointments have already been made, even if not yet announced.

Iran's IRGC Navy has released footage that purportedly shows its drones flying over foreign military vessels.

The vessels include the Spanish landing helicopter dock Juan Carlos I, a US Navy San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock, and a US Navy Wasp-class amphibious assault ship, the IRGC-affiliated Tasnim News reported.

An Israeli airstrike targeted a car on the outskirts of Lebanon's port city of Sidon on Friday evening, killing a senior Hamas official and critically injuring his bodyguard according to security sources.

“An Israeli strike targeted a Hamas movement security official from the Ain al-Helweh camp while he was inside his vehicle in the city of Sidon,” an unnamed Lebanese security source told the AFP.

100%

A Hamas source and two other security sources also told Reuters the drone strike was aimed at Samer al-Hajj, a Hamas official responsible for security in the Ain al-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp.

Lebanese media also confirmed that al-Hajj was the target of the operation.

An AFP correspondent reported witnessing emergency personnel retrieving a charred body from the vehicle as soldiers secured the area.

Reuters also reported that Al-Hajj was killed in the strike and his bodyguard was critically wounded.

A report by Al-Arabiya earlier said "two" Hamas members including Al-Hajj have been killed in the Israeli strike.

However, Hamas has only confirmed the death of Al-Hajj.

Confirming Israel's attack targeting the Hamas official, the IDF and Shin Bet said in a statement that Al-Hajj was responsible for “advancing terror attacks and projectile launches from Lebanon toward Israeli territory.”

Rasaei, who was executed earlier that morning in western Iran, had been arrested during the nationwide 2022 protests. His execution sparked widespread global condemnation including protests by political prisoners at Evin.

According to information obtained by Iran International, the protest at Evin women’s ward began when the prisoners received news of Rasaei's execution. They gathered in the prison courtyard, chanting slogans against the death penalty. The protest was met with a violent response from prison authorities, led by Hadi Mohammadi, the deputy officer in charge. Guards, acting on the deputy’s orders, violently dispersed the protesters, severely beating several women.

Among the injured was Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi, who suffered a “respiratory attack and intense chest pain, causing her to collapse and faint,” after being beaten by prison guards along with several other inmates, according to a statement released by her family on Thursday.

“The women's ward was flooded with armed guards, and an order was issued to assault the protesters. Several women who stood in front of the security forces were severely beaten. The confrontation escalated, resulting in physical injuries for some prisoners and nervous breakdowns for others,” the statement said.

Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi has sounded the alarm over the safety of political prisoners in Evin Prison, including Narges Mohammadi and journalist-activist Sarvenaz Ahmadi.

"The lives of Narges Mohammadi, Sarvenaz Ahmadi, and all political prisoners in various prisons are in danger. They are paying the price for the insatiable totalitarianism of the Islamic Republic,” Ebadi said in a post on Instagram.

Political prisoner Varisheh Moradi, who is facing charges that could result in the death penalty, was also among those injured during the assault. After being beaten by the officers, she sustained a serious wrist injury, and bruises across various parts of her body.

Sarvanaz Ahmadi collapsed from a panic attack, while Samaneh Asghari, Reyhaneh Ansarinejad, and Sepideh Qoliyan were kicked and spat on by officers. Sarina Jahani and Mahboubeh Rezaei suffered severe beating, leaving them with splinted hands and intense pain. Nasrin Khazari Javadi, Houra Nikbakht, and Rana Korkur fainted during the assault, requiring oxygen treatment. Parivash Moslemi was also severely beaten, causing extensive bruising and pain.

Despite sustaining injuries, at least 15 of the prisoners have been denied medical care and have not been transferred to the hospital for treatment.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights condemns Iran’s executions surge

This incident occurred amidst an alarming increase in executions in Iran, drawing international concern. Despite global condemnation of Rasaei’s execution, at least 29 more people were executed just a day later, on Wednesday.

On Friday, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, expressed extreme concern over reports that Iranian authorities had executed 29 people in the last two days. "This represents an alarmingly high number of executions in such a short period of time," said UN Human Rights Office spokesperson Liz Throssell.

Though the death toll could not be independently verified by the United Nations, the reported executions bring the total number to at least 345 this year, including 15 women.

Throssell also highlighted the disproportionate impact of these executions on minorities, including Kurds, Hawassi Arabs, and Baluch, and condemned the use of the death penalty for drug-related offenses. "Imposing the death penalty for offenses not involving intentional killing is incompatible with international human rights norms and standards," she stated.

The crackdown on Evin’s prisoners and the broader surge in executions reflect the ongoing human rights crisis in Iran, despite the election of President Masoud Pezeshkian in July. Since his election, at least 87 people have been executed, raising further concerns about the future of human rights under his administration.

Last year Amnesty International reported that of all recorded executions globally, Iran accounted for 74% with at least 853 people put to death.