Arab League tells Iran not to fuel strife in post-Assad Syria

“Over the past years, we have had close consultations with China on all regional and international issues,” he said.

On December 6, the UN nuclear watchdog reported that Iran had significantly accelerated its production rate of 60% enriched uranium, which is now approximately five times higher than a month ago. Iran is now believed to possess enough 60% enriched uranium to produce four to five atomic bombs, should it choose to pursue nuclear weapons.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director-General Rafael Grossi's said earlier this month that the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), is no longer sufficient to curb Tehran’s uranium enrichment which has exceeded international limits.

"Iran is enriching uranium close to military levels and is rapidly moving towards becoming a nuclear state," Grossi said in an interview with Italy's ANSA news agency."The philosophy of the original accord with Iran can be used, but that agreement is no longer useful," he added.

“I repeatedly advised the Syrian government, the foreign minister, and even Bashar al-Assad himself to enter into negotiations with Turkey. However, the Syrian government and Mr. Assad were not in favor of negotiating—whether with the opposition or with Turkey," Abbas Araghchi said in an interview with Egypt's Al-Ghad network. The interview took place last week when Araghchi was in Cairo for an economic event, but its text was published on Friday.

“Regarding Turkey, Assad believed that he would not engage in talks with them until their forces withdrew from Syrian territory, questioning how it would be possible to negotiate with a country that had occupied his land,” he added.

Araghchi noted that while Iran provided advice on dealing with Syria’s people, neighbors, and opposition groups, Damascus maintained its independence in decision-making. “The Syrian government acted independently, and we were merely friends offering counsel.”

Earlier this week, Syria’s new foreign minister warned Iran not to destabilize the country's fragile calm after a call by Iran’s Supreme Leader for Syrian youth to rise up against the new Sunni Islamist rulers.

"In the current situation, the Americans will likely attempt to amplify certain internal issues,” General Mojtaba Fada said on Thursday, referring to a host of domestic problems, chief among them the deteriorating economy.

Iran’s currency, the rial, has fallen by more than 30% since August and with cold weather arriving, the government has been unable to provide electricity on regular basis. The dollar has risen from 600,000 rials to around 800,000, while the British pound has surpassed one million rials. In power supply, current estimates point to a 30% daily deficit, which results in rolling blackouts, idling many industries.

“The issue of energy imbalances is not exclusive to the current administration; it has also existed during Mr. Raisi’s government and previous administrations. Therefore, some individuals within the country should avoid signaling to the Americans through their analyses,” Fada said, referring to a wave of criticism on social media. Even the state-controlled print media has become more outspoken about the closure of hundreds of factories and rising cost of living.

Iran relies heavily on imports for wheat, rice, and other essential goods. As the rial continues to depreciate against major currencies, the cost of imports has risen sharply, placing a greater burden on ordinary citizens. The monthly salaries of workers, when calculated in US dollars, have fallen from $200 last summer to approximately $130 this winter.

Iranian social media reflects a growing sense of crisis in the country and possible political unrest, as the Islamic government is seen defeated in the broader region and weakened at home.

General Fada told his audience on Thursday, “All citizens and officials have a duty to defend the Islamic government in the current situation. We have stood firm for 45 years for the Islamic Revolution of Iran, and we must continue to endure hardships, tolerate criticism, and bear the pain for its sake.”

Among those executed, 772 were male, 26 were female and 5 were juvenile offenders at the time of their alleged crimes. Just over half of the executions were allegedly related to drug-related charges followed by murder charges at around 40%.

The report said that 94% of these executions were carried out in secrecy and without public notice. Additionally, the issuance of death sentences rose by a third compared to the previous year.

Last year Iran executed 853 people according to rights group Amnesty International.

Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman, Esmaeil Baghaei, described the strikes as a "clear violation of international peace and security."

Hamas echoed this condemnation, calling the Israeli airstrikes a "brutal terrorist aggression" targeting civilian sites, including Sanaa Airport and the port of Hodeida.

Hezbollah said the attacks were carried out in coordination with British and American forces and aimed at civilian and economic sites.

The group called it "a blatant violation of international law and a continuation of the enemy's wars against the peoples of the region," according to Al Mayadeen.