Iran says air force pilot killed in training flight accident

Israel sees no “airtight solution” to the threat posed by Iran’s expanding ballistic missile arsenal, the Ynet news site reported on Friday, citing defense officials.

According to Ynet, officials estimate Iran could possess at least 5,000 ballistic missiles by the end of 2027 and is producing about 100 per month, with output expected to rise.

The report said Israeli officials believe even layered air defense systems, including Arrow, David’s Sling and Iron Dome, cannot fully prevent damage from sustained, large-scale barrages.

Ynet said officials are coordinating with the United States and warned that Iran’s missile buildup poses a broader regional risk, including to US bases and allies.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is facing what Reuters described as “the gravest crisis of his 36-year rule,” as his envoys race to avert threatened US airstrikes through ongoing talks and an embittered population struggles under a sanctions-hit economy and deadly unrest.

Reuters said the 86-year-old has crushed internal unrest, sidelined rivals and built regional alliances to challenge the West, and that his “fierce devotion to the Islamic Republic” and implacable hostility to the United States would shape Iran’s response as tensions rise.

The profile said Khamenei’s record of guile in prolonging negotiations and his control over all branches of government have helped him survive past foreign pressure while maintaining ultimate authority.

An Iranian lawmaker said the presence of US warships near Iran does not necessarily mean war is imminent and downplayed public concern.

Salar Velayatmadar, a member of parliament’s national security and foreign policy commission, said concern about war was limited to a small part of society who, in his words, listen more to “enemy media.”

He also said the presence of the CENTCOM commander at talks was a publicity move and added: “If necessary, the Islamic Republic has the ability to target bases within range.”

A federal grand jury in the Northern District of California indicted Samaneh Ghandali, 41, Mohammadjavad Khosravi, 40, and Soroor Ghandali, 32, on counts including conspiracy to commit trade secret theft, theft and attempted theft of trade secrets, and obstruction of justice. The three, all residents of San Jose, were arrested and made initial court appearances on Thursday.

According to the indictment, the defendants gained employment at major technology companies involved in developing mobile computer processors. Samaneh Ghandali and her sister Soroor Ghandali worked at Google before moving to another firm identified as Company 3, while Khosravi, who is married to Samaneh Ghandali, worked at a separate company identified as Company 2.

Prosecutors allege the defendants used their positions to access confidential information, including trade secrets related to processor security and cryptography. The indictment says they transferred hundreds of sensitive files to unauthorized third-party platforms, personal devices, and work devices linked to each other’s employers, as well as to Iran.

“As alleged, the defendants exploited their positions to steal confidential trade secrets from their employers,” United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian said. “Our office will continue to lead the way in protecting American innovation and we will vigorously prosecute individuals who steal sensitive advanced technologies for improper gain or to benefit countries that wish us ill.”

FBI Special Agent in Charge Sanjay Virmani described the alleged conduct as a “calculated betrayal of trust,” saying the defendants took deliberate steps to evade detection, including submitting false affidavits and manually photographing computer screens to avoid digital tracking.

The indictment also details travel to Iran in December 2023, when prosecutors say some of the exfiltrated material was accessed from a personal device.

If convicted, each defendant faces up to 10 years in prison for each trade secret-related count and up to 20 years for obstruction of justice.

Iran’s oil minister said on Friday cooperation with the United States in the oil and gas sector is possible as the two countries continue nuclear negotiations.

“Everything is possible,” Oil Minister Mohsen Paknejad said, according to state media, when asked about potential energy cooperation between Tehran and Washington.

Hamid Qanbari, deputy foreign minister for economic diplomacy, said this week that mutual interests in oil and gas, shared fields, mining investment and even aircraft purchases had been included in talks with the United States.