Saudi Intercepts and destroys 12 drones, Defense ministry says

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday that the Iranian people are approaching a moment to pursue a new path of freedom, adding that while Israel and its allies support them, the outcome ultimately depends on Iranians themselves.

“I say to the Iranian people: The moment when you can embark on a new path of freedom – that moment is approaching. We stand by you, we are helping you. But at the end of the day – it depends on you! It is in your hands!” Netanyahu said.

Lebanon’s Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri receives more than $500,000 per month from the Islamic Republic in order to support Tehran's interests and those of its allied group Hezbollah in Lebanon, informed sources told Iran International.

Officials in Tehran say the sums are meant to “buy” unity among Lebanon’s Shiite leadership to ensure that they “act in accordance with Iran’s interests, not Lebanon’s interests.”

Nabih Berri did not respond to Iran International’s request for comment. One of his advisers said that Berri would not comment on the matter at this time.

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Representative Brian Mast, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs subcommittee, said on Thursday that lawmakers who oppose US strikes on Iran should not be involved in national security decisions.

“If you’ve sat through classified briefings on Iran, voted them the world’s largest state sponsor of terror, and still don’t understand why we struck them, you have no business anywhere near the national security of this country,” Mast said.

Regional reactions to the appointment of Mojtaba Khamenei as Iran’s new Supreme Leader have revealed growing anxiety about stability, with Tehran’s allies condemning the killing of his father and adversaries hardening their military posture.

Khamenei Jr’s continued absence from public view has fueled speculation among analysts and diplomats about how power is being exercised during the transition.

The message read on his behalf on state television on Thursday was viewed by some observers as closely aligned with the Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) messaging, prompting questions about the balance between formal leadership and the IRGC.

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The Israeli military is using a new method to launch drone swarms over Iran targeting security forces involved in domestic repression, sources familiar with the matter told Iran International.

In surprise attacks on Wednesday night, Israel carried out precision drone strikes against Basij militia checkpoints that had been set up across Tehran in recent days.

The drone attacks marked the beginning of aerial operations targeting forces involved in repression inside Iran.

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