Khamenei Jr statement shows regime ‘incapable of change’, exiled prince says

“The Iran National Soccer Team is welcome to The World Cup, but I really don’t believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety,” Trump wrote on social media.

It was unclear whether he was referring to their safety traveling to the United States or during the tournament itself. Some social media users interpreted the remark as a threat and expressed concern.

Trump’s comments came a day after FIFA President Gianni Infantino said he had discussed Iran’s participation with him and had received assurances about the team’s entry into the tournament, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.

Infantino, who maintains a close relationship with Trump, said the president had reiterated the Iranian team was “of course, welcome” to compete in the United States. Trump had previously said he did not care whether Iran participated.

Iran were drawn in Group G alongside Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand and were scheduled to open against New Zealand in Inglewood, California., on June 15, face Belgium on June 21 and conclude the group stage against Egypt in Seattle on June 26.

But Iran’s sports minister, Ahmad Donyamali, said Wednesday that Team Melli would not take part in the tournament amid the war.

“Considering that this corrupt regime has assassinated our leader, under no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup,” he said on state television.

Iran had selected Tucson’s Kino Sports Complex as its base camp after preparations stretching back more than 18 months, leaving those plans—and related economic activity in Arizona—uncertain following the withdrawal.

FIFA regulations say any team that withdraws no later than 30 days before its first match faces a fine of at least 250,000 Swiss francs ($320,800), while additional sanctions could include expulsion from future competitions or replacement by another national team.

Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters warned on Thursday that any attack on the country’s energy infrastructure or ports would trigger a “devastating response,” threatening to set fire to oil and gas facilities across the region linked to the United States and its allies.

In a statement issued by the headquarters’ spokesman, the Iranian military command warned what it described as an “aggressor government and all its allies” against targeting the Islamic Republic’s critical infrastructure.

“We warn the aggressor government and all its partners that the smallest attack on the energy infrastructure and ports of the Islamic Republic of Iran will be followed by our crushing and destructive response,” the spokesman said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he “wouldn’t take out any life insurance” on Iran's new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei or Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem when asked about the fate of the two leaders during his first press conference as the war with Iran entered its 13th day.

Netanyahu said Israel was “crushing” the Islamic Republic and its regional proxies.

“We are crushing the terror regime in Iran. We are striking and defeating its proxies – Hezbollah in Lebanon,” he said.

“Hezbollah is feeling our force, and it will feel it even more so. It will pay a very heavy price for its aggression,” Netanyahu added.

He said cooperation between Israel and the United States had produced major military achievements.

“Through an unprecedented joining of forces between Israel and the United States, we have achieved tremendous accomplishments — achievements that are changing the balance of power in the Middle East and even beyond it,” Netanyahu said.

Several explosions were reported late Thursday in several Iranian cities, including Tehran, Ahvaz and Karaj, according to eyewitness accounts sent to Iran International.

In the capital, residents reported hearing several consecutive explosions around 22:10 local time in the Tehranpars district, followed by multiple blasts at about 22:20 in the Qeytarieh area, eyewitnesses said.

In the southwestern city of Ahvaz, witnesses said the 92nd Armored Division was targeted in an attack. A building attributed to the Revolutionary Guards opposite the Golestan gas station was also struck, according to eyewitness accounts.

In Fardis, a district of Karaj, residents reported hearing three explosions earlier in the evening.

Further south, eyewitness accounts from Bandar Mahshahr said that an air defense system had been destroyed, with fighter jets seen flying freely over the area.

UK Foreign Office staff attended a reception at the Iranian embassy in London celebrating the anniversary of the Islamic Revolution just weeks after at least 36,500 protestors were massacred by security forces in Iran, The Telegraph reported.

The event took place on Feb. 12, with guests including British civil servants attending the embassy gathering in London.

The Telegraph citied a video released by the embassy showing guests mingling with Iranian officials shortly before the outbreak of war between Iran and the United States and Israel.

Images from the reception also showed a banner displaying portraits of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Ruhollah Khomeini, the report said.

At the London event, Seyed Ali Mousavi, Iran’s ambassador to the UK, delivered a speech praising the Islamic Republic and criticizing Western sanctions.

“For nearly half a century, Iran has faced relentless pressure; from the eight-year imposed war and severe sanctions to acts of sabotage and terrorism,” Mousavi said, according to the report.

“Nevertheless, by relying on domestic capabilities, national cohesion and empowered human resources, it has achieved significant progress.”

Priti Patel, Britain’s shadow foreign secretary, criticized the attendance of UK officials at the event, calling it “disgraceful” in comments to the newspaper.

“It’s disgraceful that in the wake of the Iranian government slaughtering tens of thousands of its own citizens … Foreign Office officials have been paying homage to the Islamic revolution in Iran,” she said, according to the report.

The UK Foreign Office defended the attendance, saying representation at such events was part of normal diplomatic engagement.

“It is the job of the Foreign Office to maintain diplomatic relations with countries across the globe, and it is standard practice as part of that engagement for the UK to be represented at these kinds of national day events,” a spokesperson said, according to the report.