Ansar Allah Now Commands Strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait

Yemeni Armed Forces have seized control of Yemen's western coast, capturing over 5,400 square kilometers and securing the vital Bab al-Mandab Strait. The sweeping operation expelled Saudi-backed forces from six districts, with weapons and prisoners captured. Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree confirmed the maritime ban on Saudi vessels remains active. With Ansar Allah controlling Bab al-Mandab and Iran controlling Hormuz, Saudi oil exports face severe constraints. This strategic victory marks a major blow to US and Saudi influence, strengthening Yemen's position at the critical maritime chokepoint.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/529918/Ansar-Allah-Now-Commands-Bab-al-Mandab-Strait

Iranian Strikes Force UAE to Dismantle AI Mega-Campus Plans

The UAE is dismantling its 5-gigawatt AI project, abandoning a centralized Abu Dhabi campus for dispersed, hardened facilities in Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah. Iranian missile and drone strikes—including March attacks on AWS data centers and April targeting footage of Stargate UAE—have shattered the safe haven myth for regional autocracies hosting US forces. Abu Dhabi's gamble of embedding critical infrastructure beside Al Dhafra Air Base has backfired, forcing costly underground relocation. No Western air defense shield can protect infrastructure built in the shadow of US military bases.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/529920/Iranian-strikes-force-UAE-to-dismantle-plans-for-its-AI-mega-campus

A Quarter Century of US War Crimes at Wedding Celebrations

Dr. Saied Reza Ameli documents over 25 years of US airstrikes targeting wedding celebrations across Afghanistan, Iraq, Yemen, and Iran—from the 2002 Uruzgan attack to the September 1, 2026 strike on a Kuhestak wedding in Hormozgan that killed five and wounded nearly 70, including a four-year-old child. Weapons analyses confirmed American JSOW or SLAM-ER munitions. The author demands an independent international fact-finding committee, legal prosecution, and accountability, arguing these attacks form a systematic pattern of state terror against civilians.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/529901/A-quarter-century-of-US-war-crimes-at-wedding-celebrations

"Land of Angels" Wins Grand Prix at Kazan International Film Festival

Iranian filmmaker Babak Khajehpasha's "Land of Angels" won the Grand Prix for Best Feature Film at the 22nd Altyn Minbar Kazan International Film Festival. The film, depicting the plight of children in Gaza, also earned Best Actress for Syrian star Sulaf Fawakherji and Best Cinematography for Alireza Barazandeh. Receiving the award from Majid Majidi, Khajehpasha said the film was the least he could do for Palestinian children. The production previously won five Crystal Simorgh awards at Iran's Fajr International Film Festival.

https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/529893/Land-of-Angels-wins-Grand-Prix-at-Kazan-International-Film

Army chief: Army-IRGC unity is Iran's 'iron shield'

🔹Army Commander-in-Chief Major General Amir Hatami praised the IRGC as a pillar of Iran's national power, security, and deterrence for over four decades.

🔹He said enemy hostility toward the IRGC proves its decisive role in protecting national authority.

🔹Honoring martyred commanders including Hossein Salami, Mohammad Pakpour, and Amir Ali Hajizadeh, Hatami emphasized that the IRGC—in coordination with the Army—remains "a solid barrier against any threat."

🔹"The unbreakable unity of the Army and IRGC is the iron shield protecting our country against conspiracies."

IRGC chief: US hit the solid wall of Iranian faith

🔹In a joint meeting with Army Commander Major General Amir Hatami, IRGC Commander-in-Chief Major General Ahmad Vahidi said Iran's military power is "beyond the enemy's imagination," adding that "the Zionist army would collapse in a very short time without US support."

🔹Vahidi highlighted unprecedented unity among Iran's military forces, calling it a key factor in victory: "The Americans have hit the solid wall of Iranian faith and zeal; desperation is evident in the White House's behavior."

🔹He accused US and Israeli intelligence of deceiving American leaders about Iran's resilience, and said they are now deceiving the American people to cover up failures.

🔹Hatami stressed the "unbreakable unity of the Army and IRGC" as Iran's "iron shield" against conspiracies.

Pezeshkian meets Indian President on BRICS sidelines

🔹President Masoud Pezeshkian, attending the 18th BRICS Summit in India, held talks with Indian President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday.

🔹The meeting focused on bilateral relations and ways to strengthen cooperation between the two countries. Details of the talks will be released soon.

🔹Pezeshkian's visit to India includes bilateral meetings with several leaders on the sidelines of the summit, continuing Iran's diplomatic engagement with regional and global partners.

Araghchi: Talks underway to ease Iran's BRICS bank membership

🔹Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed obstacles remain to Iran's membership in the BRICS New Development Bank, saying "some countries are blocking it, and we are in consultations to remove these obstacles."

🔹Speaking at the BRICS Summit in New Delhi, he highlighted the Business Council meeting where President Pezeshkian's remarks on local currencies drew significant attention.

🔹Pezeshkian also held bilateral meetings with the prime ministers of India, Ethiopia, and Malaysia, emphasizing Iran's good relations with Islamic and regional countries.

Iran's nuclear chief heads to Vienna for IAEA General Conference

🔹Mohammad Eslami, Vice President and Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), departed for Vienna on Saturday to attend the 70th IAEA General Conference.

🔹Eslami is accompanied by a delegation of AEOI officials. During the visit, he will deliver a speech at the annual conference and hold meetings with ambassadors and representatives of various countries on nuclear cooperation and bilateral relations.

Pezeshkian: Iran will never surrender, will defend rights with full force

🔹President Masoud Pezeshkian, meeting Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim at the BRICS summit, said enemies thought Iran would surrender in days—"but we will never surrender and will defend our nation's rights with all our strength."

🔹He noted the US seeks to make friendly Muslim nations enemies, adding that Iran had no choice but to defend itself against attacks launched from brotherly countries.

🔹PM Anwar condemned the US-Israeli attacks, praised Iran's resistance as "admirable," and expressed Malaysia's readiness to expand bilateral ties.

Pezeshkian: US presence in region is cause of bloodshed, not salvation

🔹President Masoud Pezeshkian, meeting Ethiopian PM Abiy Ahmed at the BRICS Summit, said US presence in the region "has not been a savior but a cause of bloodshed."

🔹He noted the enemy tried to create divisions in Iran, but "brutal actions only united Iranians further," adding Iran and Ethiopia share over 70 years of brotherly ties.

🔹PM Abiy offered condolences over the martyred Leader, praised Iranians' "resilience and patriotism," and called for expanded economic and cultural ties with Iran.

Iran’s IRGC Aerospace Force Commander Brig. Gen. Seyed Majid Mousavi thanked a young couple who donated their wedding rings to the force’s personnel, saying he and his comrades were honored to serve and sacrifice for the Iranian people.

President Masoud Pezeshkian held a meeting with Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi.

BRICS declaration: Attacks on IAEA-monitored facilities 'deeply concerning'

🔹The final declaration of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi expressed deep concern over "deliberate attacks on civilian facilities under IAEA safeguards," amid escalating global conflicts.

🔹Leaders emphasized the need to protect safeguarded nuclear facilities, strengthen energy security, and ensure uninterrupted energy supply chains.

🔹The declaration also opposed unilateral sanctions inconsistent with international law and expressed concern over growing polarization and the weakening global order.

🔹Participants thanked Russia for hosting the New Development Bank meeting in Moscow in 2026.