Category: International

MIDDLE EAST (NPA) — March 17, 2026 — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a broadcast monitored by Newpost Africa, today, confirmed the killing of Ali Larijani, whom he described as a leader of the Revolutionary Guards, along with the commander of the Basij. Netanyahu referred to them as “henchmen of the gangsters who spread terror in the streets of Tehran and other Iranian cities against the population.”

Netanyahu asserted that Israel is working to undermine the Iranian regime in hopes of giving the Iranian people a chance to overthrow it. While acknowledging that change will not come overnight, he urged persistence.

He noted that Israel is cooperating with American allies in the Gulf, adding that he discussed the matter with U.S. President Donald Trump as both countries’ militaries coordinate in the war against Iran.

The Prime Minister vowed to continue pressuring Iran with direct operations, warning of “plenty of surprises.” He declared: “With stratagems shall we wage war. We won’t reveal all the stratagems here, but I told you: there are many of them.”

Netanyahu called for determination from Israel’s leaders, commanders, and citizens, urging them to ignore what he termed “channels of gloom,” and insisted Israel is achieving historic accomplishments in the war.

He also sought to reassure citizens whose properties were destroyed by missile and rocket attacks from Iran and Hezbollah, saying: “With the strength of a lion, just as we did during the coronavirus pandemic, we will prevail even more this time.”

MIDDLE EAST — (NPA) March 17, 2026 — The Israel Defence Force (IDF) said it conducted an airstrike last night in Iran’s capital, Tehran, targeting the outspoken Iranian Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), Ali Larijani.

Initial reports suggested uncertainty about the outcome, but a later statement from the Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz claimed the mission achieved its objective.

Last week, Newpost Africa reported that Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), accused the United States and Israel of attempting to destabilise Iran amid the ongoing conflict. In a televised interview marking the war’s eighth day, Larijani argued that the “problem is Iran itself… not a minor change but the total breakdown of the country.”

He alleged that the initial attacks by the US and Israel were intended to provoke collapse, referencing what he described as the “martyrdom of Imam Khamenei and other children of the revolution.” According to Larijani, Washington’s strategy relied on “shock” tactics aimed at overthrowing the government and dividing Iranian territory. He further noted that “even today, Mr Trump’s published message claimed Iran is being torn apart.”

INTERNATIONAL (NPA) — March 15, 2026 — U.S. President Donald Trump has urged the international community to take responsibility for securing the Strait of Hormuz, following Iran’s seizure of the vital energy transport corridor. The appeal comes in the wake of a U.S. military strike on Iran’s Khagar Island.

In a post on Truth Social on Saturday, Trump declared: “The United States of America has beaten and completely decimated Iran, both militarily, economically, and in every other way. But the countries of the world that receive oil through the Hormuz Strait must take care of that passage, and we will help — A LOT!”

Trump emphasised that the U.S. would coordinate with affected nations to restore safe passage for oil shipments, some of which have already been disrupted by Iranian drone attacks. “This should have always been a team effort, and now it will be,” he wrote. “It will bring the world together toward harmony, security, and everlasting peace.”

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical route for global energy supplies, including shipments to China. Analysts note that Beijing’s response remains uncertain, given its longstanding ties with Tehran.

Meanwhile, Iran has continued launching drones and missiles at Gulf states, accusing them of hosting U.S. bases involved in the recent strikes. On Sunday, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported intercepting several Iranian projectiles targeting its territory.