Category: Middle East

  • Reza Pahlavi Urges Iranians Abroad to Sustain Global Support Against Islamic Republic  

    Reza Pahlavi Urges Iranians Abroad to Sustain Global Support Against Islamic Republic  

    Lagos, Nigeria (NPA) — March 4, 2026 — Reza Pahlavi, the exiled Crown Prince of Iran, has called on Iranians in the diaspora to maintain the momentum of their global protests amid ongoing military action against the Islamic Republic regime.  

    In an online broadcast on Wednesday, Pahlavi — the eldest son of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the last Shah of Iran, and Empress Farah Diba — praised the “tireless efforts and passionate presence” of Iranians abroad, noting that their activism, particularly during Global Action Day, has helped shift international opinion and compelled decision-makers to support the Iranian people.  

    He urged Iranians overseas to intensify their efforts by:  

    • Engaging policymakers: Contact representatives and decision-makers in host countries to ensure continued support for the Iranian people until the regime’s collapse.  
    • Defending sovereignty: Emphasise Iran’s territorial integrity and insist on full commitment to the people’s will in shaping the nation’s future system.  
    • Protecting civilians: Demand utmost care to prevent harm to non-combatants.  
    • Amplifying voices: Communicate the clear demands of Iranians through media outlets and civil society organisations.  
    • Mobilising visibly: Participate in grand marches to demonstrate solidarity and articulate the aspirations of the Iranian people.  

    “Fateful moments lie ahead of us — moments that will shape Iran’s future for decades and centuries to come. Redouble your efforts,” Pahlavi declared, invoking the legendary figure of Arash the Archer as a symbol of sacrifice and resilience.  

    Political observers note that Pahlavi is increasingly seen as a potential transitional leader for Iran, as military pressure from Israel and the United States has weakened the Islamic Republic, with several high-ranking officials reportedly assassinated in recent operations.  

    Pahlavi has outlined a political roadmap centred on democracy, secular governance, and human rights, encapsulated in his slogan “Make Iran Great Again (MIGA).”

  • Israeli Air Force Flattens Missile Launch Complex in Western Iran, Deepens Air Superiority

    Israeli Air Force Flattens Missile Launch Complex in Western Iran, Deepens Air Superiority

    Jerusalem, Israel (NPA) — March 4, 2026 — The Israeli Air Force (IAF) has confirmed the successful execution of extensive precision-guided airstrikes against Iranian military infrastructure late Tuesday night.

    In a statement released Wednesday, the IAF announced that among the primary targets was a missile launch and storage complex in Isfahan, western Iran, housing “Qadr” ballistic missiles. The strike was carried out to prevent further launches from the facility.

    The statement declared: “In addition, numerous sites used for storing ballistic missiles and defence systems of the Iranian terror regime were attacked. These strikes deepened air superiority in several areas in Iran.”

    The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) reinforced its position, stating: “The IDF will not allow harm to the State of Israel and its citizens. We will continue to deepen the damage to all systems of the Iranian terror regime and act forcefully against its infrastructure wherever required.”

    Israeli officials have described the campaign as overwhelmingly extensive and precise, resulting in the elimination of senior Iranian government figures, including the Supreme Leader. Iran has retaliated with volleys of missiles and drone strikes targeting Israel and Gulf states such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, and others.

  • U.S. Embassy Issues Security Alert Over Potential Protests in Abuja

    U.S. Embassy Issues Security Alert Over Potential Protests in Abuja

    Abuja, Nigeria (NPA) — March 4, 2026 — The United States Mission in Nigeria has issued a security alert warning of possible protests in Abuja linked to the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.

    In a statement released Wednesday, the mission cautioned U.S. citizens in the capital to remain at home, citing a heightened risk of demonstrations.

    “The U.S. Embassy in Abuja informs U.S. citizens that there is a high potential for protests in Abuja today, March 4, 2026, due to the current conflict with Iran,” the statement said. “Previous protests by some groups have resulted in violent clashes with Nigerian security forces.”

    The advisory urged U.S. citizens to avoid protest areas and large gatherings, monitor local media, remain alert in public spaces, and review personal security plans. It also recommended carrying identification, keeping phones charged, and varying travel routes to reduce predictability.

    Recent protests have already taken place in cities including Sokoto and Kaduna, following the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Demonstrators have called on the Nigerian government to respond, describing the incident as an injustice.

  • BREAKING: Over 100 Missing After Reported Submarine Strike on Iranian Vessel Near Sri Lanka

    BREAKING: Over 100 Missing After Reported Submarine Strike on Iranian Vessel Near Sri Lanka

    COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (NPA) — March 4, 2026 — More than 100 people are reported missing and 80 others wounded on Wednesday,  following what officials described as a submarine strike on an Iranian vessel off the coast of Sri Lanka, according to sources within the country’s navy and defence ministry.

    Authorities have not confirmed the country that deployed the submarine, and whether the vessel was carrying personnel linked to the Islamic Republic of Iran’s government.

    Investigations are ongoing, and further details are expected as the situation develops.

  • U.S. Army Identifies Four Soldiers Killed in Kuwait Drone Attack

    U.S. Army Identifies Four Soldiers Killed in Kuwait Drone Attack

    FORT BRAGG, N.C., USA (NPA), March 4, 2026 — The U.S. Department of War, in coordination with the Public Affairs Office of the U.S. Army Reserve Command, has confirmed the deaths of four Army Reserve soldiers during an unmanned aircraft system attack at the Port of Shuaiba, Kuwait, on March 1. The soldiers were supporting Operation Epic Fury and were assigned to the 103rd Sustainment Command, based in Des Moines, Iowa. The incident remains under investigation.

    In a statement issued March 3, Lt. Gen. Robert Harter, Chief of Army Reserve and Commanding General of the U.S. Army Reserve Command, said: “The fallen heroes served fearlessly and selflessly in defence of our nation. Their sacrifice, and the sacrifices of their families, will never be forgotten.” He extended condolences to the families and pledged continued support for their units and loved ones.

    The deceased soldiers have been identified as:

    • Capt. Cody Khork, 35, of Lakeland, Florida

    • Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amor, 39, of White Bear Lake, Minnesota

    • Sgt. 1st Class Noah Tietjens, 42, of Bellevue, Nebraska

    • Sgt. Declan Coady, 20, of Des Moines, Iowa

    Maj. Gen. Todd Erskine, Commanding General of the 79th Theatre Sustainment Command, described them as “brave men and women who put it all on the line every single day. They represent the heart of America. We will remember their names, their service, and their sacrifice.”

    Brig. Gen. Clint A. Barnes, Deputy Commanding General of the 1st Theatre Sustainment Command, added: “It is with deep sadness and unyielding grief that we acknowledge our soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice. They were the ultimate ambassadors for freedom and represent the best of what our country stands for. May God grant their families peace and comfort. We will never forget them.”

  • U.S. Forces Destroy Iran’s Command Facilities, Air Defences, and Launch Sites

    U.S. Forces Destroy Iran’s Command Facilities, Air Defences, and Launch Sites

    LAGOS, NIGERIA (NPA), March 3, 2026 — The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced Tuesday that American forces, operating under Operation Epic Fury, have significantly degraded Iran’s military capabilities.

    In a statement, CENTCOM said: “U.S. forces have destroyed Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps command-and-control facilities, Iranian air defence systems, missile and drone launch sites, and military airfields during sustained operations. We will continue to take decisive action against imminent threats posed by the Iranian regime.”

    The campaign, launched jointly by the United States and Israel on February 28, 2026, has included targeted strikes against senior Iranian officials, among them Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Employing a “Shock and Awe” strategy, the coalition has focused on precision bombing designed to cripple Iran’s military infrastructure while minimising civilian casualties.

    According to military analysts, the strikes have weakened Iran’s command networks and disrupted its coordination with proxy groups such as Hezbollah and the Popular Mobilisation Forces. The offensive has also destabilised Iran’s leadership, creating uncertainty and diminishing its regional influence.

    Despite these gains, Washington faces the daunting challenge of preventing a wider escalation across the Middle East. Experts warn that the conflict could have severe repercussions for regional stability and global security.

  • Netanyahu accuses Iran of missile strikes on civilians amid escalating conflict

    Netanyahu accuses Iran of missile strikes on civilians amid escalating conflict

    JERUSALEM, ISRAEL (NPA), March 3, 2026 — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accused Iran of launching missile attacks on civilian areas in response to ongoing joint military operations by Israel and the United States. Netanyahu said Israel’s strikes are aimed at protecting civilians and neutralizing what he described as “existential threats.”

    In a statement on Tuesday, Netanyahu explained that Israel’s military campaign against Iran was designed to “remove existential threats and to create the conditions for the brave Iranian people to cast off the yoke of tyranny. That day is near—and when it arrives, Israel and the United States will be there.”

    The conflict has intensified, with Israeli and U.S. forces carrying out repeated strikes on Iranian military targets, while Iran has retaliated with missile barrages targeting Israel and several Gulf states. Netanyahu urged Israeli citizens to strictly follow Home Front Command instructions, noting that compliance has saved lives, though some casualties have occurred among those outside protected areas.

    Addressing the Iranian people directly, Netanyahu called on them to prepare for change, saying: “The day to cast off the yoke of tyranny is near as the ‘Lion’s Roar’ military campaign continues. Israel and the United States will stand with the Iranian people—but it depends on them. We will be there.”

    Netanyahu also warned that Iran’s missile strikes have extended beyond the Middle East. “They fired yesterday on a large part of the countries in the region, and indeed, they have fired on Europe too,” he said. He cautioned that if Iran were to acquire nuclear weapons, “they will threaten all of humanity.”

    He also stressed that Israel’s actions, in coordination with the United States, are not only for national defense but also for global security: “We embarked to remove this danger first and foremost from ourselves, but we are acting together with the United States on behalf of and for all of humanity.”

  • Iran rules out negotiations with United States

    Iran rules out negotiations with United States

    TEHRAN, IRAN (NPA): Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, has declared that Iran will not engage in negotiations with the United States.

    Larijani made the statement in a post on X on March 2, 2026, contradicting a report by The Wall Street Journal that suggested he had initiated new efforts to resume talks with Washington.

    The announcement also came a day after U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that Iran had reached out for negotiations.

    Meanwhile, Oman’s Foreign Minister, Badr Al-Busaidi, expressed optimism about diplomatic progress. In a social media post on Sunday evening, he wrote: “The Geneva talks made real progress toward an unprecedented agreement between Iran and the United States. Although there was hope to prevent war, war should not mean the loss of hope for peace. I still believe in the power of diplomacy to resolve this conflict. The sooner negotiations resume, the better it will be for everyone.”

    In a separate post, Larijani criticized President Trump’s regional policies, accusing him of destabilizing the Middle East and prioritizing Israel’s interests over those of the United States. He asserted that Iran’s armed forces were acting defensively and had not initiated aggression.

  • Austin-Texas Mass Shooting Investigated as Possible Terror Attack

    Austin-Texas Mass Shooting Investigated as Possible Terror Attack

    AUSTIN, TEXAS (NPA) — The FBI announced Sunday that a mass shooting in downtown Austin, Texas, which left three people dead and 14 others injured, is being investigated as “potentially an act of terrorism.”

    Authorities said the suspect, who was wearing a hoodie emblazoned with the words “Property of Allah” and an undershirt featuring an Iranian flag, opened fire in a crowded entertainment district early Sunday.

    Federal law enforcement sources identified the suspect as Ndiaga Diagne, a 53-year-old naturalized U.S. citizen originally from Senegal and residing in Pflugerville, Texas. Diagne reportedly became a U.S. citizen in 2013.

    Investigators are working to determine the motive behind the attack and whether it was ideologically driven.

    The incident comes amid heightened global tensions following the reported killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The development has sparked protests in several cities worldwide, including demonstrations in Pakistan and northern Nigeria, as military escalations continue between the United States, Israel, and the Islamic Republic of Iran.

  • BREAKING: TRUMP ANNOUNCES DEATH OF IRAN’S SUPREME LEADER KHAMENEI

    BREAKING: TRUMP ANNOUNCES DEATH OF IRAN’S SUPREME LEADER KHAMENEI

    WASHINGTON D.C. (NPA): United States President Donald Trump has announced the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, during the first day of U.S. and Israeli strikes in the Persian Gulf nation.

    Trump made the announcement on January 28, 2026, in a post on his Truth Social account. He wrote:

    “Khamenei, one of the most evil people in history, is dead. This is not only justice for the people of Iran, but for all great Americans, and those people from many countries throughout the world that have been killed or mutilated by Khamenei and his gang of bloodthirsty thugs. He was unable to avoid our intelligence and highly sophisticated tracking systems and, working closely with Israel, there was not a thing he, or the other leaders that have been killed along with him, could do.”

    In his statement, Trump urged Iranians to seize the opportunity to reclaim their country amid what he described as a power vacuum. He added:

    “We are hearing that many of their IRGC, military, and other security and police forces no longer want to fight, and are looking for immunity from us. As I said last night, ‘Now they can have immunity, later they only get death!’ Hopefully, the IRGC and police will peacefully merge with the Iranian patriots and work together as a unit to bring back the country to the greatness it deserves.”

    Trump further warned that the bombing campaign would continue “uninterrupted throughout the week, or as long as necessary to achieve our objective of peace throughout the Middle East and, indeed, the world.”

    As of the time of filing this report, Iranian authorities have not confirmed the death of the Supreme Leader.