Iran says UK should be held accountable over hostile accusations

"Russia, in negotiations with the United States, also considers Iran's interests," said Abbas Moghtadaei, deputy head of parliament's national security and foreign policy committee. "The Russians have a strategic agreement with us and will take our interests into account."

He dismissed concerns that Iran's interests could be compromised as part of wider US-Russia talks, particularly over Ukraine.

"Iran's position and Ukraine's position on the international stage are completely different," he said.

"Therefore, comparing our country with Ukraine and presenting this analysis that the US and Russia can negotiate about Iran's interests as they bargain about Ukraine's interests, is fundamentally flawed."

Moscow and Tehran have become ever closer in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, during which Iran has been sanctioned by global powers such as the US, UK and EU, for supplying Russia with drones used to target civilian populations in Ukraine.

The two nations, along with China, have carried out multiple military drills since the war began, in addition to signing long-term strategic agreements, which Moghtadaei said has cemented the alliance between the three countries.

"Those who analyze that the US and Russia will trade on Iran's interests the same way they negotiate over Ukraine, do not have a deep understanding of our country and its capabilities," he added.

The Kremlin confirmed on Wednesday that Russia suggested to the United States that the two powers should hold talks focused on Iran's nuclear program, with Russian media reporting this week that President Vladimir Putin has agreed to mediate nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran.

Yarrahi was sentenced after performing the protest song Rousarito (Take Off Your Headscarf). He confirmed through his lawyer that the punishment had been carried out and expressed defiance in response, following news that his case had finally been closed.

Writing on X, he said: “He who is unwilling to pay a price for freedom is unworthy of it.” He later added: “You have taken glass to break our stone.”

Renowned actress Taraneh Alidoosti shared a photo of Yarrahi in an Instagram story, writing: “Shame on fanaticism, shame on torture, shame on violence, shame on inhumane laws, and shame on our helplessness.”

Labor activist Esmail Bakhshi called the flogging “a whip striking the entire body of art and all art lovers in this land [Iran]," as hundreds of artists and entertainment stars continue to be victims of the state crackdown on dissent.

The singer gained prominence for his support of the 2022 popular protests, ignited by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in custody of hijab police.

His case has drawn renewed attention to the targeting of artists in Iran. Other musicians, including Toomaj Salehi and Saman Yasin, were imprisoned for supporting the protests, though both have since been released.

Many high level figures in the likes of sports and entertainment have been given punishments from jail time to travel bans, fines and work bans.

It was not only in Iran that solidarity message flooded the internet. In Canada, Iranian dissident Hamed Esmaeilion wrote: “In praise of those whose weary bodies bear the bloody marks of the whips of criminals and tyrants.”

US-based Singer Dariush Eghbali also reacted, posting Yarrahi’s image alongside a verse from his song: "Neither bullets nor daggers, neither gallows nor prison; Don’t frighten the stars away from the night."

Ahmad Zeidabadi, a Tehran-based commentator with ties to the Reformist camp, criticized the justification behind the sentence, writing: “Woe to that form of religiosity that remains trapped in history and does not modernize itself!”

In contravention of international laws on torture, Iran continues its policy of flogging, which along with death sentences, has increased in the wake of the 2022 uprising, according to rights groups.

During his first meeting with the General Staff Forum on Wednesday, he said, “2025 will be a year of war, focusing on Gaza, Iran, and preserving and deepening achievements in other arenas.”

It comes as the US-brokered ceasefire with Iran-backed Hamas in Gaza looks ever more fragile and talk from the US President Donald Trump and Israel’s political and military leaders continues to focus on the dismantling of Iran’s nuclear program.

Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz said this week that Iran remains its greatest threat following talks with US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.

"The Minister of Defense and the Secretary of Defense agreed that Iran is the main threat to the region, and that close cooperation between Israel and the United States should continue with the aim of preventing it from obtaining nuclear weapons," a statement from his office said.

On Saturday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio released a statement to say that he has signed a declaration to use emergency authorities to expedite the delivery of approximately $4 billion in military assistance to Israel.

Israel’s new Chief of Staff emphasized the importance of the value of victory in battle, announcing a multi-year plan set to begin in the second half of the year.

Last year, Israel and Iran’s shadow war came to the fore when Tehran launched two direct strikes on the Jewish state, sparking heavy retaliations from Israel, which targeted military and nuclear research facilities, and swathes of the country’s defense systems.

Last month, The Washington Post reported that US intelligence reports pointed to more Israeli strikes on nuclear related sites in Iran while Iran has promised a third strike on Israel.

"Operation True Promise 3 will occur at the right time," IRGC deputy commander Ali Fadavi said last month.

Overnight Wednesday, Donald Trump posted a harsh warning to Iran-backed Hamas, warning that if the remaining hostages are not handed over, there will be “hell to pay”.

"'Shalom Hamas' means Hello and Goodbye - You can choose. Release all of the Hostages now, not later, and immediately return all of the dead bodies of the people you murdered, or it is OVER for you,” he wrote on X.

“Only sick and twisted people keep bodies, and you are sick and twisted! I am sending Israel everything it needs to finish the job, not a single Hamas member will be safe if you don’t do as I say. I have just met with your former Hostages whose lives you have destroyed. This is your last warning! For the leadership, now is the time to leave Gaza, while you still have a chance.”

The upgrading of Iran to the highest tier of the United Kingdom's Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS) announced on March 4, is due to be rolled out in the summer. Evidence has emerged in recent years of pervasive security threats emanating from the government in Tehran against independent journalists based in the UK.

Under the designation, Iran and anybody acting on its behalf would be deemed a potential security threat and compelled to register their activities in the UK. Not doing so would potentially incur a five-year prison sentence.

Iran International is a Persian-language TV news network that broadcasts 24/7 and has a strong following in Iran, despite government efforts to restrict access to the internet and satellite signals.

The statement appreciating the UK Government’s step said, “Iran International and its journalists have been targeted by Tehran’s security apparatus, facing intimidation, surveillance, and direct threats to their lives.”

In February 2023, the network relocated its studio and broadcast operations to Washington, DC, three months after the police raised alarm of direct threats and provided protection at its London headquarters. Most of its broadcast operations later returned to a new location in London.

“We support the UK Government’s decision to place the entire Iranian state, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS), on the enhanced tier of the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS). This decision is an important step in preventing attacks on our journalists in the UK and their families in Iran,” the network said.

The network also emphasized its role as a necessary news source for the Iranian people and said it will not be intimidated.

“Iran International remains steadfast in its commitment to independent journalism. We will not be silenced by threats, intimidation, or state-backed violence.”

"We must lead the IDF in a reality where the Iranian threat is ever-present and the enemy is striving with all its might to obtain nuclear weapons and establish them within our borders," he said as outgoing Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi handed over to the new Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir.

On Tuesday, the interim US envoy to international organizations in Vienna, Howard Solomon, called Iran's nuclear program an "existential threat" to the international community.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who also spoke at the event, said that Israel is “determined to achieve decision and victory” over Iran and its allied groups.

Katz spoke of Halevi's tenure, highlighting the challenges facing Israel in the wake of the October 7, 2023 Hamas invasion.

The shock attack saw more than 3,000 militants storm the country, killing around 1,200 mostly civilians in Israel. Over 250 more were taken hostage in the deadliest single day for Jews since the Holocaust.

"From the failure to protect our citizens on the Black Sabbath of October 7, you knew how to rise, recover, and lead an army that achieved a series of impressive military successes - in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Judea and Samaria, Yemen - and Iran," Katz said, referring to the onslaught of attacks from Iran-backed groups around the region sparked by the Gaza war.

Additionally, last year saw two direct aerial barrages from Iran as the shadow war between the two archenemies came into light, with Israeli retaliation taking out large swathes of Iran's air defences.

Since then, Iran has put even heavier focus on its allies in the occupied West Bank and stepped up spy operations in the country, Iran-backed plots rising by 400% last year, according to Israeli security.

Israel significantly weakened Iran's biggest military ally, Hezbollah in Lebanon, in addition to massively weakening Hamas in Gaza.

Large numbers of Hezbollah's leadership, including decades-long leader Hassan Nasrallah, were taken out in targeted strikes amid a conflict which sent Israel and the group to the verge of war.

As US-brokered ceasefires have seen calm with Hamas and Hezbollah, Israel's campaign against Iran continues while Tehran's allies keep threatening the Jewish state.

Earlier this week, senior Houthi leader Nasser al-Din Amer threatened on his X account that the Iran-backed group in Yemen was ready to resume its attacks against Israel.

"The eye is watching Gaza, the hand is on the trigger, the missiles and UAVs and all military units are on alert. The decision of the leader, Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, is clear," he said.